by Jane Jamison
“Oh, my word. What guys? What did they look like?”
She shook her head. “They didn’t look like anyone special. Maybe bigger than most guys their age, but it was more the way they acted. Like Eric and Garron were their sworn enemies.”
There was something else she needed to say about them, but whatever it was wouldn’t come to the forefront of her mind. “Please, Aunt Ruth, we need to get Uncle Bob and Uncle Gunther and hurry back there. They told me to take their Jeep and get away, but I have to go back. We have to help them.”
Oddly, her aunt seemed relieved. “So they told you to run? And did Eric and Garron seem afraid of these men? Or did they act like they’d welcome a fight?”
Now that her aunt mentioned it, Eric and Garron had seemed a little too eager to mix it up with the others. “They didn’t seem afraid at all. Just pissed off. Eric even called one of them a ‘little doggy’. It was really strange. There were a lot of animal references from both sides.”
Her aunt picked up her tablet and started reading again. “I promise it’s nothing to worry about. They were young men, am I right? More boys than men?”
“Yes, but what does that have to do with anything?” Why wasn’t her aunt getting upset? Didn’t she realize how dangerous the situation was?
“I know it sounds odd, but don’t worry. Those were probably just a bunch of young hounds from Forever. They think they’ll prove themselves by tangling with our Twisted men. Trust me, Garron and Eric can handle them. If they couldn’t, they would’ve found a way to get away. They’ll show up soon enough to check on you and to pick up their Jeep.”
“Are you sure? What if they’re hurt?” Could she trust that her aunt was right?
“Sweetie, believe me. They’ll be fine.” She set her tablet back down on the side table. “But while we’re on the subject of Eric and Garron, tell me what you think of them. They’re pretty special, aren’t they?”
More special than she’d ever thought anyone could ever be. “Yes. I think so.”
“And do you feel…different…around them? Is there a kind of connection you’ve never had with anyone else?”
“How’d you know, Aunt Ruth?”
The joy on her aunt’s face lit it up, erasing the lines time had added. “Because that’s how I felt with your uncles.”
“Really?” She sat back, all at once overwhelmed by everything that had happened. Overwhelmed by the rush of emotions whipping through her.
“Yes, exactly. You feel like an electric wire is electrocuting you. Or a thousand bees are stinging you, except that it doesn’t hurt. In fact, it’s the most wonderful feeling in the world.”
“Yes.” She couldn’t have described it any better. “It’s amazing. I feel like I’ve known them my whole life.”
“And now you can’t imagine living the rest of your life without them. Yes?”
“Yes.” Jane bounced up and down, the thrill of her aunt understanding giving her relief and joy. “It’s like I have no control when I’m around them, either.”
“Which is why you were so turned on at Roar last night.”
That was the last thing she wanted to talk to her aunt about, but what was the use of lying? “I know it was shameful, but I really couldn’t help myself.”
“It’s fine, Janie. Everyone around here knows how it is with the connection. Believe it or not, we’ve seen worse.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Or should I say better? No one can stop the connection.”
“The connection?”
“That’s what we call what you’re feeling. It’s an invisible bond that brings a woman and her man, or men, together.”
“Like love at first sight?” She’d never believe in such things, but how could she not believe now?
“Yes, in a way, but there’s more to it than simple physical attraction. The connection is what brings mates together. It’s a primal draw that extends beyond what someone looks like. It’s a gut thing. An instinctive knowledge that you belong together.”
“He said love, auntie. Eric said love.” Her happiness faded a little “But he didn’t say I love you. And Garron didn’t, either.”
“Did you tell them you love them?”
“Well, no.”
“Then I guess you’re even.” Her aunt took her hand. “They feel the connection, too. Just give them a little more time to say the words. Some men are slow like that.” Her aunt squeezed her hand tightly. “Oh, sweetie, I’m so happy for you. They’re wonderful men. I’ve always liked them.” Aunt Ruth’s voice got louder as her excitement grew. “I’ve known them all their lives, you know, even when they were just young cats.”
Jane straightened up. “Okay, that’s it. Why does everyone around here use so many animal references? Why do they talk about cats? And where are all the dogs? I haven’t seen one since I came to town.”
Aunt Ruth curled her lips under as though she’d gotten caught saying something wrong. “Um, I think I’ve said too much. Oh, my, look at the time. I need to get dinner going for your uncles. Your Uncle Gunther gets so damn cranky when he’s hungry.”
Jane grabbed her arm and tugged her aunt back onto the couch. “Uh-uh. No way. You’re telling me what’s going on. Why do people in this town have amber in their eyes? Even those other guys at the pond did. Tell me, Aunt Ruth. Tell me what I need to know.”
“It isn’t for me to say. Eric and Garron have to decide when and how to tell you.”
“Bullshit. Either you tell me now or I’m packing my bag and leaving. Even if I have to walk all the way home to Atlanta.”
“So they haven’t told you what they are?”
“What they are?” She chuckled, hoping to lighten the mood. Maybe then her aunt would loosen up and spill the beans. “Do you mean like they’re Democrats or something?”
But Aunt Ruth didn’t laugh. “No, sweetie.” She let out a haggard breath, her previous excitement gone. “I don’t know how else to say this, so I’ll tell you the same way Gunther and Bob told me. If you insist on my telling you. Really, though, it would be much better if you waited for Eric and Garron.”
“You can’t stop now. Just tell me. I’m a big girl. I can handle it.”
The look her aunt gave her wasn’t encouraging. “Sweetie, Eric and Garron are weretigers.”
She’d expected anything other than a ridiculous answer. “Weretigers? You mean, they’re like werewolves? They’re men who can change into animals?” She started to laugh, but stopped. Her aunt was serious.
“They are. And the amber eyes? That’s when their inner beast is rising to the surface.”
Jane stood, unable to remain still, and paced to the other side of the room. “Aunt Ruth, if you’re going to make up a story instead of telling me the truth, then you’re going to have to come up with a better one than that.”
“I’m sorry. I know it’s hard to believe, but I’m telling you the truth.”
“Then everyone with amber in their eyes is a shapeshifter? A person who can transform into a tiger? You can’t be serious.” She fought back a laugh. “Are you telling me that you and my uncles are shapeshifters, too?”
“Most of the people in Twisted are shifters. Just like your men.”
Jane backed up until she was against the wall. “Oh, my God. I saw a white tiger the other night. I was going to tell you, but then I heard you and my uncles talking about the tigers in Twisted.”
Nothing made sense. Believing in supernatural creatures didn’t make sense. And yet, the amber eyes, the tigers, the mentions of cats and dogs? Put them together and they made a strange kind of sense.
“Did the tiger let you touch him? Was he friendly?”
She’d touched him and he’d been friendly, much friendlier than any real tiger would’ve ever been. “Was that…” The rest of the sentence wouldn’t come.
“I’ll bet it was either Eric or Garron. Knowing how he likes pranks, it was probably Eric.”
Had she really touched Eric in his animal form? A headache pounded in he
r temple, her brain refusing to accept what her aunt was telling her. “This is too much. I don’t… I can’t…”
“Just remember the connection, sweetie. Remember that they love you as much as you love them.”
She shook her head, trying to deny what she was hearing. Her body trembled as she hurried to her room.
* * * *
Supernatural creatures.
Skinwalkers.
Shapeshifters.
Werewolves.
Jane hit the enter key on her computer. She’d done searches for anything and everything she could think of that was remotely related to weretigers. What she’d found had left her reeling.
It’s true.
As much as she wanted to believe her aunt had gone crazy, she was beginning to think she’d told her the truth. Hadn’t she seen enough with her own eyes to know it was?
Amber eyes.
Fangs peeking out over bottom lips.
A tiger that let her pet it.
The graceful way the people of Twisted moved.
Even the way they talked hinted at their real natures. Or were their human forms their real nature? How could both exist in one body?
If what her aunt was right, she had a connection with Eric and Garron that transcended the fact that they were shifters. Or was it because they were shifters? After spending the past two hours doing online research, she still had more questions than she did answers.
Yet the biggest question had to be answered first. Did she want to be with them knowing what they were?
“Janie, you have visitors.”
Jane didn’t have to ask her aunt who the visitors were. She could feel their presence, even though they were in another room. “I’m not ready to see them. Tell them the keys are in the Jeep.”
“Janie, please. You need to talk to them.”
She wanted to, but at long last, the rational side of her had finally taken over. Before she let the bond between them cloud her judgment yet again, she had to think. She had to have time to gain more information and to understand what she would face if she decided to be with them. And yet, before she realized it, she was standing and walking toward the door. She caught herself and stopped.
“No. Please tell them to leave me alone.” She couldn’t resist adding, “For now.”
“I’ll try, but once a weretiger gets an idea in his head, he’s as stubborn as any mule.”
There it was again. Weretiger. But they were men, too. Men she cared for. Hell, men she loved.
“You told them I know.” It wasn’t a question, but a confirmation.
“Yes, I did. I had to call them. They needed to know how you reacted. I was afraid you’d leave before they could get a chance to explain. Please talk to them.”
“Explain what? They’re shifters.” Was she actually saying the word shifters as though it was nothing unusual? As though the entire world knew that supernatural beings existed in a small town in Texas? Backing up, she didn’t stop until she’d made it to her bed. They were shifters and she wasn’t sure what to do. And yet, one compelling thought kept invading her mind, pounding home the truth of it.
I love them.
She gripped the bedpost and wondered how long she could tell them no.
She didn’t have to wonder very long. The sound of the door being kicked open startled her.
At first, Eric and Garron simply stood in the doorway. For a long minute, they studied each other. Jane’s breath hitched in her throat.
Damn, how I want them.
Somehow she managed to say the right thing. “You need to leave.” The amber of their eyes glowed in the dim light.
“We’re not going anywhere.” Eric’s body was relaxed, but his expression was determined.
“You need to listen to us, sugar.” Garron took two steps into the bedroom. “We’ve waited a long time for you to come along. There’s no fucking way in hell we’re going to let you go now.”
“You can’t stop me. If I want to leave, I will.” Or could they? Would they have to work hard to keep her there or would she give in soon enough?
“Damned if we can’t.” Eric moved before she had a chance to realize it.
She tried to run, but didn’t get more than a couple of feet. Each man snagged her by the arm, lifting her off her feet. In the next moment, she was on her back on top of her bed. They leaned over her, their faces set, their eyes brandishing bits of amber.
Although she knew she should fight them off, she felt the sensation of the connection spiral into her. Her mouth watered, her heartbeat picked up, and her legs spread wide, ready to accept them. And still she screamed.
“Help! Get them off me! Aunt Ruth! Uncle Bob! Someone help me!” She struggled against them, but she was no match.
“Calm down, sugar. We’re not going to hurt you.” Garron held one wrist to the bed and straddled her leg.
She glanced down. All it would take would be one hard thrust of her leg upward into his crotch. Maybe it wouldn’t get him off her, but it sure as hell would hurt.
He saw where she was looking. “Don’t even think about it.”
“We just want to talk.” Eric held her other wrist down but, after seeing the predicament Garron was in, he put his leg on top of hers instead of straddling her.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
She glimpsed her Uncle Bob barreling toward the men. He grabbed hold of Garron’s arm and spun him around. Fangs erupted from all three men’s mouths and growls filled the air. Stunned, she watched Eric and Garron snarl at her uncle.
Seeing her uncle ready to fight two shapeshifters brought her to a jolting decision. “No. Stop, Uncle Bob. All of you, stop it.”
The three of them turned toward her, their faces still angry. She shot a look at her uncle. “I’ll handle this.”
“Bob, let them work it out.” Her aunt watched, her arms crossed, a frown etched in her brow. “Let’s you, Gunther, and I go grab a drink at Roar.” She gave Jane a knowing smile. “Janie can handle this.”
“I don’t know,” grumbled Uncle Bob.
Jane gave Eric then Garron a pointed look. They glanced at each other, but didn’t let go.
“You’ll give us time to talk?” asked Eric. “If you promise to listen, we’ll turn you loose.”
“Yes. Now let me go.”
Another glance passed between them and then both of them backed off. They freed her wrists and slid off the bed.
She sat up, rubbed her skin, and nodded at her uncle. “Do you think they’d hurt me, Uncle Bob?”
“No.”
“Then go to Roar. This is my decision to make.” But could she make it? Would her mind stay clear enough to do the right thing or would the sexual energy streaming off them and into her body cloud her judgment?
Her uncle hesitated, searching her. Slowly, he walked to her aunt. Aunt Ruth lifted onto her tiptoes and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Go on, you big-hearted lug.”
Once her uncle had gone, Aunt Ruth turned toward them again and pointed a warning finger. “Eric? Garron? If you hurt my girl in any way, I promise you I will skin you alive. Do you understand me?”
Jane almost laughed. What did her aunt think she could do to such huge men? And yet, when she saw how her aunt looked at them, she had no doubt. Her aunt wasn’t making an idle threat.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Garron nodded and added his own, “Yes, Miss Ruthie.”
“Good.” Aunt Ruth pointed at her this time. “As for you, you need to know that you couldn’t find two better men. Outside of your uncles, of course. Eric and Garron are hard-working, stand-up guys who will love you with everything they are. They’ll keep you safe and make every day a happy one. I know you’ve never considered living in a small town or on a ranch, but it’s a damn good life. Trust me, sweetie, no place on this green earth is as good as in the arms of the men you love. They can turn hell into paradise.”
“Aunt Ruth, I just need—”
“Time. Yes, I get that.
I know this has come at you fast and hard, but sometimes that’s the way it goes. Understanding what they are is difficult, but you’ve got a good head on your shoulders. Use it. But remember this. Your head is only one part of you and I’m not sure it’s always the most important part.” She placed her palm on her chest. “Listen to your heart, too.”
Jane pushed to a sitting position and put her back against the headboard. “Yes, Aunt Ruth. I’ll try.”
“Okay then. You three take all the time you need.” Her aunt pivoted around and walked away.
Eric and Garron started toward her. “Stop. Don’t either one of you come any closer. Not until I get some answers first.”
Eric crossed his arms and put his weight squarely on his two feet. Garron arched an eyebrow, but neither of them spoke.
“You’re shapeshifters. At least that’s what my aunt told me.” What if they laughed at her? Or would that be a good thing?
“She told you the truth. We’re weretigers. We can change into white tigers.”
Garron’s admission was so simple. And yet, it would change her life forever.
She swallowed hard and tried to stay calm. “I’ve been doing some online research—”
“Not everything you read is correct, you know,” offered Garron.
“I realize that, but some of it has to be right. Still, there’s a simple way for me to know if all this is real or if I’m locked in a dream.”
“A nightmare or a dream?”
“What do you mean, Eric?”
“If that’s what’s happening, would you think it’s a nightmare or a dream?”
He was asking her if knowing what they were was a bad thing or a good thing. If knowing them as men was good or bad. Either way, she didn’t have to think about her answer. “A dream.”
Relief filled both their faces. Eric drew in a long breath.
“Change for me.” She studied Eric and tried to imagine the tiger she’d met in town. “I want to see you. Both of you. Show me what you are.”
“Okay.” Garron jerked his head toward the door. “If you promise not to run.”
“I won’t run if you promise you won’t hurt me. Can you remember not to hurt me while you’re… you know?”
