Tiger Time (14 page)

People spread out, moving to find seats at one of the six tables placed around the dome. The guards went to their predetermined spots, except Raja, who stayed with them.

They started with the table to the left, allowing them to make a complete circle and end up at their table by the dance floor. Each table was eager to talk with her, making her want to stay with them as long as she could. But Ty kept her moving from one member to another, promising they would have more time with her soon, and that Tabitha wasn’t going anywhere.

“I know you want to meet the needs of each member, but don’t wear yourself out tonight. You have plenty of time,” Ty whispered in her ear as they headed to the next table.

She nodded.
That is easier said than done. How can I rush through everyone when they are so kind and threw this party for me? I wish I could stop time and spend longer with everyone.

As they went around the room meeting the members, she noticed a number of men with the golden auras. There were two that stuck out to her. One of them was Marcus, Tora's husband, and the other one was Lance.

Lance was at the first table, and he seemed on alert and ready to take action if something happened. His deep forest green eyes seemed to take everything in while still looking relaxed.

* * *

After going from table to table, they were finally able to sit down and enjoy their dinner. Ty had mentioned earlier they had some of the best chefs as part of the clan, and she wasn’t disappointed with the meal. The salmon was delicious.

“Are you having a good time?” Ty asked as they finished dessert.

“The best time of my life.” A huge smile plastered itself on her face. She leaned in closely and whispered, “But there are a few people I’d like to talk to you about later.” She had questions about the people with the golden auras around them, but it wasn’t something they could talk about with people within hearing range.

 “You met Lance tonight,” he said, motioning toward the first table. “He is one of my guards. I gave him the night off to spend with his new mate. This allowed him to enjoy the party and for us to have guards that would devote their full attention to any problems that might arise this evening. He is a good guard, but the mating bug is hard on everyone.”

Tabitha loved how Ty was able to slide in the information she wanted without it seeming out of place or raising questions from anyone who might have overheard.

A young girl, no older than fourteen months, came running toward them. Her wobbly legs barely held her up; her long hair was the color of rubies bouncing behind her as she ran, until she tripped, falling down hard. Before the first tear fell, Tabitha was on her feet, heading toward her.

“It’s all right, sweetie.” Wrapping the little girl in her arms, she wiped the child’s tears away.

The little girl’s knee was bleeding, so Tabitha balanced the child on her hip as she grabbed a napkin from the table to wipe the blood. She realized then that when she’d jumped up to help the little girl, she’d spooked the guards. Felix and Thomas were the first to respond, at her side before the rest realized what the commotion was. Ty watched from the table, a smile on his face.

“I’m fine,” she told Felix and Thomas before returning her attention to the girl.

Raja must have also come to her aid, because he was standing behind her. “Here, Tabitha, I can take her.”

The child was clinging to her neck when Raja tried to take her, and she wouldn't let go.

“Can you believe that's my niece, and she won't come to me? I'll get her mother.” Raja let out a soft laugh before strolling off into the crowd.

“That's Tora and Marcus' little girl, Scarlet. I’ve never seen her go to someone she didn't know, and she loves being with Raja. She’s just full of surprises tonight.” Ty sat there with a twinkle in his eye.

“Is that true? Do you like me, Scarlet?”

The little girl merely sat in her lap as happy as could be.

“She must, because she never goes to anyone. We had to have our babysitter in a dozen times before we could leave them alone together, because she would throw a fit something terrible. Tonight the babysitter is sick, so she had to come along with us. I’m sorry if she has been any trouble.” Tabitha looked up to find Marcus standing in front of her.

“She’s been no trouble at all. She is a darling little girl.”

Marcus tried to take the girl from her lap, but she held strong to Tabitha’s neck.

“She’s fine here if you want to leave her for a bit.”

Marcus looked to Ty, as if not sure what to do. Ty gave Marcus a slight nod. He accepted it and went to rejoin his wife.

“You’re amazing. Everyone is so taken with you, just like I said they would be.” Ty wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

“I guess I had nothing to worry about. Everyone is so friendly and so accepting. I can't help wondering what it would be like to grow up with a group of people like this, people to call family.” As they were talking, Scarlet curled up in her lap as though she were going to take a nap.

* * *

“May I have this dance?” Ty stood, taking her hand.

Tabitha nodded, rose, and placed the still sleeping Scarlet on the chair.

“I’ll watch her. Go dance and mingle,” Raja said when she caught his eye.

There were only a few people dancing, leaving them with most of the floor to themselves.

After the song ended, one of the female tigers she’d met earlier stepped up to the microphone. “If I could please have everyone's attention.” She waited for everyone to quiet down. “Ty would like to say a few words.”

Felix came to stand next to Ty as they went to the microphone. “First, I would just like to thank you for this wonderful party that you put together for Tabitha's homecoming. I’m ecstatic to have such a wonderful woman as my mate. We’re blessed to have her back among us and as our Queen. Thank you, Tabitha, for coming home, and for trusting us. I love you.”

Before she realized it, she was heading toward Ty, tears clouding her vision. As he stepped to her, she wrapped her arms around him. “I love you too,” she said and kissed him.

Chapter Eighteen

Ty and Tabitha were dancing around the room when Raja came up to them. “Excuse me, but may I cut in?”

Ty nodded and stepped back, allowing Raja to take over dancing with her. Ty moved off the floor toward Felix. While Ty spoke to Felix, Raja leaned into her body and whispered, “Ty is a whole new man with you in his life. I have never seen him in such high spirits. He loves you more than he could ever put into words. Never doubt that.”

Tabitha felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment. “Everything changed in just a matter of days. Everything feels so overwhelming, except when it comes to Ty. I love him; he has been my rock though all of this. Discovering we’re mates was more than I could have hoped for.”

When the song ended, Raja stepped back and still holding her hand, he kissed the top of it. “It was a pleasure. Thank you for this dance.”

“I thought you could use this.” Ty held out two glasses of champagne.

“Thank you.”

Ty handed her the glass as they walked off the dance floor. “What bad things did Raja tell you about me?”

“Wouldn't you be interested in knowing?” She laughed before taking a sip of champagne and gave him a sexy but innocent smile.

Ty gave her a very serious look, which she returned with another laugh. “Come on, Ty. It was nothing. Would Raja honestly say anything bad about you behind your back? You two seem so close.”

“We’re close, but I’m sure he would tell you some dark secret if he thought he could get away with it.”

Before she could tease Ty for worrying about what Raja had told her, a large tiger limped onto the dance floor. The tiger was covered in blood and obviously in terrible pain.

Tabitha took a step toward the tiger. “Tabby, stay back. He doesn’t smell familiar. He isn’t of our clan.”

The guards gathered around Tabitha, keeping her away from the tiger.

“I can help him. You know I can.”

“This is against my better judgment.” He reluctantly agreed to her request, stepping aside so she could approach. “Form a protective circle around her, but keep her out of arm’s reach.”

Ty and Felix stood in front of her, closest to the tiger, leaving her only a small view between their shoulders.

Her power was still new to her, but she knew she would be able to hear the tiger if she could concentrate. She took a deep breath, trying to relax. “Can you tell me your name?”

Before the tiger could answer, someone from the clan yelled out, “What does she think she is doing? How is this going to help us? He’s in tiger form. He can't answer her.”

Ty turned, shooting the man a look that could kill. “Did you forget you don't contradict your Alpha? She’s of her father's line. Her gift is telepathy. Now shut up and allow her to help him.”

She could hear the rustle of people moving around, trying to get a better look. It was breaking her focus, and she could barely hear the tiger's thoughts. “Okay, Lukas, why are you here?”

You’re really your father's daughter and can read my thoughts?

Tabitha nodded.

I mean no harm to you or your clan. I came to warn you. There’s a traitor in your mist. My clan intercepted a message that was meant for Pierce. I need to speak with you and Ty alone. I have the proof you need. You can't mention this to Ty in front of everyone. The traitor will hear you. Tell everyone except Ty I was traveling through the area when I was attacked, which is mostly true. If rumors are true, you should be able to concentrate and send the message to Ty.

Tabitha concentrated really hard.
Ty, can you hear me? Please hear me.
Wanting to leave the impression that she was still speaking with Lukas, she kept her gaze on him but focused her attention on her mate.

Ty looked at her as if he were about to say something but was hesitant.

Tabitha tried again.
Ty, can you hear me?

Finally, a response.
Tabby, I can hear you but I don't know if you can hear me?

I can hear you, Ty. This is so freaky. Listen, I’m going to tell the clan that he was hurt passing through. He has information about a traitor within our clan. We need to speak with him alone, without the clan.

Okay, Tabby, but explain to him that our guards will be in the room.

Before giving the cover story to the clan, she focused back on Lukas.
Ty has agreed to speak with you, but our guards will be in the room.