“Yet, if I refuse her request, it could erect the wall to divide me from the only blood family I have left. Now we’re going in, if you two want to wait here, be my guest. Scared of a little tigress.” She turned the handle, letting herself in.
“In your dream, mate,” Felix whispered before pushing his way in front of her. “Remember, you’re mated. Women are protected.”
The Alaskan Tigers concept that the mated females and children should be protected was a new concept to her. In Ohio it didn’t matter your sex—if you were of fighting age, you fought for the clan. Not that she had to do much of that. Having her house off the compound had kept her from most of the clan’s politics. It was that final fight that proved she was weak and was the invitation for her former Alpha to give her to Henry. She shook her head, refusing to think about the past. After all, things had come full circle for her, and she had found her mate and an extended family within the clan.
Looking around the small cabin, she was surprised that it was bigger than the room her and Felix currently shared in the main building. Ty had put Daisy in one of the clan guest cabins on the far side of the compound, offering her a chance to adjust to her newfound freedom. It was completely open, a one-room cabin, but it still didn’t feel cramped. The small kitchenette was just to the right of the doorway, with the living area and bedroom space taking up the back portion.
Daisy sat in the middle of the bed, the blankets twisted up, making a nest around her, and a bound journal lay open in her lap. She had long red hair just a shade or two lighter than Harmony’s. Her thin frame was covered with a bulky turtleneck sweater and jeans. The sweater struck Harmony as odd. Even with the cool Alaska weather at this time, it was still too warm for a turtleneck.
Styx closed the door behind them, and suddenly she felt trapped. This was a bad idea and too late to turn around. Taking a deep breath, she stepped around Felix. “Daisy, you asked to see me?”
Daisy sat her journal aside, watching them intently. “We do look alike, don’t we? No wonder Pierce made the mistake.”
“Time is limited, Daisy. What is it you wanted to see her about?” Felix inquired, his hand still resting on his weapon.
“I wanted to see the woman that caused the months of torture I suffered.” Daisy shot off the bed with such speed, Harmony fought not to take a step back. “After your Alpha rescued me, you’d still shoot me?”
Until Daisy spoke, Harmony didn’t even realize that Felix and Styx both drew their weapons. She didn’t tell the men to put their weapons up, because the way this was going, they might have no choice but to use them. Instead she focused on her cousin. “You wanted to see me to make me feel guilty? If that’s your motive, you’re too late, but I’m not directly responsible for what happened to you, nor did I know anything about it until we both ended up here. I’m sorry for what happened to you.”
“You’re sorry!” Daisy screamed, dashing around the bed, heading straight for them. “That doesn’t change a bloody thing! It doesn’t take away the scars on my body, the brand he burned into my right hip.”
“If you come any closer, you will leave me no choice.” Felix stepped forward, cutting off Daisy’s access to Harmony.
“There’s nothing more to say then. I’m sorry, but you’re not the only one that suffered. I’m not making light of what happened to you, but you have your whole life ahead of you. Let Robin help you so that you can have a life now that you’re free.” She knew it was harsh, but Daisy needed someone to say it. Everyone was moving around her as if she was going to break down any moment. She couldn’t continue to live hidden in this small cabin indefinitely. If she had to say the harsh words to get Daisy to pull herself up by her bootstraps and put the pieces back together, then so be it.
Daisy lunged at her, and in that instant, Styx pushed her aside and fired. “No!” Harmony cried as she stumbled out of the way, but it was too late. The trigger was pulled, and the bullet had exited the chamber.
Felix wrapped his arm around her, his gun still in hand. “It’s okay, it’s only a tranquilizer gun. She’ll be knocked out for a few hours and one mighty pissed off tigress when she wakes, but you’re safe.”
Daisy crumpled onto the floor in a heap, her eyes glazed over as the drugs hit her system. The look on her face was pure hatred. Harmony couldn’t believe the hatred that was coming over Daisy in waves. They’d never be able to move past something that beyond their control. It had been the cement of the relationship that could never be.
“You okay? I need to help Styx get her onto the bed.” Felix stood in front of her watching her, his hands on either shoulder.
She took a moment to realize that they had moved while she was lost in her thoughts. “Go, I’m fine.” He lingered for a moment, not sure if he believed her before stepping away to help Styx but leaving her to grieve the last piece of her family.
Today Styx had shown her why Felix trusted him to keep her safe. He was a warrior with heart and character beyond many others. Felix didn’t work together as smoothly with Styx as he did with Adam, but there was still a strong connection between the guards—one that went back many years.
The two men lifted Daisy onto the bed before coming across the room to her again. Felix wrapped his arm around her, securing her tightly against his body. “I’ll get another guard for the door, one is no longer enough.”
Styx nodded. “I’ll wait here until one has been assigned.”
“Very well. Then you’re off for the evening unless something happens. Come on, mate.” Felix steered her towards the door with Styx following a few steps behind her.
Stopping a few inches from the door, she spun around to face him. “Thank you, Styx. I owe you more than words for saving my life.”
“You own me nothing. You are one of us, and we protect our own.” He gave her a smile, his hand reaching hers to squeeze it slightly.
Even though she could feel the honesty of his words, she still felt indebted to him. For now she let it go, maybe one day she’d find a way to repay him. Or take away the pain she saw in his eyes.
Chapter Nineteen
Felix leaned against the counter watching Tabitha, Bethany, Robin and Harmony cook dinner. Everything was once again calm. Even Daisy had caused no more problems since Harmony’s visit. He was dealing with his grief and the loss of his twin. Harmony was adjusting well to the clan and had quickly made friends with the Elder mates.
Watching them work with such ease, he was impressed with how well Harmony fit in, creating a dinner for their mates while Shadow, Adam and Felix stood observing. Shadow was the only unmated shifter attending the small friendly dinner, but it didn’t seem to bother her. She was on duty anyways, so enjoying a dinner with her charge was not out of the ordinary.
Shadow propped up on the bar stood and tugged her laptop from the bag sitting on the counter. She looked more like a college student with her tight boot-cut blue jeans and grey and white sweater that hung off her shoulders. Her fingers flew over the keyboard, doing heaven only knows what. All the time working side jobs for Connor in the downtime from guarding Bethany had greatly increased her computer knowledge.
“Shadow, what does Connor have you looking into now?” Felix lowered himself to her as well.
“Actually, I’m looking over the blueprints of Manetka Resort. The hotel owned by Avery. Catering to the shifters had some secrets of its own. There’s a number of secret passages linking it to other buildings. If we could corner Avery outside of the resort, it might be our best plan.” She turned the screen enough for Felix and Adam to see it.
“Why did he ask you?” Felix couldn’t keep the surprise out of his voice. Shadow was an amazing guard—one of the best—that she was the only female guard in the clan was high praise to her skills. It was also why she was the Captain of the Guards for the Lieutenant’s mate, Bethany.
“Don’t act so surprised. I speak Polish, and there’s a lot of Polish words on the map and documents. For Connor to translate it, it would take tim
e that we don’t have, especially with Avery becoming more and more demanding. I offered to look at it and see what I can decipher.”
Robin slid the casserole dish back into the oven before looking over her shoulder to Adam. “Manetka? I remember you were going to take me there when we were in Texas.”
“Yes. Manetka—the Polish word for shifter—was supposed to be safe haven for their kind. Hopefully once we eliminate Avery, it can once again be that place.” Adam explained.
Felix nodded, there were going to be major changes in Texas, and it would once again be a safe place for shifters. “It will be. We need safe places like that around the country. Korbin is thinking about using part of the grounds just to the south of the Ohio compound that he inherited as a similar resort. There’s an old warehouse there that, with some work, could be a safe place for shifters as well as provide more space for his clan.”
“That reminds me—I promised Tex I’d check on him after his shift. With my part of dinner in the oven, mind if I slip off for a bit?” Harmony asked.
“Go ahead. Take Felix with you. We’ll be fine.” Tabitha sliced the vegetables, adding them to the pan before her.
“Come, my mate.” Felix held his hand out to her. They had nearly an hour and half before they had to be back for dinner. Maybe a few quiet minutes after their visit with Tex wouldn’t be out of the question. He’d never get enough of his mate’s body.
The clan still had a number of uphill battles before them, putting them all at danger. Every indication Tabitha’s magical book gave them said her reveal, being the Queen of the Tigers was nearing. Now it was just a waiting game for them all. The threat of Avery and rogues were looming as well, waiting for them to deal with.
Leading Harmony from Tabitha’s quarters, he vowed to make a few minutes with his mate after the visit with Tex. After all, he had to enjoy the quiet time before things got dangerous again.
Marissa Dobson
Born and raised in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, Marissa Dobson now resides about an hour from Washington, D.C. She’s a lady who likes to keep busy, and is always busy doing something. With two different college degrees, she believes you’re never done learning.
Being the first daughter to an avid reader, this gave her the advantage of learning to read at a young age. Since learning to read she has always had her nose in a book. It wasn't until she was a teenager that she started writing down the stories she came up with.
Marissa is blessed with a wonderful supportive husband, Thomas. He’s her other half and allows her to stay home and pursue her writing. He puts up with all her quirks and listens to her brainstorm in the middle of the night.
Her writing buddies Max (a cocker spaniel) and Dawne (a beagle mix) are always around to listen to her bounce ideas off them. They might not be able to answer, but they are helpful in their own ways.
She love to hear from readers so send her an email at [email protected] or visit her online at http://www.marissadobson.com.
Other Books by Marissa Dobson
Tiger Time
The Tiger’s Heart
Tigress for Two
Night with a Tiger
Trusting a Tiger
Snowy Fate
Sarah’s Fate
Mason’s Fate
As Fate Would Have It
Learning to Live
Learning What Love Is
Her Cowboy’s Heart
Half Moon Harbor Resort Volume One
Passing On
Reaping Good Time
Restoring Love
Winterbloom
Unexpected Forever
Losing to Win
Christmas Countdown
The Surrogate
Clearwater Romance Volume One
Secret Valentine
The Twelve Seductive Days of Christmas
Praise
Alaskan Tigers
Tiger Time:
This is the first book that I have read from Marissa Dobson and it definitely won’t be my last. I loved the tiger shapeshifter aspect of this book which I haven’t read much about in previous books. ~ Jennifer at Books-n-Kisses
When I first read a review for Tiger Time, I knew this was a must read. Now I know that it is definitely a must read for anyone that like were romances. It’s definitely one of those that draws you immediately into the story, and never lets you go… a wonderfully written story of a woman’s journey into the unknown and a man who would show her to her destiny. LOVED IT!!!! Looking forward to the next one in the series. ~ Addicted to Romance
The Tiger’s Heart:
This book was so interesting and I loved it. Steamy with lots of twists and turns. Recommend this to anyone who likes Shifter type books. ~ Amazon Reader
Tigress for Two:
And the plot thickens. I am really enjoying how the overall story arc of this series is going. There are so many players that it is fascinating to watch the plot unfold. Everyone’s story is connected, but not in the ways that I had originally anticipated and that makes it all the more fun to read. ~ Delphina Reads too Much
Wow, Tigress for Two was everything I’d hoped it would be after reading some of Marissa Dobson’s other books. She packed a whollop, enticing the reader with angst, suspense, romance and suspense…oh did I say that twice? Well good cause I meant to, because she did a great job of keeping the reader in suspense throughout the whole story. I never knew what was coming next but i was so intrigued I couldn’t put the book down. I seriously never imagined mixing shifter species but it was done well. ~ A Passion for Romance
Stormkin Series
Storm Queen:
To use the word amazing is not too strong when describing this book. I’ve never read anything like it and I loved every minute of it. Do yourself a favor of buying this book, if you don’t you’ll be missing out. ~Rebecca Royce, bestselling author of the The Westervelt Wolves.
This was a great new addition to the paranormal romance world, it almost had a Urban Fantasy feel because the sex wasn’t the main focus of the story and I LOVED that! I thought each scene was done so well! I will be continuing this series! I can’t wait for the next one! ~ Amazon Reader
Clearwater Series
Winterblom:
I found Winterbloom to be a sweet and delightful little romance. Ms. Dobson does a wonderful job of creating visual scenes that allow the reader to feel as though they are right there within the story. ~ Romancing the Book
Unexpected Forever:
Unexpected Forever made me cry. I’ll admit it; I teared up quite a few times actually…Marissa has yet again written an amazing story full of emotions and detail. I totally recommend reading Unexpected Forever and other great works by Marissa. ~ Crystal Out There
Fate Series
As Fate Would Have It:
This book has all 3 of the Fate Stories in it! Each are about mountain lion shifters and finding their mates! All are sweet, Heartwarming, Romantic stories! I can’t wait to read more by Marissa Dobson! ~Amazon Reader
Snowy Fate:
This was a very quick read, but with just a few pages, Marissa Dobson is able to get to the heart of this story. ~ Cocktails & Books
I really enjoyed Snowy Fate. I hope that you take the time to learn that no matter how hard you try you can’t fight fate. ~ Books-n-Kisses
I thought this one was just perfect in length. There was enough background that I felt I knew the characters well and their attraction was believable. Fate has a way of making a HEA very real. I definitely recommend this one! ~ From the TBR Pile
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Trusting A Tiger (Alaskan Tigers) Page 15