Undercover tiger, p.1
Undercover Tiger, page 1
Undercover Tiger
Bethany Shaw
Copyright © 1/12/24 by Bethany Shaw
All rights reserved.
No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.
Contents
1. One
2. Two
3. Three
4. Four
5. Five
6. Six
7. Seven
8. Eight
9. Nine
10. Ten
11. Eleven
12. Twelve
13. Thirteen
14. Fourteen
15. Fifteen
16. Sixteen
17. Seventeen
18. About Bethany Shaw
19. Also By Bethany Shaw
Chapter one
Cole
I stared at my foot, willing it to move, even if it was just a twitch. I held my breath as my tiger simmered beneath the surface. He wanted to come out. He was like a caged animal at the zoo, desperate for freedom.
I gritted my teeth as I gripped the rails of the hospital bed. I squeezed the icy metal so tight they rattled, making the entire bed tremble beneath me.
Move. Damnit. Move.
My muscles strained, bulging. My nails dug into my palms. My body trembled. Heat blossomed over my face as my chest tightened, desperate for a breath.
I just needed to move them, one tiny little bit. Any sign of life so I could rest easy that I wasn’t paralyzed.
Come on. Come on. You can do this. Please!
My gaze went to my toes, begging them to flick just once. I lifted my rear off the bed from pushing up with my arms so hard. My lungs screamed in protest, desperate from holding my breath too long.
I didn’t stop pushing until the air whooshed out of my lungs and I had to gasp in a deep breath.
I flopped back against my pillows and fought to catch my breath as I scrubbed a hand down my face. I fisted my hands at my side and punched the flimsy hospital mattress beneath me.
Why?
It had been two weeks since my last surgery. The longer I went without moving the less likely I’d gain mobility. I’d probably never walk again, which meant my tiger would always live just beneath the surface unable to transform. I was a shifter that couldn’t shift. That was a punishment worse than death.
My tiger hissed at the thought. This couldn’t be it.
I had to keep trying. I narrowed my eyes and fixated on my foot one more time.
I can do this!
A knock at the door drew me from my thoughts.
I grasped the sterile, white blankets and pulled them up as I glared at the door. If I didn’t respond, maybe they’d think I was sleeping, and they’d just go away. Unless it was a doctor or nurse. They didn’t care if you were having the best rest of your life, they’d poke and prod at you, anyway. Especially when it was three in the morning.
But I’d just finished therapy and seen the nurse in charge, so it probably wasn’t them. I exhaled and glared at the door. Maybe I could at least will them away.
Luck wasn’t on my side. The handle dipped down, and the door creaked open.
I shifted in the bed, pulling the covers over my useless legs, expecting my sister, Scarlett, and her mate, Levi. They usually stopped by after my therapy sessions to give me a pep talk. I appreciated it, because I was losing hope. The doctors were too. I could see it in their eyes. They might not say it out loud, but I had noticed that they didn’t quite make eye contact anymore when we talked about my progress.
I sat up straighter. It wasn’t Scarlett and Levi.
Gavin, the leader of the Shifter Protective Services, SPS for short, and a male and female entered. I’d spent my fair share of time with Gavin the past few weeks filling him in on everything I knew about the hunters who had put me here and murdered my brothers.
The bastards were going to be brought to justice and would never see the life outside a prison cell. It didn’t bring my siblings back. Davis, Brent, and I had been brothers but also best friends. We did everything together, and they’d been carelessly taken from me in an instant.
Emotion clogged my throat, and I gritted my teeth not wanting to look weak in front of Gavin and his friends.
Gavin waved hello as he shut the door once everyone was inside. “Good afternoon, Cole. How are things today?”
I motioned to the bed and slapped my palms on the tops of my thighs as hard as I could, hoping I’d feel something. I didn’t. “No change, if that’s what you’re asking.”
He put his hands in his pants pockets and walked to the side of my bed. “I’m sorry to hear that. We are all hoping that you’ll get your mobility back.”
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from saying something smart. If one more person offered me condolences, I might have to punch them. I just wanted out of this freaking hospital so I could attempt to return to normalcy.
That wasn’t possible. The idiot hunters had destroyed my life in every way possible. Bastards!
I couldn’t go back home, not after everything. Scarlett was working on getting temporary lodging set up that could accommodate my wheelchair, but I didn’t want to be a burden. I just wanted to be left alone.
Was that too much to ask?
Gavin cleared his throat and motioned to the two newcomers. “I’d like you to meet two of our agents. This is Julian Shore of the SPS and Emmalyn Lee of the PPS.”
I lifted my brow. Okay, that was interesting. Paranormal Protective Services. I knew they were a thing, but I’d never met a supernatural before. My parents had kept their cubs in the mountains where it was safe, or where it was supposed to be safe.
Julian held out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Cole. I’ve heard a lot about you from Levi and Scarlett.”
I took his hand and gave it a firm shake. My sister loved gushing about me. She was already making plans for when I was going to be released whenever that was.
I didn’t know what I wanted, but I didn’t want to be a burden to anyone. She had her whole life ahead of her and she’d just met her mate. I would not get in the way of that. The thought of being a third wheel around a newly mated couple was enough to make my stomach turn.
Emmalyn pushed her hip out to the side and put her hand on it, before forcing a smile. “Pleasure to meet you.”
She arched a brow as she looked at Gavin. “We are wheels up in two hours. We don’t have time for pleasantries.”
My gaze darted to her. She was gorgeous with long wavy hair and just the right amount of curves. She smelled of chamomile and lavender. I drew in a deep breath, bathing in her aroma. Calmness washed over me and my rigid muscles went lax. My hands unclenched and I flexed my fingers, working out the kinks.
Gavin reached out and put a hand on Emmalyn’s shoulder. “At least shake the man’s hand, Emmalyn.”
Plenty of time for what? I’d have to find out.
I offered her my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Emmalyn.”
Her brows dipped into a frown as she lowered her gaze to my palm. She exhaled and then gripped it. “Likewise.”
Her hand was soft and warm. Tingles shot through me and heat radiated from her. My tiger growled beneath the surface and whispered, mine.
Oh Shit! Emmalyn is my mate!
Emmalyn’s lips parted, and she gasped as she withdrew her hand like I’d shocked her. She wiped her palm on her pants and looked everywhere but at me.
Gavin took a step forward, so he was standing beside Emmalyn. “Agent Lee is right. We don’t have a lot of time.”
I lifted a brow and then motioned to myself. “You came to visit me. No offense. How can I help you?”
The question sounded absurd to my ears. I couldn’t help myself and wasn’t in a position to assist others.
Gavin chuckled as he nodded. “I know. Our visit is time sensitive, so I’m just going to jump to it. How would you feel about joining the SPS?”
My brows pulled together into a frown and I swallowed hard, not sure I’d heard him right. But by the way his eyebrow raised expectantly, maybe I hadn’t misheard.
I cleared my throat. “I’ve never really thought about it, and you’ve seen my medical records. Why would you want me? It’s not like I can chase down a wayward shifter.”
Nobody would want me. I couldn’t walk. My business would have to close. I did home remodels for a living. I couldn’t do that from a wheelchair. How would I be an SPS agent if I couldn’t shift or run?
Gavin put his hand on the bedrail. “This is a special circumstance where you’re a prime agent to send.”
He held up a hand as my frown deepened. “Hear me out, Cole. There is a retreat on the Hawaiian island of Maui. The owner promises to cure all physical aliments and any chronic diseases and boasts a one hundred percent success rate.”
I folded my hands together in my lap. “That’s not possible.”
I wished it were. Unless it was, and that’s why they were sending me.
Don’t be an idiot, Cole. That’s the stuff of fairytales.
Emmalyn made a clucking sound with her tongue. “No, it’s not. And even if it was, it would be dark magic to make it so. It would come with repercussions.” She crossed her arms over her chest and went to the window.
Gavin sighed and looked down at the floor as he rocked back and forth. “We think it is a vampire who is turning people with or without their knowledge. We think he’s using this retreat as a front to build an army.”
I puffed out my cheeks and let out a long breath. “That’s dangerous. Isn’t the bloodlust insatiable for newly turned vampires?”
And turning humans was highly illegal. The entire purpose of the SPS and PPS was to protect humans from finding out about our kind. They kept our kind in check.
Gavin’s jaw worked as he looked toward Emmalyn. “It is. We don’t know what he is planning, but you won’t be the first agents to go undercover there.”
I lifted a brow.
Emmalyn spun on her heel and heaved out a heavy sigh. “We will be the last. We are going to take him down. Are you in?”
She looked at me expectantly like she expected me to say yes right this second.
I opened and then shut my mouth before tugging on my blankets. “How would I fit into this? I’m not agent material. I’m not sure how much of a help I would be.”
Gavin put a hand on my shoulder. “You would be perfect for this mission, actually. You have a real medical reason for being there. We can send over your true medical records minus the tiger part and if put to the test, you are who we say you are. There is no room for question in that respect.”
Emmalyn licked her lips and blinked rapidly. “The last team failed because they were found out. You have a valid reason to be there.”
I fisted the blankets, hiking them up higher. “You want me because I’m injured?”
This would be a onetime op. I wouldn’t be invited to join the SPS on a permanent basis. My chest tightened.
Wait! Did I want to be an agent?
It’s not like it matters.
Gavin squeezed my shoulder. “Yes, but also I think you could be a valuable asset. You are smart and extremely good under pressure. We could use more people like you in the SPS.”
I tossed the blankets back, exposing my plaid pajama pants. “Even with my bum legs? You’d take me after this op if it’s a success and make me an agent?”
I held my breath, not entirely sure why I needed to hear him say yes.
Gavin’s gaze went to my legs and then back to me. “Yes. There will always be a place for you if you want to join. This mission just works more toward your specific...” he trailed off.
Julian made a noise in the back of his throat. “You are highly qualified for this mission because of your unique circumstances.”
Gavin nodded his head. “Yes, thanks, Julian.”
I closed my eyes and blew out a breath. I’d have to be crazy to go. Insane even. What else was I going to do? Sit around in this hospital feeling sorry for myself? Be a burden on my sister?
No. No way. At least I’d have something to do than stare at these godforsaken bland white walls.
Not to mention Emmalyn would be there.
Goodness, she was gorgeous, and she smelled amazing. My tiger rumbled because she is ours! We need her.
I looked at Julian and then at Emmalyn. “We’ll be a team?”
Gavin nodded. “Yes. We’ve already set up a reservation for the three of you. Emmalyn will be your wife, and Julian will pose as your physical therapist and aide.”
My cock stirred at the thought of playing husband and wife with Emmalyn. It was too bad Julian would tag along. And even worse that Emmalyn so far seemed as disinterested in me as she could be.
I looked down at my legs and then to the left where the board that told me my care team’s names and daily schedule. Anything had to be better than this.
There was just one other thing. “What’s keeping us from being found out like the other team?”
Emmalyn drew in a deep breath and let it out. “I excel in potions. I will make sure that the concoction I prepare us every day will help us stay under the radar.”
Ah, she’s a witch! I should have known.
Gavin turned his attention back to me. “What do you think, Cole?”
I raked a hand through my hair. Getting out of this hospital didn’t sound like a bad deal. Spending time with Emmalyn sounded even better. My tiger was positive she was our mate. I had to agree.
“Okay. Let’s do it.”
Gavin grinned. “Good, I was hoping you would say that. We’ll get some stuff together and get your paperwork situated and be back for you in a bit.”
I grasped the blankets and pulled them back over my legs. “I’ll be here.”
It wasn’t like I could go anywhere else. I gritted my teeth, hating that I kept feeling sorry for myself. I was lucky to be alive. My brothers hadn’t been, and I owed it to them to keep going. I just didn’t want to be a burden on my sister.
God, what was I going to tell Scarlett? She was going to freak out when I told her about my assignment. Since my near death, she’d been overbearingly protective.
She wouldn’t take the news well. “Hey, do you mind getting me a pen and paper and maybe an envelope, please?”
My sister was going to be pissed I was writing her a letter, but by the time she read it, I’d be long gone and there was nothing she could do to try to talk me out of it.
Gavin pressed his lips together in a thin line. “Are you sure that’s a wise idea? I’ve met your sister. She’s not going to be happy if you don’t talk to her. I don’t want her to think that we pulled one over on her, either.”
I waved my hand. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure I tell her it was all on me.”
Gavin looked down at the floor like he was having an internal debate with himself. “Okay, fine.”
He opened the door and the two agents went out ahead of him. “I’m not sure if you have anything to get in order, but we’ll be back shortly.”
I nodded. I couldn’t wait.
There was just one other thing I was curious about. “You said they caught the other team. How do you know?”
Gavin swallowed and exhaled loudly. He shook his head as he looked down at the floor. “We found their bodies. They were drained of all their blood.”
I ran a hand through my hair. “Oh. These were agents?” I should have known that.
Gavin blew out a breath. “All part of the PPS. We lost two of them.”
Gavin pushed the door partially shut. “No one would think anything of it if you backed out of this. It’s okay if you want to change your mind. This mission is exceptionally dangerous. We don’t know how many vampires there are.”
He looked down at the floor as he sighed. “I debated on whether I should have told you about the risks from the beginning.”
I chuckled. “You did say they were killed.”
Gavin tilted his head back and forth. “I suppose I did. But still...” he trailed off, pressing his lips together into a thin line.
He glanced up at me and lifted a brow. “Are you still in?”
Was I? It was crazy. I was defenseless. If things went south, I wouldn’t be able to help Julian or Emmalyn.
I couldn’t let anything happen to Emmalyn. She was my mate. I had to protect her or die trying.
Heaven help me.
“I’m in.”
My sister was going to kill me. That was assuming the vampires didn’t beat her to it. What was I getting myself into? I wasn’t an agent. I couldn’t walk, couldn’t shift. I was going to be easy prey.
Chapter two
Emmalyn
My chest tightened as I flipped through the photos from the recovery team that had collected Johanna’s and Fredric’s bodies. I’d looked at them a billion times. Each photo grew more grotesque. Nausea churned in my belly. Tears pricked my eyes and my jaw hurt from how hard I was clenching it.
I slammed the folder shut, smacking my hand on the table at the same time the plane hit a bit of turbulence. My belly did a somersault and my ears popped. Bile crept up my throat, making me gag.
I freaking hated flying.
I squeezed my eyes shut and counted backward from ten as I gripped the armrest. The plane bounced and trembled. I gasped, my eyes popping open as the whole plane shuddered, making my stomach drop.
I held my breath, holding onto the armrests for dear life. The plane bobbed up and down a few more times before leveling out.
Julian startled in his seat, drawing my attention to him. He opened and shut his mouth, smacking his lips together before he fell back into a restful sleep. Cole turned his attention to me, meeting my eyes.
His brows furrowed into a sexy as sin frown as his dark eyes studied me. “Everything okay?”
