A Tiger's Tale

by Lisa Oliver

  Simon chuckled. “Then do what he did. Distract him with sex. I seem to recall you both enjoyed that.”

  “I can’t.” Ra suddenly found the top of the dryer extremely fascinating. “My body wants to, but all I keep thinking is he’s going to be dead, dead in less than a month. My heart, my mind….”

  “It all affects your cock, I know buddy.” Simon’s hand was firm on Ra’s shoulder. “Look at it this way. For one thing, we don’t know that Seth will die in childbirth. That fae could’ve been misinformed.”

  “Did he say anything else after you got him out of here?”

  Simon snorted. “Not about that, but I’d be the richest man in existence if I’d taken up one of his many offers. We can scent lies and no, I didn’t scent any deception on him when he was busy trying to make a deal with you, but who knows? Maybe Seth’s Mom had a bad time because she was pure rabbit. He said Seth had magic of his own, he is half fae; maybe this won’t be so bad.”

  “Farriday’s trying to find a fae without a stick up his ass who might be able to help. Not an easy task,” Ra said glumly. “He also said Seth’s going to be bedridden within ten days, maybe sooner. The babes are growing faster than he predicted and Seth’s body’s not going to be able to cope much longer.”

  “Then it’s time to make memories,” Simon said softly. “Take your mate away for a few days; spend some quality time, just the two of you. Regardless of what happens once the babies are here, you’ll both benefit from time to yourselves now.”

  “I feel like I’m being torn in two. I love him so much,” Ra tilted his head back, trying to stop his tears from falling.

  “I know, my friend,” Simon said sadly, his hand awkwardly patting now. “But if you don’t want Seth to know anything’s wrong, then you need to act as though everything is normal. That means fucking him on every flat surface and telling him you love him as often as you can in between times. You can do this, Ra. I know you can.”

  “And what happens afterward?” Ra knew he didn’t need to explain.

  “We’re here for you. All of us. Those babies are going to have the most protective and loving uncles they could ever wish for. You just make sure you hang onto your tiger. Seth will haunt you in the afterlife if he thinks your children are growing up without either of their parents.”

  “Yeah, he would too,” Ra managed a smile. “Thanks.” He inhaled sharply and slowly blew the breath out. “Guess I’d better go and get married or Seth will think I’ve run off.”

  “Live in the moment,” Simon said. “Enjoy every fucking moment and don’t worry about what’s to come. No matter what, we’ve got your back.”

  “I know.” Ra wiped his eyes and patted his cheeks. “Do I look okay?”

  “You’re not my type,” Simon laughed. “But yeah, for a crazy badass tiger, you’ve scrubbed up pretty good. Seth will be suitably wowed. I didn’t think you even owned a suit.”

  “It’s the one good thing that came out of Ella’s meddling with the wedding,” Ra stroked his Armani jacket. The charcoal gray suit fitted him perfectly. “I hope Seth’s not too disappointed he can’t get into his.”

  “That boy would marry you naked.” Simon pushed Ra out the door, and at the sight of Seth’s brothers and sisters, Ra put his game face on. Seth was going to have the best damn wedding day he could have and Ra wasn’t going to spoil it.

  *****

  “He’s outside,” Ella came bustling into the room looking gorgeous in her floral summer dress. “Everyone’s just waiting on you. Oh my, you do look nice. But are you sure you can’t squeeze yourself into those suit pants Ra bought you? It’s only for a few hours.”

  “Mom, I tried them on an hour ago,” Seth said with a sigh as he checked his reflection one last time. “The pants barely go over my butt and as for doing them up, there’s about an eight-inch gap between the button and hole. No amount of sucking in my breath or praying is going to get that zipper up.”

  “You’re certainly bigger than I thought you’d be,” Ella came over, tugging at the collar of Ra’s shirt Seth elected to wear. “Must be those tiger genetics. Are you sure you’re feeling okay? We can put this off you know. You can have a bigger wedding once the babies are born.”

  “Ra’s waiting for me,” Seth said firmly. “I never dreamed I’d get married, but Ra’s gone out of his way to create the private, quiet ceremony I asked for and for some reason it’s important to him for us to be legally tied before the babies are born. I’m not taking that away from him.”

  “I know,” Ella pursed her lips. “I just wish…”

  Seth would never know what Ella wished although he imagined it had something to do with shoving the noses of her neighbors into a lavish ceremony. But Charles came in, looking dapper in his well-pressed suit.

  “Are you ready? I think Ra’s getting impatient. Liam told me growls are imminent,” Charles laughed, although Seth noticed he had more lines on his face than usual. He hoped his dad wasn’t getting sick. It was virtually unheard of in the shifter world, but it could happen. Rabbits weren’t immortal.

  “Can you at least wear your jacket over that ridiculously long shirt?” Ella tried one more time.

  “This is Ra’s shirt,” Seth replied. “His tiger will be tickled I’m wearing it and it’s the only thing I could find that covered the elasticized waistband of these pants. Now come on, is there any parental advice you’re meant to pass on when your youngest son gets married?”

  “I would’ve suggested using a condom,” Charles said, taking his hand, “but I think it’s a bit late for that. Just be happy son, that’s all we want for you, isn’t it Ella?”

  “Of course, I want you to be happy,” Ella snapped but in a move Seth’d seen a thousand times, her face smoothed into a lovely smile. “I’m very proud of you Seth and I think you’re going to make an amazing father real soon.”

  “Which is a damn good reason to get this wedding underway,” Charles coughed. “If we stand around dilly-dallying Seth could end up going into labor before the ceremony’s finished.”

  Hiding his worry over his dad’s health, Seth took Ella’s hand in his. “You look lovely, Mom,” he said quietly. “Thank you for being the best Mom a boy could ever have.”

  “Oh hush, you’ll make me cry,” Ella said, but she squeezed Seth’s hand and together the three of them headed out to the porch.

  Chapter Thirty

  His heart in his throat, Ra watched as Seth walked to meet him, sandwiched between his parents. He recognized the shirt and his tiger wanted to strut, but it was the look of love in Seth’s eyes Ra wanted to remember. The hesitant smile, the way Seth’s curls lifted in the slight breeze. In sickness and in health, till we are parted by death. Oh, Seth, not even death will stop me loving you.

  “You’re getting misty eyed,” Simon hissed in his ear. “This is meant to be a happy occasion.”

  Ra dutifully plastered a smile on his face, taking Seth’s hand eagerly as the three came to stand beside him.

  “You look amazing,” Seth said, his smile wide.

  “You look like mine,” Ra grinned for real this time. He couldn’t help but be pleased with the praise. His friends had been giving him shit about his suit all morning. “Ready to do this?”

  Seth kissed his mom on the cheek and then hugged his dad. Ra noticed how Charles clung for one second longer than necessary, but he understood. Charles looked old and Ra could only imagine the stress he was under.

  “Make sure you look after him,” Charles said gruffly as he and Ella stood back.

  “Ready now,” Seth said.

  “I love you.” Ra felt that needed to be said and although he didn’t go saying mushy stuff in front of other people, the proud and happy look on Seth’s face was well worth it.

  “Okay Brutus,” Ra said, turning to his friend. Brutus’s suit could barely contain his muscles and he was wearing his scuffed biker boots but Ra appreciated the effort. “Do your stuff.”

  Brutus shuffled his feet but wh
en he spoke, his voice was calm. “Friends, family, we are standing here today to celebrate the wedding of Ra King to Seth Carmichael. And make no mistake, folks, it is a celebration. There were times we despaired of Ra ever getting his foot out of his mouth long enough to do the right thing.” Good-natured chuckles rang in the air. “But seriously, we never know what life’s going to throw at us, so I call on you all now to be present, be mindful and share in the joy these two feel in being legally joined.”

  Be present. Stay focused. Ra smiled at his mate.

  “Usually at this time, the celebrant makes some long-winded speech about the importance of love and monogamy,” Brutus continued and Ra could tell he was gaining more confidence. “However, those words are for humans who don’t have the advantage of fated mates. The love between Ra and Seth is clearly evident, especially for those of us sharing the same house. Seriously, Ra, we need to talk about soundproofing your room.” Another chuckle from the crowd and Ra shook his head; sure his cheeks were as red as Seth’s. But Ra appreciated what his friend was doing. Even Charles had a smile on his face.

  “And as for monogamy, I know my friends will never look at another in a sexual way, they are too busy ogling each other.” More laughter. “What I will say, is despite how we’re depicted in romance novels; love isn’t something that comes automatically, even for mates. Love is not a destination, it’s a journey.” Ra noticed Brutus watching them intently. “Like any journey, it’s not always easy; some people fall back, some people fall off the road, but shifters, true mated shifters never let go of each other, never give up and are always there for each other no matter what life throws at them. That’s how it is for Ra and Seth.”

  Ra could feel his damned eyes leaking, but he smiled and nodded at his friend. Seth’s hands tightened around his and he focused on the sparkle in Seth’s eyes as Brutus said, “Ra and Seth have elected to say their own vows. Ra, you can start.”

  This is it. Damn, I should have written something down. But it was too late for that. Shutting out their friends and family, Ra spoke only to Seth and poured out his heart.

  “You are truly everything to me. Some might say when they meet their true love that person fills a vacancy in their heart. It’s not like that for me. When you accepted me into your life, you took over every organ, every part of me and my heart beats because you’re in my life.”

  His eyes dropped to Seth’s bulging stomach and he couldn’t resist stroking it. “I made so many mistakes, wasn’t there when you needed me, was selfish at one point and I am embarrassed about that. But in the short time we’ve known each other I have never known my life could be so full of love and that’s all because of you.”

  Seth’s hand joined his over the warm bulge as Ra continued. “I vow that for as long as we both walk this earth, you will always have a strong arm, a loving shoulder and a soft place to fall. You own me body and soul and for that, I will be eternally grateful. No matter what life throws at us, I will be there with you. I love you.”

  There was a moment’s hush and Ella dabbed at the corner of her eye. “It’s your turn now, Seth,” Brutus said.

  Seth’s face was a glorious shade of pink and a tear winked at the corner of his eye. “You saved me when I thought my life was lost,” he said hesitantly. “You came into my life with a roar and a lunge and on our very first day together you caught me and held me tight. I often wondered what it was I could bring to your life, but you taught me that didn’t matter. It’s not your life or my life, it’s ours…well, ours and the soon to be tibits.”

  There were a few chuckles in the crowd but they were respectful as Seth straightened and said in a lot stronger voice, “I vow that while I have breath I will stand by your side. I will love you, cherish you and hold you when others fall by the wayside. I will be your staunchest supporter, your dearest friend and once the tibits are born, together I know we will make amazing parents. I’m not saying it will be easy, but I’m saying with you by my side, there’s nothing we can’t get through. I will love you forever, Ra. I give you my promise.”

  Ra’s eyes were blurry as Brutus went through the ring ceremony. By the time he slipped the gold band on Seth’s slender fingers tears were rolling unchecked down his face. His voice choked on the words he was expected to say, but he managed to get through them and Brutus had only just started announcing them as a married couple when he gathered Seth into a kiss he never wanted to end.

  “No one has ever loved me like you do,” he whispered when bursting lungs forced him to break their kiss.

  “I’ll never stop,” Seth promised and while his heart broke, Ra knew his mate was sincere. Holding Seth tight, he turned to greet the well-wishers.

  *****

  “Our family cabin,” Seth cried when Ra turned the car down a long driveway Seth remembered from his childhood. “When did you arrange this?”

  “I was chatting to Liam and Lucien about finding somewhere we could have some privacy for a few days,” Ra said, his face a lot more relaxed than it had been at the party. “I wanted somewhere we could still get a cell signal, handy enough if you needed to get back to the doc’s, yet still private enough that our well-meaning friends and family don’t intrude every five minutes.”

  “I loved coming here as a kid,” Seth grinned, as the car groaned its way over deep potholes. “The lake was always cold and I didn’t swim often, but there’s a small boat we can take out if you want to. The cabin has a fireplace with a big faux rug in front of it and the bathroom tub is almost as big as yours.”

  “Already thinking of places to snuggle, are you?” Ra grinned. “I have bags of food in the back, fresh linen Ella insisted I take and I even remembered your laptop. Your dad said you can get the internet up here.”

  “That’s handy to know,” Seth clapped his hands as the cabin came into view. “Oh look, Ra, isn’t it perfect?” The cabin was a single level log cabin, its wide porch sweeping around the house providing a view of the lake or trees depending on the occupant’s mood. The old fire pit still scarred the grass. Seth remembered many a night sitting out under the stars, huddled under a blanket listening to his dad tell ghost stories. Ella always used to scold him for doing it, but her arms and soothing presence always helped when Seth had trouble sleeping afterward.

  Looking around as Ra parked the car, Seth sighed with happiness. Living in the house with Ra’s friends was fun, but here there was no bickering, loud music, or the roar of bikes. Nothing but the chirp of birds as they called goodnight to each other, cricket song, the whisper of the wind in the trees and the rustle of rodents in the undergrowth.

  “It’s a beautiful place,” Ra agreed, “And your dad said we could stay here for as long as you wanted.”

  “What about your work?” Seth knew Ra hadn’t got a lot done lately what with the wedding and the babies on the way.

  “It’ll still be there when I get back,” Ra promised. “I told my agent I might not be sending anything along for a while; told him I was going to be a father.”

  “He didn’t mind?”

  “Apparently, scarcity makes the price of my work go up, which means more commission for him. He told me to get in touch when I had the next piece ready. There’s no rush.”

  Seth bit his lip, conscious of the quiet now Ra had turned off the engine. The car wasn’t big, and in the dim light, Seth could see Ra’s tiger’s eyes blazing. “So how are we meant to entertain ourselves for however long we stay here? I have to warn you, I’m not very good at fishing. I tend to drop the pole in the water.”

  Ra pulled Seth onto his lap and nibbled his lips. “We’re going to christen every flat surface in that cabin, in between heating and eating the huge meals your mom packed for us before we left. Was there anything else you wanted to do?”

  “There’s a table just inside the front door,” Seth squeaked as Ra’s lips scorched his. This was the hard, demanding tiger he’d been used to. Seth didn’t know what had been holding Ra back before, but he was freaking glad whatever it
was, wasn’t bothering his mate now. His shirt was flipped over his head; the elastic in his pants no match for Ra’s fingers. Seth wrapped his arms around Ra’s neck and tried to remember how to breathe as Ra suck and nibbled every inch of skin he could reach.

  “Oh my gods, Ra!” Seth yelled as Ra’s mouth made its way down his chest. He moved back to give his mate more room and the blare of the car horn startled him.

  “Better hope that cabin door’s unlocked, babe or I’m going to owe your dad a new door.” Ra threw open the car door and climbed out, Seth clinging to his body like a monkey. He buried his nose in Ra’s neck as the tiger made quick work of the distance between car and cabin, the front door slamming back on its hinges.

  “The door,” Seth muttered. “It’s flat.”

  “Hang on tight.”

  Seth kissed and nuzzled Ra’s thick neck, sucking up bruises, inhaling his mate’s unique scent. It wasn’t easy to get too, his arms hadn’t gotten longer simply because his belly was bigger, but Ra didn’t let him fall.

  “Turn around and lean on the door,” Ra said, his voice guttural as he let Seth’s feet hit the floor. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “Hurry,” Seth urged as he did as he was asked. It felt like forever since he’d had his mate’s cock inside of him and he ached with need.

  Ra must have been feeling the same way because he didn’t leave Seth hanging. A cursory prep and Seth groaned as Ra’s length nudged its way inside. Ra was everywhere; hot hands on his hips, Ra’s chest blanketing his back and Ra’s tongue licking down the side of his face.

  “You’re beautiful, sexy and all mine,” Ra growled as he rocked into Seth’s body. Seth couldn’t find the words to respond. He was too busy soaking his mate’s passion through his senses, the guttural grunts, the quiet slap of skin on skin, the sweat on Ra’s skin blending with his. His nose was filled with the scent of their sex and although Seth couldn’t watch his mate’s face, with his eyes closed every detail was clear in his mind. The tense cords in Ra’s neck, his teeth bared but clenched, those hooded eyes. Seth’s hand found his cock and while the angle was awkward as he didn’t want to hit his belly, he managed to put enough pressure on his cock head to have him spurting in seconds.