Night With a Tiger (12 page)

“Shit!” Tabitha sank back on the couch. “Harmony, did Henry?”

Tears fell down Harmony’s face. She shook her head. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be here.”

“Shhh.” Bethany wrapped her arm around Harmony. “None of this is your fault.”

“I cause problems everywhere I go,” she mumbled.

“No you don’t, however this will affect your life, more so if you choose to relocate to another clan. You will still have a connection to us through Felix, no matter where you go.” Raja dropped his hand to his side. “We can’t change this. We need to focus on healing your leg. The bed would be a better spot to do it. Bethany, you ready?”

Bethany nodded. “If Harmony is.”

Bethany and Raja helped Harmony to the bed. They situated the pillows behind her and Raja placed his hands on her shoulders. Robin took Harmony’s hands in hers. Tabitha sat at the end of the bed.

“Whatever you do don’t shift,” Bethany said, and then ordered Shadow and Felix to stand close. “Felix is going to hold your legs. Your connection with him might become stronger, so we need to make sure you don’t move while I’m healing you. He’ll make sure he only touches you over your jeans to keep the connection minimal, not skin to skin contact. Now just relax.”

Felix wrapped his hands around Harmony’s ankles. Robin felt a sensation of emotions soar. She met Harmony’s gaze and smiled. “You can do this.”

Bethany nodded. “Everyone ready?” Without waiting for an answer, she placed her hands on the wound. The moment a glowing light shone from her hands, Harmony’s body convulsed on the bed, fighting them.

“It’s okay, Harmony, we’re almost done. Just hang in there. Don’t shift on us. You’re doing great, sweetie,” Robin urged. She clenched her teeth as Harmony’s pain escalated through her.

Robin’s link to Adam sprang to life.
Love! What’s going on?
She heard his voice in her mind, His presence, though distant, helped her relax. She wasn’t sure how he did it, maybe it was another benefit of mating, either way she was grateful.

She divided her concentration for a moment, just long enough to let Adam know what happened.
I’m fine. Thank you. We’ve made progress with Harmony. Bethany is healing her now.

You’re an amazing woman, Robin Zimmer.
He stayed with her, easing the pain she sensed through Harmony until it died away. Robin was left exhausted. Her body ached in too many places. It was as if she went through the healing with Harmony. She didn’t miss the flood of emotions and pain, only the comfort of Adam.
He’ll be home soon.

Home? When did she begin to accept the Alaska Tigers clan as her home?

Adam slumped in his seat. He had less than an hour to regain the strength he used comforting Robin from so many miles away. He let out a deep breath, releasing the tension he took from Robin. The fear that had coursed through her woke him from a deep sleep, nearly half a continent away. Now with the knowledge she was safe, he forced his muscles to relax.

“You felt it as well?” Ty asked, frowning.

He nodded. “Through Robin, but I don’t understand why. Harmony isn’t from our clan.” Adam kept his voice low to avoid waking the others.

“Henry’s body fluids connected her to Felix and in turn us. We’ll have to do something about this after we get back. Henry might be beyond help due to this unspeakable action from the Ohio Alpha.” Ty’s head rested against the back of the chair, his eyes closed.

“It will be tough on Felix. He knows our ways, he’ll understand. We should explore all options before settling on action. Killing Henry may be our only choice to keep others safe.”

“Understanding and accepting are different. You and Felix are Tabitha’s best guards, losing either of you will jeopardize her safety. Not to mention we’re family. I don’t want to see any of our family hurting.” Ty pushed his chair back, reclining again. “Get some more rest, we’ll be there soon. We’ll deal with the Ohio and Texas clans when this shit with Pierce is over.”

Dealing with them meant taking the unit’s Alpha out of power. Which meant either utter chaos, fighting amongst themselves to elect a new Alpha, or the clans were so used to being controlled they would be relieved for a calmer existence. Shifters with emotional issues were more difficult to deal with.

Adam knew through their connection, Robin had agreed to help anyone who wanted to work through their issues, but she was only one person. They couldn’t bring in outside councilors to help with shifter problems without exposing themselves. Too much risk unless they wanted to expose themselves. Would the obstacles never end? Would the Alaskan Tigers never have time to just sit back and enjoy their lives, or would there always be something jeopardizing their safety?

“Ty.” He waited until his Alpha opened his eyes. “Maybe we should create a specialized team for clan safety. Danger could get more precarious in the coming months, especially taking down two clan Alphas. Some might see us as a threat. It might be wise for Tabitha to come out to all clans as Queen of the Tigers. Something to think about.”

“Good point, we’ll consult the book and Tabitha when we get back to Alaska.” Ty’s eyes closed again letting Adam know their conversation was over for now.

One disaster at a time and they’d survive. They also had to consider who was more of a threat, Ohio or Texas? Who would be their next mission?

* * *

Robin sank to the floor utterly exhausted, resting her head against the side of the bed. No one other than herself and Bethany seemed to be suffering, which added to her confusion.

Raja knelt in front of her, taking her hand in his. “Just rest, Robin. Some of it will pass shortly. You’ll still feel tired. It won’t be so bad.”

Her rolling stomach and pounding head eased with Raja’s touch. “Why does your touch help? I thought only Adam’s would.”

“As the Lieutenant of the clan my touch will help any member of our clan, as long as they are committed to the clan. Ty and Tabitha’s abilities work the same way. Bethany’s skill is slightly different since she’s a healer. She carries the gene to shift without shifting.

“That means you consider yourself part of our family now.” Tabitha squatted down next to them, wrapping her arms around Robin’s neck. “Welcome to the family.”

A smile pulled her lips, and tears threatened to fall. She was a part of such a close-knit family. “I guess I have.”

They stayed cuddled on the floor waiting for the affects to past until Harmony’s whispered voice called to Robin.

“It’s okay, I’m right here.” Robin took Harmony’s hand. Glancing up, she found Harmony curled into a tight ball in the center of the bed.

“Why did it hurt you more than anyone else?”

Tabitha stood and moved to the edge of the bed. “I believe it’s because you’ve formed a connection with Robin. She’s the only one you feel any loyalty to. The rest of us felt your pain through her. In a way, Robin served to dull the pain. Normally the Elders do that for the clan, which is why for serious healing one of the Elders is normally there to act as a buffer.”

That explained why Robin was feeling Harmony’s emotions nearly as strong as she felt Adam’s. “Will it wear off?” Robin asked.

“If Harmony commits herself to the Alaskan Tigers, you’ll feel the connection just as Ty and I do. If she commits to another clan it could be worse because her commitments would be divided.” Raja helped Robin off the floor to sit on the edge of the bed next to Harmony.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Harmony forced a weak smile at Robin.

“It’s all right, Harmony. There’s no harm done. Everything is going to be fine. Right now you need to get some sleep.” Robin wasn’t sure if she was fighting just exhaustion or if Harmony’s fatigue was added into the mix. Either way she needed to get some rest. She wanted to be awake when the team went after Pierce. She needed to be connected to Adam to know he was okay. If she was asleep, she might not know if something serious happened to him, so Robin wasn’t taking the chance.

“Stay with me until I’m asleep, please.” Harmony rested back on the bed, her eyelids half closed.

“Okay.” Robin ran her hand through Harmony’s thick red hair, moving it out of her face.

“Felix, Shadow, and Korbin, take Tabitha and Bethany home. I’ll stay with Robin until she’s done.” Raja stepped toward Bethany, wrapping his arm around her. “I’ll be along shortly, get some rest.” He pressed his lips to hers.

Watching the intimacy between Raja and Bethany made Robin long to have the same with Adam—to have him by her side. With his support she felt like she could take on the world, instead of cowering in fear. “You don’t have to stay, Raja.”

“If the emotions become too much for you again, I’m the only one who can help you.” He leaned against the wall next to the bed watching everyone file out. “Lance has taken his post outside.”

Robin rubbed her hand over Harmony’s shoulder. Silence engulfed the room. Emotions still played through her, most of them Harmony’s, but at least they weren’t as draining as before. Minutes passed before the young tigress drifted to sleep. “Can she feel my emotions as well?” Robin asked Raja,

He gazed down at her and shook her head. “Not now, she’s going through too much of her own turmoil to feel anything else. It’s doubtful it will be different in the future since the connection was built out of her devotion and loyalty to you. Unless Ty and I are gravely injured, only our mates will feel our emotions through the connection. If we were to force them upon others they can be felt to a degree. Think of a box filled with rocks. The heavier it is, the better chance of someone besides our mate would feel it.”

“She owes me nothing.” She looked down at Harmony, lying in a curled ball. She was so young and innocent.

“That’s not how Harmony sees it. There was a link between you as if you were the Alpha Female here. Even if she commits to the clan, if at any time your beliefs don’t line up with the Elders, Harmony will follow you over us. Do you understand what that means?”

Robin had an idea, but didn’t want to say what she was thinking. “Not completely.”

“Hypnotically, if you gain more bonds while helping the injured, you could create your own following. A clan and Alpha Female without being a shifter.” His eyes seemed to search her for a reaction. “It’s something that’s never happened. You could be the first.”

“I have no desire to do that, nor the means. I didn’t mean to poach your territory or position.” Would her connection to Harmony made things difficult for Adam?

“You have the means with Adam. He’s strong enough to lead his own clan, only his commitment to Ty keeps him here, holding him back. If anyone were to convince him to step out on his own, it could be his mate.” Raja straightened, not moving away from the wall. “With your abilities you would be in the same position as Tabitha. The connection would take the place of shifting.”

“That isn’t going to happen. I feel Adam’s bond to the clan and nothing could distort that. I fell in love with the man he is now. Changing something as big as his commitment to his clan—his family would change the man I love. I’d do nothing to jeopardize that.” She moved her hand from Harmony and rose, meeting Raja’s gaze head on. “Adam’s bond to the clan has become my connection. When I arrived here I said some things, especially to Bethany, that were rude. I was hurting and wanted to spoil everyone else’s happiness. Now I see what your clan truly is. My commitment is to you and the clan, just as Adam’s is. Don’t discount that or me because I’m merely human.”

A smile spread over Raja’s face. “We need fighters like you in the clan. Welcome to the family, Robin. It’s an honor to have you among us.”

She took a moment to think about his words and realized the fight she lost running across the country had returned. She was willing to fight for Adam’s honor, and for Harmony’s safety. Robin couldn’t stand up against a shifter’s speed or strength, but she had her own assets to contribute to the clan.

“It’s a privilege to be part of such a family. I never thought I’d want a life like this, now I realize I’ve been searching for a true home, and Adam, all my life.” She paused. “Most humans believe in soul mates. I never did until now. Adam is my soul mate.”

* * *

Moonlight cascaded through the room, giving Robin enough light to see Raja standing next to her. His hand gently shook her arm. “Robin, are you awake?”

She rolled, checking the bedside clock. Damn it, she wanted to be up when the team landed. “What is it? Is it Adam?”

“No, it’s not them. They’ve arrived at the site, and the Kodiak Bears landed fifteen minutes ago. They are still on the landing strip. They are putting together a plan of attack before setting out again. It’s Harmony. She woke up and is having a breakdown. I hated to wake you. She needs you. She won’t tell anyone else what’s going on.”

Robin sat up in bed, making sure her nightshirt was covering her body. “Okay, give me a minute to get dressed.”

“I’ll wait in the living room for you and then I’ll take you to her.” He stepped away from the bed and left the room.

She pulled on her jeans and grabbed a sweater from her bag, tugging it over her head. As she dressed, she forgot her worries of what Adam would be doing soon. Only Harmony’s fear pushed her quicker, not giving her a moment to think of anything else. She slid her feet into her sneakers, cursing that she hadn’t picked up something more suitable for the snow yet.

Raja was waiting for her by the door. The only light came from a small lamp by the couch. “Bethany is still sleeping. Do you have enough light to see?”

“I’m fine.” She ran her fingers through her hair, trying to pull herself together. “Let’s go.”

Raja nodded and opened the door. “Thomas was on guard duty. He said one minute everything was fine and then Harmony woke up screaming. He went to her to figure out what was wrong. She just kept screaming your name.”

Raja kept pace with Robin as they jogged toward Harmony’s apartment. The closer they got, Harmony’s screams sliced through the air, forcing Robin to run faster. There was something heartbreaking about the cries.

Thomas opened the door, allowing her to skid right past him and straight to Harmony. “Harmony, what is it?”

She went to take Harmony’s hand until Raja placed his hand on her shoulder. “Careful. When a shifter is angry they can snap at the first sight of someone. We can’t have you getting hurt.”

“Henry…oh God, Henry…he’s coming,” Harmony cried, her fingers balling the blanket. “You’ve got to do something. He’s coming for me!”

Ignoring Raja’s warning, Robin sank onto the bed, wrapping her arms around Harmony. “Shhh, sweetie, you’re safe here.”