Trusting A Tiger (Alaskan Tigers)
Page 5
“She’s making progress, I can see that, but she’s also having the nightmares still. She’s living through it night after night in her dreams. I just want you to be prepared that she could slide back and lash out. Without her commitment to the clan, I can’t risk what information she could gain.”
“I understand.” He did, but with his Alpha’s new orders, it was going to make him claiming her even more difficult. Once the mating had started, he wouldn’t be able to keep himself away from her, and he couldn’t be in the main building doing his job and with Harmony at the same time.
As if Ty read his mind, he added. “Once your mating has started you’ll be responsible if you bring her to the main building, and I don’t want her there while you’re guarding Tabitha. Not until we are sure where things stand with her.” Ty strolled away, leaving Felix standing in the cool night air lost in his thoughts.
Would Harmony have a breakdown now that she had people to support her? Would it force the wedge between them again? Was all the progress they had made for nothing? The amount of unanswered questions that ran through his mind was annoying, not the mention the doubt that was now creeping back in.
He turned on his heels, heading back to her. There was no better time to start working on making their mating official. Stepping inside, he found Harmony pouring a glass of iced tea. Slipping up behind her, he slid his arms around her waist. He had been dying to do that since he walked in, now there was nothing stopping him. Nuzzling against the base of her neck, he took a moment just to breathe in her essence, the strawberry cream shampoo had him pressing his nose further into her hair. “I don’t want you binding yourself to the clan because of me.”
“It’s not just you, there’s Robin as well. More importantly, you know what happens with solitary shifters if they don’t go true rogue—they are easy prey to others. I don’t want to be without a clan completely, and I’m not strong enough to handle being prey and winning in a fight against others.” She rested her head against his and laid her hands over his.
“You won’t be alone. I’ll be by your side.”
Wriggling around in his arms, she turned to face him. “Felix, you can’t honestly stand there and say that if I left your clan you’d leave with me.”
“You’re my mate.” He hated to think of the idea of leaving his clan—they were his family. He had worked too long and too hard to earn the position he did to give it all up, but what choice would he have? His beast would choice their mate over his clan.
Leaving out a deep sigh, she looked into his eyes. “Fine, let’s put it this way, you can’t say you would follow me without hating me for it.”
“Harmony, why are we having this discussion? Do you want to leave Alaska?” His heart beat a little faster at just the thought. Would she really leave the sanctuary she found?
“No. I mean, I don’t know. Can this ever really be my home? They know what happened with Henry. Plus, being here is only bringing danger to your clan. Damn it—I don’t want to be under another Alpha like my last.”
“Ty is nothing like that. I’ve been with him since he took over the clan, working closely with him. He’s the one that gave me the opportunity to prove myself by guarding him. When he mated, he asked me to be the Captain of Tabitha’s guards. There’s no higher honor than that, besides Raja’s position as Lieutenant.” He ran his hand up her back. “No one knows except Robin, Ty, Raja and their mates. It’s not like everyone knows your past. Not that it’s important—everyone has a past—but this can be your family if you just allow us in.”
He wanted her to commit to the clan so he wouldn’t have to choose between the two things that meant the most to him. Maybe taking Henry out of the equation would help her feel a little less hesitant. Ty’s words begin to replay in his mind. Did he suspect that Harmony might try to leave the clan? Is that why he didn’t want her helping Connor when they desperately needed the assistance?
He took a deep breath and asked the question looming on his mind. “If we weren’t mates, would you leave the clan?”
“I don’t know. I like it here. Robin, Tabitha, Bethany, and Kallie are quickly becoming friends, and I’ve never had someone I’ve considered a friend. I’ve never heard of another clan where the Alpha Female and Lieutenant’s mate actually mingle with the clan members. So many other clans have this great divided between the Elders and the clan members. There’s no true family as the one I’ve witnessed here. Ty is accepting enough to allow bears and a wolf into the compound, which is almost unheard of.”
“Then why doubt Ty? You trust Robin, and she’s committed to the clan. Why do you want to run from it when it can give you so much more than you’ve had in the past? I’d like to think you know I wouldn’t lead you into anything dangerous, yet you run from the people I consider my family.” Felix’s fingers played along the edge of her tank top. He wanted to let his hands explore her body, but the conversation they were having was more important so he forced his beast to wait again.
She ran her hands along the front of his chest. “Because it scares me. Everything I’ve ever known is so different. My past proves Alphas aren’t like Ty. To trust another and put myself in that situation again is daunting. Don’t you think I wish I could just make the commitment—to take the doubt of the whole situation out of your eyes and to be able to give back to the clan and help find Henry? I would if I could, but the unknown is terrifying.”
His fingers eased up the tank top revealing a little more skin, teasing along the bare flesh. “Let me claim you as my mate, and you will feel my connection to the clan. You’ll know what I’ve gone through in the past with them and the love that we share. There will no longer be any doubt when it comes to committing.”
“You’re using that to mate me?”
He pressed his head closer to her neck, nibbling along the tender flesh where her neck and shoulder meet. “You know we’re going to mate. Why push it off when it can help you gain more confidence in the clan and give you everything you’ve searched for?”
“How do you know what I’ve searched for?”
He drew his tongue along the spots he just nibbled at before answering her. “I know what we all want. We all want to find our mate because it completes us. Can you honestly say you don’t want this mating? A clan to call home—one that is nothing like what you know but is a true family?” When she remained silent, he continued. “I thought so.”
“I can’t—not yet, I need more time.” Even as she said it, her body betrayed her, her fingers pulling his T-shirt from his jeans until she had enough room to slide her hands under the thin material.
It was no surprise that she was going to fight the mating at every turn. He only hoped he could convince her before the mating desire set in, bringing the painful longing for their mate’s touch with it.
* * *
With the covers drawn tightly around Harmony, she laid there mentally kicking herself for not giving in to her beast. The tigress wanted Felix and was growing more and more impatient with her delays. Her heated body felt like someone took a flame and glided it over her skin, warming her, it was the beginning of the mating desire she’d heard so much about and would only grow worse the longer she refused Felix. She couldn’t complete the mating until she was certain things were going to turn out.
Having the connection to Henry through his bite mark on her thigh, could she work it so he knew where she was? She absently ran her hand over the scar. If she knew he left Ohio, it might be possible for him to know she left the compound. Slipping off the bed, she formed the plan to go after Henry herself. This wasn’t the Alaskan Tigers’ fight; it was hers. If she was going to be a clan member then she needed to take responsibility and not bring problems to the clan gates.
Pulling on her jeans again, she grabbed the hip holster that Felix brought earlier, sliding the gun into it. One magazine is all she had, but she’d make each bullet count. If she died before she could eliminate Henry, she could only hope that he left the clan alone.
The ground was lighted with the evening lights, making it easy for the members to see as they went about their evening activities, many of them out for their nightly runs. Later, the lights would be dimmed while most of the clan slept, with only the guards moving about the grounds. She’d wait a little longer until it was at its darkest. Then she could use the night to conceal her as she made her way across the compound and up the fence to the other side.
Once she was beyond the walls of the compound, she’d figure out a way to get a message to Henry. She’d find him if he didn’t find her first. It was time to take her life back into her own hands. She couldn’t commit to a mate and a clan while she worried about placing everyone around her in danger.
Chapter Seven
Felix awoke with a start, his heart beating against his ribcage and his whole body screaming something was wrong. He opened his shields to check on Ty and Tabitha just down the hall. They were safe and sleeping peacefully. Lying there, listening to the ear transmitter, everything seemed calm. He laid there after coming to the conclusion that it had to be a dream, his eyes drifting shut when his phone rang. Adam. He’s not on guard duty with Tabitha. What the hell had Adam calling?
Sliding his finger over the answer button, he brought it to his ear. “Hello.”
“I need you here. Robin is freaking out. You need to get over here now.” The alarm thickened Adam’s voice.
“I’ll be right there.” Jumping out of bed, he ended the call. It had to be about Harmony.
He slipped into the jeans and shoes that he always kept close to the bed for emergencies before slipping on a T-shirt. Grabbing his shoulder holster, he charged out the door. There wasn’t a minute to spare if something was wrong with his mate. He set off in a steady jog until he made it outside, then he ran through the night almost at tiger speed. Thoughts of what could have happened raced through his mind. He knew no one was on the compound grounds, so Henry couldn’t have made it this far yet.
Skidding to a halt in front of Adam’s cabin, he sent dirt flying through the air. He jumped onto the porch as Adam pulled open the door. “What’s going on?”
“Inside.” Adam nodded.
Felix stepped around him, and Robin came into view. She sat on the sofa, the cinnamon and spices from the tea she was clutching drifted toward him. Her eyes looked haunted and full of regret. What had happened since he retired for the evening?
“Oh, Felix, you’re here.” Tears fell down her cheeks, but he wasn’t sure if they were tears of pain or gratitude.
“What happened?” Felix moved in, coming to sit across from her but leaving the comforting to her mate who would do a better job at it.
“Harmony. Oh, Felix, you have to help her. She’s gone!” She cried out as Adam wrapped his arm around her shoulder, comforting her.
“What?” Felix nearly jumped from the chair. “I just saw her—she was tired and going to bed. What do you mean ‘she’s gone’?”
“I was asleep, thrilled that I wasn’t sharing one of her dreams again. I thought maybe the tricks Ty taught me this afternoon were working. When I woke, I realized why I wasn’t having her nightmare—she’s not sleeping.” With shaking hands, she reached out to set the tea mug aside. “I can feel her, but she’s left the compound. She’s determined to take Henry down herself instead of bringing the danger to the clan. You have to do something.”
“Where is she?” Felix could kick himself for not seeing it earlier. After Ty delivered the news that she couldn’t help with the search, she had gone quiet. He should have realized that she was working on plans of her own. Damn it—what kind of mate was he that he didn’t even know she was planning something.
“She’s got at least an hour head start on us. She’s heading toward town, hoping to catch a ride,” Robin explained, her head resting against Adam’s chest.
Felix rose, he’d have to wake Ty and let him know before he could find his mate.
“I’m going with you.”
“The hell you are, Robin!” Adam kept his arm around her, stopping her as she tried to stand from the sofa.
“I must go with Felix if we’re to bring Harmony back. He needs me with him in order to find her.” She ran her hand over Adam’s leg. “If we both go, we have a better chance of bringing her back tonight and keeping her out of trouble.”
“I’ll find her myself,” Felix told her. “Call me if you have any other information.”
Robin laid her hand over Adam’s, but her gaze was on Felix. “Henry is going to be drawn to her, knowing that she’s alone. We have to bring her back tonight. In order to do that, you need me with you. I’ll be able to feel her stronger as we get closer to her.”
“I don’t like the idea of my mate leaving the compound without me, but she’s right. If you stand a chance of bringing Harmony back tonight, you need Robin with you.” Adam kissed the top of Robin’s head, sending a danger through Felix’s heart at the display of love between them. “Don’t discount my mate because she’s human. She’s a good shot, and with our mating, she’s faster and stronger than the average human. She can hold her own.”
“We can’t both leave Tabitha unprotected,” Felix told Adam, softening a little to the idea. He’d do whatever he could to find his mate quickly, including using his best friend’s mate as a compass if he needed to. If Henry made it there before he could get the women back to safety, it was going to be tricky to protect both women.
“I know. Take Taber or Thorben with you. I trust them to help if things wrong.” Adam dragged his fingers down Robin’s arm. “If it was anyone else but you, I wouldn’t agree to send my mate, but I know you’ll protect her as if she was yours.”
Felix nodded. “You have my word.”
“Very well. I’ll let Ty know. You get one of Kallie’s mates and gear up. Robin will be ready when you are.”
Robin turned her head, resting it in Adam’s shoulder, her lips hovering above his neck. “Thank you.”
“I’ll get an SUV and be outside your cabin in twenty minutes.” With that, Felix took two quick strides to the door. With one final look back at the couple, he opened it. Damn Harmony for not only risking herself but the people that had come to care about her.
Felix headed to recruit Taber for the newest mission, but the command center caught his attention and raised his anger. Whoever was on duty wasn’t doing their job if Harmony was able to sneak off the grounds without raising alarm. It would add a few minutes to the lead Harmony had on them, but if the compound was going to be safe, he needed to stop there and drill a few lessons into whoever was behind the cameras. Tonight it was someone sneaking off, but next time it could be someone attacking the compound.
He pushed the door open, ready to tear someone’s head off. Felix was shocked to find Mike sitting behind the computer station, cup of coffee in hand. Mike was one of the most dedicated on command-center duty. It was unlike him to let someone slip in or out of the compound.
“Felix, what can I do for you?” Mike asked, sitting his coffee aside.
Taking a deep breath, Felix’s jaw set. “We had someone leave the compound under the cover of night. I want to know how it happened.”
“Who? When?” Mike turned back to the monitors, scanning them again.
“Harmony, about an hour ago. I want to know how it happened and where, and I want to know now.”
Mike shot a quick look over his shoulder back to Felix. “Are you sure? I haven’t seen any unusual movement.”
“Damn right I’m sure. She’s not here. I want to know how you managed t
o overlook her climbing a fence.” Felix slammed his hand against the door, splintering it.
“Felix.” He turned to find Ty coming up the stairs. “Go find her. I’ll deal with Mike, and we’ll figure out how this happened.”
“If someone can leave the compound unnoticed, someone can get in. Tabitha’s in danger if people aren’t doing their job.” Felix’s nails dug into the palm of his hand.
“There are a few spots on the compound that the cameras don’t cover. New cameras have arrived but have yet to be put up. The guards know of the spots, and they monitor them closely,” Mike defended. “I’ve been on duty and haven’t left my post…I haven’t seen anything, Felix.”
“This is unacceptable.” Felix’s beast’s attention was caught with the anger coursing through him.
“She was never a prisoner here—none of the members are.”
Spinning toward his Alpha, a growl erupted from Felix. “She’s my mate. If it was Tabitha, wouldn’t you be angry?”
“If it was my mate, I’d be searching for her and figure out how the hell it happened later.” Ty glared at Felix for a moment. “Harmony pointed out a flaw in our protection. She had time to study us. Anyone who’s attacking won’t be able to do that. We’ll deal with adding more cameras and possibly more guards if needed, but now it’s important that you find Harmony before Henry does.”
His Alpha was right. He’d deal with Mike and whatever flaws laid in their security after he found his mate. “Fine.” Harmony, I’m coming for you.
* * *
Creeping through the woods with the darkness covering it like a thick blanket had Harmony on edge. In the security of the compound over the last few weeks, she forgot how much she hated hiding in the woods, the darkness clinging to the trees and making the forest seem sinister. Occasionally, she’d catch a glimpse of the twinkling stars overhead, which eased the pulse rising in her throat.
If she’d shift, she could make the twenty miles from the compound to Fairbanks in less than an hour. But in her tiger form, the connection to Henry was stronger. With her shields down in tiger form, she couldn’t block the connection as well. He’d pinpoint her location before she could get far enough from the clan to keep the danger away. The whole point of her running was to protect those she had come to care about. She couldn’t risk them now, she’d have to continue the journey on foot. With luck on her side, she could make Fairbanks by morning.