Tabitha scooted toward the edge of the sofa, grabbing her mug and a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie. “Raja, will you please hand a mug to Bethany and help yourself?” She took a sip of tea with eyes closed. “Tell me about your uncle.”
“I don’t know much. Dad always said Uncle James didn’t like to be around people.” She took the mug from Raja and held it. The warmth felt good in her hands.
“Any idea why?”
“No. I haven’t seen him since I was a child.”
“When I told you what I was, you mentioned your father spoke of shifters before,” Raja said gently, rubbing her shoulder.
“Yeah. He told us bedtime stories about shifters growing up. He said shifters—well he didn’t use that exact word—existed, and one day I would find out for myself. I never believed him until you.” She reached up, placed her hand over his again and squeezed gently. “How did he know?”
“I suspect your uncle might be a shifter.” Ty knelt before her, as though doing his best to break the information gently.
Bethany eyed Ty, wondering if she heard him right. My Uncle James a shifter? Nah. “I don’t think so. My father wasn’t, and they were full-blooded brothers.”
“If one parent is a shifter and the other isn’t, there is a fifty-fifty chance the first child will be. From there, the odds go down with each child. Who’s older?”
“Uncle James.”
“It’s possible your uncle is a shifter and the active gene wasn’t passed to your father,” Raja said before turning his attention to Ty. “I’d like to ask Connor to search for her uncle. It’s possible he’s in danger.”
Ty nodded. “Go ahead.”
Bethany raised her hand, interrupting. “Wait a damn second. What the Hell do you mean he’s a shifter? Does that mean I’m one as well?”
“No. In order to be a shifter, one of your parents would have to be a shifter. You still carry the recessive genes, but you’ll never shift,” Raja explained.
She sat there dumbfounded. How could all this be in her family tree, yet her father never told her?
“There’s one more thing we would like to discuss with Bethany before she goes,” Ty said.
“I’ll wait. Connor can get started once you’re done here.” Raja rubbed Bethany’s shoulder, reassuring her he was by her side.
No one argued with him, but the tension in the room rose. Behind her, Raja went still.
Ty didn’t mince his words. “We’d like to have your family’s bodies sent here.”
“You what?” Bethany shouted. If she could have stood, she would have jumped out of her seat with anger.
“Please hear him out,” Tabitha begged.
“I thought I wasn’t a prisoner here. I told you I wouldn’t share your secret. What more do you want from me?”
“We haven’t lied to you. This is to protect you.”
She glared at Tabitha, hatred pouring off her in waves.
“Pierce is expecting you to return home, grief-stricken and injured. You would be easy prey. We can’t guarantee your safety in Virginia. We can give your family the proper ceremony here and still keep you safe.”
Bethany sat in shock, shaking her head. “You knew about this?” she demanded of Raja in a whisper.
He stepped to the side of the wheelchair, and knelt beside her. “Tabitha briefly mentioned it. I wasn’t aware of the details. I know it’s a shock, but think about it. It would keep you safe here with me to protect you. You don’t stand a chance against Pierce, especially in your condition.”
“What about family and friends? How would I explain it?”
“You could say your parents didn’t want a memorial service,” Ty explained. “The one here would be kept quiet. An announcement in the papers would need to be made for your family, and loose ends would need to be dealt with, but we can help you.”
“My family wanted to be cremated…my…my parents’ ashes…buried together once they passed.” Her voice was full of unshed tears.
“Whatever arrangements you want can be arranged here. You can save your family’s ashes until you find the spot you wish to bury them. We’re not doing this to punish you for knowing our secret, we’re trying to protect you. Your parents wouldn’t want you to die.” Ty leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
“I understand.” She blubbered before taking a deep breath to calm herself. “This is all too much. I’ll need my cell phone in order for the police to reach me. Only my family knew I was in Alaska, and even if they found out where I was, they would expect me to be at the hotel, not here. I want to rest now, if that’s all.” She wanted to be alone, to allow the tears to flow freely. She didn’t know if she’d ever be able to stop crying. The deaths of her family sank in, tearing her apart, until she wasn’t sure she could go on.
“I have it.” Raja patted his pocket. He turned to Ty. “She’ll be in my quarters if there’s anything else. I’ll let you know when the call comes through.”
“Very well. I’ll let you know when we hear from the West Virginia Alpha,” Ty promised as Raja wheeled her toward the door.
Chapter Sixteen
“Are you comfortable?” Raja asked as he pulled the blanket up from the bottom of the bed.
“This is your room, isn’t it?”
“Yes. The guest bed isn’t made, and I wanted you to be able to relax—if you can.” He brushed the hair away from her face. “You need to get some sleep.”
“I’m not tired.” She yawned. “Maybe if I give myself up to Pierce, he would kill me quickly and you could trap him. Then he wouldn’t be able to hurt anyone else.”
“Don’t even speak like that.” He sat on the edge of the bed. “You won’t sacrifice yourself. We will catch him.”
“But—”
“He wouldn’t do it quickly.”
“You don’t know that.” She twirled her finger around the sheet.
“Trust me, I know.” He growled.
She watched him closely. “How do you know?”
He pushed off the bed to pace the room that seemed to be closing in around him.
“Answer me, Raja.”
“There was nothing quick about what he did to your sister.” He hated telling her. “I don’t want to see the same thing happen to you.”
She cringed and sank deep into the mattress. The stench of her fear filled the room and grabbed his tiger’s attention. “I’m sorry, Bethany.” He stepped back to the bed and took her hand in his. “I shouldn’t have said that.”
“He…he tortured her.” Her voice was raw with fresh agony; she was barely able to get the words out. Her body shook as she sobbed.
He crawled into bed next to her. “I’m sorry, love. I won’t let anything happened to you,” he whispered, holding her close. He kissed the top of her head.
“My baby sister…oh, poor Jamie.” She wept as Raja held her.
She wanted to yell, scream, to fight anyone and everyone. But nothing would bring her family back. She wanted Pierce dead, but even with the bloodlust she knew his death would be an empty one. It wouldn’t resurrect her parents, her sister.
Damn it! Why did I come here? If I’d have been home I could have… Oh what am I thinking? I’d be dead, too.
Stepping out of the room as Bethany slept, Raja pressed his cell to his ear. “Connor, could you come to my quarters? I need to speak with you.” Raja closed the bedroom door behind him.
When Connor agreed, he ended the call and clipped the phone back on his jeans. He booted up his laptop, placing it on the coffee table before making his way to the kitchen for another cup of coffee. Caffeine won’t sustain me much longer. I’m going to need to get some sleep soon if I’m going to be of any use to Bethany and the clan.
He filled his mug, and the aroma gave his mind the kick-start it needed. Even so, it wasn’t enough to keep his eyes more than half-open.
He stood, mug in hand, looking out onto the compound. A few children were having a snowball fight in the courtyard of the main
building. The fluffy white snow flew through the air, as kids dove out of the way, laughing. Finding Bethany had made him more aware of what a dangerous time it was for shifters. He had the obligation to protect not only the clan members but more importantly Tabitha and now Bethany. Those children out there depended on it.
His senses opened to allow him to smell the wolf, Connor, coming down the hall. He didn’t want Connor’s knock to wake Bethany. Rest was the best thing for her, and it gave him time to deal with Connor, if anyone could find her uncle, it was him.
Mug in hand, Raja opened the door. “Thank you for coming. Can I offer you some coffee?”
“No, thanks.” Connor was the epitome of a true computer geek, his light brown hair messy, his ruffled dress shirt and jeans looking as if he slept in them. He appeared ill at ease, but then, nearly everyone did these days.
“Come sit down,” Raja said, moving away from the door toward the sitting area. “I have a task for you.”
“Whatever I can do to help.” Connor took a seat on one of the cushioned armchairs.
“My mate, Bethany, has an uncle. We believe he either is a key to all of this or is in danger. We need you to locate him.”
Connor nodded. “I remember he was mentioned in the video. Monitoring the transmissions coming from Pierce’s camp, I’ve never heard any mention of him. Do you think he could have been the one who bit Pierce?”
“It’s unlikely. Rogue shifters are normally the ones at fault. The uncle doesn’t seem like a rogue, but my guess is he might know who did it.”
“I understand. What information do we have to go on?”
“Very little, unfortunately. Bethany hasn’t seen the man since she was a child. Her father said he was a loner and had a cabin in North Dakota. His name is James Thompson.”
“I’ll get to work and let you know when I find anything.” Connor stood.
Raja nodded, too tired to rise to his feet, his eyes heavier than before he’d had the coffee. On his way out Connor shut the door and Raja set his mug aside. Resting his head on the back of the sofa, he let his eyes close.
Bethany’s hotel room. When the call comes in, I’ll have Shadow go to the hotel and get Bethany’s things. We’ll make it look like she’s going to Virginia. Maybe Pierce will fall for the trap and the West Virginia Tigers can catch him.
He tapped Ty’s number on his phone and told him the plan. He could contact Lukas’s brother Jinx and start putting things in motion. The task completed, he let himself drift into a troubled sleep.
Chapter Seventeen
The sun shining through the curtains woke Raja. He found himself tightly holding Bethany, his gun digging into his side, still in the same clothes from the day before. Memories flooded back to him. In the middle of the night, Bethany had cried out for her sister Jamie, tearing at his heart. He went to her, crawled into bed and wrapped his arms around her, trying to bring her some comfort.
He eased off the bed, careful not to disturb her.
“Where are you going?” Bethany asked, her voice deep with sleep, holding tightly to him.
“My gun…it’s digging in.”
“Take it off. Please stay with me. I need you.”
“Shh, love.” He ran his thumb over her cheek. “I’m not going anywhere. There’s nowhere I’d rather be than right here with you in my arms.”
He slipped his gun out of the holster, and set it on the nightstand within easy reach. Most of the guards carried guns even if they could shift back and forth at will. It saved any embarrassing situations that could arise from someone seeing a tiger roaming free, and the naked moments after they changed back.
The bright pink cell phone next to the gun rang. His stomach sank. This was most likely the news they were dreading, informing her of her family’s demise.
“There’s no need for you to do this. I can handle this for you.” He closed his hand around the cell. They both knew who was calling without having to answer.
Beside him, she nodded, and he hit the talk button.
“This is Bethany Thompson’s phone. Who is this?” Raja sat on the edge of the bed, grateful Bethany could only hear one side of the conversation, hoping it was enough distance to avoid her hearing any of the details about their murders.
“Detective Davis with the Virginia State Police. I need to speak with Ms. Thompson.”
“Detective Davis, I’m sorry. She’s unavailable at the moment. I’m Bethany’s fiancé, Raja. What can I do for you?” In his peripheral vision, he could see surprise on her face when he said fiancé.
“My information shows Ms. Thompson is traveling, is that correct?
“She’s in Alaska with me. I’m not sure what this has to do with anything. What’s the nature of your call?”
“There’s been an incident tonight in Virginia and I’m calling to make notification to Ms. Thompson.”
“She had a snowboarding accident and has just come out of surgery, she’s unavailable to take phone calls. What sort of incident are we talking about, Detective?”
“I’m sorry to have to inform you, her parents and sister were found in their home tonight. Based on their condition, we have opened an investigation.”
He rose and paced to the window as Detective Davis went over some of the details of the murders, reminding him of the horrors he’d seen in the video. They knew it was coming, yet hearing the words from the detective made it even more real. It left a sick feeling in his stomach.
“There must be a mistake,” Raja answered. “Why would anyone want to do that to the Thompsons? Did you catch whoever did this?” He didn’t have to feign the shock, the terror lacing his voice, but he played it up for the officer.
“The person responsible is still at large, but we have officers following up on call tips, as well as doing a door to door canvas.”
“Find the person responsible. When Bethany wakes we’ll discuss arrangements and call you back. But since her family wanted to be cremated and the services held here, I don’t see any reason why Bethany would need to return. Any paperwork that needs to be signed can be faxed, or dealt with through my lawyer.”
The detective apologized again.
“Thank you. We will be in touch shortly with arrangements.”
He ended the call and went to his mate, who wept uncontrollably with her head in her hands.
“I kept hoping it was a nightmare,” she gasped, her voice raw and husky from sleep and crying.
“I’m sorry, my love. I’d take away your pain if I could.” He wrapped his arms around her.
“I’m alone now. I have no one.”
He leaned back, prying her from his chest. “You have me. I’m not going anywhere.”
“You only feel sympathy for me because I’m injured and my family was murdered. I don’t need your pity.”
“I’m in love with you Bethany.” He rubbed her back, trying his best to soothe her. “Sure, I have empathy for what happened to your family, but I’ve been falling in love with you since I first laid eyes on you.”
This only made her cry harder, sobs shaking her body.
“What’s wrong? What did I say?”
“Why now?” She pulled at her hair, as if trying to climb out of her own skin. “The timing is all wrong.” She dissolved into an almost soundless whimper, as if the grief straining to get out couldn’t.
“I know the timing could have been better but I have you now, and I’m not going to let you go.” Pulling her close, he tucked his chin against her hair and held her.
He’d hold her for as long as it took. His touch might lesson the sting of grief but nothing would take it away. She’d have to work through it, to accept it and eventually when Pierce was eliminated it would help bring her closure. Until then all he could do was be there for her each and every step.
“Raja!”
“In here,” he called.
Tora breezed into the kitchen with Scarlet happily bouncing on her hip. “Here, go visit Uncle Raja for a bit.” She passed the bundl
e of joy into her brother’s arms.
“How’s my favorite girl?” he asked Scarlet, kissing her cheek. Holding his niece chased away the grief and loss from the last few days.
She snuggled her small body against his chest. When Scarlet started to purr, Bethany inhaled deeply, reminding him she wasn’t used to shifters.
“Don’t mind her,” Raja said. “Shifter children tend to allow their animal nature to come through. They don’t understand that it’s unsafe. That’s why the children rarely, if ever, leave the compound.”
“We have a certified teacher here to educate the children as well,” Tora added, sitting down at the table across from Bethany.
“Tora, did you stop by for a reason or just to pawn your daughter off on someone?” He reached into the fridge for the root beer his sister favored. Raja despised the sweet drink, but he adored Tora so he kept it on hand at all times.
“I came to see the woman my big brother mated. I never thought I’d see the day—” She stopped mid-sentence when Raja turned, shooting her an angry look.
“The woman he mated with?” Bethany queried, looking perplexed.
“Umm…you didn’t…”
“Not yet, Tora,” Raja snapped. “She’s gone through enough in the last few days.” He growled, causing Scarlet to stiffen in his arms. He rubbed her back to soothe her.
“I’m sorry.” Tora cringed as she cracked the tab of her root beer.
“Someone tell me what the heck is going on?” Bethany exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air. “What do you mean by mated?”
“I think I should make my exit now. Come on, sweetie, we’ll leave Uncle Raja alone.” She reached for Scarlet. “Welcome to the family. I’m sure we’re going to be great friends when you forgive me for the bomb I just dropped.”
Tora strolled out of the kitchen, looking more than a little mortified, before Raja could wrap his mind around how his sister always managed to take a simple situation and make it a disaster. Bethany sat there glaring at him, waiting for an explanation. He wasn’t sure if she’d listen, or just want to run. If it weren’t for her injury, she might’ve been out the door by now.
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