The Tiger's Heart (11 page)

“
His sister is here? She’s
one of you?” Bethany inquired.

“
She’s here, but she isn’t
a shifter. We sent Connor and Leo to bring her here, expecting she
would bring some insight into Pierce.”

“
You aren’t concerned she
will betray you, giving him the location of the compound or your
plans?” Bethany asked, and Raja could tell by the way her body
tensed, she was concerned that Pierce might attack the
compound.

“
They flew straight into
the compound. We have a small runway here. She wouldn’t know the
location. Not that it matters since Pierce’s men already attacked
the compound shortly after Tabitha arrived. She might still be in
denial, but in her heart she knows what he is.”

“
Something isn’t right…I
don’t feel very well,” Tabitha moaned, grabbing her
stomach.

“
It’s all right, Tabby.
Don’t fight it.” Ty brushed his mate’s hair from her face. “She’s
burning up. Felix, get Doc.”

“
Maybe she would be more
comfortable on the couch.” Raja went to the sink and ran the
dishtowel under cool water for Ty to wipe Tabitha’s
head.

Ty nodded, lifting her into his
arms.

“
What’s happening?”
Bethany stood, using her crutches to keep her weight off her
injured knee.

“
Tabitha’s completing the
change and will shift for the first time soon. The first time can
be painful as your body makes the necessary transitions,” following
Ty into the living room with the wet rag, he explained.

Ty lowered her to the couch and used
the rag to wipe her face. Her body started shaking uncontrollably
as if she was having a seizure. “Raja.”

He went to them, grabbing Tabitha’s
flailing legs, as she screamed in torment. “Where the hell is
Doc?”

“
Don’t fight it, Tabby.
You’re strong—you can do this.” Ty held her to the couch. “I need
more hands.”

Connor stepped forward. “Not you,
Connor.” When a grief-stricken look showed on his face, Ty
continued, “Your wolf might spook her tiger.”

Adam still stood by the door, and
Felix went to get the Doc, leaving Bethany the closest. She tossed
her crutches aside and balanced herself, placing the majority of
her weight on her uninjured knee.

“
Hold her
head.”

She finally got a good grip on
Tabitha’s head when Doc dashed through the door. “What did you do
to my patient? I just saw her this morning.”

“
Things have steadily
gotten worse throughout the day until she bent over with stomach
pains. We were meeting with Raja to go over some things. We just
brought her in here when this started. Help her,” Ty
growled.

“
I can ease the pain, but
that’s it.” Doc placed his bag next to the couch.

“
What do you mean, that’s
it?”

“
She has started the
change. If I stop it now, it will be worse next time.” He pulled
out a syringe. “This will help the pain.”

“
What’s happening to her,
Doc?” Raja had a firm grip on her legs.

“
It is rare, but her body
has transitioned faster than expected. Her tiger wants out, but her
body isn’t ready. What should take a few more days is happening
before our eyes,” Doc explained, readying the syringe with the
drug. “Bethany, let go of her head. I need you to help me with her
arm.”

Doc took hold of Tabitha’s flailing
arm, holding it straight out. “Hold it still like this. If I don’t
get the vein, it will take longer to work.” Bethany took hold of
the arm while he tied it off, making the vein stand at attention.
“Hang in there, Tabitha. This will help.”

Tabitha roared as Doc pushed the
needle in and the plunger down. Slowly the violent moments of her
limbs gave way to shakes and then tremors. Bethany’s legs shook as
she reached for her crutches. Unable to reach them before her legs
buckled. Raja was there to catch her before she could land in a
heap, hurting her knee more.

“
Will she be all right
now?” Bethany asked as Raja placed her in the chair closest to the
couch.

“
She still has to make the
transition. It shouldn’t be long now. She’ll have to stay here
until the transition is complete. We can’t risk moving her,” Doc
said, closing his bag.

“
Connor, I’d suggest you
leave. The transition could bring your wolf and we need you to
trace the last video.” Ty sat on the couch, Tabitha’s hands in
his.

“
Yes, sir.”

“
Adam, stand guard at the
door. No one is allowed in.”

“
Why don’t you let me look
at your knee while I’m here?” Doc knelt before Bethany.

“
It’s fine.”

“
I can see you’re in
pain.”

Raja could feel the
pain.
She did it to help Tabitha. What a
woman I found as a mate.
He placed his
hand over hers. “Let him look at it.”

“
He should be worried
about Tabitha.”

“
I got Tabby. Let him look
at your knee. I’d hate to know you did more damage to it helping my
Tabby.” Ty nodded at her.

Doc was examining Bethany’s knee when
Raja felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Tabitha was
calling the magic forth, bringing on the change.

“
We should have cleared
the building,” Raja said, looking at Ty, who nodded in
agreement.

“
Too late now.”

The room filled with energy, as
Tabitha’s soft moans turned into purrs. Hair started to grow over
her skin.

“
Get her on the floor, if
you can. It will give her more room to shift,” Doc said, pushing
the coffee table out of the way while Raja and Ty moved her to the
floor.

“
Don’t fight it, embrace
your tiger.” Ty knelt beside his mate, who now lay on her
stomach.

Her hands became paws as her body
became bigger. Her stunning strawberry fur mixing nicely with white
stripes across her back. She rose to stand on her newly acquired
paws. “Roooaaar!”

“
Do you think that means
she likes her new form?” Ty joked.

Tabitha tried to take a step before
toppling over.

“
It’s from the drugs I
gave her. It should work its way through her system in a few
moments now that she’s a tiger. Then she’ll be able to shift back
when she’s ready.”

Tabitha laid there contentedly licking
her paw, observing everyone with her big blue cat eyes.

Now that Tabitha was resting
comfortably it gave Raja a chance to turn his attention back to
Bethany. Would seeing the transitions firsthand give Bethany doubts
about him?

Chapter
Nineteen

“
We have to trust your
uncle isn’t involved with Pierce. Be up front with him but don’t
give him too much information over the phone. Our end is secure,
but we cannot be sure his line isn’t tapped. We need him to come to
us.” Ty sat on the couch with his sleeping mate’s head in his lap.
After shifting back to human form, she fell asleep. Doc thought it
was from the stress of the situation and the leftover medication.
She had on Ty’s dress shirt since her clothes were ruined, and a
blanket covered her.

“
I understand.” Bethany
twisted the ring on her finger, nerves getting to her.
What if Uncle James wants nothing to do with me?
What if he’s behind everything and working with Pierce?

“
Stalling isn’t going to
help your stomach. Let’s do this. I’ll be right here with you.”
Raja squeezed her hand as he grabbed the phone. He dialed the
number and placed the call on speakerphone, allowing everyone to
hear it.

He isn’t home.
The phone rang and rang before someone answered.
“Hello?” a rough voice came through the speaker.

“
Is this James Thompson?”
Raja asked.

“
Who’s asking?”

“
My name is Raja Harrison.
I’m here with your niece, Bethany…”

“
Bethany—is she all
right?” he cut Raja off.

“
Uncle James?” the words
felt strange on her tongue.
I haven’t seen
this man in over fifteen years.

“
Oh, child. I heard what
happened to your parents and little Jamie. I was afraid they got
you too. Where are you?”

“
I’m safe. Do you know
what happened?”

“
I’m afraid I know who is
behind it, yes. I can’t tell you over the phone. You must come to
me. I know somewhere that you’ll be safe.”

“
I’m safe where I am.
Uncle James, did you have anything to do with what happened to Mom,
Dad and Jamie?”

He sighed. “I know I haven’t been in
your life, but how could you think I could murder my own brother
and his family?” There was no anger in his voice, just
disappointment.

“
I didn’t think you could,
but I had to ask. Uncle James, I need answers.”

“
I know you do, child, but
I can’t give them to you over the phone. It’s not safe.”

“
If you’re truthful in
what you say, I can arrange for you to see Bethany. But if you try
to harm Bethany or us, it will not be stood for,” Raja spoke while
rubbing her leg.

“
I mean her no harm. She’s
the last family I have left. I want her protected. I don’t want to
see what happened to my brother and his family happen to
her.”

“
Very well. You’re
correct—it isn’t secure, so no details. Just be ready.” Raja ended
the call.

“
I don’t believe he had
anything to do with it.” Ty ran his hand run through Tabitha’s
hair.

“
I agree. I’ll get the
pilot and a team to his location straightaway. Might I borrow Adam
to accompany Leo? I need to send Shadow and Thomas to the hotel to
collect Bethany’s things and check her out.”

“
Very well. One last thing
then we’ll take our leave, and you can put the plans into
motion.”

“
Jinx and his team found a
trail. They’re following it. Are you still planning to contact the
detective to make arrangements for the family?”

“
Yes. I expect he’s gone
for the night, but the message and arrangements will be waiting for
him. We’ll send the plane and an escort the day after tomorrow.
That will give them the time needed to complete their tasks. I’ve
asked Tora to put together a small memorial service for the
family.”

Tears sprang to Bethany’s eyes. “Aww
Raja. That was wonderful of you but you didn’t have to. None of you
knew my family.”

“
It doesn’t matter that we
didn’t know them. You’re Raja’s mate and that makes you and them
family,” Ty said. “Send Lance as an escort. With his latest blunder
he’s off guard duty and needs something to occupy his time. With
that, I’ll get my mate into her own bed.” He lifted Tabitha,
wrapping the blanket securely around her. “I’ll have Felix bring
the blanket back.”

* * *

“
Jessica wishes to speak
with you.” Shadow placed Bethany’s suitcase next to the
couch.

“
What does she
want?”

“
Adam didn’t say. He only
asked me to tell you that she urgently wishes to speak with you. I
saw him as they were gearing up for North Dakota.”

“
She’ll have to wait. I’m
can’t leave Bethany alone.”

“
I can manage on my own if
there’s something that needs your attention.” Bethany hobbled into
the living room, freshly changed into a pair of pajamas that
Tabitha brought over for her.

“
I’m not leaving you.” His
teeth set.

“
I can try to find out
what she wanted, but she’s insisting that she speak with you or Ty.
I would prefer not to disturb Ty if possible.” Shadow stood close
to the door, unmoving.

“
Fine, escort her here.
Bethany I’d like you to remain in the bedroom while she’s
here.”

“
What do you mean?” She
made it to the couch and was about to sit and prop her knee up as
Doc instructed her.

“
She’s the one that
received the video about your family. She knows what happened to
you. I’m not sure she’s ready to face you yet.” Raja watched as
Shadow eased out the door. Obviously she didn’t want to get
involved.

“
You’re concerned that
she’ll what? Try to kill me like her brother?”

“
No. I told you she’s in
denial. I’m not sure she wants to face proof of it yet.”

“
Well ready or not she’s
about to.” Bethany lowered herself to the couch and tossed a pillow
under her knee. “I’m not going to hide in the bedroom like some
scared chick. Maybe seeing me will shake her out of her
denial.”

“
Or maybe not.”

“
If it doesn’t then you’re
no worse off than you are now.”

He threw his hands up in
the air, unwilling to fight. Or possibly his subconscious knew she
was right. Either way she won this round.
Is this what mating is like? Giving in to a woman?

“
You’re twisting me around
your little finger just as Scarlet does. Am I that
easy?”