Alaskan Tigers Box Set 1

by Marissa Dobson

  Looking around the small cabin, she was surprised that it was bigger than the room her and Felix currently shared in the main building. Ty had put Daisy in one of the clan guest cabins on the far side of the compound, offering her a chance to adjust to her newfound freedom. It was completely open, a one-room cabin, but it still didn’t feel cramped. The small kitchenette was just to the right of the doorway, with the living area and bedroom space taking up the back portion.

  Daisy sat in the middle of the bed, the blankets twisted up, making a nest around her, and a bound journal lay open in her lap. She had long red hair just a shade or two lighter than Harmony’s. Her thin frame was covered with a bulky turtleneck sweater and jeans. The sweater struck Harmony as odd. Even with the cool Alaska weather at this time, it was still too warm for a turtleneck.

  Styx closed the door behind them, and suddenly she felt trapped. This was a bad idea and too late to turn around. Taking a deep breath, she stepped around Felix. “Daisy, you asked to see me?”

  Daisy sat her journal aside, watching them intently. “We do look alike, don’t we? No wonder Pierce made the mistake.”

  “Time is limited, Daisy. What is it you wanted to see her about?” Felix inquired, his hand still resting on his weapon.

  “I wanted to see the woman who caused the months of torture I suffered.” Daisy shot off the bed with such speed, Harmony fought not to take a step back. “After your Alpha rescued me, you’d still shoot me?”

  Until Daisy spoke, Harmony didn’t even realize Felix and Styx both drew their weapons. She didn’t tell the men to put their weapons up, because the way this was going, they might have no choice but to use them. Instead she focused on her cousin. “You wanted to see me to make me feel guilty? If that’s your motive, you’re too late, but I’m not directly responsible for what happened to you, nor did I know anything about it until we both ended up here. I’m sorry for what happened to you.”

  “You’re sorry!” Daisy screamed, dashing around the bed, heading straight for them. “That doesn’t change a bloody thing! It doesn’t take away the scars on my body, the brand he burned into my right hip.”

  “If you come any closer, you will leave me no choice.” Felix stepped forward, cutting off Daisy’s access to Harmony.

  “There’s nothing more to say then. I’m sorry, but you’re not the only one who suffered. I’m not making light of what happened to you, but you have your whole life ahead of you. Let Robin help you so you can have a life now that you’re free.” She knew it was harsh, but Daisy needed someone to say it. Everyone was moving around her as if she was going to break down at any moment. She couldn’t continue to live hidden in this small cabin indefinitely. If she had to say the harsh words to get Daisy to pull herself up by her bootstraps and put the pieces back together, then so be it.

  Daisy lunged at her, and in that instant, Styx pushed her aside and fired. “No!” Harmony cried as she stumbled out of the way, but it was too late. The trigger was pulled, and the bullet had exited the chamber.

  Felix wrapped his arm around her, his gun still in hand. “It’s okay, it’s only a tranquilizer gun. She’ll be knocked out for a few hours and one mighty pissed off tigress when she wakes, but you’re safe.”

  Daisy crumpled onto the floor in a heap, her eyes glazed over as the drugs hit her system. The look on her face was pure hatred. Harmony couldn’t believe the hatred pouring off Daisy in waves. They’d never be able to move past something that was beyond their control. It had been the cement of the relationship that could never be.

  “You okay? I need to help Styx get her onto the bed.” Felix stood in front of her watching her, his hands on either shoulder.

  She took a moment to realize they had moved while she was lost in her thoughts. “Go, I’m fine.” He lingered for a moment, not sure if he believed her before stepping away to help Styx but leaving her to grieve the last piece of her family.

  Today Styx had shown her why Felix trusted him to keep her safe. He was a warrior with heart and character beyond many others. Felix didn’t work together as smoothly with Styx as he did with Adam, but there was still a strong connection between the guards—one that went back many years.

  The two men lifted Daisy onto the bed before coming across the room to her again. Felix wrapped his arm around her, securing her tightly against his body. “I’ll get another guard for the door, one is no longer enough.”

  Styx nodded. “I’ll wait here until one has been assigned.”

  “Very well. Then you’re off for the evening unless something happens. Come on, mate.” Felix steered her toward the door with Styx following a few steps behind her.

  Stopping a few inches from the door, she spun around to face him. “Thank you, Styx. I owe you more than words for saving my life.”

  “You owe me nothing. You’re one of us, and we protect our own.” He gave her a smile, his hand reaching hers to squeeze it slightly.

  Even though she could feel the honesty of his words, she still felt indebted to him. For now, she let it go, maybe one day she’d find a way to repay him. Or take away the pain she saw in his eyes.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Felix leaned against the counter watching Tabitha, Bethany, Robin and Harmony cook dinner. Everything was once again calm. Even Daisy had caused no more problems since Harmony’s visit. He was dealing with his grief and the loss of his twin. Harmony was adjusting well to the clan and had quickly made friends with the Elder mates.

  Watching them work with such ease, he was impressed with how well Harmony fit in, creating a dinner for their mates while Shadow, Adam and Felix stood observing. Shadow was the only unmated shifter attending the small friendly dinner, but it didn’t seem to bother her. She was on duty anyways, so enjoying a dinner with her charge was not out of the ordinary.

  Shadow propped up on the bar stool and tugged her laptop from the bag sitting on the counter. She looked more like a college student with her tight bootcut blue jeans and gray and white sweater that hung off her shoulders. Her fingers flew over the keyboard, doing Heaven only knows what. All the time working side jobs for Connor in the downtime from guarding Bethany had greatly increased her computer knowledge.

  “Shadow, what does Connor have you looking into now?” Felix lowered himself onto the stool next to her.

  “Actually, I’m looking over the blueprints of Manetka Resort. The hotel owned by Avery and catered to shifters had some secrets of its own. There are a number of secret passages linking it to other buildings. If we could corner Avery outside of the resort, it might be our best plan.” She turned the screen enough for Felix and Adam to see it.

  “Why did he ask you?” Felix couldn’t keep the surprise out of his voice. Shadow was an amazing guard—one of the best—and the fact she was the only female guard in the clan was high praise to her skills. It was also why she was the Captain of the Guards for the Lieutenant’s mate, Bethany.

  “Don’t act so surprised. I speak Polish, and there are a lot of Polish words on the map and documents. For Connor to translate it, it would take time we don’t have, especially with Avery becoming more and more demanding. I offered to look at it and see what I can decipher.”

  Robin slid the casserole dish back into the oven before looking over her shoulder to Adam. “Manetka? I remember you were going to take me there when we were in Texas.”

  “Yes. Manetka—the Polish word for shifter—was supposed to be safe haven for our kind. Hopefully once we eliminate Avery, it can once again be that place.” Adam explained.

  Felix nodded, there were going to be major changes in Texas, and it would once again be a safe place for shifters. “It will be. We need safe places like that around the country. Korbin is thinking about using part of the grounds just to the south of the Ohio compound that he received from Harmony as a similar resort. There’s an old warehouse there that, with some work, could be a safe place for shifters as well as provide more space for his clan.”

  “That reminds me—I promised
Tex I’d check on him after his shift. With my part of dinner in the oven, mind if I slip off for a bit?” Harmony asked.

  “Go ahead. Take Felix with you. We’ll be fine.” Tabitha sliced the vegetables, adding them to the pan before her.

  “Come, my mate.” Felix held his hand out to her. They had nearly an hour and a half before they had to be back for dinner. Maybe a few quiet minutes after their visit with Tex wouldn’t be out of the question. He’d never get enough of his mate’s body.

  The clan still had a number of uphill battles before them, putting them all in danger. Every indication Tabitha’s book gave them said her reveal, being the Queen of the Tigers was nearing. Now it was just a waiting game for them all. The threat of Avery and rogues were looming as well, waiting for them to deal with.

  Leading Harmony from Tabitha’s quarters, he vowed to make a few minutes with his mate after the visit with Tex. After all, he had to enjoy the quiet time before things got dangerous again.

  Preview: Jinx’s Mate

  Jinx spent his time divided between his clan, the West Virginia Tigers, and helping the Alaskan Tigers with their journey to unite all the clans. On a mission to eliminate an abusive Alpha, he finds more than he expected.

  Summer has lived under the abusive Texas Tiger Alpha all her life. Thanks to her very protective brother she doesn’t have the physical scars as others do, but the emotional ones run deep. With a little girl depending on her, she must find a way to put it behind her, and start a new life.

  Now on the verge of a whole new world, they must bond together for the sake of themselves and their species.

  Chapter One

  He felt the fear that radiated from Manetka Resort, could taste the blood of tortured victims in the stale air. It was once a joyful gathering place for shifters, now a prison for all those who served under the Alpha. And Jinx was there to stop it.

  He strolled through the empty lobby to the reception desk, the clicking of his cowboy boots echoing through the open space. The freshly polished wood reflected the light from the chandeliers. Manetka Resort was one of the few places that catered only to shifters. For years it had been a must visit destination. That was until Avery began abusing his members. Now everywhere Jinx looked, it was clear the resort had begun to suffer.

  A small seating area sat catty-corner to the reception desk, with large comfortable looking chairs, and floor to ceiling windows overlooking the massive swimming pool and hot tubs.

  “Welcome to Manetka Resort! How may I help you?” A girl in her early twenties stood behind the counter, and he could smell the tigress, her apprehension drifting toward him.

  “Yes, I’m checking in.” He came to stand in front of the counter and set his bag down. “I have a reservation. Jinx.”

  She glanced at the leather bound book to confirm it, not bothered by the fact he only had one name. It wasn’t uncommon for shifters to use just one name. It gave them an identity that didn’t tie them to family members. Allowed them to go forth without prejudices. Since shifters tended to have a very long lifeline this made things easier for them to intermingle without centuries-old grudges hanging over their heads.

  “It appears to be an open check-out date. Do you have an idea how long you’ll be with us?”

  “I suspect through the weekend, but I’d like to leave it open if that’s okay. I have some business I need to attend to while I’m in town, and timing might be an issue for the other party.”

  She wrote something in the book and nodded. “That won’t be a problem. You’re welcome to stay as long as you like. I’ll have your room key ready in a moment.”

  “I’m not in a hurry.” He glanced around the lobby again. “Slow time of year?” He knew the reason for the place being empty, but wanted to hear the official line Avery had come up with.

  The woman paused, and bit her lip before gathering herself. “Actually, we were supposed to have a conference here but they had to cancel. It left most of the resort empty, since we were closed to only their members for the week.”

  He nodded, amused by the interesting cover story. A conference? Did Avery really think someone was going to swallow that? Shifters didn’t hold conferences. Clans had their own things going, but they would never rent out a hotel to hold it in, not when they had their own land to do it on.

  “Lucky me, seems like I’ll have the place to myself.”

  “If you prefer isolation, then it’s the perfect time for a visit.” She laid his room key on the counter. “I’ve booked you on the eighth floor, you’ll have an excellent view of the grounds. No other rooms are occupied on the floor, so you’ll have all the privacy you need. Enjoy your stay.”

  He smiled at her and grabbed the key. “Thank you.” Manetka’s keys were old fashioned, none of those electronic ones you slid into a card reader. It appeared Avery didn’t trust technology. The resort had a website managed by a solitary shifter, deeply hidden so humans couldn’t stumble upon it, but that was as far as his technology reached. Even security cameras were absent.

  He grabbed his bag and headed to the elevator. Having the floor to himself would allow him to come and go without being seen, giving him the opportunity to check the passages Shadow had discovered on the blueprints that linked the other buildings to the main one.

  As he made his way to his suite he kept his sunglasses on, taking in everything without anyone being suspicious. Not that it mattered—the place was deserted. Other than the woman behind the counter, no one else was around. Even with his enhanced shifter hearing he couldn’t pick up on any movements behind the walls. Where was everyone?

  Stepping off the elevator was like stepping into a ghost town. A thin layer of dust covered the surfaces, all the curtains were drawn, light bulbs had gone out and no one bothered to replace them. The resort was going to need some work to get it back into the condition it had been only weeks before.

  Once Tex had escaped the tortures and vowed himself to the Alaskan Tigers, the news spread of what was happening under Avery’s control. People cancelled their reservations to the resort, choosing to stay home or go to another resort that catered to their kind, and things fell into disrepair quickly.

  He slid the key into the lock, and opened the door. Inside was much the same as the rest of the floor. The only difference was someone had tried to clean up before he checked in. The bedding and towels had been changed, a quick sweep of the duster, but nothing could replace the staleness in the air. The room had been closed for too long.

  His cell phone vibrated with a text message. Instead of answering it, he took a wand the clan had developed to check for any listening devices and scanned the room.

  He knew it was Ty who wanted an update. With the mission hanging on what he found inside the resort, he couldn’t take any chances. Ty didn’t like that Jinx was risking himself to do a little recon before they took down Avery. Jinx was the Alpha to the West Virginia Tigers, and he had people willing to do this for him. It had never been his way. He had Elder Guards, all Alphas did, but he rarely used them. He didn’t like to ask someone to do something he wasn’t willing to do himself.

  The scan came up clean and he pulled his cell phone from his belt and dialed Ty’s number. Even with another Alpha, Ty couldn’t stop himself from trying to protect everyone. Thankful for that, Jinx didn’t mind. He knew Ty was just trying to protect him. With the future as it was for the Alaskan Tigers, Tabitha soon to claim her place as Queen, Ty needed the support of the West Virginia Tigers.

  “It’s about time. You were supposed to check in ten minutes ago,” Ty bitched.

  “Traffic and the receptionist had me delayed.” He tugged open the curtains, bringing light into the dark room. “As we expected, the place has fallen. I don’t believe there’s a guest in the entire resort. They put me on the eighth floor, a corner room near the stairs. Seems slightly odd it wouldn’t be closer to the elevator since she mentioned there was no one else here.”

  “I don’t like this. Avery might know who you ar
e, and suspect why you’re there.”

  “I won’t be here long enough, and I didn’t make it to Alpha without knowing how to protect myself.” Jinx slid his hand into his pocket, playing with a silver talisman that had been in his clan for centuries, handed down from Alpha to Alpha. “He’s fearful of technology. No security cameras, even the registration isn’t done on a computer.”

  “Tex suspected it, but he was rarely allowed to leave Avery’s compound. It was just by luck he was the only one available to go to the landing strip to guard the helicopter until Adam and Robin got there, or we’d still be in the dark about what’s happening there.”

  Jinx set his bag on the edge of the bed and pulled his weapons out. Walking into the resort in full battle gear would have raised alarms, but there was no way he’d leave them behind. “With the place dead, I’m going to scope it out. See if I can find out anything else. In the meantime, call Avery and put the second part of our plan into action. If we can get him away from here to confront him it would be best. There are too many floors, rooms, and passages to take him down without people getting hurt.”

  “I’ll let him know I’m coming to the area to return Tex. I’ll see if he’s willing to meet me at the same landing strip. If not, we’ll have to do it there, so we need you to find an access route to him.”

  “I have the blueprints, and I’m going to check out the places Shadow marked.” Jinx slid a second gun into his shoulder holster before strapping a knife to a wrist sheath.

  “Don’t get yourself killed,” Ty ordered.

  “I won’t. I’ll call you when I get back.” He slid his light jacket back into place, hiding his weapons.

  “You have one hour or I’m sending a team in after you.”