by Jane Jamison
And finally, when pristine white fur sliced with black stripes spread over large cat bodies, ears pricked forward and tails swayed to the side, she let out a scream.
* * * *
Kristal’s scream hurt David’s sensitive hearing. Growling, he backed up and crouched down. If she didn’t stop soon, he’d have to leave.
She let out another bone-chilling cry and scrambled to her feet, standing on top of the bed. “No!” Her chest rose and fell in rapid succession. Her eyes were wild as she clutched the camera to her chest.
Darion placed one paw then the next on top of the bed. David snarled, trying to warn him not to approach her, but his brother was too absorbed by her reaction to notice. By the time Darion had hopped onto the bed, it was too late.
Kristal didn’t understand that his brother wanted to calm her, to show her she wasn’t in danger. But it was obvious their mate didn’t see it the same way. Her eyes grew wilder, fear marring her beautiful face.
No! Back off, Darion!
Darion tilted his head, confused.
Kristal screamed again then launched her body off the bed. Holding the camera with her, she bolted out the bedroom door. He whirled around, eating up the distance to the hallway in time to see her hurrying down the stairs. Scooping up the keys on the table by the front door, she glanced back once, terror filling her expression, and dashed outside.
Darion rammed into him, shoving him aside to bound down the steps. David followed him, knowing that even if they caught up with her, she wouldn’t stop. Fear would keep her running.
She was already in her car and starting the engine by the time they made it to the front steps. He shifted, pushing the transformation faster than he’d ever done, causing more pain than was normal. Darion kept moving, still as a tiger, toward her car.
“Stop, Darion!”
She slammed on the gas. Dirt and gravel scattered into the air behind the car as she pointed it toward the main road. He saw her agonized face reflected in the side view mirror.
Darion roared his anger then spun around to confront him. He snarled, flashing his fangs.
“You wouldn’t have done any good. There was no stopping her.”
Darion shifted back. Growling, he stormed up the steps and put his snarling face close to his. “Bullshit. We should’ve tried. We have to make her understand.”
He wasn’t worried that his brother would hurt him. They’d fought, had even drawn blood, but they’d never harm each other seriously. “She’s going to need time.”
“Time? Are you fucking kidding me?”
David’s own anguish showed in his brother’s tortured expression. “What would you have done? Pinned her down until she accepted our animals?”
“Hell, yeah.” Darion stalked to the side of the porch, gripped the railing, and stared at the dust cloud growing smaller down the road. “We should’ve done something.” He beat his fist against the wood. “We lost our mate. Don’t you get that?”
All at once, David hurt everywhere. His back, his neck, his head ached for her. He could feel the loss of her in every fiber of his being. The connection was gone, enveloped by the distance she put between them. Yet he wouldn’t give up hope.
“She needs time. We have to give it to her.”
“Fine. We give her time. And if she’s still afraid of us, what then? And what about the video? What if she shows someone?”
He didn’t want to believe she would. Surely she’d calm down and realize what exposing them would do. At least, he hoped so. “She won’t.”
“You don’t know that for sure.” Darion growled, letting his tiger show again.
“No, I don’t. Besides, if she does show the video, I’m betting they won’t believe it.”
“Great. That only means two things can happen.” Darion glared, the amber still dominating the blue. “She’ll show the videos and it’ll make a laughing stock out of her. She might even lose her job.”
“And the other?” He’d asked, but he could guess.
“If they believe what they see then she’ll expose weretigers as being real. Not to mention opening the world’s eyes to other shifters. We’ll be screwed big time.”
“There’s a third possibility.” If she was the woman he hoped she was, she’d choose the third option.
“What?”
“She won’t show it to anyone. She’ll calm down and remember what she felt for us. And what we mean to each other.”
Darion laughed, a sound full of scorn. “Damn. Who’s the romantic now? We never came right out and told her we loved her. And she sure as hell never said she loved us. Hell, she never even said she’d stick around longer than she had to.”
“No, but we told her we wanted her. And that she’s our intended mate.”
“I don’t know if it’ll be enough.”
“It has to be.” He had to stay positive. Yet being positive didn’t mean taking it for granted. They had to protect the pride even if it meant losing the woman they loved. “We need to follow her to Dallas.”
“Now you’re talking.”
“Hold up. Don’t get ahead of yourself. We’re not going to force her to come back.” David strode into the house and headed up the stairs to get dressed. “First, we have to take care of the pride. Whatever happens, we have to stop her from showing either video to others. Then we’ll see about getting our mate back.”
“What about Boyd?”
“The doc’s taking care of telling his father. I made it clear that he didn’t give her any choice. He attacked a human. Some will be angry at first at losing one of our own, but they’ll come around.”
Boyd had broken the rule about shifting in the daytime, making many weretigers talk about exiling him. If he’d killed Kristal, he would’ve been thrown out for certain, ostracized by not only their pride, but every shifter in the country.
Darion bounded up the steps behind him. “Let’s get moving. She’s already got a lead on us.”
Chapter Eight
They’re weretigers. Men who can change into animals.
For the hundredth time, Kristal glanced in the rearview mirror. No one was following her. She wasn’t sure whether to be happy or disappointed. Were the Conroy men going to let her leave? If they really wanted her, wouldn’t they have come after her?
Thinking about David and Darion didn’t make her feel any better. The fear that had propelled her out of their home had taken a while to go away, but once it had, another emotion had taken hold and hadn’t turned her loose.
She loved them.
As much as she wished she didn’t at that moment, she couldn’t deny what she felt. Hadn’t she already known? Hadn’t she already decided to stay with them? They were supernatural creatures, animals hiding inside men’s bodies, but they were still the men she’d fallen in love with.
Darion with his quick laugh and laid-back manner.
David with his determined attitude and his soft heart hiding underneath his tough outward appearance.
They were so many good things, such wonderful men. Men any woman would be proud to call her own. But had they finally shown her their true natures? Were they wild beasts masquerading as stand-up cowboys?
They’d lied to her from the start about the video and about what they were. They’d hidden behind their charm and their sex appeal. And she’d fallen for it like a kitten drawn to catnip.
The next time she glanced in the mirror, she was startled to find a tear sliding down her cheek. They’d lied, yes, but they’d told the truth about one thing. The connection, the invisible hold they held on each other, existed. She’d felt it over and over. Each time she’d gotten close to them it had grown even stronger.
If she had to accept anything, it was that the bond they shared was one of a kind. She’d never experienced anything like it with any other man and she knew she never would again.
“Damn it. I really do love them.”
But was love enough? Could she accept what they were? Would they expect her to let them change her? What
would the children they wanted be like?
And what about her job? She’d gotten the biggest story of the century. How could she turn her back on it? Sure, making everyone believe would be difficult, but she’d have both videos tested by the best experts in the field. They’d back up her claims that they were authentic. And once they did, once others started going to Twisted to find out for themselves, she’d be known as the reporter who broke the story. She’d be famous and could have her pick of any job she wanted.
The world would go to Twisted, searching to find the men who could change into animals. And once they were there…
She frowned, not liking the turn of her thoughts. Once they were there, they’d overrun the town. Possibly even scaring the residents away. Those who stayed would be seen as freaks, specimens for others to test and examine. People like David, Darion, Lena, and Purdy would be scrutinized, placed under watch by the authorities.
Locked up. Like in a zoo.
No wonder they hated zoos.
“It’s not my problem.” She checked the overhead traffic sign and realized she’d be at the station soon. “I’m a reporter. It’s my job to tell people what I’ve found out. Whatever happens after the story airs isn’t my responsibility.”
The clenching of her stomach, however, said otherwise.
She pulled into the parking lot of the station. Yet instead of getting out of the car, she sat there for a while.
Go on. This is what you've worked for.
She might have stayed in her car longer if her boss hadn’t rapped on her window. “Hey, Kristal. You’re back.”
Harold always did have a way of stating the obvious. “I am.” She took a deep breath. “And I’ve got one hell of a story for you.”
“That tiger thing?”
“Yes. That tiger thing.” She pushed the door open, making him move fast to prevent getting hit. “I have more video. What’s more, I’ve seen the tiger for myself.”
“Okay, then, let’s see it.” His gaze drifted to her camera.
She pulled back when he reached for it. “First, let me get the story together. I want your initial reaction to be to the whole story. Not just the video.”
His eyebrow shot up, a sure sign he was irritated. “Considering the camera is the station’s property, I could order you to turn it over.”
Has he always been a dick? Or is he just trying harder today?
“Why ruin a good story, Harold?”
“Fine. But make it soon.” He pointed at her. “I can’t wait to see what you’ve got. Not that I’m buying any of this nonsense. Men changing into tigers.” He snorted. “It’s ridiculous.”
“Trust me. You’ll be a believer soon enough.”
She followed him into the station then took the first left and headed toward the editing room. Although getting one of the editors to help would make things go faster, she didn’t want anyone else to see her report until it was ready. Instead, she opened the door, took a quick look around the hall to see if anyone had seen her, and slipped inside.
* * * *
Two hours later, her report was ready. She skimmed through it for the fifth time, making sure it was perfect.
Or was she stalling?
Watching the tiger launch his attack at her had shaken her up. She didn’t even remember turning on the camera. The footage ended abruptly, showing nothing but the lake and the bushes on the other side. But the sound was there. What she’d missed after getting knocked for a loop was all there.
Growls and snarls dominated the video. Anyone listening would have no doubt that there was more than one animal.
David and Darion. They had to be the other animals.
They’d saved her life. Although they’d told her she’d shot and killed the other tiger called Boyd, she’d heard enough to convince her that he’d tried to fight them and lost.
That’s why they snuck around and watched me. To keep me safe.
She quickly skimmed through the additional footage of Darion and David shifting in the bedroom. Watching it brought back too many memoires. Warring emotions tore at her. She was thrilled by their concern for her safety as much as she was ashamed at what she was about to do to them and their hometown.
“Hey, kiddo, let’s have a look.”
She startled, then swiveled in her chair to find Harold standing behind her. “Uh, I don’t know.”
“You don’t know about what? Come on, Kristal. You promised me a big story. Let’s take a look.”
He tried to reach around her, but she blocked him from touching the button to start the playback. “It’s not ready yet, Harold.”
“Why not? What’s taking so long?”
She had to stall, had to take more time to think about what she was doing. Was a major story, one that could make her career, worth hurting the Conroy men? Was it worth tearing Twisted apart? “I want to make sure it’s perfect.”
He rolled his eyes. “Don’t worry. I’m used to seeing a rough cut. Now hit play, damn it.”
“No.” She leaned forward quickly, once again blocking his way.
“What’s the matter with you?” His eyes narrowed. “Have you been bullshitting me this whole time? There’s no story, is there?”
“Yes, there is. It’s just that—”
The door swung open and slammed against the wall. David and Darion, their huge forms filling the doorway, stepped inside the room.
The wonderful, strange sensation, the connection swept over her. Warmth filled her as wet heat soaked her pussy. She was electrified, inside and out, consumed with their presence. They filled her nose with their scents. Her need for them swallowed her whole, pushing aside all other feelings. She’d known it before and had struggled against the idea, but now she knew it was useless to do so.
She was their mate.
What hadn’t made sense before made complete sense now. She’d give up her job, her career, her friends, and her family for them. She’d even give up her life if they asked her to do so. But most of all, she’d give up the story.
“Who the hell are you two? You’re not allowed in here.” Harold reached for the intercom button. “I’m calling security.”
David caught Harold’s arm in midair. His smile was wide but came with an edge to it. “No. You don’t want to do that.”
Darion stepped closer and placed his hand on David’s shoulder. “We don’t want any trouble. We’re here to see Kristal.”
“We’re here to take her back home with us.” David gave a small snarl, but released Harold. His gaze shifted to her.
The quick beat of her heart was enough to bring a smile to her face. “Back home?”
The men strode past Harold. Darion took her hand and pulled her to her feet. “Yeah. Home. You know how we feel. We want you as our ma—” He paused, casting a glance at Harold. “We love you, Kristal.”
“You do?”
“We do,” asserted David. He took her other hand and squeezed it. But not before giving Harold another small growl.
Her boss took a step toward the door. “Are you going to be all right, Kristal?” he asked. He couldn’t have looked more frightened if he’d been a rabbit surrounded by the men in their tiger bodies.
“I’ll be fine, Harold. There’s no need for security.” She waved her hand, taking a little joy in dismissing him so casually. “You can leave now.”
“If you’re sure.” Without waiting for a reply, he slipped out of the door, letting a shaft of hall light splinter across the floor.
“He sure can move,” joked Darion.
“Yes, he can.” She leaned against him and flattened her palm to David’s chest. “Go on. Tell me what else you came to say.”
“We know we’re asking a lot of you, but we want you as our mate.” David put his hand on top of hers. “You saw what we were. We can’t change that. But we can promise you we’ll take care of you and love you forever. Both as men and as tigers.”
She let out a sigh filled with longing. “I’m still having a difficul
t time believing what I saw. I know it’s real, but it’s so hard to understand.”
“We’re as real as it gets.”
She gazed up into Darion’s eyes. “What does it mean to be your mate? Will I have to become a tiger, too? And what about the children you talked about? Will they be tigers or humans?” Her head whirled with questions.
“Being our mate is like being another man’s wife. We’ll take care of you and love you. You’re the only woman we’ll ever have the connection with.”
“As for becoming a shifter?” David shrugged. “It’s your choice. We’ll go along with whatever decision you make.”
“And the kids?” Having children had seemed like a distant dream, one that would come after she’d made it good in her career.
“So you want kids, right?” Darion grinned. “Like a lot of them?”
“I think so. I never really gave it a lot of thought.” And yet the idea of having their babies felt right. “Yes, I want kids. A few, at least.”
“Our children can be human, shifter, or hybrids.” David’s eyes were flecked with amber. “We never know until they’re born. Does it matter? Would having shifter babies be a bad thing?”
“I don’t think so.” She gazed at his mouth, curious to see if she’d see fangs or teeth. “As long as they don’t bite me.”
“Sorry. We can’t promise they won’t.” Darion’s attention fell on the monitor behind her. “Did you put your story together?” His expression grew sadder.
“Yes. Do you want to see it?”
“No.” David was firm. “We don’t.”
Alarm tightened her neck. “What about the story? What if I still want to use it?”
The pain that came to their faces tore at her heart. She’d hurt them.
David checked with his brother before answering. “We won’t stop you. Your career’s important to you. We get that.”
“Are you saying it won’t change things between us?”
“No.”
Darion joined his brother. “No. We’ll love you no matter what.”
“Good.” She turned around and hit a button.
“Did you send it somewhere? Is the station going to show it?”