“But Dad…”
“I’ll see to him. Give it a little time, and we can make arrangements either for him to meet you somewhere safe, or for you to come here for a visit. Right now, things are too uncertain. I can’t guarantee your safety, not as long as he’s by your side, and I have no doubt he won’t let you come alone.”
“That would be correct. She’s my mate and I won’t send her there alone,” Styx agreed. “I appreciate you thinking of your sister’s safety.”
“If you were concerned with her safety, you’d have never mated with her.”
“David.” She let out a huff, and wanted to tell him that Styx wasn’t the man Frank had made them believe. In the end, she kept her mouth shut because Styx was right about one thing: his reputation kept people safe. Now that she was on the other side of things, she could see the benefit in it.
“We understand your decision,” Styx said. “You might want to consider meeting her somewhere in the near future with your father.” He steered the conversation back on track.
David glared at him for a moment before finally nodding. “I’ll speak with our father in the coming days, and we can see about arrangements for them.”
“I meant for you, too. All of you have suffered great loss, but for Mira it’s worse. She’s lost the clan she was raised in, one she might never even be able to visit again. The reassurance of seeing both of you would be good for not only her, but all of you.”
“He’s right. I’d really like to see you, David.” She wiped tears from her cheeks.
“I can’t get away from the clan now, but when I can we’ll work something out.”
“There’s one more thing before you go. Are you a supporter, or are you against us?” Styx asked without missing a beat.
“I told Ty I would give him an answer as soon as I could.”
“I know what you told my Alpha, but from what Mira told me of that night, and how you don’t seem to be angry at her for her position, I believe you already knew her stance,” Styx pushed. “Did Shelly tell you, or did you know because you were a supporter as well?”
“My stance is my own business.”
“Not if you’re against what Tabitha’s trying to do,” Mira said. She tried to swallow the lump in her throat, but it was an unmovable object. If he was against Tabitha, against everything she believed in, he’d be an enemy and she knew what happened to those who stood against them.
“Right now, I have to think of what’s good for the clan.” David sidestepped the question again. “My personal beliefs are mine and mine alone. With the clan numbers so small, I can’t afford to lose anyone else. We’re already small enough as it is, and we could be prey to the larger clans who wish to expand.”
“If you’re a supporter, we can provide you with additional support,” Styx said. “No one will try to take over your clan. If you’re willing to take in others, we can make your land a safe haven for those escaping Alphas like Frank. We need places people can go if they are forced to run like Mira was.”
“That night, you weren’t surprised.” She adjusted on the bar stood. “You knew. But how? Shelly didn’t tell you, or she’d have betrayed you as well and told Frank that you knew but never told him. No one else knew. So how did you?”
David leaned back in his chair, a smirk clear across his face. “There were things you said that couldn’t have been taken any other way.”
“You…” She was unable to finish her thought.
“Yes. I’ve been watching as things happened in the shifter world, and as Tabitha began to take her place. What she wants to do is something I completely support. However, as an Alpha now, I need to consider my clan. That means I must decide if committing to Tabitha’s cause publically is the best thing for us. None of the members here have any kind of training. As an Alpha, I’m totally vulnerable without guards.”
“We can help with that. We can send a couple to help protect you, and train those you select,” Styx offered.
“I appreciate it, and I’ll weigh that with my decision.” David nodded. “I need some time to consider everything, but I’ll be in touch soon.” David stared at Styx for a moment before adding, “I don’t care what your reputation is, or the fact I couldn’t win in a fair fight against you even if I tried, but know this. If you hurt my sister in any way, I’ll make you pay. Your life will be hell, and you’ll wish you were dead long before it happened.”
“David,” she scolded.
“It’s okay,” Styx interrupted. “He’s only showing his concern, and he has nothing to worry about.” He looked back at the screen. “You have my word she’ll be safe, and if you know much about me, you know that I never break my word.”
“Dad and I will be in touch soon, Mira. Until then, stay safe.” With that, David leaned forward and clicked to end the call.
She couldn’t pull her gaze from the computer screen, even as the call screen went dark. Only fifteen members of her clan had survived. It had to have been a bloodbath after she left. So much death. How many more would die because of the decisions of that night? Would David be in danger now? Would he be in more danger or less if he committed to Tabitha?
“Catnip…” Styx called to her. “Are you okay?”
“Is she in shock?” Theodore came to her other side to look at her.
“I’m fine, just thinking. So much has changed.”
“Not all for the bad, Catnip.” He pulled her tighter against him. “It brought you to me. Your clan is now free of Frank.”
“But David is in danger.”
“We’ll do what we can for him, but unless he supports Tabitha, there’s no way we can send guards to help him.”
“If he’s a supporter, I’ll go to Connecticut and help train the clan,” Theodore offered.
“Thank you.” She smiled up at him. “I appreciate it. I just wish I could have gone there to see them.”
“It might have been for the best that we wait.” Theodore pulled out the last bar stool and sat down. “Right now, even though the clan is small, there’s a battle going on within it. They need to work out their issues before outsiders can come in. While you might have been a member, you’re not anymore. David needs time to establish his rule as Alpha, and until then he can’t protect anyone outside of the clan.”
“I know you’re right, but I just lost half my family and I feel like my place is there with Dad and David.” She glanced at Styx. “But I want to be here with you. My tigress claws my insides at the very thought of being away from you.”
“We’ll be together. Not here, but in Alaska, and soon we’ll see your family. Right now, Theodore is right. David needs time to get the clan under his control.”
She let her head rest against his shoulder. She knew she should be happy that David and her father were alive, but grief poured through every cell in her body. The loss of her mother was more painful than that of Shelly. Shel, you were my best friend, but I warned you Frank would only let you push so much before he’d strike back…
* * *
They had managed to push off their departure from the West Virginia Tigers’ land by an additional day, giving Mira and Styx more time to enjoy each other before they had to get back to the Alaskan Tigers and his duties. He was thankful for the extra time with her, even if they were stuck in a cabin with Theodore, because it gave him time to get to know her. There was so much more to her. More he wanted to explore. He felt as though he had barely touched the surface on discovering his mate.
Theodore, Mira, Summer, Jinx, Lukas, and Styx sat gathered around the table in the Elders’ house. They had just finished lunch and were waiting while another table that had been a family heirloom was loaded onto the plane for Theodore to restore to the beautiful piece it had once been.
Everything was returning to a semblance of normalcy, or at least as normal as their world could get. Things had calmed down in Washington D.C., and the tigers there had yet to cause an issue. Though he suspected that one day, not far in the future, they’d seek
retaliation for the clan members Styx and Theodore had killed.
Quinn was still pissed they’d been in his territory without alerting him. The black panther was on his own, without a clan’s backing, but for some reason he thought his status as United States Marshal gave him a higher pecking order. It might be that way with humans, but it held little weight when it came to the shifter world.
Now they could only sit back and wait to see what happened as David tried to take over the Connecticut Tigers. Styx and the others would be there if he chose to commit to Tabitha and the future of their species, and they’d help in any way they could. If he chose not to, there was nothing any of them could do. He glanced over at his mate, and for her sake he hoped that things would work out for David’s claim to Alpha. She had already lost her sister and mother. She didn’t need to lose anyone else.
He pushed his thoughts away and leaned forward, his gaze moving toward Lukas, who sat at the opposite end of the table from Jinx. “How do you like your new role?”
“It took a bit of getting used to, but I was born for this. Eric has learned quickly what I expect from him as far as the Nerd Crew goes, and has been a great help to both myself and Connor. Now I’m able to focus on my duties as the Lieutenant of the clan.”
“He’s been exceptional, and having him has given me more time to spend with Summer and Claire,” Jinx added.
“How’s Claire doing?”
“She’s beginning to open up and talk a little,” Summer answered. “She has really taken to Jackson. I think it’s something about his voice because she loves to bring him a book and curl up in his lap as he reads it to her. She’s growing comfortable with Carson and Meshell as well.”
“Meshell? You have a female guard?” Mira’s tone held a note of shock.
Summer nodded. “Surprised?”
“I didn’t think many clans allowed female guards.”
“It goes against everything in some Alphas but times are changing. If a woman is capable of the job, they should be allowed to do it,” Jinx answered. “It might be old-fashioned, but women are precious and should be protected. Not put in the front lines but Meshell has proved herself, and she’s an excellent guard for Claire. We’ve discussed this extensively, and it’s likely that Meshell will be appointed as the Captain of Claire’s guards. We have yet to appoint someone because we’ve been waiting for her to get comfortable around everyone and settle into the clan. Jackson is Summer’s Captain of the Guards, so that eliminates him. Since there’s more possible danger to Summer, I’m unwilling to reassign him.”
“They’re not the only ones with a female guard. Shadow is the Captain of Bethany’s guards, with me as her second. She’s ruthless and started at an early age to make a name for herself,” Styx reminded her.
A throat cleared behind them, and everyone turned to find Red standing there. “The table has been loaded and the plane is fueled.”
“Thank you.” Theodore rose from his seat. “I’ll go get the plane ready, go over the pre-flight checklist, and I’ll see you down there.”
“We’ll be along in a few minutes,” Styx told him.
“Jinx and Summer, thank you for everything. It was a pleasure to see you again.”
“You, too, Theodore. Be sure to come back. Claire is anxious to play with her teddy again.” Summer gave him a warm smile.
He shook his head and headed out of the room. Silence had fallen over them, but Styx was tugged toward the memories of Theodore in his bear form playing with Claire. It was almost as if they had stumbled upon a private moment.
“Mira…” Summer started, and paused until she looked at her. “If you ever need anything or someone to talk to, I’m here. I have an idea what you’re going through because I had to leave my clan when they were in the middle of a change. My brother, Dean, is the Lieutenant to the Texas Tigers. It’s hard to leave your home, your family, and everything you’ve known to start over with a mate you’ve only just met, but it’s worth it.”
“I heard about the Texas Tigers, and how Avery went on a killing spree before he was finally taken down. Most of his clan was killed.”
Styx placed his hand over hers. “You’ll have to forgive her,” he said. “Frank brainwashed his clan about a lot of things. He told them of the Texas Tigers in order to strike fear in the members. He said Ty and Tabitha were ordering anyone who stood against them to be eliminated. While I told her that Tex was a former member of the clan before he took over in Texas, we haven’t had time to go through all of what Frank told them versus reality.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for. Avery was very much the same. Anything he thought he could use to gain more control, he used it.” Summer leaned forward and took Jinx’s hand. “It wasn’t until I mated with Jinx and came here that I understood how a clan was supposed to be.”
“It’s disgusting that Alphas do this.” Mira shook her head.
“You have to deal with crazy people in all walks of life. Shifters are no different,” Jinx agreed. “However, Tabitha is the key to changing all of that.”
“Hopefully, the future looks brighter than the past I just came from.” She glanced at Styx.
“It will be, Catnip, it will be.” Styx squeezed her hand as a ray of hope sparked within him. Each of them had accepted things, and they were moving past it. Their future was together.
Chapter Eleven
Thousands of feet in the air, Styx sat in his seat with his stomach churning. He needed something to keep his mind occupied. He teased his thumb over the arches of Mira’s knuckles and tried to focus on the peaks and valleys on them. The tiger within wanted to explore other parts of her.
He’d only had a few days with her, but in a few hours he’d be back to his duties to Bethany and the Alaskan Tigers. He’d have to find a balance when all he wanted to do was ravish his mate. Even though not going to Connecticut was the safest option, he couldn’t help be a little disappointed by the fact he didn’t have more time with her before he had to get back to his commitments. Maybe in a few days, as long as things were still going smoothly, he could convince Ty that he deserved a break with his mate and slip off to one of the cabins the Brown family owned. Seclusion was just what the two of them needed in order to get to know each other better.
“Do you think David is going to be okay?” She continued to stare out the window.
“If he can act like a leader and bring them all together, then yes, I believe he’s got a good chance. The clan needs a strong Alpha to unite them and help them move past what has happened. Everyone there would have lost someone, and that will form a bond. He killed Frank, and he needs to show them that he didn’t do it just because Shelly was killed, but to avenge all of those who died that day and to free them. He’s given them a chance to leave, and no one else has. That alone shows that they support him.”
“But the clan is so small.”
“He’s going to have outside threats, especially if it’s public knowledge that Frank kept the members weak and unable to fight back.” He squeezed her hand. “I’ve offered him a chance to help himself and the clan. All he has to do is commit to Tabitha. I promise you that if he’s on our side we’ll help him in whatever ways we can. As an Alpha, he’ll need to stand on his own feet and keep control, but we can provide temporary guards to keep him and the clan safe. Training the members, so they’ll be able to protect themselves and their land. You know our species won’t stand for someone else always stepping in to save the day, so he’ll have to make the Connecticut Tigers strong. Small numbers don’t always mean prey.”
“Not always, but they are.”
“He’s got challenges ahead of him, but if he gives it his all, he can overcome them.” He didn’t know what else to say to help ease her fears. “Have you seen anything in your visions?”
“No.” She turned to him. “Nothing. Not even a glimmer, but maybe I’m trying too hard. It’s not like my visions come at will, they just happen, and not regularly either. I knew you’d find me, bu
t I knew nothing about what Shelly would do that night. It’s like the visions pick and choose what they tell me.”
“It’s going to be okay. It’s possible your visions will come if you don’t try to force them.” He rubbed her hand and she turned back to the window. There was nothing he could say that would make this easier. Only time would help. Time and if David committed to Tabitha so they could send support his way. It might take months before it was safe enough for her to visit her old clan again, but just the knowledge that they were safe, and being led by her brother, would give her peace of mind.
The tension from her traveled through their bond, making him more on edge. The turbulence that had returned wasn’t helping matters, but he sat there silently, his thumb traveling over her knuckles. Over and over again in small circles, one knuckle at a time, while he focused on the journey from one to another.
“That doesn’t seem to be working.” She nodded to his thumb exploration. “How about we find another way?”
“What did you have in mind?” His teeth were gritted as the plane was tossed around in turbulence.
“Something that involves us both getting naked.” She wiggled her eyebrows at him. “I’ve always wanted to have sex on a plane, and now seems to be a very good time.”
“You’re insane.”
“Why? Can’t my big old tiger get it up?” She tugged her sweater over her head. “Or maybe I just don’t turn you on.”
“A challenge I shall rise to. Catnip, you’re truly beautiful.”
“Then come on.” She stood and kicked off her shoes. “It will be easier to do it with me braced against the edge of the table.”
“Well, I guess, unlike in a vehicle, if we crash seatbelts will do very little to save us.” He unhooked his seatbelt and followed after her, careful to avoid the trail of clothes she left in her wake.
She leaned against the table. “Theodore will keep us safely in the skies and within minutes, you’ll forget we’re flying.” She took hold of his shirt and slid it up his chest. “Mmm. There’s something sexy about you when you’re trying to hide your terror. The way your muscles tighten and show off all their beauty.” She slid her hands over his chest.
Tiger Tracks (Alaskan Tigers Book 9) Page 11
