“That isn’t going to happen. I feel Adam’s bond to the clan and nothing could distort that. I fell in love with the man he is now. Changing something as big as his commitment to his clan—his family—would change the man I love. I’d do nothing to jeopardize that.” She moved her hand from Harmony and rose, meeting Raja’s gaze head on. “Adam’s bond to you has become my connection. When I arrived here I said some things, especially to Bethany, that were rude. I was hurting and wanted to spoil everyone else’s happiness. Now I see what your clan truly is. My commitment is to you and the clan, just as Adam’s is. Don’t discount it or me because I’m merely human.”
A smile spread over Raja’s face. “We need fighters like you in the clan. Welcome to the family, Robin. It’s an honor to have you among us.”
She took a moment to think about his words and realized the fight she lost running across the country had returned. She was willing to fight for Adam’s honor, and for Harmony’s safety. Robin couldn’t stand up against a shifter’s speed or strength, but she had her own assets to contribute to the clan.
“It’s a privilege to be part of such a family. I never thought I’d want a life like this, now I realize I’ve been searching for a true home, and Adam, all my life.” She paused. “Most humans believe in soul mates. I never did until now. Adam is my soul mate.”
Moonlight cascaded through the room, giving Robin enough light to see Raja standing next to her. His hand gently shook her arm. “Robin, are you awake?”
She rolled, checking the bedside clock. Damn it, she wanted to be up when the team landed. “What is it? Is it Adam?”
“No, it’s not them. They’ve arrived at the site, and the Kodiak Bears landed fifteen minutes ago. They’re still on the landing strip. They’re putting together a plan of attack before setting out again. It’s Harmony. She woke up and is having a breakdown. I hated to wake you but she needs you. She won’t tell anyone else what’s going on.”
Robin sat up in bed, making sure her nightshirt was covering her body. “Okay, give me a minute to get dressed.”
“I’ll wait in the living room for you and then I’ll take you to her.” He stepped away from the bed and left the room.
She pulled on her jeans and grabbed a sweater from her bag, tugging it over her head. As she dressed, she forgot her worries of what Adam would be doing soon. Only Harmony’s fear pushed her quicker, not giving her a moment to think of anything else. She slid her feet into her sneakers, cursing that she hadn’t picked up something more suitable for the snow yet.
Raja was waiting for her by the door. The only light came from a small lamp by the sofa. “Bethany’s still sleeping. Do you have enough light to see?”
“I’m fine.” She ran her fingers through her hair, trying to pull herself together. “Let’s go.”
Raja nodded and opened the door. “Thomas was on guard duty. He said one minute everything was fine and then Harmony woke up screaming. He went to her to figure out what was wrong. She just kept screaming your name.”
Raja kept pace with Robin as they jogged toward Harmony’s apartment. The closer they got, Harmony’s screams sliced through the air, forcing Robin to run faster. There was something heartbreaking about the cries.
Thomas opened the door, allowing her to skid right past him and straight to Harmony. “Harmony, what is it?”
She went to take Harmony’s hand until Raja placed his hand on her shoulder. “Careful. When a shifter is angry they can snap at the first sight of someone. We can’t have you getting hurt.”
“Henry…oh God, Henry…he’s coming,” Harmony cried, her fingers balling the blanket. “You’ve got to do something. He’s coming for me!”
Ignoring Raja’s warning, Robin sank onto the bed, wrapping her arms around Harmony. “Shh, sweetie, you’re safe here.”
“Get Felix here immediately,” Raja ordered Thomas who was still in the doorway.
Robin glanced over the top of Harmony’s head at Raja. “Is that wise?”
“As his twin, Felix might be able to feel Henry. He’ll at least know if Henry makes it to Alaska.” Raja sat on the edge of the bed. “Harmony, how do you know this? Any details you can give us might help us stop him before he even gets to Alaska.”
“I just know. I can’t explain it. I only know he’s coming. He knows I’m here.” She curled into Robin like a small child cuddling against their mother after a nightmare.
Soothing her, Robin looked to Raja. “How is this possible? How does he even know where she is? Is it through the connection? I thought he was sedated, that the Ohio Tigers had him under control.”
“Since he’s never shifted, the bond to Felix is more one way. Felix can feel Henry, but not the other way around. It could be through Harmony’s connection to him.”
Felix ran in the room, gun in his hand. “What’s wrong?”
“Harmony believes Henry’s on his way here. Can you confirm that?” Raja asked.
“I don’t know. I’ve never been very in tune with my brother. I can try.” Felix’s eyes drifted shut, and he breathed deep. “I can feel his excitement. He’s on the move, he’s not here. The surroundings are different. I can’t identify where he is exactly. He’s not at the clan’s compound in Ohio.”
“I told you he’s coming,” Harmony screamed, anger filling her tone.
“I believe you. We’re just trying to find out how close he is,” Raja spoke calmly.
“You’ve got to help me. He’s going to kill me.” Harmony’s body shook with fear.
“You’re safe here, Harmony. Nothing is going to happen to you.” Raja glanced back at Felix. “Who’s guarding Tabitha?”
“Korbin’s with her, and Thomas stayed with her until Jayden or Drew got there. I alerted them when Thomas told me I was needed here.” Felix slid his gun back into his holster.
“Very good.” Raja pushed the button on his earpiece to communicate with the other guards. “Korbin, take Tabitha to my quarters with Bethany. I want the women together until further notice.”
“Do you want me to go back to Tabitha? Or stay?” Felix seemed unsure what to do.
“Besides Harmony, you’re the only connection to Henry. We need you here for now. If we can settle Harmony, we’ll take her back to my quarters as well. She can rest in Robin’s room. If that’s okay with you, Robin?”
“It’s fine. Do you think Doc could give her something to calm her down and let her sleep?” Robin ran her hand down Harmony’s back, soothing her.
Raja nodded. “If she agrees.”
“No.” Harmony shook her head. “When Henry comes, I need to be able to get away. Giving me something to sleep would make me easy prey for him.”
“He’s not going to get anywhere near you.” Felix stepped around Raja and approached Harmony. “You have my word. I blocked my connection to him for my own sanity. He’s dangerous. I won’t let him get anywhere near you.”
Robin squeezed Harmony to her. “They’re twins. Felix can’t help he looks so much like Henry, but I swear Felix is a good man. He’ll protect you.” Still feeling Harmony’s doubt, she continued. “Our connection is too one sided for you to feel my trust in him. Put your trust in me that I trust him. It will be fine. I promise.”
Harmony nodded and rested her head against Robin’s shoulder. “Okay.” Her eyes drifted shut, exhaustion filling her body.
“What now?” Robin glanced to Raja, wondering what they were going to do about the new danger. If Henry arrived before the team got back from Virginia did they have enough guards to protect everyone?
“We wait. Until we know where Henry is, there’s nothing we can do. When Felix recognizes his brother’s location, we’ll act on it immediately. If he comes to Alaska, we’ll stop him before he gets to the compound. Hopefully the morning light will bring more information. By morning one of our problems will no longer be an issue. We can then focus on Henry and Ohio.” Raja hit his earpiece. “Go ahead.”
“Until then, keeping everyone together with
our resources surrounding the area will be the best protection,” Felix explained. “We’ll hunker down in Raja’s quarters for now, and in the morning we’ll have a plan of action. It would be good if Harmony was able to rest. Her anxiety will only encourage Henry further.”
“Harmony, would you take something to rest while Felix, the other guards, and I watch over you?” Robin nudged a pillow under Harmony’s back.
Harmony nodded, her body growing heavier as sleep pressed down on her.
Raja turned away from the window, coming back to stand next to the bed. “I’ll have Doc meet us at my quarters. Harmony looks exhausted. We don’t want her falling asleep until we get her to your room.”
His cell phone rang. A lump caught in Robin’s throat. At this time of the night she feared it would have something to do with the team in Virginia. She could sense Adam, he was safe, but that’s all she could tell. There was too much interference with Harmony’s emotions especially with her arms around the girl.
Raja unclipped his cell phone and checked the caller id. “Felix, take the women to my quarters I need to take this.”
Robin wanted to wait to know what was happening, but she couldn’t leave Harmony, especially not alone with the man she feared because of his similarity to his brother. She’d have to wait until Raja returned to his quarters.
Chapter Fifteen
Twenty minutes later, Robin collapsed in the living room chair. Harmony was finally asleep. Robin could have passed out on the bed beside the young girl. There was just too much going on. She needed to be awake. Adam’s anxiousness was teasing her exhaustion. Without a doubt, she knew the team was on their way to Pierce.
Raja stepped through the door, glancing around the room. Tabitha and Felix were on one sofa, while Bethany lounged on the other. Shadow sat nearby, Jayden and Drew guarded the door, while Thomas and Korbin kept a watchful eye outside. “The team is moving in and they’ll call when it’s over.”
“There’s something more. What’s going on?” Bethany pulled her legs under her body, giving her mate room to sit.
He glanced toward the guest room. “Is Harmony asleep?” When Robin nodded, Raja continued. “Jinx’s clan picked up a phone call to Pierce only minutes ago. It seems the Ohio Alpha has been working with Pierce for some time. Pierce has been holding something over the Ohio Alpha’s head to get him to do his bidding. I don’t know if it ties into what happened with Henry and Harmony. It’s too big of a coincidence to overlook.”
“So what’s the plan with the Ohio Tigers? We can’t continue to let things go as they are.” Bethany snuggled into Raja.
“Actually Ty wants Tabitha to consult the book. Adam suggested it would be a perfect time for you to come out as the Queen of the Tigers, and Ty seems to agree.” Raja ran his hand through his hair. “It makes sense, and will give us a chance to start bringing the clans together under one rule.”
Tabitha nodded. “Okay, I’ll do that. What about now?”
“Depending on what the book says, or what you want to do, there’s talk some of the guards will go to Ohio after they finish with Pierce. You have to consult the book before they’re done. Ty wants to know our decision when he calls.” Raja ran his fingers along Bethany’s shoulder. “Felix will stay here with Robin and Harmony, while you and I check the book.”
“Adam mentioned Tabitha is the Queen of the Tigers, but how will it work?” Robin could barely focus with her nerves and exhaustion on edge, but she was interested in learning how things were going to change for shifters. “Right now each clan has its own ruler. With them spread out all over the country, how are you going to rule everyone?”
Tabitha twisted in her seat to look at Robin. “Each clan will still have an Alpha and Lieutenant, but there will be another level of authority—Ty and myself. Each Alpha will report to us. No clan will be able to rule their own way any longer because that’s how we end up with Alphas like in Ohio and Texas abusing their followers. That will end, even if I have to take every Alpha out of power myself. What happened to Tex and Harmony can’t continue.”
“Tabitha will unite tiger shifters,” Raja said. “She will also help to bring other shifters together. The Kodiak Bears have joined us in our fight thanks to Ty helping them when we came to Alaska, soon other shifters will join us as well. Shifters will unite in time. First we must unite the tigers.” Raja closed his eyes as he cuddled Bethany against him.
Robin knew nothing would be done until the morning light. Would the team take down Pierce so they could focus on the next obstacle? Or would Pierce once again slip through their grasp?
Anxiety teased along the edge of Adam’s nerves. He wanted to get the mission over and go back to his mate. They were nearing the house where Pierce was. All the years of hunting Pierce would finally pay off. He would never be a threat again, but for some reason Adam had a feeling this would not end the issue with the rogues. Someone else would step into Pierce’s position until they could take all the rogues down.
“We’ll take them down.” Ty glanced over at Adam. “You know how this works, so don’t look at me like that. I can feel your apprehension. We’re thinking the same thing. With Victor and Pierce out of the equation it will be easier to take the rogues out. They’ll either fight among themselves or separate. There’s only so much we can do at one time. Right now we need to focus on Pierce.”
Adam turned his gaze to the road, before looking to the back of the SUV. Styx sat in the backseat with Marcus, and Taber, who sat in the seat furthest away, was trying to catch a few quick winks before the fight began. “We’ll keep our clan safe,” Adam said. “It’s priority. Everything else will fall into place.”
Ty leaned closer, whispering to not wake Taber. “Robin’s part of the clan now, and from what I hear, she’s been a major help with Harmony. It’s highly unusual for a human to have that connection. She’ll have to learn how to work out a balance of two sets of emotions. Once Harmony’s been mated hopefully it will calm Robin’s link to her, until then, Robin might have a rough time. Harmony’s been through a lot and the dam holding her emotions could break, spewing a lot of shit forward. Raja and I won’t be able to help like we would with another clan member, since Harmony isn’t connected to us. She feels loyalty only to Robin.”
“I’ll do what I can to help Robin. My touch should ease Harmony’s effect on her.” Adam steered the SUV down the deserted road, toward the outskirts of town. “What are you planning if Harmony isn’t willing to make the commitment to the Alaskan Tigers? Will you allow her to stay at the compound if she’s only committed to Robin?”
“I won’t ask her to leave as long as she doesn’t cause any problems. If Harmony doesn’t join us we will have to rely on Robin to know that Harmony is not betraying us. However, if she does join us and at any time Robin is opposed to what’s in the clans best interest it will create conflicting emotions for Harmony. Robin has reassured Raja she’s with our clan, and you, but her discomfort is something we need to consider.” Ty stared out the window.
Adam raised an eyebrow. “Reassured Raja? When did that happen?”
“Your mate is working her way into our clan. She and Raja are becoming quite a pair. Raja’s been helping ease Harmony’s emotions from Robin, giving Robin a chance to get used to them without feeling overwhelmed. His touch will help in short bursts so he’s only assisting when it’s overpowering.”
Adam couldn’t hide the smile from his face. His mate was finding her own way in his clan without him there to guide her. The mission might have been just what she needed to overcome her apprehension. If she didn’t become a part of the clan, then he would have been split between his family and his mate. Dividing himself and his attention between the two would be difficult, but if she had her own purpose, then they’d combine together, creating a solid and lasting bond.
“If you’ve ever thought of starting your own clan, you’ve always been strong enough to do so, and with Robin’s connection with Harmony it would make you stronger, especially
if she can continue to make those connections.” Ty added as Adam stopped the SUV at the meeting spot, less than a mile from Pierce. This was their gathering point with the Kodiak Bears, who were following in the second vehicle.
Shoving the SUV into park, Adam turned to his Alpha. Did Ty think he would leave even after all they’ve been through? “I have no desire to leave the Alaskan Tigers. It’s my home, you’re my family.”
Ty nodded and opened his door. Pushing open his own door, Adam followed Ty’s lead, and checked his weapons and gear.
He wanted to reach out to Robin, to tell her how he felt about her, but if this mission went bad she didn’t need that to be her final thought. He wanted her to remember their time together, her first night with a tiger.
Robin paced the room suddenly feeling caged in. Six months ago, she had a perfectly normal life, besides her marriage. Now, every turn she made she was surrounded by danger. Would the threats to her new home and family ever pass, or would this be her life now?
“It’s not always like this.” Felix stood near the window, looking out to the darkness of the night.
She had tried occupying her time with watching the comings and goings outside. Every once in awhile someone would pass by one of the lights from a cabin, or around the perimeter, giving her something to focus on. Other than that it was just darkness as far as the eye could see. She suspected Felix could see further and better or why else would he continue to stare into the night.
“Danger has surrounded us since Ty found Tabitha, and rejuvenated the battle with Pierce, but there was a time it was safe to be a shifter. No one knew about shifters, unless you were one of us. We didn’t have to worry about people attacking our homes, or compound. The occasional rogue was the only real threat.” Felix turned from the window to face her. “It will be like that again, the book has promised that. We have to soldier through this fight and we will have safety in the near future. This clan is the type of world I want for my children, so I’m willing to fight for it.”
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