A Tiger's Destiny (Tiger Protectors Book 3) (10 page)

The thought repeated in his head over and over as he ceased to be able to hear the sounds of his friends or even his own voice. He vaguely felt large claws grasp him as his sight gave out, his vision narrowing until all light faded. A moment later, he could sense he was being laid down on grassy earth, followed by the touch of two smaller, softer hands grabbing his.

And then darkness.

K
el awoke
to a bright light before him. He tried to move, but his body wouldn’t respond. So instead, he focused his strength and gradually opened his eyes to the sight of a clear blue sky and a blazing sun bearing down on him. Beneath him, he could feel soft, fresh grass, and he could swear he could hear birds chirping nearby.

Was he dead?

“No, dumbass. You’re not dead,” a voice growled at him jarringly.

Suddenly, Kel felt a spark of energy at the sound, and he perked his head up to see Sofia kneeling next to him and holding his hand in hers, eyes red with tears. Behind her, Perry and Tor both stood over him, watching intently.

“Kel, you’re alive!” Sofia exclaimed, coming over him and hugging him tightly. Still feeling incredibly weak, he managed to reach an arm around her and hold her as well, grateful his mate was all right and here with him.

“What happened?” he choked out, every part of him aching unlike anything he’d ever felt.

“You acted like an idiot. That’s what,” Tor said, frowning as he crossed his arms sternly.

“Cut him a little slack, Tor,” Perry exclaimed, crouching next to Kel, his silver hair catching the sunlight behind him. “What Tor is trying to say is we were worried about you and we’re glad you’re all right.”

“Yes, we are,” Sofia said, nestled into his side. Every second he could feel her touch and know she was okay, he could feel strength coming back to him.

Tor just huffed and looked away. But Kel could see the worry lines on his face.

With Sofia’s help, he sat up a little, giving him a better view of everything. Thankfully, someone had draped a sheet over him, so he wasn’t naked, lying in the middle of a field. He took a quick glance around and noticed the havoc they had wreaked only moments ago.

Damn, it felt like it had been forever since all that happened.

And suddenly, he remembered the bullet. The poison. His heart stopping.

How was he still alive?

“Funny thing, dragon blood. We’re still discovering new things about it even centuries later,” Perry said. Kel could feel it was in response to his thoughts, but he was speaking cryptically again.

“The dragons told me about how tigers were created while we waited for you to come to,” Sofia said, her arm still wrapped around him.

“Yes,” Perry chimed in. “An infusion of dragon’s blood into an able-bodied cat shifter mating pair. The result, a tiger cub. Or at least that’s the initial origin. We have yet to see if tigers themselves are able to be created naturally,” Perry explained, going off on a tangent.

Kel already knew all of this, though. How was he different?

“The difference between you and your brothers was the type of dragon blood used. In your case, that of a blue dragon. For years, I’ve suspected it’s the primary reason for the differences between you and Jace and Carter. Somehow, the infusion was particularly strong, which is why you’re a white tiger, I believe,” Perry said.

Dragons came in six colors, each with a unique set of powers that only they had. Blue dragons had the ability to heal anyone, even bring them back from the brink of death, and as such, they tended to be the most benevolent and self-sacrificing of the different breeds.

Or so he’d been told.

“Another fascinating feature is that some blue dragons themselves have incredible regenerative powers, beyond that of any known shifters,” Perry exclaimed.

Tor interrupted. “What he’s trying to say is you’re special. Obviously.”

Grateful he wasn’t dead and very happy to have Sofia at his side, Kel’s thoughts turned to the criminals who perpetrated this.

“What about Arnal and Felding?” he asked.

Once we were certain you were going to pull out okay, Tor took the liberty of extracting Domingo from the helicopter wreckage. Thankfully, he’s alive, and we’re going to have all the shifters he has caged up released. Once that’s done, I’m sure Tor will have lots to discuss with him.”

Kel knew what that meant. Interrogation, red dragon style. Tor didn’t have any problem with using extreme methods if it meant protecting others and bringing justice to the shifters that threatened the safety of society.

If Kel had to guess, he’d say Jace had Tor’s red dragon blood with his strength and Carter had Perry’s with his intelligence for solving crimes.

“In the meantime, Felding has been quite cooperative. We’ll be locking him up indefinitely and see what information he can give us on the other illegal operations he’s involved with,” Perry said.

Now that all that was sorted, all Kel could think about was his beautiful mate at his side. Using what little strength he had, he pushed himself up to standing, wrapping the sheet around him and tying it like a towel.

“Thanks, guys. Mind if we have a minute?” Kel asked.

Tor and Perry both nodded and walked off to handle the large-scale cleanup operation happening around them. Dozens of men that Kel recognized as working for the dragons were busying themselves around the property, handcuffing people, seeing to the wounded, and securing the perimeter. Amongst them, he could see the towering form of his older brother Jace assisting in the work, and he made a note to thank him later for the help.

But right now, the only person on his mind was Sofia.

They walked a few dozen feet to a small bench in the shade behind the mansion. With each step, Kel could feel himself getting better but also could still sense the remnants of the poison in his veins, slowly clearing out.

He needed a vacation after this.

They both did.

Kel and Sofia plopped down onto the bench, and Kel pulled her in close to him. For a moment, they just relaxed, taking deep breaths and letting the world move on without them, enjoying the reverie and solace of silent touch.

“So… how are you doing?” Kel asked, not sure where to start, his mind full of feelings and emotions and unsaid things.

“I should ask you the same question,” Sofia replied as she burrowed into his side.

“I’m great… now that you’re safe.”

“You keep saying that, you know? Half the time you were out, we could hear you repeating it over and over. Is that what you were dreaming about?” Sofia remarked.

“Oh, wow, that’s embarrassing,” Kel said with a chuckle, imagining what that must have looked like. Even now, as the dark haze that had settled over his mind cleared, he could still hear the thought resounding in the back of his head.

“Not nearly as bad as what I did this morning,” Sofia said, her tone becoming sad. “I’m so sorry, Kel. I panicked. Do you forgive me?”

All of that felt like it was forever ago, as if in another life. He’d almost forgotten about it completely.

“Of course. There’s nothing to forgive. You only did it to protect me. I’m sorry I didn’t listen and came back anyway,” he said.

“You did exactly what I needed, whether it was what I thought I wanted at the time or not. That definitely counts for something,” she said with a sigh.

With one smooth motion, Kel wrapped his arm under Sofia’s legs and pulled her onto his lap. Every second she was near, he could feel his strength returning more rapidly, like she was the source.

And with both Domingo Arnal and Aaron Felding in the care of the dragons, he was free to go be with his mate.

And he knew just where to take her.

“Jace!” he called, and his dark-haired brother came over.

“How are you doing?” Jace asked.

“Fine,” Kel said, arms still around Sofia. “But I need a change of clothes and some car keys.”

“Sure,” Jace said, pulling his keys out and handing them over. “I can get a ride home with Carter. He’s coming over soon to help, already back from his trip.”

“Tell him everything’s fine,” Kel said.

“I’ll run and grab you some clothes,” Jace said, turning to leave.

Sofia looked up at him. “Where are we going?”

Kel grinned. “I finally get to show you my home.”

“Sounds great to me,” she said, and they snuggled until Jace came back with what they needed.

Everything had worked out, and all that was left was for Kel to tell his mate how he felt and welcome her into his life. Oh, and claim her. He was especially looking forward to that part.

S
ofia tried not
to laugh as Kel got out of the car he’d parked in the underground garage of a large, upscale high-rise building. The only spare clothing to be had came from one of the cops at the scene, and it was far too small for Kel’s large stature. She liked the way the button-up shirt was undone in the front, the way his thighs and calves strained the pants.

But she could tell from his ruffled hair and the impatient look on his face that it wasn’t the time to point out how funny he looked, even if she found it adorable. They had more important things to discuss.

He opened the door for her and helped her out, then sniffed the air before frowning. “I can still scent them on you,” he said. “I’ll have to remedy that soon.”

A little chill went down her spine at the thought of it, and then Kel put her arm through his and led her to the elevator that went up to the apartments.

“This is a nice place,” she said. “Not what I expected.”

“What did you expect?” he asked, pushing the button at the very top.

“I don’t know. Something more undercover or discreet?”

“Nah,” he said. “I’m never here, usually. But when I am, I like to enjoy my time in a nice place. Not some hidden cabin in the woods. Or a renovated bomb shelter like Jace.”

She laughed. She could just picture the hard-core bounty hunter living somewhere just like that.

“Although, I think he did move since he took a mate,” Kel said, frowning, his blue eyes narrowed in thought as he looked down at her. “If you don’t like my place or if you want to go somewhere else, just say the word. I’ve saved up a lifetime of money, and we can do whatever you want. We don’t have to hide as much anymore, now that we know Domingo was your main problem. Now that he’s been dealt with, by both tigers and dragons, I don’t think anyone else is going to try anything.” He cracked his knuckles, and a seam on the shirt popped loose.

He gave her an embarrassed look as he tried to see what had popped, but when he turned, the sleeve ripped away from the shoulder, baring one powerful deltoid. He grinned apologetically. “They didn’t have my size.”

“It’s okay,” she said. “I’m going to be ripping them off you anyway.”

He went speechless at that, just standing there looking adorable in his too-small, ripped clothing, his blond hair mussed, his blue eyes burning in anticipation. She leaned up on her toes and kissed him on the nose just as the elevator dinged that they had reached their destination.

She giggled and walked out, and he followed after.

“Get back here,” he said. “I’m not done with you.”

Her mouth fell open in a silent gasp as she looked around her. Kel’s apartment was amazing. Clean and open, with white walls and warm-gray carpet, and sparsely furnished with a few couches and end tables, plus a main coffee table, upon which a bowl of pistachios sat next to a bag of pistachios.

But what made it seem like a home, and personal, were the little knickknacks and trinkets littering the house, on nearly every table and every shelf. Globes, little figures carved from wood, miniature flags from different countries.

He walked over to a shelf and pulled a figurine of a woman off of it. It was carved in brass and looked ancient. “As you can see, I’ve enjoyed collecting things. Sort of building a life here.”

She found it adorable. She’d always had to travel, always had to run, but she’d never had a home base to come back to. Now she did.

There was a big window that looked out over the city, and she walked to it, enjoying the view.

The most magical part about it was how much it already felt like home.

Kel came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “Do you like it?”

“Like it?” she said. “It’s just what I would have done for myself. I love it.”

“Good,” he said. “And do you love me?”

Her heart pounded as she turned to him. She saw vulnerability in his eyes and wondered at the fact that she could somehow affect this tall, strong man so deeply. “I love you more than anything in the world. More than I ever thought possible. I know I reacted wrong,” she said, taking his hand. “But when Felding called with his threats, all I could think of was my parents’ house burning and gunshots in the distance and how much it would tear me apart if that happened to you.”

He ran a hand through her hair, pulling her in against his chest. He still smelled faintly of gunpowder but also of his own spicy, masculine scent.

She relaxed as she snuggled against him.

“I’ve never wanted anything like I want you,” she said. “And I wanted you almost from the moment we met.”

“I know,” he said. “It’s like it’s some kind of destiny.” He pulled his cuff back and rolled it up, exposing his wrist and forearm and holding it out to her. At the center were two little hearts, chained together. It was right where she’d scratched him when she’d been caught up in the throes of sex.

“What’s that?” she asked.

“I was going to ask you to explain it,” he said. “This is how the dragons convinced me to come after you.” He rolled his sleeve back down as far as it would go, since it was too small. “It’s the mark of a mate. You mated me, you sneaky jaguar.”

She laughed out loud but was totally shocked. “I mated you?”

“Yep,” he said, folding his arms and crowding her against the window intimidatingly. “So are you going to make an honest man out of me, Sofia?”

She laughed and avoided his eyes. “I don’t know,” she said. “That was awfully sneaky of me.” Her eyes darted to his. “Wait, did you mate me?”

“No,” he said, a glitter of amusement in his eyes despite his stern expression. “I was the one who showed restraint. But I did know you were my mate all along. I just wanted to wait and make sure you didn’t feel pressured.” He put a hand over his face. “I should have just gone for it.”

“I appreciate your restraint,” she said. “But I guess it makes sense that I mated you. That would explain why I felt so powerfully protective of you that I would just run into danger, on top of everything I’ve been through.” She wound her arms around his neck, pulling him down to her. “I guess I better make an honest man out of you after all.”