Tiger Time (7 page)

Tabitha had never seen a tiger in real life, just pictures. It would be amazing to see what she looked like when she was a tiger. “You said I would be a Golden Tabby, but what do you look like? Are you also a Golden Tabby?” Trying to picture Ty as any type of tiger was hard; he was such a handsome man with black hair and bright blue eyes.

“No, I’m not a Tabby. I change into a Bengal tiger. I was a born tiger like you, so I change into the full tiger.”

She leaned back into the car seat, picturing Ty as a Bengal tiger. It made her wonder. “Can we only change during the full moon?”

“Since we are born-tigers, once we go through the change, we can change forms anytime. However, most less dominate shifters have to stay in their animal form for a number of hours before they can shift back and once they shift back, they sleep for ten to twelve hours.” Ty took his eyes away from the road to look at her. “You’re taking this very well. When your father told me what was going on, I freaked. I thought he was crazy and wanted nothing to do with him. I thought he’d escaped the loony bin.”

Tabitha looked down at her hands, because she was scared to ask but wanted to know what it was like. “Ty, I hate to ask but . . .” She paused but figured it was worth a shot, “will you shift for me?”

Ty eyes budged slightly with shock. “I don't know, Tabby. If you get freaked out about what you see, it could scare you and make your shift harder. If you fight the change, it will hurt. You need to just go with it and let the tiger take over your body.”

“But I need to see it. I need to know what's going to happen to my body. Will I still be me inside of a tiger body or will the tiger take over and make me uncontrollable? You’re the only one I can ask. Please, Ty.” She reached a hand out and laid it on his well-muscled arm.

As Tabitha waited for him to answer her, they pulled into what looked like a small, hidden side road. He sighed. “Okay. Please remember it might look scary, but really it’s not as bad as it looks. Tomorrow night I will, okay?”

She leaned over to kiss his cheek. “Thank you. Just one question: how long until you think I will go through the change? Not before tomorrow night, I hope.”

Turning his head slightly so he could meet her lips yet still keep an eye on the road, he kissed her back. “No, you won’t go through the change before I can shift for you. You’re close, but not that close.”

Chapter Eight

The cabin finally came into sight after what seemed like a two-mile drive on the dirt road. “Once you’re settled, I’ll call Raja. If there’s still cell service out here. I’m going to tell him to send a few of my best soldiers to protect you. They should be here tomorrow sometime. I’ll have Raja get them on a plane first thing.”

Slowly getting out of the car, Tabitha had to admit she was disappointed that he was calling in others to protect her. She enjoyed their time alone together and didn’t want it to come to an end. She had hoped they could pick up what they started back at her apartment once they reached the cabin. 
Are there other woman in the clan fighting for his attention? Will they be jealous because I’m his mate? Will they treat me different knowing I’m the Alpha’s mate?

“Tabby, what's wrong? Your mood changed once we arrived here. I know it’s not perfect, but it’s the safest place right now. Very few people know Raja has this.” Ty opened the cabin door.

The cabin was small and cozy. A little kitchenette to the right of the door provided just the basics. The king-size bed with a red and black quilt was pushed up against the far wall with a trunk at the foot of the bed. Leaving the center of the room for the couch and chair. There wasn’t a television, just a small CD player on the coffee table. Whoever came here wouldn’t be spending much time indoors.
Maybe too small, if Ty is in a hurry to get away from me
. She eyed the bed and couch, not sure which one she could make it to. Her body was exhausted, and she felt downright awful.

She must have made the unconscious decision on the bed, because next thing she knew, she was plopping down on it. Her eyes feeling like lead, she wanted to lie down, but she could feel Ty’s gaze on her.

Without opening her eyes, she knew he was in front of her. She could feel his presence the same way she could feel the sun on her skin.

“Come here; let me make you feel better.”

“You should call Raja. He needs to know what's going on, and that way they can start making arrangements for your soldiers to be sent here.” Her shoulders were slumped and her voice deflated.

“Oh, so that's why you’re so upset?”

“I don't know what you’re talking about.” She tried to make her voice sound sincere and kept her eyes closed, knowing they would deceive her.

“You think I’m calling in soldiers so I can leave, don't you?”

“Well, isn't it?” She embraced her anger. Being angry was better than crying.

“Boy, Tabby, if you’re going to be my Queen, you must learn how to read people better. No, that isn’t why I would like guards for you. I want guards so I can concentrate on you. I don't want to run after someone who comes after you and leave you by yourself for someone else to harm. What if there was another attacker, waiting until I took off after the first one? I would feel better if I had a few more people close by, in case we need them.”

Boy, did I read that one wrong.
“Ty, I'm sorry I doubted you. I just thought you were trying to find a way out without being rude. No one has ever stuck around, so I figured why would you? Especially since people are now trying to kill me.”

“Tabby, for this to work, I need you to trust me. I don't plan on going anywhere. If I need to go anywhere, I want you to go with me. That means if the clan needs me back in Alaska, then that's where you’re going. Don’t push me away. I'm not like everyone else. I’m your mate, and we will be together always. Once I have officially claimed you, you’ll understand. The tiger in you won't have doubts about me leaving. We fit together.”

Tabitha knew Ty was right, but she couldn't stop the human part of her from wondering if it was crazy. Her brain was screaming at her that there wasn't even a small possibility that she could really shift into a tiger, but her heart knew everything Ty told her was the truth. This was who she was and what she was meant to be, so she had to embrace it. She looked up at Ty and smiled. “I know you’re right. I'm sorry. Please call Raja then lay with me.”

Ty kissed her forehead before taking out his cell from his jeans pocket and stepping away from the bed. A moment later, the cabin was filled with his rich voice, making her heart pitter-patter. “There's been a small change in plans, Raja. Pierce attacked her apartment this evening.”

A long pause while Ty listened to Raja. “Yes, we’re currently at your cabin. I thought it was best to get her out of the city, and this was the first place I thought about. I need you to make arrangements for Leo, Thomas and Felix to get over to Pittsburgh as soon as possible.” His shoulders rolling like he was anxious.

“Great. Get Felix here right away then. Have the other two fly into Pittsburgh. We’ll pick them up at the airport when I exchange cars—with all of us we are going to need something much bigger—and then we can head there. Let me know when they’re flying in.”

There was another long pause, and Ty started pacing the small cabin. There wasn't much room for him to pass. He was a large man in a small space, which meant he only had to take a few steps in any direction to be at the other side. A low growl came from deep in Ty's throat. “Raja, keep me informed about the situation there. We can be back in a matter of hours.”

With that, he closed the phone and tossed it onto the bed. “Tabby, were you serious when you asked me to shift for you?”

“Yes. Have you changed your mind?”

“No, Tabby, I was going to shift for you now if you still want to see it. It’s a great way to relive stress and anger. Plus tomorrow, we’ll be driving, so I won't be able to.” Ty unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it on the back of the couch. “I won't do it if you’re not ready.”

Butterflies started to swarm in Tabitha’s stomach. His muscles were tense with anger, his hands balled into fists. Shifting would help him release whatever made him furious. “No, let’s do it. I need to see what happens. You won’t attack me or anything, will you?”

A mixture of a growl and laugh came from Ty's throat. “No, love, I won't hurt you. Once I change, I’ll still be me, just in a different form. A much bigger form. I have one request before I shift.”

She cocked her head to the side, waiting for his request. “What would you like?”

“I want one last kiss. If my shifting freaks you out, it might be my last kiss. Will you kiss me one last time, Tabby?”

Tabitha left the bed and eliminated the short distance between them. “Ty, you told me yourself this is natural and I’ll have to go through it. Why would I be so freaked that I wouldn't want to be with you once you’ve shifted?” She stood on her tipsy toes, and not waiting for an answer, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. What she thought would have been a sweet peck on the lips turned into a hungry and demanding kiss.

Ty broke the kiss but still held her close. “Tabby, if I don't do this now, I will take you. As much as I want that, I want our first time to be gentle. If I take you in the mood I’m in right now, I won’t be gentle.”

Ty slipped out of his clothes and stood in front of the couch. Her breath caught in her throat as she stood in awe of his body. She wanted to run her hands over every inch of him.

“This is going to look painful, but I promise it’s not as bad as you think. Just stay over there until I complete the change. I don't want to hurt you by accident.”

Ty stood in front of the couch and started to shake ever so slightly. Slowly, the tiger fur started to come through his skin. The reddish-orange and black hair looked soft enough to run her hands through. Tabitha took a step forward, wanting to touch it, before remembering Ty’s words. She stayed where she was, never taking her eyes off him.

The bones seemed to break and morph into different shapes, forcing him to fall forward toward the floor. Just when it appeared he would hit the floor, his body completed the transition. There in front of her was a tiger, and four large tiger paws supported his massive body. His mere size had her speechless. From head to tail, he had to be eight feet long and weighed over four hundred and fifty pounds.

He shook his body, fluffing his hair out, as he observed her. Tabitha watched, not moving from the bed until Ty lay on the floor softly purring. Taking that as a sign, she moved slowly, leaving the bed and gradually inching closer.

Even though she knew he wouldn't hurt her, she was a little hesitant about rushing up to him. Closing the space between them, she reached out to touch him before lowering herself to sit on the floor next to him.

Ty lifted his head from between his paws and laid it in her lap. She raised her hand and touched the top of his head. His fur was velvety. As she ran her palm over it, he let out a soft purr and when she rubbed behind his ears, his purring grew louder, as if he were enjoying the feeling. “Ty, I don't know if you can understand me, but you’re picturesque. I have only seen tigers in photographs, but this is amazing.”

Ty licked her cheek, as if to let her know he understood, and that’s when she noticed his long, sharp teeth. Without thinking, she reached for them but then thought better of it. Ty must have understood she wanted to touch them because he opened his mouth and moved it closer to her hand. Inching her hand farther away, she closed her eyes, and she could have sworn she heard him say, “Go ahead, baby, touch them.”