Tiger Born

by Tressie Lockwood

  Carter’s mouth dropped open. What Heath suggested was that he leave his home, his people, and live among humans hiding what he was—forever. He would be charged with basically monitoring whether Melanie was for real or if she’d just been with him for the moment. Deja wondered what would happen down the line if any of the humans who left appeared ready to rat them out. Heath’s next words gave her the answer.

  “As I said, the shifter is then directly responsible for his or her human. If she or he tries to betray us, the shifter has a duty to take care of it.”

  Deja’s throat dried. “Take care of it?”

  No one bothered to answer her question. They all knew. A slow smile spread over Ward’s face, and he stroked his chin, eyes taking on a glazed appearance. “I like that. I like it a lot. It gives everyone a chance, and all of the humans know—while we won’t say expressly—that they are being watched. They’re not fools, and the fact is one or more of them is guilty. Done! Heath, I’m making you in charge of the investigation.”

  Heath started. “Investigation?”

  Ward pounded his son’s shoulder with a heavy hand, pride written all over his face. “Oh, didn’t I tell you? You’re Siberia’s new sheriff.”

  Deja rolled her eyes and chuckled. “Goodness, Ward, you’re a piece of work.”

  Ward went on as if he hadn’t dropped a bomb on Heath. “I need you to sweep both the town and the surrounding area, looking into every hint of who might have betrayed us. We will likely still have to move, but as that’s a great undertaking, it will take time. Meanwhile, I want to weed out anyone who should not go with us. I refuse to allow this type of situation happening again somewhere else. You can use Carter and Joe…or, uh, Joe and whoever else you need to get the job done.”

  The rest of the evening continued with less drama but no less interest. Deja remained at Heath’s side long after Joe and Carter said good night, listening to Ward outline to his son what he had in mind for Heath’s new position. She waited for Heath to say something against it, but he seemed to warm to the idea. She didn’t like the risk of him being hurt again, and she’d say so when they got home.

  “If you’re taking tips, Ward,” Deja began, and both men turned to look at her, “there’s this woman who owns a clothing shop not far from city hall. I don’t know her name, but the place is called Taavi Style. Then again, maybe that’s her name. Anyway, she’s human, and I’ve never seen such a hateful spirit. She seems like she can’t stand us, and I’m wondering why she’s even here. How could there be any shifter she loves?”

  Sadness darkened Ward’s eyes. “There isn’t. Not anymore. Taavi was the shifter she loved. They were together about fifteen years, but he was killed in freak accident three years ago. Janet, that’s her name, has been as she is now since then. She loved Taavi so much, I almost felt like they had a bond as strong as any two shifters.”

  Deja put a hand to her mouth. “Oh, my goodness, I’m so sorry to hear that.” She glanced at Heath, and worry knotted her stomach. He seemed to sense how she felt and took her hand in his. He brought it to his lips and kissed her fingers.

  “I’m not going anywhere, Deja. You don’t have to worry.”

  She frowned at him. “You don’t know that.”

  He chuckled. “Weren’t you the one arguing with me recently about living our lives and not living in fear? You were a strong advocate for not keeping ourselves from anything just because we were afraid Spiderweb would sweep in and take it all away.”

  She thought of the baby and sighed. “I guess.”

  He kissed her hand again. “Everything will be okay, and we’re leaving here soon.”

  Heath kept his promise and wrapped up the conversation with his father. They left Ward and Coreen’s house a little after midnight. The drive home took moments, and Deja should be tired, but she thought this was the perfect time to tell Heath about the baby. The mere thought of it had her wide awake, yet she stalled when they walked into their own house. Heath took her into his arms just inside the front door and tossed her purse across to the couch. She laid her head on his shoulder and breathed in his manly scent, a mixture of the fresh aroma of his soap and a hint of sandalwood.

  “I thought you were keen on getting the ranch?” she commented. “Nobody’s standing in your way anymore, but you seem excited about the sheriff position.”

  He drew back and shrugged. “I don’t know. Something about being captured changed my attitude. I told you how they grabbed me, the ammonia for scent, the drug they put in my system afterward. Our greatest strengths are our greatest vices. I want to get stronger and learn to do better. I don’t want to risk any of the people I love, and, more so, I want to do everything I can to protect them. That’s why I like the idea of being sheriff. As far as the ranch, baby, we don’t know how long we’ll be here. That part bothers me. I thought Siberia would be a place we could settle down and stay forever, but it’s true, we’ve been compromised. We have to think about the safety of everyone.”

  She played with the top button on his shirt. “I don’t want you doing anything dangerous.”

  “I won’t.”

  “You can’t guarantee that.”

  “Deja.” He raised her chin so she’d look into his eyes. “I love you.”

  A wave of joy hit her, vastly different from what she’d felt when she pissed Ward off. “I love you too. It’s just…”

  “What? Talk to me, honey. I want us to work out everything from now on.”

  She swallowed. “Well, I’m glad you say that because…um…I’m pregnant.”

  Heath blinked in silence as if she’d made a joke he didn’t get.

  “Did you hear me? Heath, I’m going to have your baby. I know you didn’t want kids, but, well, you weren’t that careful either.”

  “You were on birth control,” he accused her.

  She broke from his arms. “That’s what you want to say to me?”

  He glared.

  “Well, for your information, I was on birth control before I was changed. What humans develop to keep from getting pregnant—according to what Dr. Adams tells me—doesn’t always work on us.”

  “And you didn’t tell me.”

  “I didn’t learn that until after I found out I was pregnant. Believe it or not.” She started walking away and had to swallow a sob. “I think it’s obvious you don’t want to be a part of his or her life, so don’t even worry about it. I got this.”

  “Deja!”

  She whirled around to snap, “What?”

  “I love you.”

  “W-what?”

  “I love you. Come here.” She didn’t move, and to her surprise, he came to her. He drew her into his arms and stroked her hair. When she felt him kiss the top of her head, she broke down, and silent tears ran down her cheeks. His hold tightened. “There is absolutely no way I’m letting you go. I don’t care what I want as far as anything else. I don’t care about my fears, my worries, my concerns, hell, not even my world views.” He raised her chin to look into her face, and she saw the pain in his at seeing her cry.

  “I’m happy about the baby,” she choked. “Can’t you be?”

  “Yes, I can and I am.” He turned her away from him and walked her into the bedroom while he followed. Deja sat down on the bed, and Heath sank beside her. He ran a hand over her belly, his eyes wide in wonder. “I feel her.”

  She laughed. “No, you don’t, idiot. I’m not even showing yet. The baby is just a bundle of cells right now.”

  He shook his head, concentrating. “No, I mean, I sense life. I don’t know how to explain it. I don’t even know how I sense it, but…Deja, we…”

  She stiffened. “What? Tell me. Is something wrong with the baby?”

  “No.”

  “Heath Hunter, stop looking so damn mysterious and just say it.”

  “We’re having twins.”

  She wanted to say what again, in fact intended to, but her head grew light, and she shut her eyes. He couldn’t have said what sh
e thought he did, and why wasn’t he back to freaking out? Her heart pounded, and blood rushed in her ears. Goodness, two babies at once? Was he nuts?

  “Deja, are you okay?” The sharpness in his tone let her know she’d worried him, and she forced her eyes open.

  “I’m fine. I just thought you said we’re having twins.” The light laugh she tried forcing out fell flat. The serious expression on his face said he hadn’t stopped worrying yet.

  “I did say that, baby, and it’s going to be fine. I’m going to be right there with you. I’ll even get up in the middle of the night to help change and feed them.”

  Deja sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. She managed a smile, but Heath flinched as if it wasn’t as calm and friendly as she’d intended it to be. “Heath?”

  “Yes, baby?” He took hold of her hand and laced his fingers with hers.

  “I’m going to kill you dead. Dead!”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Heath’s first reaction to Deja’s news had been anger, that somehow she had tricked him into getting her pregnant, but he regretted it now. He had made her cry, and he wouldn’t forgive himself for that. Deja was everything to him. He would devote himself the rest of her term to making her happy, and for a lifetime afterward.

  He didn’t know how he knew there were two babies. The only explanation for it was that it was similar to his father’s ability to know where his people were, but Heath hadn’t consciously sent out any burst of power. Thinking about it, he grinned. His babies were his people, and a fierce love for them and for Deja rose up in him until he wanted to shout it to the world. Unfortunately, since Deja slept feet away from him, he kept the noise to a minimum.

  Chuckling, he reached for the tray he’d set aside when he came into the room just now. “Baby, it’s time to wake up.”

  She stirred, and his chest constricted. Was she more beautiful than the day before, or was he a lovesick puppy? He voted for the second reason and leaned over to kiss her plump lips. Her eyes fluttered open, and she grinned. “Hey.”

  “Hey,” he murmured, his voice going thick with emotion. He hoped she hadn’t noticed, but from the look on her face—that thing she did with her lips and lowering her lashes when she was instantly turned on—told him she had. Well, at least the reaction was a good one.

  She sat up and yawned, throwing her arms over her head. Her full breasts jiggled a bit, and his cock went hard. Damn, they’re bigger. Why didn’t I see it before? He cleared his throat. “Sleep well?”

  “Yeah, but you promised me nookie last night. You didn’t deliver.” She pouted.

  “I wanted you at full strength because I’m insanely horny. I’ve brought you breakfast to be sure you’re ready.”

  “Aww, that’s so sweet, Heath.” A sheepish expression came over her face, and he wondered what he’d done wrong. Her gaze went from his face to his bulging crotch, and she ducked. “I’m so sorry, baby.”

  “Deja, I don’t understand. Is it that you don’t like eggs and bacon? I remember you—”

  “That’s not it.” Hardly finishing the sentence, she sprang from the bed and scrambled to the bathroom. Seconds later, Heath heard her retching over the toilet bowl. His spirits fell, and so did his hard-on.

  He jumped from the side of the bed and hurried around it to get to the bathroom. Dropping to the floor behind her, he grabbed her hair and held it out of the way. “I’m sorry, Deja. I didn’t know. You’ve been suffering all this time alone?”

  She moaned and raised her head, breathing hard. They both sat in silence for a while as she caught her breath. “It’s not so bad. At least it doesn’t last all day. I can’t eat big breakfasts anymore, and please do me a favor and don’t cook bacon in the house.”

  He felt heat in his cheeks. “I promise. Come on. Let me help you get cleaned up.”

  While he helped Deja shower and get dressed, Heath didn’t try anything. He felt ashamed of himself for not being there for her, for not understanding or sensing she needed him. Of course logic said he couldn’t have known, but guilt locked in anyway and spurred him to do anything for her.

  When Deja was settled in the living room before the TV, looking mutinous, and he’d made her toast and juice, he kissed her and set out for city hall. His father wanted to get started quickly with his new position, and Heath agreed. The sooner they nipped all the town’s discord in the bud, the better. Then they could begin planning for a new location, a monumental task in itself.

  Heath strolled into his father’s office a half hour later to find his father sitting behind his desk, poring over a list. “What’s up?”

  Ward frowned at him, already in a sour mood from the looks of it. “Information gathering. This is the list of suspects. You can add to it and take away names as you clear them.”

  Heath took the sheet his father handed him and perused it. More names than he cared for covered the sheet. “You’ve added the owner of Taavi Style?”

  “Yeah, I would be irresponsible if I didn’t. Just talk to her, feel her out. I expect you to clear her off pretty quickly. She’s angry and lonely, but she’s not going to sell us out.”

  “I’ll do my best.”

  Ward stood up and opened a drawer. He tossed something he found in it to Heath. A shiny new sheriff’s badge glimmered in his palm. Heath raised an eyebrow to his father. “You’ve had this on your mind for a while, or you got somebody out of their bed last night?”

  Ward chuckled. “I even had plans for the extra rooms on this place to be an office for you and a holding cell if need be.”

  “Would have had to be strong.”

  “Of course.” Ward ran a hand over his graying hair and sighed. “But all that’s changing. We can’t stay here.” He slammed a fist on his desk, and Heath heard a distinct cracking sound like wood splitting. How many desks had his father gone through before he arrived?

  “Don’t worry, Dad. Joe and I will get the removal of the humans going, and I’ll root out anybody else that’s not for us.”

  “I know I can count on you, Son. Without a doubt. How is Deja?”

  The question came out of nowhere, and by his father’s expression, he guessed the man knew about her pregnancy. Anger and jealousy rose in Heath, but he tamped it down. “You knew she’s pregnant?”

  Ward held up his hands, palms facing Heath. “Not because she told me. I sensed it when I saw her just before we went after you. I promised you wouldn’t learn the truth from me. We didn’t discuss the matter at all.”

  Heath sighed. “She’s fine, a little sick this morning.” He grinned. “She’s having twins.”

  Ward’s eyes bugged, and Heath had the gratification of knowing something his dad didn’t. “You’re kidding.”

  “No, I sensed it as clear as I sense Deja herself.”

  “That’s my boy!”

  Heath chuckled and shook his head. “I didn’t want this, I admit, but I’m…I’m thrilled now. I’m going to be a father.”

  Ward came around the desk and slapped him on the back. “And you’ll find it’s the most gratifying feeling in the world. Trust me on that. Now, let the knowledge that you have a family depending on you spur you to take care of this nasty business. When you’re ready to escort them out, call me. I want to be there to let them know…”

  “I know, Dad. Will do.”

  * * * *

  The exodus of humans wasn’t a mass one. While Siberia had grown over the last thirty years, there weren’t that many people, and some of the shifters had mated with each other rather than bring a human into the mix. Others chose to go outside the town for sexual exploits and to leave it there. Too many, though, had brought their partners home. Heath and his men stood on the road out of town and tensed at the tears and shouts to write. The latter were just words, of course because no communication would be allowed in or out of Siberia from former human residents.

  Carter drove along the street in his pickup and stopped in front of Heath. At his side, sitting silent and stiff with re
d eyes was Melanie, his human girlfriend. Carter tried grabbing her hand, but she ducked away as if afraid. Heath wondered just how long they would last. Melanie was obviously smart enough to understand the threat from Carter if she ever talked about Siberia. Even if he loved her, Carter would protect his people.

  “He’s not coming?” Carter asked, emotion making his voice rough.

  “He’ll be here,” Heath assured him, and sure enough, his dad’s pickup pulled into view seconds later. Carter’s jaw tightened, and he turned off his engine to step out of the truck.

  Heath hung back to let Carter and Ward chat. They said only a few words and then embraced. Ward slapped him on the back. “I know you’ll be fine, and if you need anything…”

  Carter’s face reddened. “I’m not going to compromise all of you. We’ll be okay. I have skills. I can get a construction job.”

  Ward nodded. He had arranged for all the shifters to receive a stipend that would be enough to get them into an apartment and provide all of their living expenses for three months. That had almost tapped out the town’s finances, so Heath knew they would have their work cut out for them with the move.

  Too soon, the road started to empty, and Heath turned to Joe. “Is that everyone on your list?”

  Joe shook his head. “Not everyone.”

  No sooner had he spoken, another vehicle ambled along the road. Heath frowned. He recognized the car, and he sensed his mate inside it. He moved forward, but the vehicle stopped not far away, and Jake, the bartender, stepped out with Deja jumping from the other side to run around to him. She got less than a foot from the man and turned to Heath, a question in her tear-filled eyes. He clenched his jaw but nodded, and she threw her arms around the human.

  “Take care of yourself, Jake. I’m going to miss you.”

  Jake patted her back lightly, his frightened gaze on Heath. “I will, and I’m going to miss you too. I really am.”

  They chatted back and forth some more until Heath cleared his throat. Then more good-byes were said before the man was on his way. “That’s the last,” Joe said behind him, and Heath walked over to Deja. He opened his mouth to speak to her, but she turned without warning and threw herself sobbing into his arms.