White Tiger

by Jennifer Ashley

  Seamus nodded, and his cheekbones stained red. “Bree is something special, Kendrick. You’d like her.”

  Kendrick grinned. “Seamus, the loner; Seamus who lived to be tracker to his leader.” He shook his head in mock sorrow. “I turn my back, and you pick up the closest woman and shack up with her.”

  “About right.” The relaxed look in Seamus’s eyes told Kendrick that this woman, Bree, had a calming effect on him. He’d never seen Seamus so at ease. “She saved my ass from getting caught and executed. Least I could do was mate-claim her.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure you had to thank her somehow.” Kendrick looked Seamus over a moment, then jerked the man back into a hug.

  Seamus closed his arms around Kendrick, and for a time the two men held each other, soaking in warmth and touch.

  Kendrick at last made himself release Seamus and return to business. If they’d had time, they’d have shifted to their big cat forms and spent an hour or so lazing under the sun, heads together, paws resting on each other, taking comfort in each other’s presence.

  Kendrick flicked his fingers over the black and silver Collar around Seamus’s neck. “Why are you wearing this?”

  “It’s fake,” Seamus said. “Dylan asked me to put it on—okay, he pretty much demanded me to. At the time, I needed to pretend to be a Collared Shifter, or I would have been arrested.”

  Kendrick let out a breath. “At least it isn’t real. But you look strangled in it.”

  “I don’t like it.” Seamus fingered the Collar, which didn’t move. It must have been fused into his skin, like the real ones. “But it’s better than being rounded up and caged. I go back and forth from Shiftertown to my girlfriend’s house—this makes it easier.”

  “I understand. Dylan gave me a fake but leaves it up to me when to wear it. He probably knows I’d make him eat it if he didn’t give me the choice.”

  “Dylan is . . .” Seamus trailed off, searching for the right words. Seamus had never been an eloquent man, preferring a simple and straightforward fight to conversation. Take it down first, ask questions later. “. . . complicated,” Seamus finished. “You see him with his granddaughter and grandsons and think he’s the most loving man ever. Then he turns around and becomes the most terrifyingly ruthless shite I’ve ever laid eyes on. Hot and cold.”

  “I noticed,” Kendrick said. “I told him I was done working for him. Do you know if he got my message?”

  Seamus nodded. “He’s not happy with you, but understands—so he said. He’ll not pursue you, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

  The knots in Kendrick’s stomach loosened one strand. “Good.”

  “But I wouldn’t write him off just yet. If he decides he needs you, he’ll come after you. I’m willing to bet he knows exactly where you are even now.”

  “Probably.” Addison describing how she’d seen Spike and Tiger in the parking lot in San Antonio had unnerved him. Regardless of whether they’d ever seen Addison, Tiger was uncanny at putting things together and finding out who people were. Spike would follow right along with Tiger and stop at nothing to track Kendrick down.

  Or so Kendrick understood. He’d met Spike and Tiger only once, as he’d told Addison—Dylan had kept Kendrick separate from the Austin Shifters. Compartmentalizing, as Ben had said.

  Which reminded Kendrick . . . “So who is this Ben?” Kendrick asked.

  Seamus shook his head. “I don’t know much about him, but I understand the wolf leader in Las Vegas sent him. Graham—that’s the wolf alpha’s name—says Ben is good at what he does—too good, which is why Graham wanted him out of there.”

  “What is he?” Kendrick went on. “I’ve never scented anything like him. And what is it he’s good at?”

  “No idea. Want me to find out?”

  “Discreetly. It’s not top priority.” He firmed his tone. “What is top priority is finding out which of my Shifters have turned on me. Are you one of them?”

  Kendrick didn’t change expression while he waited for the answer, and he remained standing easily, not tensing.

  But he knew that in the next moment or two, he would either be embracing Seamus again or killing him. Didn’t matter that Seamus now had made a mate-claim, had a new life—Kendrick’s tiger wouldn’t care. The Sword of the Guardian waited in case Kendrick had to send his best friend to the Summerland.

  Seamus’s gaze didn’t waver. “No,” he said quietly. “I’m loyal to you.”

  Shifters had difficulty lying, because scent, body language, and an indefinable sense of wrongness would alert those who were lied to. Things humans might miss screamed false to a Shifter. So, most Shifters didn’t bother with lies.

  Seamus was usually polite enough not to pin Kendrick with his gaze, making sure he in no way challenged his alpha’s dominance. At this moment, though, Seamus was meeting Kendrick’s eyes not so much to challenge, but to bare himself. He wanted Kendrick to see everything.

  Kendrick exhaled in more relief than he had in a long time. Only tasting Addison today had given him more joy.

  He dragged Seamus into another embrace, squeezing the man hard. Seamus hugged him back as robustly, and Kendrick’s eyes moistened.

  Kendrick eased off the hug and held Seamus at arm’s length. Seamus’s lion eyes were full of warmth, happiness to see Kendrick, and a spark that had been missing before.

  “It is good to see you, my friend,” Kendrick said, heartfelt. “Let’s go home.”

  * * *

  Addie burned with worry the whole time Kendrick was gone. She helped Charlie plan and start dinner, but she chafed at Kendrick’s absence.

  What if this Seamus did turn on him? Kendrick seemed confident he could fight the man, but the other Shifters had carried guns. What if Seamus came packing heat? Or brought others to ambush him?

  Addie could only watch for Kendrick’s return and try to stay calm—not easy. Robbie was just as worried, though he kept saying that of course Seamus wouldn’t hurt Dad. Seamus was loyal. He spoke as though if he said the words often enough, he’d believe them.

  When Addie saw Kendrick and another man come walking over the rise, she nearly wilted in relief. The second Shifter was as tall as Kendrick though not as broad of shoulder. They strode comfortably side by side, the still-bright sun glistening on Kendrick’s black-and-white hair and his sword’s hilt above his back.

  Addie abandoned chopping carrots and raced out the door.

  She was supposed to wait until Kendrick let her know for certain that all was well, but screw it. Addie couldn’t be the meek little woman waiting at home for word of her man. She’d never been able to do that, which was why her idiot fiancé had dumped her. He’d even said, You should do what I say, Addie, until I tell you otherwise. You’re not respectful.

  Unfortunately most guys she’d met after that had been cast in the same mold. True, Kendrick also told her what to do, but his attitude said that he’d rely on Addie’s good sense rather than unquestioning obedience.

  Good sense deserted Addie now as she raced up the low hill to meet them.

  Seamus—if this was Seamus—was more loose-limbed than Kendrick, and a Collar hugged his neck, a Celtic knot resting on his throat. He had black hair and eyes a shade of gold Addie had never seen on a human being before.

  “Well?” Addie asked as she stopped before them. “I see you didn’t kill each other. I assume he’s all right?”

  If Kendrick had been Addie’s ex-fiancé, he’d have grown angry that Addie had left the safety of the house, would growl at her to get back to the kitchen where she belonged. Kendrick only met her gaze with one that held reassurance.

  “Addison, this is Seamus McGuire, my tracker and my second. Seamus, this is Addison Price. I trust her.”

  The last words were said emphatically, as though imparting that if Seamus didn’t also trust her, there would be a problem.r />
  Seamus roved a thorough gaze over Addie. Not as a man might check out a woman, but as a stranger assessing another stranger. Finally Seamus gave her a formal nod.

  “Nice to meet you, Addison.” Seamus’s accent was Scottish, Addie thought. “Kendrick has told me absolutely nothing about you.”

  “He’s told me nothing about you, so we’re even,” Addie returned. She looked Seamus over as fully as he’d studied her. “Can we trust him?” she asked Kendrick.

  She already knew the answer. Seamus wouldn’t be standing next to them if Kendrick couldn’t.

  “Yes.” Kendrick said simply. “What’s for dinner?”

  Addie rolled her eyes in feigned annoyance. “Men—always thinking with your stomachs. It’s going to take a little while, but I think you’ll like it.”

  She turned her back on them and started down to the house.

  Seamus and Kendrick didn’t follow right away. Addie felt the weight of their stares on her, and she turned back. They were watching her, both of them with odd looks on their faces.

  She had no idea what puzzled them so much, but she was sure it was a Shifter thing. She continued down into the house, where Robbie was watching out the window.

  Brett and Zane tumbled out of the back door toward Kendrick and Seamus as the two approached.

  “Uncle Seamus!” They chorused. Brett grabbed Seamus’s leg and jumped up and down. Zane climbed Seamus as easily as he would in tiger form.

  Seamus, laughing, caught them both and hoisted them into his arms. “How are you, lads?” He bounced them and gave them each a noisy kiss on the tops of their heads. “How are you holding up, Robbie? I bet it’s tough having to look after this lot, including your dad.”

  Robbie shrugged, trying to hide how happy he was. “They mostly behave. Brett and Zane do anyway.”

  Brett and Zane were busy hugging Seamus, tugging at his hair, each vying for his undivided attention as they all ducked into the house.

  “Where have you been, Uncle Seamus?” Brett asked on one side.

  “We’ve been hiding,” Zane said on the other.

  “Isn’t Addie pretty?” Brett continued. “She likes us. She’s going to be our new mom!”

  Addie swallowed a breath, which came out a cough. Kendrick reached out and firmly took his sons from Seamus. Seamus gave Addie an interested glance with tawny eyes that twinkled with good humor.

  “Out of the mouths of babes,” Seamus said.

  Addie flushed. “Well, not out of the mouth of me. We need to finish helping Charlie with supper.”

  The younger boys wriggled out of Kendrick’s grasp. “We’re having lots of meat,” Brett declared, and Zane finished, “And yucky vegetables. I’m not eating them.”

  “You don’t have to,” Kendrick said. “Shifters are different,” he said to Addie. “Different metabolism.”

  Seamus skipped the discussion and lifted Robbie into his arms. “How are you, little lad?”

  Though Robbie tried to be more dignified than his adoptive brothers, he was still very young. He hugged Seamus with enthusiasm and laughed out loud when Seamus tossed him up in the high-ceilinged kitchen and caught him.

  “So,” Charlie said, looking up from the stove. “That’s another for supper, is it?”

  * * *

  Addie was amazed how open and relaxed Kendrick was with Seamus. She watched them with a little envy while the Shifters, including the cubs, devoured the entire shank of beef in five minutes, leaving the large portion of roasted potatoes and other veggies for Charlie and Addie.

  Kendrick joked and laughed with Seamus, unbending in a way he’d not yet done with Addie.

  Then again, Kendrick had known Seamus for years. The man was a trusted friend. Seamus apparently was still a friend, and Kendrick was busy enjoying that fact.

  After dinner, Kendrick suggested that Seamus walk out with him to look at the stars. Can’t see the constellations stuck in a city, Kendrick said, and Seamus agreed.

  They weren’t going to stargaze, they were going to talk, Addie knew. She was determined to listen but she hated leaving Charlie to clean up the mess. And the cubs could sure make a mess.

  Robbie pitched in and helped. Addie carried plates from the dining table in the big room to the sink but she had her eyes on the back door where the two Shifters had departed into the darkness.

  After she dropped a dish, watching it shatter on the slate floor, Charlie growled to her, “Go on. You know you want to.”

  Addie apologized profusely, wiped her hands, and charged outside.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  She found the two men in the dark at the top of the hill. She almost missed them—they blended so well into the night. Kendrick’s ability to do so was uncanny. He could suddenly become unnoticeable, standing in perfect stillness while shadows seemed to swallow him.

  Both of them were doing that now. They were also standing very close together; in fact, they were embracing. Not just a manly clasp with a few back pats, but a long, bodies-pressed-together hug.

  Addie stopped, her mouth going dry. Seamus lifted his head from Kendrick’s shoulder, nuzzled the bigger man’s neck, then leaned into him again.

  Addie couldn’t look away. She’d never thought about it before, but watching two very hot men hold each other was . . . hot.

  The two men must know she stood there. She hadn’t tried to approach softly, and she understood by now that they’d catch her scent.

  Even so, they took their time unwinding from the hug, giving each other one last nuzzle.

  “I know you didn’t come to eavesdrop,” Kendrick said easily, turning to her. “Join us, Addison. We have much to discuss.”

  * * *

  Addison looked surprised to be included, but Kendrick figured it would save time. Addison would need to know what was going on, and this way he could have one conversation instead of two similar ones.

  That’s why I’m leader, he told himself dryly. I’m so damned efficient.

  “I told you I’d brought my Shifters to Texas and set up in a bunker off that way.” Kendrick pointed an arm to the northwest. “We fixed it up until it was a nice place to live.”

  “For a bunker,” Seamus put in. “No windows.”

  “Then, as I mentioned, it was destroyed,” Kendrick went on. “The Austin Shifters thought we’d abducted a young woman, when all she’d done was move into our compound with her boyfriend. And, as you know, I’ve been working with Dylan since then, while looking for a new place for my Shifters.”

  Seamus frowned at him, clearly uncomfortable with all Kendrick was revealing. But Kendrick wanted Addison to know, to understand.

  Kendrick continued. “As I said, I was helping him round up feral Shifters who’d followed a leader he took down in Mexico. But lately, there’s been other strange shit happening in the Shiftertowns around here. Shifters are disappearing for days, not saying where they’re going or where they’ve been. They haven’t exactly challenged their hierarchy, but they don’t obey when they should. Dylan asked me to help him find out what these Shifters were doing, and to catch and interrogate them when we can.”

  “And what,” Seamus asked slowly, “have you found out?”

  “They’re trying to form their own Shifter communities,” Kendrick said. “Out from under the hierarchy imposed on them by the human government. Like we did.” His voice took an ironic note. “Only a little less civilized. They’re choosing their clan leaders based on dominance and want to run things by a council of clans.”

  “That doesn’t sound too unreasonable,” Seamus said. “Optimistic, but not unreasonable. Shifter clan leaders don’t always get along.”

  He shot Kendrick a look. A long time ago, Kendrick had been forced to challenge another Shifter, a Lupine clan leader, for control of their group, and Kendrick had won. Kendrick had killed the other Shifter and t
aken over, which had been one of the hardest things he’d done in his life.

  The other Shifter had been, up until his betrayal, Kendrick’s closest friend. The pain of the man turning on him and forcing Kendrick to kill him had lingered for years. Still lingered.

  Kendrick shook his head, pulling himself back to the present. “If it stopped at them wanting to form their own enclave, Dylan would simply keep an eye on them, maybe figure out how he could use them. But they’ve moved one step beyond. These Shifters want to remove their Collars, and then destroy the Collared Shifters. Shifters happy to stay under the yoke of human rule are endangering all Shifters, they say, and so must either be recruited or killed. They’re trying to recruit the cubs first, because many of them now don’t have Collars and never will.”

  “Shite,” Seamus said, his slow anger rising. “Are they out of their minds?”

  “Seems that way. I was able to infiltrate one of the groups, wearing a fake Collar and keeping a low profile. Unfortunately, at one meeting I saw Ivan Cranford. And he saw me.”

  Seamus stared at him for a few heartbeats. “What?”

  “I evaded Ivan when I left and told Dylan I couldn’t go back. I thought I’d given Ivan the slip, but next thing I knew, he was looking for me. A couple nights ago, he found me. He and his backup had guns and they opened fire. I’m guessing he meant it to look like a gang shooting—a tragedy, but nothing to do with Shifters.”

  “Oh, holy . . .” Seamus put his hands on top of his head and walked a few paces away.

  Kendrick was aware of Addison, listening hard, her arms tightly folded as though she were cold in the hot late-May night. Her eyes were filled with horror as she realized they were talking about the Shifter she’d watched Kendrick send to dust.

  Kendrick drew a long breath. “He’s dead, Seamus. I killed him.”

  Seamus kept his back to them for a long time. He let his hands drop and looked up at the stars, which swam thick and white across the black backdrop. The night was clear, no clouds between them and the heavens.