A Tiger's Claim (8 page)

The small blue opal glistened in the sunlight that streamed in through the window. She remembered the first time she slipped the ring on her finger. At the time, it fit on her ring finger, but as she got older, taller, and gained the curves of womanhood, she had to wear it on her pinky. One day, she’d find out how to make another and pass this one down to her own daughter.

The warmth of Travis’s hand as he rested it on hers seeped into her skin in a way that had become so familiar. Meeting his gaze, she smiled.

“What are you thinking about?”

“My father. Home.” She didn’t realize until that moment how much she’d missed everyone at the den. So much had happened in the past few days.

He gave her hand a little squeeze before pulling it back to place back on the steering wheel. “We’re almost there. Why don’t you get some sleep?”

His tone was soft, but there was a command hidden in his words. She’d heard it many times from her father. It came with being Alpha of a Pack.

Any other time she would have argued, but today she was too tired. She nodded and laid her head back and welcomed sleep.

***

A half hour later, Travis turned onto the road that led into the heart of Ashwood Falls’ den. After about a quarter of a mile, he came to a stop at a gate. Two males emerged immediately, palming the Glocks strapped to their belts. Travis knew by their scents one was a wolf and the other a leopard. Biting back a curse, Travis put the van in park and raised his hands to the top of the steering wheel, in view of the males.

The leopard-shifter scented the air and ran to the passenger side, swinging open the door. Travis reacted like an overprotective mate by reaching for Shay, forgetting about the wolf to his left until the barrel of the 9 mm pressed painfully into his side.

“I wouldn’t move if I were you.”

The leopard carefully stroked Shay cheek, rousing her from sleep. Travis’s wolf paced under his skin as the other male touched what belonged to them. The wolf pressed the gun into Travis’s side a little harder, drawing a grunt from him.

“My four-year-old daughter and mother are in the back. Could you put that thing away?”

“When she,” the male nodded to Shay, “says to.”

Of course. The Alpha’s princess.

“Alec?” Shay asked sleepily.

The leopard nodded and smiled while gathering up Travis’s mate in his arms for a tight hug. Travis growled as Shay wrapped her arms around the male. The Glock jammed into his side again, pulling another growl from him.

The next moment, the wolf was yanked away. Travis looked to see Shay nose-to-nose with the enforcer, giving him a tongue-lashing.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Shay growled, backing the male up against the wall of the gatehouse.

With raised hands, the male shook his head. “We have orders, Shay.”

“Yeah? You know what you can do with those orders.”

Travis sensed the fury stirring inside her. He went to open his car door but stopped when he saw Luna Raines walking toward them with a not-so-pleased expression.

“Dane, go cool off,” the Alpha female said before coming to a stop next to Shay.

Dane growled softly right before he turned to go back inside the small building.

Shay faced Luna and pulled her into a hug. Travis noticed how Luna stiffened a second before returning the hug. After a moment, Luna pulled back, cupped Shay’s face, and smiled. “It is so good to have you back, baby girl.”

Luna turned to Travis and nodded. “It’s nice to see you again, Travis.”

Travis blinked and focused on her. She had her long, curly red hair pulled back in a ponytail. Her dark green eyes held more light in them than the last time they’d met. Damn, how long ago had it been? “Yes. It’s been awhile.”

“Almost a hundred years. I heard you lost your Pack.”

He clenched his jaw at the accusation in her undertone. Whatever. He was used to being accused of feeding his people to the rogues. “Everyone except my mother and daughter, whom are both with me.”

Luna moved to get a better look inside the back of the van. A warm smile lifted her lips. “Hello, Robyn. I do apologize for my son, Dane.” Luna looked back at Travis, meeting his gaze. “We’ve all been on edge lately. Take Shay and your family to Keegan’s. I’ll be there in a bit, and we’ll discuss things then.”

Travis nodded as she disappeared inside the gatehouse, not at all surprised that Luna picked up on his scent on Shay.

Shay climbed back in the van. “Oh, Alec?” When the male looked at her, she continued. “Call Sasha and have her meet us at home.”

Alec gave a short nod and pulled out his cell phone.

Travis shifted the vehicle into drive and rolled through the now open gate.

“Who’s that?”

Shay laughed. “That is one of my brothers and the Beta of the leopard Pack.”

“Who’s Sasha?”

“The wolf Pack Healer.”

He reached over and squeezed her hand. “Thanks.”

She placed her hand on his arm. “Children are very special little beings. Hell, Josie’s already settled into my heart. I’ll help you and her any way I can.”

His heart swelled with pride for the female next to him. “That vow goes both ways.” He took her hand and brought it to his mouth to place a kiss in her palm.

A few moments later, they pulled into a drive leading to a large two-story house. It was a modern-style red brick home with white trim. The front door opened, and a larger version of Alec walked out with a stern look on his face.

Beside him, Shay sighed. “That’s my other brother, Blaine. He likes to growl a lot, so don’t take anything he says or does personally.”

Travis laughed. He couldn’t help it. Her expression told him this brother was her favorite despite the go-to-hell vibe he threw off. Travis watched as Shay got out of the van and allowed Blaine to envelop her in a hug.

His chest tightened. Damn, he missed his Pack. Wolves weren’t as touchy-feely as the felines, but they did depend on touch to strengthen the bond between them.

Shaking off the unwanted emotions, he got out and opened the back door to take Josie out of her car seat. “Shoot, Ma. She’s burning up.”

His mother’s gaze fell to her hands in her lap. “It’s gotten worse. I don’t know what it is.”

“Sorry. I know.” He cradled his daughter to his chest and carried her to where Shay stood talking to Blaine.

The male glared at Travis as though debating on whether to let him live. Shay noticed too. She placed a hand on Blaine’s chest and narrowed her eyes at him. Her brother studied her for a moment then turned to go inside.

When they reached the door, Keegan stood in the doorway. Travis knew who he was by his power. As the Alpha of the Pack, he carried the Pack magick and strength in him. Something Travis used to possess.

Shay let out a squeak and flew into the Alpha’s arms. Keegan hugged her tight while shifting his gaze to Travis. “Your power is still there. Just remember that we don’t have room for another Alpha in the den.”

Shay smacked at Keegan’s arm. “Dad, stop. Luna is a great Alpha.”

Keegan laughed and released his daughter. “I didn’t say she wasn’t. I just don’t need or want a third. Come on in. Sasha is on her way. She was taking care of a broken arm and terrified pup.”

Shay gasped. “Who?”

“Jon shifted for the first time today. He broke his mother’s arm when she tried to help him control it.”

Travis frowned, stepped aside to let his mother enter before him, and then followed them inside. “Is it getting worse?” Keegan raised a brow. “The new shifts? Are the kids resisting?”

“No, but they are starting to shift earlier, taking everyone by surprise.” Keegan looked tired for a brief second before his expression closed again.  “That’s just one of the many issues we’re facing, but we’ll talk more when Luna gets here.”

Travis shook his head. “Oh, Keegan, this is my mother, Robyn. And the bundle in my arms is Josie.”

Shay smiled and brushed the hair from Josie’s face. “She’s getting worse.” Fear paled her beautiful face.

Travis cupped her face. “She’ll be okay.”

God. Let him be right. He couldn’t lose Josie.

Chapter 9

“So…” Shay prompted as she stood behind Sasha and waited to see what the Healer would find wrong with Josie.

Shay had led Travis to her room so he could lay his daughter down without the foot traffic and noise in the main rooms of the house.

Apparently, Shay’s father had called a meeting.

Sasha straightened, drawing Shay’s attention. “I was able to soothe her discomfort and bring her fever down.”

She paused and looked a little too sad for Shay’s liking. “And?”

Sasha turned toward Travis, so Shay moved closer to him. “I fear it’s in her blood.  I’d like to take a sample and consult with Dani.”

Shay whispered to Travis that Dani was the leopard Healer, and he nodded absently and replied to Sasha. “Sure. Can you do it tomorrow? If she’s sleeping peacefully, I’d like to keep her that way.”

“Very well. I’ll have Dani come by in the morning. She can take the blood then. If you need me, just call.” Sasha leaned in and kissed Shay on the cheek. “Nice to have you back home. We were worried about you.”

“Thanks, hon.”

After Sasha left, Robyn got up from the chair where she’d been sitting quietly, to lie next to Josie. Her eyes filled, and Shay’s heart broke. “Robyn and Josie can sleep in here tonight. Alec is on duty at the gatehouse, so you can have his room.”

“Where will you sleep?”

“In Dad’s room. He never sleeps there.” Shay felt a lump form in her throat. So many emotions floating around were starting to make her teary.

“Hey.” Travis brushed his knuckles down her cheek. “What’s wrong?”

Shay shook her head. “I don’t know. Being back home, Josie’s sick, my dad’s sad, you’re sad…”

He pulled her into his warm embrace and kissed the top of her head. “Maybe Dani should take a look at you too.”

She peered up into his eyes. “No. It’s too soon.”

“Your Healer would be able to tell,” Robyn said.

Shay sagged against Travis. “My father may kill you.”

He laughed. “Maybe. I’ll just have to convince him otherwise.”

Smiling, Shay looked down at Robyn. “Are you staying in here?”

“Yes. I should get some rest. Tomorrow you and I can search for spells to help Josie.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Shay’s heart filled with new hope. From her two days with Robyn, she’d learned that the woman was half witch and loved to mix potions as much as Shay did. The only difference was Robyn actually knew how to invoke spells to use them. “I have a private bath. You can use it without worrying about anyone bothering you.” Shay pointed to the closed door to the right of them.

“Private bath?” Travis said, but Shay heard the teasing undertone. “You really are a spoiled brat.”

“Nope. I’m a dominant female wanting my space.”

***

Travis shook his head in disbelief that Shay was his. She was full of life, confident, and the most caring female—besides his mother—he’d ever known.

She’d had brought a new light into his heart in such a short time.

When they entered the living room, Travis noticed two new people had arrived in the time he spent with the Healer. Shay skipped ahead and was instantly drawn into tight hugs. She introduced them in turn. The female dressed in black jeans and a black tank top, with hair just as dark, was Shay’s best friend, Cameron, or Cam for short. Travis scented Blaine on the female so strongly that it told him they were in the mating dance.

But, what surprised him was Cam’s annoyance when Travis didn’t offer his hand to shake hers. It was the polite thing for him to do. All shifters were clear on this rule: no skin contact with anyone during the mating dance. The only exception being family and close friends.

Was she trying to push Blaine’s buttons? Travis caught the shake of Keegan’s head as the question formed. Yeah, Travis didn’t want to know.

There were two male wolves sitting close to the door that Travis hadn’t noticed before. Then again, he was preoccupied by his daughter’s sudden illness. Shay introduced them as Luna’s other two sons, Hayden and Tanner.

Travis remembered Hayden from when his Pack helped MoonRiver rebuild after the rogue attacks about two centuries before. He had worked side-by-side with Hayden because he was the wolf Pack Marshal—leader of the enforcers, soldiers, and sentries.

Tanner was Luna’s youngest son and hadn’t been born at the time.

Keegan raised a hand, and everyone fell quiet. “I believe everyone here has heard a rumor or two about the Hunter Ridge Pack and their tragic fall two years ago.” A couple of mutters drifted from those who didn’t know Travis was the Alpha of said Pack. “Travis, would you mind clearing up some of those rumors?”

Fuck. The spotlight is on
.

Travis took a breath and nodded. “I’m Travis Hunter. Alpha…well, I
was
the Alpha of Hunter Ridge. Two years ago, my Pack was attacked by Onyx. That part is true. It is also true that I lost everyone except my mate, daughter, and mother. I was able to get them to a safe house, but lost my Mara two days later.”

He heard Shay’s soft gasp and wished he had told her all this before now. “They came in while everyone was asleep, attacking each house at the same time. I woke seconds before our house was stormed. Mara and my mom got Josie out, but Mara was bitten by a mutant before she was able to kill it.”

Shay slid her hand in his. “Is that what killed her?”

Travis nodded. “A mutant can spread the virus that freezes them in half shift through their bite.”

He meet Keegan’s gaze. “My Marshal had worked with Onyx. He gave them the den layout and my routines, as well as other confidential Pack information.”

“And what happened to him?” Keegan asked, and Travis had a hunch the Alpha already knew the answer.

“I killed him,” he said in a flat tone. At the time, rage consumed him at the betrayal. Now, he felt nothing. He’d grown numb to the fact that he did what he had to do. And, if he had the chance to do it over, he wouldn’t change anything.

Keegan’s expression showed nothing of what the Alpha thought. Not a surprise there. What surprised him was Shay’s reaction. Travis had expected her to shrink away from him. Instead, she snaked her arm around his to twine their fingers together. Her silent support warmed him and sent a wave of relief through him. He didn’t need to give her more reasons to
not
except him as her mate.