Trusting A Tiger (Alaskan Tigers) (10 page)

Ty’s
joyous laughter filled the room. “Mating is never easy. You’re fooling yourself
if you think you’re going to have it easy.”

“I’m
finding that out. She’s accepted me as her mate because she has no choice—the
mating desire caused her enough pain that she gave in—but every time she looks
at me, she sees Henry.” Felix used his forefinger and thumb to rub his eyes.
“What are we going to do about Henry?”

“Eliminate
him?” When all eyes turned to Adam, he added. “What choice do we have?”

“You’re
right, we don’t have a choice, but what I meant is, are we going to wait for
him to come after Harmony or are we going after him?” Felix smiled at the fact
his partner was so outspoken. He was willing to state what needed to be done,
even if he encountered Felix’s wrath later. If only he could have been that
forward years ago when Henry and he came into their beast…maybe they wouldn’t
be in this situation now.

“We
know he landed in Seattle, but do we know anything else?” Styx spoke up for the
first time.

“When
Felix was on the phone with Ty, news came in that Henry booked a car. We
suspected it was to drive to Fairbanks. But since then, he also booked a seat
on the only flight from Seattle to Fairbanks today. It leaves in less than an
hour, but we’re not sure which way he’s coming.”

Connor
sat at the table looking as though he had been raised with the clan. No one
would have realized that Connor, the clan’s geek, was a wolf shifter until they
smelled the musky, woody smell that was entirely Connor. “With so many searches,
Lukas and I are working around the clock, but we don’t have any new information
on Henry at this time. He hasn’t returned the car yet, or at least it hasn’t
been updated in their system. Depending on if he used the key drop or clerk, it
could take a little time. As far as we know, he’s in Seattle still. He hasn’t
checked in for the flight yet.”

“It’s
possible he doesn’t know Harmony didn’t make it to Seattle.” Felix had kept his
mate occupied during the night so she didn’t have time for anything else. “Now
with our mating, it’s broken the connection Henry had with her, so she can no
longer give him the message. But he’ll figured it out and come after her unless
we get to him first.”

“Does
she still have her cell phone? He might call it, and I have the tracer
activated on it.” Connor tried to stifle a yawn.

Felix
nodded, knowing where he was going with the questions. “She has it, but it’s
off. I can have her turn it back on when we’re done here. It’s worth a try.”

“Connor,
you’re exhausted,” Robin chimed in. “Why don’t you get some sleep, and I’ll
help Lukas go through the scans for a few hours. When you get up, then he can
get some sleep. You can’t keep going on like this.” Robin was always concerned
with everyone else. She was the caregiver of the Elder team.

“Thanks,
when we’re done here.” He yawned again before turning to Felix. “If you can
convince your mate to commit to the clan, I could sure use her help. She must
have some mad skills just from what Robin’s learned from her connection to
Harmony.”

“I’ll
see what I can do. I know she considers herself a hacker, which is how she made
enough to support herself outside of the Ohio land.” His mate would be a good
addition to the clan’s nerd crew if he could just get her to see that they were
different than her Ohio clan.

“If he
made it to Fairbanks, do you think you’d be able to feel him?” Raja steered the
meeting back on track.

“He’d
be close enough that I would hope so, but like I said, the sibling connection
has never been strong since Henry doesn’t shift.” He rested his head against
the back of the chair. “As much as I want this over, until we know where Henry
is, we can’t go off after him. We don’t know for certain he’s still in Seattle,
so I don’t think we should go after him. He could be on his way here, and we
could miss him.”

“Agreed.
Go to your mate, turn the cell phone on, and we’ll see if he contacts her. With
luck Connor can pinpoint Henry’s location and we can take him down before gets
near the compound. Until then we need to be on alert and ready at a moment’s
notice. In the meantime, see if you can make progress with her,” Ty ordered.

Everyone
rose, ready to get back to what they were doing before the meeting. Felix
stood, stretching out his long legs. He was eager to find Harmony to see what
damage being denied into the meetings had done to the progress he had made with
her.

“Wait
a moment, Felix,” Ty hollered to him before he could get to the door.

He
paused, the tension tightened his muscles as he waited for Ty to knock him back
to his place after his display before the meeting. When nothing came, he asked.
“Everything okay?”

“Come
with me.” Ty led Felix away from the group, causing the anxiety to rise
further. Down the hall, out of hearing range of the others still gathered in
the conference room, he stopped. “I’ve been giving this a great deal of thought,
and I know what I’m about to tell you won’t make you happy but it needs to be
said. You’ve been an important part of this clan—and I don’t want that to
change—but Harmony isn’t going to make things easy. Without her commitment, I
can’t have her in the main building. She’s too much of a risk.”

“What?
It’s one thing not having her in the Elder meetings, but this is uncalled for!”

“Not
when it comes to protecting the mates and clan. There’s too much of a chance
she could hear something, and even with guards, the mates are here. I won’t
risk Tabby and Bethany to save face with your stubborn mate.” Ty crossed his
arms over his broad chest. “If you wish to take a leave from your duties for a
bit, I can make arrangements. With Tad, Theodore and Carran, there are enough
guards to keep Tabitha safe, and Adam can take over your other duties.”

Felix
had to bite his tongue. He wanted to tell Ty to shove the job up his ass, as if
he didn’t care, but no matter what Ty said, he couldn’t do that. He had worked
too hard for his position in the clan, and he wouldn’t give that up, not even
for his mate. Somehow, he’d find a way to divide his attentions to keep things
equal without slacking on his duties to the clan. “No, I made my commitment to
this clan and Tabitha long before the uphill battle of mating started. I’ll
convince her to commit to the clan.”

“It
needs to be her decision. If you force it, she’ll regret it, and it will cause
tension between you two. It’s possible that once we eliminate Henry it will
help, especially now that the Ohio Alpha is no longer a threat.”

“Eliminating
Henry could take years. Look how long we were after Pierce before you were able
to take him down. Still now there are others who have taken his place. The threats
to the clan and the mates won’t end until there’s peace for our kind. For that
to happen, I need to find a way to do my duties and deal with a mate that is
uncooperative.” Felix didn’t have the patience to wait years for Henry to no
longer be a threat to Harmony and the clan, even if that meant he had to go
after him alone.

Tossing
rocks at the creek, Harmony tried to let her anger go. She hated being kept in
the dark about things that concerned her. Henry was coming after her, not the
clan, and keeping information from her when it was her safety at risk was
unacceptable. How was she supposed to believe they were so different from the
Ohio Alpha after this? “Damn it, why did I let Felix drag me back?”

“Because
the mating desire had taken hold,” Felix reminded her as he stepped out from
the trees coming toward her.

Her
breath caught in her throat from fear. She let her guard down, lost in the reel
of emotions and didn’t even sense him coming. Mates rarely were able to sneak
up on each other because they were so in tune with each other, but she was too
emotional to be focused.

Seeing
him sneak up on her from behind the trees reminded her once again how closely
he resembled Henry, at least at a distance. When they were close, she could see
the subtle changes, run her fingers over the deep dimples, and his personality
never let her forget they were different. It was just from a distance that it
sent fear coursing through her again.

“You’re
done?” Even as the words left her mouth, she knew it was stupid—if he wasn’t
done, then he wouldn’t be standing in front of her.

“For
now.” He closed the last remaining distance and sat down next to her, holding
her cell phone out to her. “Here, I’ve turned this back on to see if Henry
calls you. We need to pinpoint his location, and if you can keep him on the
phone for at least sixty seconds, Connor will be able to trace it.”

“I
don’t want to talk to him.” It might have been childish, but it was the truth,
every time she thought about him, she had to fight the distance it was causing between
her and Felix. Speaking to him and hearing the threats from a voice that was
too close to Felix’s for her taste would only make it harder to fight.

“If we
want to find him before he makes it to the compound, it’s our best option. If
you’d prefer to wait until he arrives here, then I’ll respect your decision. It
will put you and the others at more risk, but I won’t force you to do this if
you’re against it.”

His
words sent the guilt rushing through her. Keeping the others safe was the
reason she fled the compound in the first place. Now he sat there using her
reasoning against her.
Damn him.
“Fine, I’ll do it.” She snatched the
phone from his hand.

They
sat there in silence for a while, watching the salmon swim down the creek. It
was one of the added features for Kallie’s mates and the rest of the Kodiak
Bears that would visit occasionally. Felix finally turned to her and broached
the subject she knew had been hanging in the balance since she left the
conference room. “We’re going to have to discuss your unwillingness to commit
to the clan.”

“What
do you want me to say?” She leaned back against the tree, refusing to meet his
gaze. “Are you or Ty going to force the commitment?”

“No,
it needs to be done of your own free will. But you need to realize how hard
this will make it on our mating.”

Hidden
words lay within that statement, because she could feel his concern on what it
would do to his career. He had worked long and hard to gain the position and
respect of the clan and to have a mate not committed to something that was his
heart and soul would look bad for him. It could also cause tension and problems
with the Elders and clan members. “Couldn’t we just focus on Henry for now?”

“Fine.”
He stretched his legs out in front of him and continued to gaze at the creek.
“Let’s discuss your family then. You mentioned your parents died when you were
young, leaving you the cottage near your clan’s land where you stayed by
yourself. Did they have any siblings? Cousins?”

“Mom
had a sister, but I never met her. She died from complications during
childbirth. The father raised the child, but that’s all I know. It’s the only
family that I have, and I’ve never even met my cousin and her father. Why?”

“When
the team took down Pierce, they found a prisoner. I believe she’s your cousin.”
Felix turned to lie on his side to watch her.

“What?”

“She
has the same ruby red hair and other features that peaked my interest, which is
when I sensed the family connection. I think when you met J.J. that you made an
impression on him. It transferred to Pierce when he was bit by J.J., and that’s
why he kept Daisy prisoner. Doc can do a DNA test to be sure, but it would
explain things.”

Daisy?
She
tried to think back—way back to when she was a child, trying to remember if her
mother ever mentioned the girl’s name. Nothing solid came to mind, but the name
Daisy rang a bell in her head.

“Did
you ask her?” She couldn’t wrap her mind around the fact that she might have
family.

“Not
yet. It wasn’t until after we left that I was able to put the pieces together,
and I wanted to speak with you first. She spent too long under Pierce’s control,
and as you were when you came here, she is untrusting. Daisy grew up among the
clan as a child before her father’s job took her out of the country, so she’s
coming around quicker than expected. I’m not sure she’s up for company, but she
might welcome a family member, especially since you’ve had similar experiences.
You might be able to provide comfort for one another.”

“I’m
not ready to see her. Have Doc do the DNA test first. I don’t want to get my
hopes up that I have a cousin if in reality we just have the same hair color.
Red hair is uncommon but not unheard of.” She reached out to him, cupping his
cheek. “Instead of talking about everyone else, how about we focus on us before
something else comes up to draw you away from me.”

“What
exactly do you have in mind?” He scooted toward her, bringing their faces close
together.

“I
think you know what I have in mind.” She breathed him in, enjoying the spicy
aroma so manly and full of life. “I want you, Felix.”

“I
figured after what happened earlier, that you’d want distance.”

“Enough
talk.” She pressed her lips to his, tasting the coffee and vanilla creamer he
favored still on his lips. The blood heated as it rushed through her veins,
warming her with desire. Sliding her tongue between his lips, she explored the
contours of his mouth, drinking him in. “I want you now. Take me here…make this
place special to us.”

“Here?
Someone could stumble upon us.”

“Is my
fierce tiger shy?” She teased, working his shirt from the waistband of his
jeans. “Don’t make me wait.”

“I
live to please you.” His fingers unhooked the button of her jeans before
slowing sliding down the zipper and tugging them off her with one quick motion.
With her naked from the waist down, he slid his finger between her legs to the
center of her body.

His
fingers teased the sensitive numb before sliding a finger inside her core,
stealing all logical thought. She fumbled with his belt, no longer able to
handle the simple task as her desire began to overtake her. Closing her eyes,
she enjoyed the sensations, while he planted sweet kisses along the curve of
her neck. She wanted him more than she wanted her next breath.

With a
nip to her neck, he moved down her body with his eyes locked on hers. His
fingers working her into a state of frenzy. With every touch and tease, her
body demanded more of him. Nudging her legs further apart, he slid between
them, cupping her hips and kissing along her thighs before replacing his hand
with his mouth. Tiny nips and gentle licks flicked over her sweet spot, nearly
propelling her over the edge. Digging her nails into his back, she cried out
for him as her ecstasy neared. “Felix!”

With
one last flick of the tongue, he pulled away from her. “Not yet mate. I want to
be inside you first.”

Using
his shirt, she pulled him back up the length of her body. “What are you waiting
for?”

“You’re
so demanding, love.” Rising to his knees between her body, he finished
loosening his jeans, freeing his erection.

Reaching
out, she wrapped her hand around his shaft, feeling the hardness of it. His
pulse beat through it and into her hand. Teasing her hand along the length of
it until she reached the tip, she leaned closer wanting to take him in her
mouth to taste pre-cum and desire for her.

“No, I
won’t last.”

“Just
a little. I want to feel you in my mouth.” She pushed forward, drawing her
tongue along the tip. His fingers dug into her hair, as she slid her mouth
around him. Her throat tensed with the gag reflex, almost forcing him out of
her mouth. She waited, tasting the saltiness of him and letting herself get
used to the feel of him before working her mouth up and down the length of him.
He was too long to fit completely in her mouth, so to make up for it, she
wrapped her hand around the base and slid her hand up and down the rest of his
shaft as she worked her mouth around him.

Playful
she dragged her tongue along the length of him before taking him back into her
mouth. He arched into her, sliding deeper in her mouth, his hand still deep in
her hair, making it impossible for her to move away unless she was willing loss
hair.

He
pulled back, vacating her mouth and leaving her feel empty. “Stand up.”

She stood,
careful to avoid any sharp rocks or branches with her bare feet. Before she
could question why he wanted her to stand, he lifted her against his chest and
pushed her against the tree she had been leaning against before. Gently he
lowered her, sliding her onto his shaft until he filled her completely.

“Wrap
your legs around me but not too tight.” The tension in him made his voice deep
and raspy.

She
did as he asked and also wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing her lips to
hover just above his. “I need you,” she begged.

He
gripped her hips and used the space between them to slide almost completely out
of her before slamming home again. His manhood filled her completely, and with
each stroke the tempo intensified another level as they found the rhythm they
needed to keep their balance. Their hips slammed together, driving her closer
and closer to her release. She dug her nails into his back. Their thrusts grew
deeper and faster, moving with the precision of lovers who knew the special
places of their mate. Their bodies rocked back and forth, tension stretching
her tight as she fought for her release.

She arched her body into his, and screamed his
name as her release coursed through her. He pumped twice more and growled her
name as he released his seed into her.

She went limp in his embrace, resting her head
in the nook of his shoulder as she tried to find the breath she had lost. Her
heart was beating with such intensity she thought it would fly out of her
chest. “Oh, Felix,” she whispered as he squeezed her tightly against him.

“Harmony, never doubt I love you.”

The
way he said it made her fear that things were coming that would tear them
apart, but she chose to hold onto that moment. She was going to enjoy the
embrace of her mate until the next issue rose to bite her in the ass. “I love
you, too,” she whispered, still struggling to regain her breath.