Alaskan Tigers Box Set 1

by Marissa Dobson

  He took her hand. “It’s our clan. When I spoke to Raja this morning, he wanted you to know the clan is excited you’re coming. They’re going to have a party to welcome you home.”

  People she didn’t know were happy she was coming home.

  I can’t believe how much my life has changed in less than twenty-four hours. Oh Alice, I wish you were here to see this. Even if you would’ve thought I was crazy if I told you I was a tiger shifter.

  Even with the promise of a new family out there, waiting for her, it didn’t replace the one person who’d been a part of her life since she was a child.

  I miss you so much, Alice.

  Tabitha walked up to the nurses’ desk, and the kind woman who’d been on duty when she left the night before was still there.

  “I’m so sorry about your friend. I don’t know how he managed to get in.” The nurse’s voice was gentle, quiet.

  Officer O’Malley came around the corner. “Thirty minutes.” He neared them, looking unpleased. “You find out your friend was murdered and it takes you an awful long time to get here. Seems to me you might have been trying to avoid answering my questions. After all, you were the last visitor.”

  His words cut through her like a knife. She wanted to lash out at him, at anyone or anything to ease the pain within her. Before she could say anything, Ty spoke up. “Hey, we came as fast as we could. She was asleep when you called. There’s no need to take that tone with her, she just lost her best friend. She came down here to answer your questions, to help you catch the killer, not be scolded.”

  Officer O’Malley took a step back, clearly shocked anyone would stand up to him. It seemed as if years of wearing the uniform had made him cocky, and obviously he enjoyed the power. Yelling seemed to be his way of getting things done. He appeared to be sizing up Tabitha. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I don’t understand how he got in. The camera shows him walking in past the nurses’ desk. No one was paying attention. The cameras caught what happened, and I sent another officer to arrest him. I just have a few questions for you, if you could give me a few moments of your time.”

  “Yes, I want to do whatever I can to help. She was my best friend.” Ty had already said it, but she’d say it again. She wanted to make it absolutely clear how much she cared for Alice, and how distasteful she found Officer O’Malley and his attitude. At least he seemed to care Alice had died, and he wanted to catch the culprit.

  “Good. Let’s go into the staff break area. That’s where we’re set up right now.” He led them down the hall and into a large room with sofas and tables. One of the large round tables was already set up with recording devices, files, and tablets. “Please have a seat there. Do you mind if I record this conversation?”

  Shaking her head, she took a seat at the table. She maintained a firm grip on Ty’s hand, needing his comfort. She didn’t care if the officer recorded it, she just wanted to help Alice and put this whole thing behind her. Now more than ever, she wanted out of Pittsburgh. She wanted away from all these painful memories.

  The officer sat at the table across from her and clicked on the tape recorder, stating the time, date, and who was present before directing his attention to her. “Ms. Leigh, what happened last night to cause the doctor to give Alice a sedative?”

  “When Alice woke up, she wanted to know if the baby was all right.” She tried to blink the tears away but they kept coming. Grabbing a tissue from the box in the middle of the table she mopped her cheeks and soldiered on. She needed to get this over with before the walls began to close in on her. For once, the cop appeared sympathetic as he listened. “The doctor told me to page him and not to tell her anything, but it didn’t go as planned and Alice got emotional. She knew she lost her baby after that bastard beat her. Instead of getting the doctor I comforted her and hit the call button. When the doctor finally came, she was hysterical. The only way to calm her was to give her something.”

  “What happened next?”

  “After she was sedated there was nothing I could do, the nurse suggested I go home and get some sleep. Alice would need me when she woke up in the morning and I needed to be ready for the emotional trauma she’d need someone to guide her through. I gave the nurse my number in case things changed, and I went home.”

  Officer O’Malley reached into one of the files and pulled out a picture of a man with black hair, about thirty-five, with a teardrop tattoo in black ink under his eye. “Have you ever seen this man before?”

  She was startled as she stared at the picture. “Not in person. Alice had some pictures on her phone, she told me that was Mike. Though the last picture I saw of him he didn’t have the tattoo. The video shows him?”

  “Yes. He’s shown going into Alice’s room and coming out with a bloody knife in hand. He’s also wanted for the murder of another pregnant girl.”

  She didn’t want to think about how Alice was killed. Had she felt pain in her final moments? She started to shake as if she was cold, and Ty put his arm around her, pulling her close. As his strength and warmth penetrated her clothing, the tremors slowed before stopping all together. “She was my best friend. I want to see him pay for this.” Anger replaced her grief and caused a stiffening in her spine.

  Officer O’Malley nodded as he spoke. “With this evidence, I believe he’ll never see the light of day again. If we need you to testify at a trial, where can I reach you?”

  She looked to Ty, unsure what to tell the officer. Ty understood. “Tabitha is going to be joining me in Alaska. You’ll be able to reach her at twenty eighty-seven Snowman Lane, North Pole, Alaska. We will be leaving as soon as possible.”

  “That’s a big move.” Officer O’Malley glanced from Tabitha to Ty, then back at her.

  She smiled through the tears. “Will there be anything else? I do have a lot to do before we can leave.”

  As she started to stand, he spoke again. “One last thing. Did Alice have any family?”

  “No, but I am sure you know that. We were raised in the foster care system together.”

  From the look on his face, she gathered he’d done his research on them and knew damn well they were raised by the state. He was just being rude by asking. Rather than continue the line of questioning, he switched tactics. “Are you going to be making arrangements for her body to be buried?”

  “I don’t have the money to make arrangements for her. I told her about my wishes a few weeks ago and she mentioned she wanted to be cremated.” She tried not to think about the reason that topic of conversation had come up, or about the weeks she’d thought she was dying from some unknown illness. “I’m sure the state will take care of that. It’s the least they can do when they gave us so little growing up.” With that, she took Ty’s hand and walked out of the room. She’d had enough of Officer O’Malley’s rudeness, and most of all she’d had enough of the hospital.

  Chapter Six

  Instead of going straight back to Tabitha’s apartment from the hospital, they stopped by the restaurant she worked at. She wanted to break the news to Betty—her boss—that she wouldn’t be returning to work. Entering the small restaurant, Ty directed her to one of the corner booths so he could watch the door. She didn’t have much of an appetite but he insisted she eat something or the symptoms could worsen.

  One of the younger waitresses had stepped away from the booth to put their order in when Betty came around the corner.

  “Betty,” she called out.

  “Tabitha, what are you doing here on your day off?” Betty’s brown hair, graying at the temples, was pulled back in a tight bun.

  “I was hoping you had a moment to talk.”

  Betty glanced back into the kitchen, where everything looked under control, before joining them.

  “Betty, this is Ty Reynolds, an old friend of the family.”

  Betty eyed him cautiously.

  “My parents were good friends with her family. It wasn’t until recently we were able to locate Tabitha. I’ve asked her to come home to Alask
a with me. That’s where my family and I live.”

  Tabitha watched Ty and Betty with a twinge of sadness. Betty had been the only person willing to give her a job when she was tossed into the world with only a few dollars and completely alone. She was a sweet lady who had taken Tabitha under her wing, slowly bringing her out of the shell she’d built around herself after being tossed around from foster home to foster home.

  From across the table, Betty beamed at her. “You’ll be missed, but I’m happy for you.” She laid her hand over Tabitha’s. “You’ve been sad since you’ve come here. Maybe now with people around who love and care for you, that will change. You deserve a chance at happiness, my dear.”

  Betty was silent for a few moments, her gaze traveling between each of them before finally settling on Ty. “You’ll make sure she’s happy, won’t you?”

  “You have my word on that.” He gave her a brief nod. “She’s very special to my family and it will be nice to have her with us.” His words seemed to be hinting at something more but before she could ponder the hidden meaning, Betty stood up.

  “While you eat, I’ll get your final paycheck written out.”

  “Thank you.” As Betty walked away, Tabitha turned her attention back to him. “Is there something—” Before she could continue, the waitress returned with their food.

  “Now’s not the time, wait until we get to your apartment,” he whispered before picking up his fork and digging into his stack of pancakes.

  During the meal they shared small talk, while she picked at her French toast. She only managed to force down a few bites before her stomach began to roil. For weeks it had been a constant battle between depriving her body of food and forcing herself to eat until she was almost sick. She had grown tired of the fight and wanted it over.

  “I can’t stand this.” She tossed her fork down on the plate where it landed with a clatter.

  “Your appetite will return with a vengeance as the transition gets closer. Though right now I think this has more to do with the loss of your friend than anything.” He reached across the table and took her hand in his. “There’s nothing I can do to ease the grief, I would if I could.”

  “I just want to go.” She glanced around the restaurant. “Being here reminds me of Alice and it’s too much.”

  He brought his coffee cup to his lips, polishing off what remained before reaching into his pocket for his wallet. “Then let’s go.” Within seconds he had the money for the bill and tip tossed on the table. Before they could make it to the door Betty called to them.

  “Wait a moment, Tabitha.” Betty hurried across the floor to them. “This is for you.”

  After an emotional goodbye, Betty handed Tabitha an envelope. Hugs were exchanged, and they promised if they were back in the area they would stop by the restaurant to see her.

  “I’m sorry, Betty, but we really must be leaving. Tabitha and I have a plane to catch this afternoon.” He rubbed the small of Tabitha’s back as he made their excuses.

  Betty pulled her in for one last hug before he could whisk her out the door.

  “Thank you,” Tabitha whispered as they strolled around the corner to his car.

  “You’re welcome.” He waited as she got into the car before shutting the door and walking around to the driver’s side.

  As he pulled away from the curb she slid her finger under the envelope seal. Inside was her final paycheck with a nice bonus, along with a handwritten note containing Betty’s number and the words: If you ever need anything, I’m only a phone call away.

  A single tear ran down her cheek.

  Tabitha closed her apartment door, and the stress of the day hit her like a semi-truck. She tried to push the weariness away and focus on the things she needed to do. First she had to pack. She wasn’t sure where to start, but when Ty took hold of her hand, all she wanted to do was fall against his body. She wanted to feel someone’s arms around her as she cried all the tears left in her.

  “Oh, Tabitha. I wish I could ease your pain,” Ty murmured.

  “Thank you. I just want to pack and get out of here…there are too many memories here.” She glanced around the apartment and all she could see were ghosts of Alice. “There’s also the fact that Mike knows where I live. If he thinks I could identify him, what’s to stop him from coming after me? I want to get away from all of this.” The words came between wracking sobs, and her body shook, a panic attack threatening to overtake her.

  He pulled her into his embrace as the first tears fell. His body stiffened as he rested his head on top of hers. She calmed down as he held her. It was almost as if his energy wrapped around her and forced away the terror.

  “I won’t let him hurt you. I won’t let anyone hurt you. Tabitha, before you pack, I want to talk to you. I don’t know how to put this, but I feel you should know everything before we leave.” He seemed at a loss for words as he let go of her and walked over to the sofa.

  She tried to remain calm, but her knees felt weak with worry. She managed to walk to the other end of the sofa, keeping some distance between them as fears raced through her. Did he change his mind? If so, why couldn’t he have said so before I quit my job?

  “Remember the jolt you felt last night?” Without waiting for her to answer, he continued. “That’s what you feel when you find your mate.”

  A nervous laugh escaped her, and she glanced at him.

  “I’m being serious. I know this is all new to you, but I want you to understand what it means. You’re my mate. If you accept me, it’s my job to protect you, to please you. You will be my world.”

  She stared at him, too amazed to form words. There was a whole other world than the one she’d grown up in. It seemed unreal. “But…I want to marry and have children.”

  “Oh, Tabby.” He scooted down the sofa until he was sitting next to her and slipped his arm around her shoulder. “We can do all of that, but maybe we should take it slow. After all, you just found out you’re a tiger shifter.”

  She relaxed in his arms. In his embrace she found a comfort she’d never felt before. Everything was sinking in, but instead of being concerned about being a tiger shifter, Alice’s death, or finding the man who was supposed to be her mate, the shock at the forefront in her mind was that he’d called her Tabby. “You called me Tabby. I’ve never had a nickname before.”

  For a brief moment, a hurt look crossed his face. Just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone. “You don’t like it?”

  “That’s not it at all. I love it. I’ve always believed nicknames meant you mattered to someone.”

  “You matter to me, you’ve always mattered and always will. I have watched over you since your parents died. You’re my world. Come on, Tabby, you need to get some more sleep. You haven’t been getting enough, and I know you’re still tired. We’ll pack when you get up.” They hesitated, neither of them wanting the embrace to end, but sleep was best. He was right, she was tired. She wanted to curl up in bed and cuddle next to him.

  “What about Mike? He might send someone after me.”

  She crawled into bed, and he pulled the blanket up from the bottom of the mattress and covered her. “Tabby, I won’t let anything happen to you. I’m going to make us flight reservations, and then I’ll join you. Is leaving tomorrow fine with you?”

  She nodded, snuggling deep beneath the blanket as she watched him move around her cramped apartment. Dodging the sofa, he stepped into the kitchen. He tried to speak quietly so not to disturb her, but she could still hear him making reservations for them to fly to Alaska.

  Home? I have a place I can finally call home, with people who care. No matter how many times she told herself that, she couldn’t believe it. Growing up in foster care, all she’d wanted was people who cared about her and a place to call home. Now she wasn’t so sure. She’d been trained to be a loner, to not rely on anyone. Would that have to change now? Could she handle it?

  She lay lost in her own thoughts as he finished making reservations. She opened
her eyes to find him standing next to the bed.

  “I thought you would be sleeping. You’ve had a difficult day.”

  “I missed you. Won’t you join me?”

  Without answering, he took off his dress shirt and crawled into bed next to her, cuddling his body close to hers. He felt warm, and their bodies fit side by side like they belonged together. She couldn’t get enough of his warmth and the sense of belonging she found in his embrace.

  He slid his arm under her head, her cheek rested on his bicep, and their gazes met. He rolled onto his side to face her. He reached for her, drawing them together until their lips met. His touch made her body tingle. It felt as if the electromagnetic fields around their bodies pulsed, threatening to explode. It didn’t hurt, just provided a strange sensation of pins and needles on her skin. She didn’t let her mind talk her out of it. She wanted this. Her heart knew this was what she needed, no matter what her head was saying.

  He was her mate.

  Gently pulling back just a little, he looked at her. “My sweet Tabby, I don’t want to rush you. The tiger in me wants to claim you as my mate now. My beast is not very patient.” As he said that, a smile crept over her face.

  “You’re not rushing me, I want this. I love feeling our bodies together. You’re like my other half, and I need you next to me.” She didn’t wait for him. Instead, she leaned back in to kiss him, craving his hands on her body.

  All of a sudden there was pounding on the door and someone yelling. “If you don’t open this door now, I’ll break it down.”

  He jumped off the bed and grabbed his duffle bag, expertly retrieving a gun and holding it ready. She opened her mouth to ask what was going on, but he put his finger to his lips, motioning her to remain silent.

  Someone was screaming and pounding outside her door, and he wanted her to be quiet?

  He stepped back toward her, lowered his mouth to her ear and whispered, “This could get bloody. We should head down the fire exit and get you somewhere out of danger. I’ll come back and deal with them once you’re safe.”