Tiger Time

by Marissa Dobson

  Raja must have also come to her aid, because he was standing behind her. “Here, Tabitha, I can take her.”

  The child was clinging to her neck when Raja tried to take her, and she wouldn't let go.

  “Can you believe that's my niece, and she won't come to me? I'll get her mother.” Raja let out a soft laugh before strolling off into the crowd.

  “That's Tora and Marcus' little girl, Scarlet. I’ve never seen her go to someone she didn't know, and she loves being with Raja. She’s just full of surprises tonight.” Ty sat there with a twinkle in his eye.

  “Is that true? Do you like me, Scarlet?”

  The little girl merely sat in her lap as happy as could be.

  “She must, because she never goes to anyone. We had to have our babysitter in a dozen times before we could leave them alone together, because she would throw a fit something terrible. Tonight the babysitter is sick, so she had to come along with us. I’m sorry if she has been any trouble.” Tabitha looked up to find Marcus standing in front of her.

  “She’s been no trouble at all. She is a darling little girl.”

  Marcus tried to take the girl from her lap, but she held strong to Tabitha’s neck.

  “She’s fine here if you want to leave her for a bit.”

  Marcus looked to Ty, as if not sure what to do. Ty gave Marcus a slight nod. He accepted it and went to rejoin his wife.

  “You’re amazing. Everyone is so taken with you, just like I said they would be.” Ty wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

  “I guess I had nothing to worry about. Everyone is so friendly and so accepting. I can't help wondering what it would be like to grow up with a group of people like this, people to call family.” As they were talking, Scarlet curled up in her lap as though she were going to take a nap.

  * * *

  “May I have this dance?” Ty stood, taking her hand.

  Tabitha nodded, rose, and placed the still sleeping Scarlet on the chair.

  “I’ll watch her. Go dance and mingle,” Raja said when she caught his eye.

  There were only a few people dancing, leaving them with most of the floor to themselves.

  After the song ended, one of the female tigers she’d met earlier stepped up to the microphone. “If I could please have everyone's attention.” She waited for everyone to quiet down. “Ty would like to say a few words.”

  Felix came to stand next to Ty as they went to the microphone. “First, I would just like to thank you for this wonderful party that you put together for Tabitha's homecoming. I’m ecstatic to have such a wonderful woman as my mate. We’re blessed to have her back among us and as our Queen. Thank you, Tabitha, for coming home, and for trusting us. I love you.”

  Before she realized it, she was heading toward Ty, tears clouding her vision. As he stepped to her, she wrapped her arms around him. “I love you too,” she said and kissed him.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Ty and Tabitha were dancing around the room when Raja came up to them. “Excuse me, but may I cut in?”

  Ty nodded and stepped back, allowing Raja to take over dancing with her. Ty moved off the floor toward Felix. While Ty spoke to Felix, Raja leaned into her body and whispered, “Ty is a whole new man with you in his life. I have never seen him in such high spirits. He loves you more than he could ever put into words. Never doubt that.”

  Tabitha felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment. “Everything changed in just a matter of days. Everything feels so overwhelming, except when it comes to Ty. I love him; he has been my rock though all of this. Discovering we’re mates was more than I could have hoped for.”

  When the song ended, Raja stepped back and still holding her hand, he kissed the top of it. “It was a pleasure. Thank you for this dance.”

  “I thought you could use this.” Ty held out two glasses of champagne.

  “Thank you.”

  Ty handed her the glass as they walked off the dance floor. “What bad things did Raja tell you about me?”

  “Wouldn't you be interested in knowing?” She laughed before taking a sip of champagne and gave him a sexy but innocent smile.

  Ty gave her a very serious look, which she returned with another laugh. “Come on, Ty. It was nothing. Would Raja honestly say anything bad about you behind your back? You two seem so close.”

  “We’re close, but I’m sure he would tell you some dark secret if he thought he could get away with it.”

  Before she could tease Ty for worrying about what Raja had told her, a large tiger limped onto the dance floor. The tiger was covered in blood and obviously in terrible pain.

  Tabitha took a step toward the tiger. “Tabby, stay back. He doesn’t smell familiar. He isn’t of our clan.”

  The guards gathered around Tabitha, keeping her away from the tiger.

  “I can help him. You know I can.”

  “This is against my better judgment.” He reluctantly agreed to her request, stepping aside so she could approach. “Form a protective circle around her, but keep her out of arm’s reach.”

  Ty and Felix stood in front of her, closest to the tiger, leaving her only a small view between their shoulders.

  Her power was still new to her, but she knew she would be able to hear the tiger if she could concentrate. She took a deep breath, trying to relax. “Can you tell me your name?”

  Before the tiger could answer, someone from the clan yelled out, “What does she think she is doing? How is this going to help us? He’s in tiger form. He can't answer her.”

  Ty turned, shooting the man a look that could kill. “Did you forget you don't contradict your Alpha? She’s of her father's line. Her gift is telepathy. Now shut up and allow her to help him.”

  She could hear the rustle of people moving around, trying to get a better look. It was breaking her focus, and she could barely hear the tiger's thoughts. “Okay, Lukas, why are you here?”

  You’re really your father's daughter and can read my thoughts?

  Tabitha nodded.

  I mean no harm to you or your clan. I came to warn you. There’s a traitor in your mist. My clan intercepted a message that was meant for Pierce. I need to speak with you and Ty alone. I have the proof you need. You can't mention this to Ty in front of everyone. The traitor will hear you. Tell everyone except Ty I was traveling through the area when I was attacked, which is mostly true. If rumors are true, you should be able to concentrate and send the message to Ty.

  Tabitha concentrated really hard. Ty, can you hear me? Please hear me. Wanting to leave the impression that she was still speaking with Lukas, she kept her gaze on him but focused her attention on her mate.

  Ty looked at her as if he were about to say something but was hesitant.

  Tabitha tried again. Ty, can you hear me?

  Finally, a response. Tabby, I can hear you but I don't know if you can hear me?

  I can hear you, Ty. This is so freaky. Listen, I’m going to tell the clan that he was hurt passing through. He has information about a traitor within our clan. We need to speak with him alone, without the clan.

  Okay, Tabby, but explain to him that our guards will be in the room.

  Before giving the cover story to the clan, she focused back on Lukas. Ty has agreed to speak with you, but our guards will be in the room.

  Without turning her back on the injured tiger shifter, she raised her voice, allowing everyone to hear her. “Clan, he was passing through the area when he was attacked by a hunter. He managed to get away but is badly injured. My guards will escort him to the infirmary, where our doctor will look him over. Ty and I will make sure he gets the best treatment and is settled in. Enjoy the rest of the party.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  For the doctor to care for the injuries on Lukas, he had to shift back. This also allowed them an easier time speaking with him. Lukas shifted into a boy no older than seventeen. His boyish looks gave his age away, his short red hair had a slight curl to it and his face showed the slight sign of learning
to shave. His voice was soft and crackling, just like it had been in her head.

  “Boy, where are you parents?” the doctor asked as he stitched the boy’s wound.

  “I’m alone.”

  “We’ll speak with the boy when you’re finished,” Ty explained when the doctor didn’t seem happy about the answer.

  After the clan doctor was finished looking Lukas over and had gotten him settled into a bed in the infirmary wing, Ty turned to the doctor. “You will not speak of this to anyone. They’re not to know the boy's age or injuries. If you’re asked about him, tell them to speak to me. Understand?”

  The doctor nodded.

  “Korbin, please escort Doc back to the party. Except Raja, I want the rest of you to wait outside the infirmary. Tabitha and I will speak to the boy alone.”

  Leo and Thomas started toward the door, but Felix didn't move. “With all due respect, I don't think you should be alone with him. He may not be safe.”

  “Are you choosing to disobey a direct order?” Ty gave Felix a threatening look, as if to let him know it wasn’t a good idea to push Ty at this time.

  Felix looked from Ty to Tabitha. Tabitha tried to convey the message to Felix not to do this.

  “I apologize. I mean no disrespect, but as Captain of the Queen’s Guards, I’m in charge of keeping her safe. I don't know how safe this situation is.”

  “Not only are you disobeying an order, you’re suggesting your Alpha cannot protect his mate.” Ty’s face was red with anger. She could see his body starting to vibrate with the magic that brought on the change.

  Felix stood in front of Ty, not willing to back down, but visibly shaken. It was written on his face that he knew this might not end well. If it came down to a fight, he knew he wouldn’t win against his Alpha. “That's not what I meant. I just…”

  Ty interrupted Felix, “Get out of my sight now!”

  Felix didn't try to explain or make Ty understand. He just turned on his heels and walked out the door to join the other guards.

  “I can't believe that boy!” Ty turned to her, the anger still showing on his face.

  “Remember, you did tell him earlier that if anything happened to me, it was his ass. He just wants to make you proud of him.” She touched Ty’s arm.

  The touch of her hand was enough to calm him, and he nodded. With Ty calm, she turned to look at the boy, who appeared so small and fragile in the large hospital bed. “Please explain to us how you got this information and who the traitor is.”

  “When my father was killed by Pierce’s gang, my brother took over as Alpha of our clan, and since then we have been after them. We intercepted a message that was sent from your clan to him, saying that Tabitha had finally joined your ranks and had mated with the Alpha here.” Lukas tried to sit up straighter in bed, but he was clearly in pain.

  “Who sent the message?” Anger returned to Ty’s voice.

  “The name was Chris.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. I have the proof with me.” The boy looked at her and then back at Ty.

  “What do you mean you have it? You were in tiger form, and you didn't have a bag with you.” She eyed him questioningly.

  “I hid my bag before I got here in case something happened and I was searched. I didn't want anyone to find it before I had a chance to speak with you. On my way here, I was attacked and had to change into tiger form to get away. I'm sorry I forgot to explain that. If you could send someone you trust for my bag, you’ll have all the proof you need. I can tell you where I placed it, but I don’t think I could make it there in this condition.”

  “Where is the bag?” Ty asked, already forming a plan, judging by the thoughtful expression on his face.

  “It’s in the basement of the North Pole apartment building in the rafters to the left of the heater. It's a black backpack.”

  “Raja, take Thomas and see if you can find this bag. I want to settle this.”

  * * *

  While Raja and Thomas went to retrieve the bag, they continued to question the boy.

  “What clan are you from, Lukas?”

  “My brother took over the West Virginia Tiger Clan. Our numbers are small, but we are a tight group. My father was friends with Tabitha's father. We felt after he was killed and then my father was killed, it was our duty to keep an eye on Pierce whenever we could. Hopefully, this would allow some warning if he was planning an attack.”

  “We have been trying to keep an eye on Pierce as well.”

  A knock sounded from behind them. “Yes?”

  “We found it.” Raja entered with a black bag draped over his shoulder.

  Ty took the bag and set it on the bedside table. Unzipping it, he found a laptop.

  “We found a way to hack into his cell phone and record his conversations. On there is a message that went to his voicemail. Luckily, we were able to intercept it, deleting it before he received it. Since I’ve been traveling, I can’t be sure that he hasn’t been contacted again,” Lukas explained.

  “Bring the message up.” Ty handed the laptop to the boy.

  He flipped the laptop open and hit the power button. The laptop booted up quickly. He clicked a few buttons before the message started playing.

  “It’s Chris. Tabitha is on the red-eye plane back tonight. The clan is planning a celebration for her homecoming. You want her dead, then I need backup to take her down. I did what you asked. Now you better pay up.”

  Goosebumps covered Tabitha’s arms, and her stomach sank. Ty put his arm around her, drawing her into him.

  “We’ll handle this. Lukas, you have to understand our situation. Until this situation is under control, we are going to have a guard with you. No cell, computer, nothing. You brought this to our attention, and we appreciate it, but we have to be cautious this isn’t a trap.”

  “I understand. If you could contact my brother to let him know I’m here, I’m sure he would appreciate it. I’ll cooperate in any way I can.”

  Ty nodded, turning to Raja. “Gather the guards including Marcus, Lance and Milo. I know they had the night off, but we need them. We meet in our quarters in ten minutes.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Tabitha paced the bedroom, trying to get her feelings under control. Sure, she knew Pierce was after her, but this was making it set in. Pierce was seriously after her and wanted her dead. How do you handle someone wanting you dead whom you’ve never even met?

  “Tabby?” Ty came into the bedroom.

  “I’m fine. I just needed a moment.”

  “Come here, baby.” He wrapped his arms around her. “We’ll take care of this. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  “I know.” His face was full of doubt, making her continue. “Honest. It’s just sinking in that he wants me dead. I’ve never even met him, and he wants me dead.” She was still having a hard time wrapping her mind around it.

  “I know, but it is going to be fine.” There was a knock on the door to their quarters, meaning the guards had arrived. “Felix, grab the door. We’ll be out in a moment.”

  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to gather all the courage she could. She wouldn’t break down. “Let’s do this.”

  “I can handle this myself if you want a few minutes.”

  “I’m fine. I just want it over with.”

  He ran his hand down her back one last time as they went to face the guards.

  “Please have a seat. This is going to take some time.” Ty led her toward a chair that was angled between the two couches, giving her a good view of everyone.

  Even with the crowd in the living area, it didn’t seem confining. There was still room to move around, as if when building it, they knew there would be a dozen people here waiting for their orders.

  “Most of this won’t come as a shock to you…Pierce knows Tabitha is here and is most likely on his way.” He gave them a moment as if he wanted to let that sink in. “I want everyone on high alert. I want the compound locked d
own like Fort Knox. No one on or off without my knowledge. Felix, I want guards around the clock on Tabitha. You can arrange that, but as Captain of her Guards, I want you in the main compound. You can take the guest quarters.”

  Felix nodded.

  “Next order of business: Thomas and Leo, I want you to find Chris Knight and escort him to one of the cells. I’ll deal with him shortly.”

  “Yes, sir. Charges?” Thomas asked.

  “Treason. Conspiracy to commit murder.”

  Thomas and Leo left without another word. The rest of the men watched their sovereigns, waiting for their orders.

  “Marcus, Lance, you have first guard duty. The rest of you, we will be discussing your shifts and get back with you shortly. In the meantime, keep this to yourself. You’re dismissed.”

  As the guards filed out, Marcus and Lance rose to take their posts at the entryway. “Lance, I want you to inform the guards at the gate we are on lockdown. They are to call me if anyone tries to enter or leave. Then change out of your tuxedo and return here.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Marcus, wait a moment. Felix, you need to hear this also. Raja, unless you have something pressing, I’d like you to stay.”

  The men didn’t move. They waited patiently for whatever Ty was going to throw at them. Tabitha, on the other hand, shifted nervously in her chair. She knew what Ty was going to tell them, and she couldn’t help but wonder if they would feel differently toward her.

  “Some of you know about the legends, the ones surrounding Tabitha. I trust you to keep this between us. It is true that Tabitha must carry on her line or tiger shifters will cease to exist. She has to be kept alive at all cost.”

  “Understood,” Felix said.

  “There’s more…Tabitha will unite all tigers.”

  “What?”

  “Marcus, I know Tora has told you the legend that a female tiger will come along and unite the tiger shifter population.”

  “Sure, but it’s just that, a legend.”

  “This proves it isn’t.” Ty grabbed the book from the shelf they’d laid it on and handed it to her.

  “You already know I have the gifts from my father’s line. Why is it so hard to believe?” She touched the book, and it sprang to life. “I’m supposed to choose three more guards to stand at my side through this. Ty and I have already discussed that we would like the two of you to be a part of it.”

  “Raja is our Lieutenant and while he remains, we still need three others. We would like the two of you to be a part of that. Felix, as the Captain of the Guards, you needed to know the complete situation. Marcus, I’ll be up front with you—this will be dangerous and will put not only you but your family in danger. But being Raja’s family, the danger will already be there. It is up to you if you wish to pass on this position. However, no matter your decision, you will not be allowed to speak of this.” Ty laid his hand on her shoulder, gently rubbing it.