Tiger Tracks (Alaskan Tigers Book 9) (6 page)

From outside, the building he indicated looked huge. It was a three-story log home, towering over all the others. A beautiful winding pathway led to the houses below, with shrubs that probably flowered in the summer. Snow covered the grounds as far as the eye could see, and seemed to be almost completely undisturbed. In the mountains, they had gotten more snow than she’d seen in D.C., and with the late hour it appeared flawless.

She climbed the few steps, and someone she didn’t recognize opened the door for them. His black jeans and t-shirt made the silver butt of the gun in his holster stand out.

“Come in. Jinx and the others are gathered in the living room.” He nodded to the right before he held out his hand. “Styx, it’s good to see you.”

“You too, Carson.” He shook the offered hand, before leading her to the living room.

As they entered, all gazes focused on them, making an uneasiness rise within her. Instead of focusing on them, she glanced around the space. The main floor of the Elders’ house was simple and beautiful at once. Judging by the pictures on the wall, and the various knickknacks, it was clear many generations had lived here.

“Mira.” Styx rubbed her back, soothing her. “You’ve already met Jinx, but let me introduce you to the others. Lukas, the Lieutenant of the West Virginia Tigers and Jinx’s younger brother.”

The man with short red hair nodded to her and she recognized him as the one who suggested they head inside. “Summer will be joining us in a few minutes. She’s putting Claire back to bed. She only brought her to meet the plane because she woke up with a nightmare a few minutes before you landed.”

“It might be best if she stays with the child.” Styx eyed Jinx. “If we brought danger to your clan, I’d prefer they were safe.”

“Meshell is upstairs with Claire. Jackson and Carson are here as well to protect Summer and Claire,” Jinx explained. “No one is going to get onto my land, let alone upstairs, without us knowing about it.”

“I hate that I brought you into this mess I’ve created,” Mira said. “Danger, blood, and death follow me and I brought it to your home.”

“Catnip, we talked about this.” Styx tried to soothe her, but the rage was boiling within her.

“Mira.” Another man’s voice forced her to look up. She couldn’t remember being introduced to him, but she had seen him on the runaway.

“Jackson is the Captain of Summer’s guards,” Styx provided as he led her toward the sofa.

“Our compound is over nine hundred and fifty acres, and we’ve got every inch of it covered. There are guard houses around the perimeter, and they are always manned. We knew you were arriving and we’ve taken precautions, including alerting everyone on duty to be on the lookout for anything unusual. Every part of the border is covered with motion sensors, heat sensors, and cameras. No one can get on or off this property without us being alerted.”

“He should know, he helped design the security.” Jinx leaned forward. “Mira, we are far enough away from any roads or houses that we’re never bothered. You can’t just stumble upon this place. You have to know what you’re looking for to end up here. The guards are well trained to protect the border and the clan. We built this building in the center of the land, at the safest point, for a reason. From here, we can see almost the whole compound. If anyone tries to come here, we’ll know about it long before they reach us. We can be prepared.”

“Still, I risked your mate and child, and that’s unacceptable.”

“Do you think you’re the first hint of danger that’s come to our doorstep?” Jinx smirked. “I’ve allied my clan with the Alaskan Tigers. Their enemies are ours. That means the Alpha of the Connecticut Tigers is my problem. He knows where my clan stands and if he chooses to send his men here, he also knows what kind of fate they will meet.”

“Jinx, I know you will say it’s unnecessary, but thank you for this. You’ve opened your home to us and provided us with safety for the night, but tomorrow we will leave.” Styx glanced at Theodore who stood off to the side of the sofa where they sat. “We’ll sleep, then unload the furniture and leave.”

“We’ve prepared a cabin for you and you’re more than welcome to stay as long as you need.” Jinx glanced to Theodore. “Thank you for bringing the furniture. Summer has been looking forward to it.”

“We’ll look it over in the morning and make sure it’s everything she wanted.” Theodore tried to stifle a yawn but failed.

Styx cleared his throat and brought the attention back to them. “Before everyone gets some sleep, Mira started to tell us more about what was happening in Connecticut before she left. It might give us some insight on what Frank is preparing. So, Mira, if you would continue?”

“Umm…” No longer could you put off the whole story, but nervousness had her stuttering.

“It’s okay, just take your time.” Styx took her hand into his and gave it a light squeeze. The electricity passing through them grew stronger with each touch, and would continue to until they finalized their mating.

“My sister got caught doing something she wasn’t supposed to, and instead of just handling things she thought if she told our Alpha something worse, he’d forget about what she did and go after the other person. But she didn’t have dirt on anyone other than me. Some say that blood is thicker than water, but not with my family. She betrayed my trust to save herself from punishment, even when she knew my cost would be higher and that he’d demand my death.”

“What did she do?” Jackson asked, and when she glared at him he added, “You implied he wouldn’t kill her for it, and since we’re trying to get into his mindset it might be helpful to know the full story.”

“She wouldn’t have been killed for sneaking out of the compound that night because his son was with her. If he killed her, one of the clan could demand that he kill the other. He’d never jeopardize his own son.” She paused for a moment and took a deep breath, the memories making her body shake as if she was cold. “He had planned to dish out punishment to her for leading his precious son astray, so the clan was gathered together to watch as she met her fate.”

“And that fate would have been…?” Styx pushed when she went silent again.

“It was set up for a beating. He’d have flogged her until there wasn’t any skin left on her back or her ass. I realize that’s painful because I’ve had it done to me, but to get out of it by betraying me and therefore calling for my death was unexpected. She knew what the consequences of her actions would be if she got caught, but still she left the compound without permission.” Her chest shook as she tried to keep the tears from falling. “I guess the same could be said about me, because I knew what would happen if he ever found out I supported Tabitha.”

“Okay, to get out of her punishment, she told Frank about you. What happened?” Jinx asked.

“I was near the back of the crowd, with David, my brother, beside me, and he shoved me toward the door with the order to run. That’s when all hell broke out. Frank declared that not only would I be killed for my betrayal, but my whole family would be. I could hear my sister scream, begging for her life, but instead of going back to offer myself up in exchange for my family’s lives, I ran.” No longer able to hold back the tears, she sobbed. Her body shook, her chest tightening, and her breath was stolen from her lungs with the power of guilt. “How could I have let my family die for my beliefs? What kind of person does that?”

“You don’t know they’re dead,” Summer stated, and until then Mira hadn’t even realized she had joined them.

“I do.” She took a deep breath, forcing the air into her lungs and letting it out again. “I see things. I knew it was coming, but I refused to believe my sister would betray me in such a way.”

Styx pulled her into his lap. “Catnip, this isn’t your fault. We’ll see that Frank pays for what he did, but don’t go writing off your whole family until we know for certain.”

“The gunfire and the screams…” She shook her head, sending her hair flying into her face, but she didn’t bat it away. “I’ve no doubt that more than just my family was killed because of me. I confided in her because we’re sisters and she was my best friend.”

“I know it’s no consolation, but I’m sorry,” Summer said. “If you ever need to talk, I’m available. My sister, Autumn, was killed by the former Texas Tigers’ Alpha before help arrived.” She moved across the room and sat down beside Jinx. “That was when Jinx, Styx, and the others came to the clan’s rescue, and to my rescue. Jinx killed Avery and set the Texas Tigers free. To set me free.”

“Ty and Tabitha put one of their clan members in the position of Alpha over the clan as well.” Her voice was still full of tears.

“Tex is the Alpha of my former clan, and he was from the clan originally.”

“Summer’s right.” Styx nodded. “Tex was sent to watch Adam’s helicopter when he came to Texas to recuse Robin. He was shot and nearly killed, leaving Adam no choice but to toss him into the ’copter and fly him back to the Alaskan Tigers compound to be healed. That’s how we found out what was happening there.”

“So, you didn’t place your own man as Alpha?”

“No.” Styx ran his hand down her arm. “Tex was elected by the clan and he chose his Lieutenant, Ben. Ben is Summer’s brother.”

“Lies. Why am I surprised all he’s told my clan were lies?” She let her head rest against his chest and tried to come to the terms with everything she had learned. Her clan had submitted to Frank because he brainwashed them. People died because of those same words. If there was anyone left from her clan, she had to do something to save them.

It had taken over an hour for Mira to drift off to sleep, but Styx had done his best to soothe her, rubbing her back and giving her comfort. He could feel her exhaustion, but she had been too upset to sleep. Tears had fallen until she had no more left to cry, and there had been nothing he could do for her. He didn’t have the answers as to what happened to her family, but he was determined to find out.

He pushed a strand of her dark brown hair from the side of her face and glanced down at her. Soundly asleep, her chest rose and fell in perfect rhythm. She was his, and all he could think was that he didn’t deserve someone like her. His past had been shady at best and downright diabolical at the worst of times. He had killed more than he cared to remember or even admit to himself. All of them were ordered executions, but had the reason for their deaths been legitimate?

Now that he had time to think back to the orders, he doubted it. His former Alpha had been suspicious of everyone, and thought there were things going on behind his back. He was young, and the Alpha had taken him under his wing, giving him a place to live when he would have otherwise been out in the cold without a clan. In return, Styx had done what he was ordered, never bothering to question things until much later. That was when their relationship changed, but in the end it hadn’t been Styx who’d plunged the knife into his heart, but another man.

Mira’s earlier words played in his thoughts.
You’re the monster under the bed, the proverbial boogieman. Stories about you make everyone look over their shoulders, and listen to their Alphas, otherwise you’ll come for them.
She hadn’t realized how deeply those words cut or how given the chance he’d rather be anyone else. He was an assassin because there had been no other option. He was a pre-teen when the training began, and each day it started before dawn and lasted long past the state of exhaustion. Each moment broke him a little more, but that had been the goal. They’d break him and then build him back into the man, or rather killing machine, that they wanted.

Though he had been ready to leave that life behind, no matter the cost, when his Alpha had been killed, it was a shock that left him lost for a time. He had wandered alone, unsure of what to do. It wasn’t until Ty had found him that he seemed to find a new cause to focus on. Instead of using his skills to eliminate a target, he was able to use them to better his kind. He joined Ty’s clan, and hadn’t regretted it. His past came up often, especially since he had become an Elder guard. Most questioned how he could be trusted, but Ty, Raja, and their mates didn’t question him. They knew what he was capable of, and were glad to have him on their side.

He eased out of bed and grabbed his cell phone. He’d contact Ty and see what information he could gather on the state of the Connecticut clan. If he had to go to Connecticut himself, he’d find out what the fate of the clan was. He wouldn’t leave her with unanswered questions. Until she knew, she couldn’t make peace with the choices she’d made and where they brought her.

His cell phone vibrated in his hand. With one last glance at his sleeping mate, he checked the phone. A text from Ty flashed on the screen.
Grab Theodore. Online in ten minutes, we need to talk.

“Great, what’s going on now?” he muttered, before grabbing the bag he’d left on the dresser. He headed to the living room, which was the only other room in the cabin. It was also where Theodore had decided to sleep. Though Jinx had offered another cabin for Theodore, he had not taken it, opting to stretch out on the sofa. Even though he was the youngest of the Brown brothers, he had their determination and protectiveness coursing through him.

In the living room, Styx pulled the laptop from the bag and sat it on the counter before turning the pot of coffee on. He’d need caffeine to keep him going much longer, and to stop him from returning to the bedroom to snuggle with Mira.

“What’s up?” Theodore rolled onto his back to look toward the small kitchenette.

“Ty sent a message. He needs us online now.”

“Pour me a cup of that as well.” He stretched his arms over his head and let out a yawn. “No sleep for the almighty fighting force.”

“That’s one way to put it, I guess.” He paused the coffee maker to pour two cups. “I know that one day everything we do will be worth it, and I never doubt it.”

“But?” Theodore pushed.

“Do you ever wonder how many will survive to see the glorious future?”

“You’re thinking about her family. Your mate’s grief is tingling within you. Even without the full connection, it’s tainting your outlook.” Theodore rose from the sofa and came to the bar area where the laptop was booting up. “She’ll get through this with your help, and then you’ll be back to your old self.”

“What if it’s brought a new light to my outlook? I never had a family to grieve over and the ones I care about most are the ones I’m protecting. If something happens to them, it’s because I didn’t do my job. It would be my fault.”

“We’ve always known death would be a part of this. We also knew it was possible we’d be killed before we could succeed. However, we’ve always been willing to risk that for the future of our kind. Think of the future generations and all we’re giving them. Death will come to us all at some point, and yes, it’s awful what happened in Connecticut, but it’s also the reason we’re doing this. We can’t leave Alphas like that in command. During his rule, how many people do you think he killed?”

“More than half the clan.” Mira stood in the doorway with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders.

“You should be resting.” Styx handed Theodore a cup of coffee. “We didn’t mean to wake you.”

“I felt you get out of bed, and when you didn’t come back I wanted to see what was happening.”

“We’re about to have a video conference with Ty. He knows you’re safe, but there are a few things we must deal with.” Not that he even knew what they were. “I’ll be back in shortly if you want to try to rest.”

“I guess.” She pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders.

“Mira?” Theodore called to her before she went back into the bedroom. “He’s not trying to get rid of you. If you want to stay, I don’t see any reason you can’t. If Ty needs to discuss anything privately, you’d have heard from the bedroom anyway.”

“I don’t want to intrude. It’s just kind of weird…”

“What is, Catnip?” Styx pressed when she stopped mid-sentence.

“Being alone. I don’t think in my whole life I’ve ever been alone. Frank allowed every family an apartment of sorts, but it was just one room and a bathroom. There was no privacy, and nowhere to go to get away from everyone. I feel so alone now.”

He set his coffee mug aside and crossed the space between them in two quick strides. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against his body. “You’re not, Catnip. I’m here. You’re part of something bigger now.”

“But it’s gone…my connection to the clan. There’s nothing there.”

If the connection was gone, it could mean one of two things. Either Frank had shunned her and broken the connection between her and the clan, or he was dead. Even if another shifter had taken over the clan, she wouldn’t be connected until she vowed her commitment to the new Alpha. He wasn’t sure which one she was hoping for, but he hoped it meant Frank was dead. They wouldn’t have to deal with eliminating another shifter. It would also be better for the clan if they finally took things into their own hands.

“I realize it’s a shock, but that could be a good thing.” Theodore spoke before Styx’s glare could silence him.

“What do you mean?” she snapped. “I’m alone because my whole clan is dead…my family.”

“Even though he should have kept his mouth shut. That’s not what he meant. What he’s trying to say is that it’s possible Frank is dead. It could mean your clan is free.”

“They’re free in death,” she snapped before looking up at him. “I
know
they’re dead.”

“You’ve seen it in your visions?”

“No. I just know it.” Her voice broke and she leaned against him. “I close my eyes and I see my whole clan dead, but they’re not visions…more like nightmares. He’d have killed anyone he thought was against him, anyone he thought knew my secret but didn’t tell him, and most importantly he’d have killed my family because he’d blame them. How am I supposed to think anything else?”

He tried to give her comfort, but he had no idea what she was going through. The family aspect had never been something he’d had to deal with. The closest thing he could compare it to was how he’d feel if something happened to Ty, Tabitha, or one of the other Elders of the Alaskan Tigers. They were his family in a way, but it was more than that because it was his job to protect them. She didn’t have that sense of safety when it came to her family, especially not after her sister betrayed her. They might be human most of the time, but their beast within could never forgive a betrayal like that. Even if her human side wanted to forgive and move on, her beast would never give her the satisfaction. Once they betrayed you, they were the enemy. They wouldn’t get a second chance to turn against the beast.

“Styx?” Ty’s voice came through the laptop speakers.

“We’re here, sir.” He pressed his lips to her forehead in a light kiss. “It’s going to be okay, Catnip. I’ll find out what happened to your family and your clan. Trust me.”

“Is everything okay there?”

“An emotional roller coaster, that’s all,” Theodore explained. “Styx’s handling it.”

“Styx…Mira…”

A woman’s voice called out, and Styx had to glance at the screen to be sure it was Bethany. The voice was softer than normal, but it was the tear stained cheeks that made his beast rise within him. “Is everything okay?” He stepped forward, and since his arm was still around Mira, she moved with him.

“Please let me handle this.” Raja put his arm around his mate’s shoulder.

“What’s happened?” Mentally, he calculated how long it would take them to fly back to Alaska.

“Nothing as bad as you’re thinking,” Raja reassured him.

“I’m sorry, but hearing about this…” Bethany glanced at her mate as if she was worried she’d said something she shouldn’t have. “It just brought back memories of my own family.”

“Mira, come sit.” Theodore pulled out a bar stood for her.

“Come on.” Styx waited for her to have a seat before turning his attention to his Alpha. “We’re all tired, and it’s the middle of the night, so I’ll cut straight to the point. What’s the reason for this urgent conference call?”

“We’ve received a call from the Connecticut Tigers.”

Ty stopped as Mira’s shoulders sank and tears rolled down her cheeks. Styx wasn’t used to dealing with women when they were emotional. The only women he’d been around long enough to see them like that were Tabitha and Bethany, and since they were both mated it wasn’t his job to comfort. Now, he was neck deep and without a manual to see his way through these turbulent seas.

“Both of you look like you’ve just received the worst news,” Theodore said to Styx and Mira, as he leaned against the counter, his hip brushing against the lip of the countertop so that he could see both them and the computer screen. “Don’t you realize what that means?” He didn’t wait for them to answer before adding, “There’s at least one person from the clan alive, probably more.”

“What does it matter if my family is dead?”

Styx rubbed her shoulders, giving her what support he could as he glanced at the screen. “For Mira’s sake, let’s not draw this out any longer. Who contacted you and what do you know?”

“David.” Ty’s gaze was only on Mira. “He claims to be your brother.”

“He…” Her voice broke with tears. “He’s alive?”

“He is.” Ty nodded. “He’s very eager to find you. I’m afraid there was much death on both sides of the fight, but there’s a new Alpha of the clan now.”

“The rest of my family? Frank?”

“I can only tell you that Frank has been eliminated. David has asked that he be the one to fill you in on everything else. He’s asked that you come home.”

“But…I’ve…” She tipped her head to look up at Styx.

He reached up and laid a hand on the side of her face. His thumb slid over her cheek, brushing away the tears that had fallen, as he stared into the smoky blue eyes that were pleading for his help. “It’s okay.”

“Am I missing something?” Ty questioned.

Styx forced his gaze back to the computer screen to face his Alpha. If there was one thing Ty didn’t like, it was being kept in the dark. “She’s to be my mate.”

“Congratulations.” Tabitha’s voice held a hint of excitement.

“To be?” It was Ty who caught the wording.

“I only found her hours ago, and we’ve been busy.”

“You had the plane ride. It would have been the perfect way to distract yourself from the flight,” Ty reminded him. “I remember when I first discovered Tabby and realized she was my mate. Even with the danger we were in, and Pierce on our trail, I wanted nothing more than to claim her.”

Styx still wasn’t sure how he felt about all of it. His human side wanted to push her away, to protect her from his past and from the fear and hatred many had toward him. His enemies where numerous and once they were mated they’d seek her out just as they sought him. She’d be in danger because of who and what he was. Even with all that, the beast within wanted to pull her close and devour her. Torn between the two sides, he wasn’t sure which would win.