The Tiger's Heart

by Marissa Dobson

  “Why did you think he was dead?”

  “We haven’t heard of or seen him in years. Turns out he was lying in wait for Tabitha. She’s coming into her tiger, and he wants to stop it. That is what has brought him out of hiding.”

  “What does she have to do with any of it?” She shivered as if she had a chill.

  “Come here.” He opened his arms to her again, hoping that she would relax in his embrace. She did, resting her head on his chest, tears freely falling down her cheeks again. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. She belonged there. Her body fit snugly against him. “It’s a long story.”

  “I don’t have anywhere to go.” His voice cracked with tears.

  He chuckled. “To make a long story short, she’s the Queen of the tiger shifters. If she dies before she can carry on the line, legend has it that we’ll all die with her.”

  “She’s a tiger?”

  “She will be. She has the tiger in her but hasn’t completed the change yet. You can feel it when you’re around her that she’ll shift soon.” He lazily ran his fingers up and down her arm.

  “You can?”

  “A shifter can. Humans wouldn’t know or understand what to look for.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Bethany finally fell asleep in his arms, leaving him unable to get anything done. Usually he was restless just sitting still, but with Bethany in his arms he felt content. He enjoyed the feeling of her body next to his.

  Tabitha entered the room with the Captain of her Guards, Felix. “Ty told me what was in the video. I wanted to make sure she was all right.”

  “I don’t think all right is the best word, but she is dealing with it the best she can. She wants to go home, to take care of things.”

  “I expected as much. However, Ty and I have spoken about this and don’t feel it is wise at this time.”

  Raja’s body stiffened, unable to believe what he was hearing. “You’re asking her to miss her parents’ and sister’s funerals?”

  “Not exactly. We were hoping she would agree to have the bodies flown here. Ty wants to send a team from the West Virginia clan in to search for evidence. We need to discuss this with her immediately. We also need you to find out about the uncle of hers. See what she knows about him.”

  “Give me some time with her to see what I can find out about her uncle, and then we can discuss her family’s arrangements with her. I’m assuming you would prefer not to wait, but otherwise I feel she will be too distressed to deal with the uncle.”

  “Okay. You have forty minutes. I’ll bring Ty back then. Unless you want to bring her upstairs. Doc agreed to allow her to move into one of the guest rooms.”

  “She can stay in my quarters,” Raja barked.

  “I guess that means you will bring her upstairs, then?”

  Raja nodded.

  “Good. We’ll see you in forty minutes in our quarters.”

  With that, they left. Leaving Raja to wake his sleeping mate. “Love,” he whispered gently, rubbing has hand against her cheek. She moaned.

  “Love, I need you to wake up.”

  “Humm,” she moaned, half asleep.

  “Come on, love.”

  “Love?” Her eyes snapped open, but there was no anger in her voice.

  “Yes, you are my love.” He trailed his hand over her cheek before lowering his head toward hers and kissing her. “Now that you’re awake. Do you have an uncle?”

  “Dad has a brother, but I haven’t seen him since I was a child. Why?”

  “What’s his name? Do you know where we can find him?”

  “What do you want with him?” she questioned.

  “Pierce mentioned him in the video. If he isn’t part of this as we believe, then he’s in danger.”

  “Uncle James was always more of a loner. I don’t know where he is now, but I remember Dad saying he had a cabin in North Dakota. But what would my uncle have to do with it?”

  “I’m not sure yet, but we will figure it out. I’ll see if Connor can locate James. We have to meet with Ty and Tabitha upstairs. Doc said you are doing better and can move to your own room. I’d like you to stay in my quarters. You’ll have your own room. I want you close so I can protect you.” Raja slipped out of bed and grabbed is gun.

  “Why are we meeting them?”

  “To discuss your plans to travel to Virginia.” He steered the wheelchair that someone had the foresight to leave in the room, close to the bed. “We’ll try to get you on your feet tomorrow with crutches, but tonight you’ll have to use this.” He slid his arm under her legs and the other one behind her back, lifting her. When he stood with her in his arms, as if she weighed nothing, he snuggled her into his body. “I know this isn’t the best time, but I’m in love with you, Bethany.” He kissed her again, but this time deeply and passionately.

  * * *

  “I’m sorry for your loss. We’ll see they receive justice,” Tabitha said, bending to give Bethany a hug. The open space of Ty’s quarters left Bethany feeling exposed. The room had a manly feel with soft touches that had to come from Tabitha. The deep red walls made the white and black furniture stand out, while the dark wood of the tables and television stand tied everything together.

  Bethany nodded, holding tight to Raja’s hand as if it was a life raft, as tears threated to fall. I will not cry again.

  “Let’s get this over with. Bethany needs to get her leg elevated,” Raja announced, using his free hand to wheel her toward the couch where Ty and Felix stood.

  “What’s this all about? If you’re concerned that I’ll tell your secret when I leave, there’s no need. Raja saved my life and keeping his secret is the least I can do.” Bethany ran her sweaty palm over her thigh.

  “That’s not what worries us. We’re more distressed for you and your loss. We understand you wish to travel to Virginia once you have been contacted.” Ty stood next to the couch, his arm now around his mate. Even entangled with his mate, he still held a look of danger and foreboding.

  “Yes. I’m the only one left and would need to make arrangements.”

  “Bethany, I know this is hard right now, and the last thing you need is another shock.” Ty came around the couch to stand close to her. “I would like to send in a team of shifters to search for evidence to help us locate Pierce.”

  “I’m sure the police will handle that.” She shook her head, unable to understand the reason behind it.

  “They’ll miss things. Not because they are inadequate but because they don’t have the abilities we do. Shifters can notice his scent, and we might be able to track him. The police won’t be able to give you the justice that you deserve.”

  “I doubt you could arrive before someone contacts the police.”

  “Not from here, most likely. However, there is a clan in West Virginia. The Alpha and some of his best guards are headed there now.”

  “You were going to do it with or without my consent, is that it?” Her voice was low but anger was apparent.

  “We were hoping to gain your permission.” Tabitha moved to stand next to him, gently rubbing her arm across his lower back before he encircled her in his arms.

  “That doesn’t answer my question.”

  “You’re right—it doesn’t.” Ty smiled. “I can’t give you a direct answer. Yes, the men would have checked the outside of the home to see if they were able to detect a scent. If they felt it was imperative to go inside, then yes, the order would have been given to do what was necessary.”

  Bethany sat there staring at him, unsure what to say. She appreciated his honesty, yet she felt betrayed.

  “You have to understand this is about more than just you. More innocents will be killed unless he’s caught. Do you really want their deaths on your conscience?”

  Bethany heard a soft growl come from Raja, as he placed his other hand on her shoulder. She shook her head. “I don’t want to see anyone else die at his hands, but I would also hate for your men to go to jail for destroying evid
ence. Do whatever is necessary.”

  Ty nodded to Felix, who stepped away from the group and pulled out his cell phone.

  A teakettle whistled from the kitchen. Tabitha smiled. “Adam is making us hot cocoa. I thought it would be better for you than coffee with your medication. I always enjoyed cocoa on cold winter nights.”

  “Thank you.” Bethany didn’t care about cocoa—she just wanted this over. She wanted to be alone with Raja again, to be cuddled up on a couch, or better yet in bed, with his arms around him. She wanted to feel his body against hers, her hands on his chest. She was drawn to him as a heroin addict is drawn to the next needle. His touch was all she desired. When they weren’t embraced, her gaze followed the way his body moved, as if mapping out each section for future exploration.

  “I asked Raja to speak with you about your uncle. I’m assuming he did.” Tabitha’s gaze went from Bethany to Raja, who was still standing behind her.

  “Yes. I don’t understand what my uncle has to do with any of this. So he was mentioned in the video. What does that matter? Anyone could search my family tree and find out my father had a brother.”

  “He wasn’t just mentioned…” Ty eyed Raja. “Pierce said, ‘Tonight the family will have to face the beast their uncle created.’ That’s the only lead we have to go on. It might answer why this happened to you.”

  “What would my Uncle James have to do with any of this?”

  “I don’t know,” Tabitha said as Adam brought in a tray with cocoa and cookies. He placed it on the coffee table. “Thank you, Adam.” Tabitha made her way back to the couch across from Bethany and Raja, her hand still in Ty’s, making sure he followed her.

  Tabitha scooted toward the edge of the couch, 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 her cocoa with eyes closed. “Tell me about your uncle.”

  “I don’t know much. Dad always said Uncle James was a loner. He 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 came into my life.” She reached up, placed her hand over his again and squeezed gently. “How did he know?”

  “I suspect your uncle might be a shifter.”

  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 is older?”

  “Uncle James.”

  “It’s possible your uncle is a shifter and the active gene wasn’t passed to your father,” Raja said to her 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. There’s one more thing we would like to discuss with Bethany before she goes.”

  “I’ll wait. Connor can get started once you’re done here.”

  No one argued with him, but she could feel the tension level slowly rising. Behind her, Raja went still, and Ty started to speak.

  “We’d like to have your family bodies sent here…”

  “You what?” Bethany hollered. 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. Ty’s suggesting this to protect you.”

  She glared at Tabitha with hatred in her eyes.

  “Bethany, hear me out. 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 asked Raja in a whisper.

  He moved to the side of her chair, knelt beside her. “Tabitha briefly mentioned it. I wasn’t aware of details. I know it’s a shock, but think about it. It would keep you safe here with me to protect you. You’re in no condition to go up against him,” Raja whispered.

  “What about family and friends? How would I explain it?”

  “You could explain your parents didn’t want a memorial service. 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,” Ty explained.

  “My family wanted to be cremated, my parents’ ashes buried together once they passed,” her voice full of unshed tears.

  “Whatever arrangements you want can be arranged here. You can save your family 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 in the same way they were killed.” Ty leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

  “I understand. This is just all too much. I’ll need my cell phone in order for the police to reach me. Only my family was aware 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 is all.”

  “I have it.” Raja patted his pocket. “She’ll be in my quarters if there is 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’s Alpha,” Ty said 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?” She nodded.

  “Yes. The guest bed isn’t made, and I wanted to get you comfortable.” He brushed 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 kill 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 barked. “I don’t want to see the same thing happen to you.”

  He watched her cringe and sink deep into the mattress. The fear reeked off her, filled the room and grabbed his tiger’s attention. “I’m sorry, Bethany.” He moved back to the bed and took her hand in his. “I shouldn’t have said that, sweetie.”

  “He tortured her,” she whispered with tears in her eyes again.

  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 cried as Raja held her.

  * * *

  Raja pressed his cell to his ear. He slipped out of the room as Bethany lay in bed sleeping. He had to talk to Connor.

  “Connor, could you come to my quarters? I need to speak with you.” Raja closed the bedroom door behind him.

&n
bsp; When Connor agreed, he ended the call and clipped the phone back on his jeans. He booted up his laptop setting on the coffee table before making his way to the kitchen for another cup of coffee. Coffee 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 poured the coffee he’d turned on earlier when they returned, knowing it would be a long night, in his mug. The aroma gave his mind the jerk it needed but wasn’t enough to keep his eye more than half open.

  He stood, mug in hand, looking out onto the compound. A few of the clan children were having a snowball fight in the courtyard of main building. The fluffy white snow flew through the air, as children dived out of the way, laughing. Finding Bethany had made him more aware of what a dangerous time it was for tiger shifters. He had the obligation to protect not only the clan members but more importantly Tabitha and now Bethany.

  His senses were open 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 Connor.

  Coffee in hand, Raja opened the door. “Thank you for coming. Can I offer you some coffee?”

  “No, thanks.” Connor, a true computer geek with his light brown hair messy from running his hand through it, his ruffled dress shirt and jeans looked as if he slept in it, stood there looking ill at ease.

  “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 chairs.

  “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. I never heard Pierce mention anything about 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.”