Tiger claimed, p.7
Tiger Claimed, page 7
Then Violet laid out some rules for him to follow and he ended the call with a promise to follow up. Oh fuck. He looked down at where his mate was curled into fetal position and narrowed his eyes. Her skin was dotted with goosebumps and beads of sweat. Bria’s hair was plastered to her forehead, and her eyes were bleary with fever.
“Hey now,” Trench said, kneeling down beside her.
He did not dare to touch her, knowing even the slightest pressure on her sensitized skin would feel like she was being stabbed by a thousand sharp knives. The Puspa was a magical process that literally meant change. It was looked upon as a blessing by Tiger Shifters.
Only granted by the Fates to those special couples who were destined to be together. Beings whose hearts and souls were so perfectly aligned, one would only benefit from the gift of becoming a Shifter. The Puspa was a fairytale to most. He wouldn’t have accepted it so readily had he not known about Dean and Violet having gone through it already.
Their love story was one for the books. At least it had a happy ending. As Trench watched Bria suffer, he wasn’t quite as sure of his own. That did not matter just then. He had to help her through this, somehow.
“Bria, can you hear me?”
At her slight nod, he knew she was in there somewhere, trapped inside the agony. It tore at him inside, but his Tiger sent him the strength to continue when he would’ve cried out for forgiveness. The beast sensed what was near, and it couldn’t wait.
“When I bit you, claimed you as my own, I started an ancient process I did not know was possible. It is called the Puspa. It means something is waking up inside of you, but you gotta let it in,” he continued, gritting his teeth.
“You can give me hell later, I promise I’ll take it. But you have to stop fighting the change, kitten. You need to let it happen. Let your Tiger in,” he pleaded.
He stayed like that, by her side, whispering to her apologies, promises, and pleading one after the other. Trench meant every word. He was so happy to claim her, but he never meant to hurt her. It was his fault she was transforming, but he promised her change would get easier each time she did it. Bria was becoming part of his world now.
Yes, it was permanent, but she would never have to face it alone. He begged her to let in her animal. To accept the beast that was now part of her body, heart, and soul. Just as she was a part of him. Fuck, he loved her. And he told her. Begged her to believe him.
“Please, kitten. I love you. Stay strong for me. Let her in, my love, so you can live. I will do anything, anything at all, if you just live through this.”
Eons later, or maybe an hour and fifteen minutes, she stopped shaking. Finally. Bria opened her eyes slowly and Trench gasped. Instead of the warm brown he loved, they were a bright yellow-gold.
She blinked again, slowly, as if seeing the world for the first time. He supposed she was. Her skin rippled, face sharpening into the more angular shape of a big Cat, and fur proceeded from her pores.
Slowly, so he could watch, her body began to shake and tremble, and the scent of ozone filled the air. Then, so suddenly he would have missed it if he’d even blinked, she shifted.
Bria Grotto chuffed, then snarled, loudly. She sneezed when she took a whiff of her paw, and he grinned. Then she turned her Tigress’ eyes on him and hissed.
He would take her anger. As long as she lived. He could take anything then.
Her enormous feline head butted into him, hard. But all Trench could do was laugh and smile. He was so fucking happy she was okay.
And did he mention lovely? Her Tigress was beautiful. Her hide was a soft orange that blended more to tawny, and her stripes were more bronzed than black. Unique, gorgeous, both were applicable to her in either human or Cat form.
“You are so beautiful, kitten,” Trench proclaimed.
She chuffed and hissed, clearly pissed off. And he didn’t blame her, but he was just so happy he could not stop smiling. Her big ringed tail batted against his head until he got the message.
“Come on. Let’s go for a run,” he murmured, scratching behind her ears.
The female Tigress really seemed to like that if her purr was anything to go by. Trench was still undressed, so that part was easy. He opened the big side door and was shocked to see it was dark already.
His cabin was in a private section of woods, so he was not too concerned with trespassers. The necessary signs had been posted, warning hunters away. He was relatively certain they were safe.
“Ready?” he said, grinning over his shoulder.
His shift flowed over him, and his larger Tiger roared, calling his mate forward. The female hissed, vaulting over him and heading for the woods. He didn’t mind a game of tag. In fact, he relished running after his mate.
Bria took to her new shape like a fish to water, or a cat to darkness, he supposed was a better analogy. He certainly enjoyed it when Stevie Nicks sang about that, anyway. Though Bria was way better than any rock song heroine.
His heart squeezed as he gave chase. For hours and hours they ran. All through the night, climbing trees and jumping in the creek. They fished, ate, and napped together under the stars. Bria taking to her fur better than he’d expected.
The sound of a twig snapping far too close caught his attention and Trench growled a warning. It was morning already. They had slept through the night in their fur. It had been wondrous and amazing, but now it was over. Time to face the new day in their human skin.
Grrr.
“Relax, it is just us,” Dean Romero, his Neta, spoke before entering the clearing.
Trepidation ran through Trench. He knew what this meant. Throughout the night he’d picked up on thoughts and feelings from his mate, but her change was too new for them to be able to telecommunicate like some Shifter mates could. He had yet to speak with her.
And now that it was in his immediate future, Trench did not know what to say. Fuck.
Bria stood, alert and wary as Dean stepped into Trench’s territory with Violet, the Pride Nari, by his side. His Tiger snapped at the intrusion, but the gentle swatting of Bria’s tail against his side reminded him of what was really important.
Her. Always her. Only her.
Trench rubbed his head on the Tigress, pushing her gently behind him. Then he shifted to his human shape.
“Why are you here?” he questioned.
Dean stood silent, waiting. At the last minute, Trench remembered to avert his gaze lest he challenge the Neta, for fuck’s sake. Violet snorted a laugh, then nodded at Bria, her smile calming and welcoming to the new Shifter.
“We are here to make sure you didn’t do something we would have to clean up,” Dean said, slightly annoyed but not angry.
That was good, at least. He knew he’d fucked up. But Trench had hoped to have time with Bria to talk to her before they had to return to normal life.
“The Shifter Council has a meeting set up for tomorrow. They want updates, Trench. We need your mate to come in,” he said.
“No---”
The two men snarled and hissed, but stopped when Violet cleared her throat. Trench was no fool. He knew enough to heed a warning from a pissed off Tigress. She’d been kneeling by Bria, the two communicating without words as some Shifters were capable. Now, the Nari stood and faced both men.
“We are going back to the cabin so Bria can dress. You can follow and protect us or stay out here and measure your dicks. Your choice,” she said.
Dean growled and moved to follow his mate, Bria already ahead of them all. Trench took the rear. He tried not to listen to the Neta complaining to his wife about looking at another male’s dick. Nudity was part and parcel of the whole Shifter thing, but it was funny to hear such a powerful man talk about it.
“How long will you need?” Dean asked Trench before he stepped inside.
“A few minutes, Neta.”
“Okay. We parked beside Alex’s car. He is going to kill you, by the way.”
Trench nodded. What did he care? He mounted the stairs to the master bathroom. But Bria was already in there, he could hear the shower. He wanted to go inside with her, to join her under the warm spray, but he didn’t dare presume.
So much had happened in so short a time. He grabbed some things and moved to the outdoor shower to wash and dress for the trip back home. When he was done, he was shocked to see Dean waiting for him. Alone.
“Where is Bria?”
“She wanted some time alone. Violet suggested they go back together. And I need to talk to you,” Dean said, daring Trench to question him.
“Alone? How long have they been gone?”
“A few minutes. NO worries, Trench, they have an armed detail with them.”
“But still,” he began.
“Indeed. I understand. Let’s go then,” Dean said, cutting him off before he could voice his worry.
Shit.
His Tiger scratched against his skin, wanting him to haul ass. Now that he’d had a taste, he wondered if he could ever survive without her. With any luck, he would never have to find out.
“We need to talk,” the Neta began, but Trench had one word in his head. And it was on instant replay.
Mate. Mate. MATE.
CHAPTER NINE
“I don’t get it,” Bria said.
She sat back against the plush leather seats in the rear of the luxury Lincoln Navigator with the Island Stripe Pride’s own Nari, their term for female Alpha. She was trying to get used to the fact that her eyesight was like ten times better than ever, as was her hearing.
“It takes a moment,” Violet said, a knowing smile on her face. “You know, to get used to it all. Being a Tigress. It’s like the world is suddenly in high definition, right?”
“Ohmygahd. Yes, that is totally it!”
“Wait till you get hungry. And I don’t know if steak or salmon was ever your thing, but you are going to start to crave it.”
“Love steak, only like raw salmon or smoked.”
“Then you better stock up. Smoked salmon is like chocolate for my beast. She loves it. And when I was pregnant, I couldn’t get enough.”
“You have kids?”
“Cubs. We call them cubs, and yeah, we have two,” she grinned.
“Nice. Congrats.”
“Thanks. Now let’s get to the good stuff. Your mate will never cheat on you, and he will do everything he can to keep you safe and make you happy. Even if it means taking on the whole world,” she explained.
“But how can I be sure of all that?”
“Sweetie, Shifters are not like regular guys. You see, taking a mate is more sacred and permanent than marriage. Both man and beast have chosen you, and on top of that, so have the Fates.”
“The actual Fates? They are real?”
“Sure. Why not? You turn into a half ton Tigress, and you have a problem with believing in the Fates?”
“Good point,” Bria murmured.
“I’ve known Trench a while now. He is a good man. A powerful Enforcer. Loyal and trustworthy---”
“Yes,” Bria interrupted. “It’s why I stayed with him. You see, I kind of get these feelings sometimes, like women’s intuition. My grandmother had it. She called it her knowing.”
“Wow. That is awesome,” Violet said, sounding sincere.
“I guess it is, but anyway, I knew I could trust him.”
“I see,” Violet grinned. “Do you love him?”
“Yeah,” Bria said softly. “I think I do. Am I crazy?”
“Oh, no honey, you aren’t crazy,” Violet scooted closer and put a friendly arm around Bria, allowing her to cry on her shoulder.
“I feel like an idiot. I am so sorry,” Bria said, grabbing a tissue and blowing her nose.
She’d sneezed on the Nari, the most important female in the whole Pride. And not once. More like twenty times.
“Um, are you allergic to cats?” Violet asked.
“A little,” Bria confessed.
“Well, maybe you can see an allergist? Anyway, did I mention sex with your mate is going to be fantastic?”
“It was so good---”
“Oh yeah, but just wait. It gets better,” Violet said, wagging her eyebrows.
“Really?”
“Oh, yeah. Best. Sex. EVAH!”
The driver cleared his throat, and both females laughed. Bria was still kinda pissed at Trench. The sexy hunk of a man hadn’t exactly explained what was going to happen after they’d boinked. But she wasn’t mad. Not really. And Violet was right. It was the best sex ever.
“So, um, explain to me what happens now. I mean, like in my life.”
“Well, Trench claimed you with his bite. It’s like marriage, but a lot more permanent. Now what I am about to tell you might sound like you have no choice,” Violet continued. “But that is far from the truth. Before I begin, Bria, I want you to understand that if you don’t want to stay with him, I will do everything I can to help you.”
Bria looked into the woman’s eyes and nodded. Her woman’s intuition alarm wasn’t ringing, so she knew the female spoke the truth. The Nari seemed to accept her silence for acceptance, and she continued to explain just what had happened to her. After a few minutes of shared silence, Bria exhaled.
“It’s a lot, huh?” Violet asked.
“Yeah. I do have some questions, you know being a vlogger and all,” she began and rolled her eyes at her own silliness.
After all, she was a journalist of sorts. And the questions would not stop coming in the second she started voicing them. Bria was shocked and amazed to realize her own imagination was nothing compared to the wonder, the complicated glory, and the boring bureaucracy that made up the Shifter world.
“A Council? That sucks.”
“It is a bit boring, but like with any civilization, it is necessary, isn’t it? We have rules, Bria, and they are meant to keep us all safe. If people went around exposing us, well, what would happen?”
“Nothing good,” Bria agreed.
“Can you explain more about the Puspa? Why is it legend? I mean, it happened to you and me.”
“Actually, it is very rare, sometimes only happening once or twice in a single Pride. Fated mates are gifts from the universe, Bria,” she said. “If Trench’s bite preceded the Puspa, then I’d say you two were meant to be.”
Meant to be? She pondered that over the long drive back to Manhattan. How could Bria be meant to be with a man she knew for only twenty-four hours? It was impossible. Wasn’t it? Then again, Grandma Grotto loved telling the story about how she’d met and fell in love with Bria’s grandfather the first time she set eyes on him.
“He walked into Church, and I was at the podium leading the offertory song when our eyes met. It was like lightning striking. He waited for me outside and we went to town for some ice cream, and I fell in love over mint chocolate chip.”
Bria always loved that story. Her story was not as romantic, of course. She’d been trying to verify a video that proved Werewolves existed when she was attacked by a group of them, twice.
Then Trench showed up at the request of his boss, the Neta, under orders from the Shifter Council of New York City. His job was to do something to ensure she wouldn’t let the cat out of the bag, no pun intended. After the encounter with the Wolves, she’d passed out, and he’d bought her to his cabin in upstate New York.
Within a matter of hours, they’d done more than she’d managed in some of her relationships that had lasted months. They had talked, eaten a meal together, and had the best sex of her life. Oh, yeah, and while they’d fucked, Bria had been bitten, and now she had a big furry alter ego.
“That about sums it up,” she muttered.
“What was that?” Violet asked.
“Nothing,” she replied.
“Look, I know this is difficult to process, but I assure you, you are safe. We would never hurt you. You are part of the Pride now. Besides, Trench would go on a rampage if a single hair on your head was harmed.”
“What now?”
“Did I mention mated males were overly protective to the point of being homicidal maniacs?”
A snort from the front of the car earned the driver a glare from the Nari. She cleared her throat, and the man started whistling.
“Don’t mind him. Carter Marrow, this is Bria Grotto,” she made the introductions. “He’s not our regular driver, which is why he doesn’t know how to keep his fat mouth shut.”
Violet was teasing, but the man whimpered as if heavily insulted. The whole thing made Bria laugh. Once that was out of the way, the three of them chatted about the Pride, and life for Tigers in the big city. Bria was interested to learn that the pride owned ISP Inc. and one of their holdings was a resort in the mountains.
An entire mountain getaway reserved for Shifters, but especially Tigers, sounded outstanding to her. Maybe when this whole thing with the Council was over, she and Trench could go for a weekend and get to know each other.
“What about my family?” she asked.
“Like your parents? Best to keep them out of the loop, for now,” Violet replied.
“Okay. No worries. They’re not big believers in the supernatural, despite my vlog,” she muttered.
“Oh yeah, I’ve been streaming your show, and I think I have an idea for you.”
Violet smiled. That launched an entirely new and lengthy discussion. Typically, Bria was not a fan of those types of conversations, but the Nari was bright, as she was fierce and friendly. Her ideas were solid, and Bria liked the sound of them a lot.
“We’re here,” Carter interrupted a short time later.
“Wow, that was fast,” Bria murmured, gathering her notes.
“Time flies,” Violet replied.
The car had stopped at an enormous building with the ISP Inc. logo chiseled into the cornerstone. Eyebrows raised, she looked at the high rise skeptically. Violet had explained that she was being brought to the building that housed most of the Island Stripe Pride within Manhattan. Most lived outside the city, but this was a safe space for them under the protection of the Neta and the Nari themselves.
