When he lay with his full body touching her, she finally felt normal, whole and safe. She wanted to hear more about her new life and her family, but her eyes wouldn't stay open. For the first time in weeks, she began to drift into a deep, peaceful sleep.
As she was falling asleep, Ty said, “You will soon understand what that jolt was. We are lifemates. You’re mine. I will do whatever it takes to make you understand that and accept it.”
* * *
Long after Tabitha was asleep, Ty held her close, breathing in her scent. He snuggled his head into her hair and whispered, “You’re more than I could have hoped for. I’ll protect you with my life.”
For years he’d wondered when he would find his mate. He’d started to give up hope. The clan elders said when the right one came along, he would know it, and there was nothing he could do until the time came. Finally, after years of waiting and searching, he found her, his mate.
His tiger—never one for patience—was demanding he claim her. This wasn’t something he could rush. Tabitha had enough to deal with without forcing her into mating when she wasn’t ready.
Chapter Five
She awoke to her cell ringing. By the time she rolled over to get out of bed, Ty was already going for the phone. He handed it to her.
“Hello...yes, this is she.” Sitting on the edge of the bed, she realized the hospital calling her could only mean bad news. “I understand. I’ll be right over.” As she hung up, tears fell down her cheeks. Not bothering to hide them, she looked at Ty.
“Tabitha, what is it?” Ty pulled her up into his arms. He’d held her all night. He held her as she cried now. He held her as he waited for her to tell him what was wrong.
“It's Alice. He killed her. She’s dead. Mike must have got to her. Officer O’Malley is there and wishes to speak to me. I must go to the hospital.” Her voice distant and mechanical with shock.
“Get dressed and I’ll take you. My car is downstairs.”
Her body moved in a daze, nothing registering yet. Her only friend for so many years was murdered. How does something like that happen, especially in a hospital?
Ty being there didn’t even cross her mind. She slipped out of her sweats and into a pair of blue jeans and a black turtleneck sweater before heading to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her hair. She wanted to get this over with. From the brief time she’d spent with Officer O’Malley, she knew he wouldn’t get more pleasant waiting for her.
She was stunned by her reflection. The dark circles under her eyes were gone. Her face was bright and cheerful again. She walked out of the bathroom and found Ty standing by the end of the bed, grabbing a shirt from a bag she’d never noticed. As she walked out, he looked over his shoulder and stopped midway through putting his deep red dress shirt on.
“Tabitha, you look amazing.”
Her cheeks heated in embarrassment. No one ever told me I looked beautiful, let alone amazing. “Thank you. I feel like a new person. It’s amazing what a good night’s sleep will do for you.” Her throat closed as she realized while she slept, her best friend was being murdered. I should have stayed with her.
Ty finished buttoning his shirt. “The change is close for you, and once you go through it, you’ll feel better than you ever have. I’ll teach you everything you’ll need to know.” His words conveyed more than he was letting on.
Ty buttoned his shirt, and Tabitha fought an overwhelming urge to rush to his side, to feel his strong arms wrapped around her again. She felt safe with him. She couldn’t take her eyes off the top two buttons of his shirt, which had been left undone so one could see a little of his chest—and an amazing chest it was. He didn't have an ounce of fat on him; every muscle was toned.
She shook her head and told herself to get her mind back on matters at hand. “Let’s go get this over with. With Alice gone, I have nothing but packing to do before we leave. The sooner we can do this and pack, the sooner you can get back to your clan.” Everywhere she looked she thought of Alice. My whole life I’ve loved and lost people, maybe I’m meant to be alone? Or will going to Alaska change this?
He took her hand, “It’s our clan. When I spoke to Raja this morning....” She must have given him a questioning look, because he stopped to explain. “Raja is my Lieutenant, my second in command.” She nodded, letting him know she understood and for him to continue. “Raja wanted me to tell you the clan is full of excitement that you have agreed to take your place among us. They are putting together a party of sorts to welcome you home.”
People she didn't know were happy she was coming home. I can’t believe how much my life has changed in less than twenty-four hours. I lost Alice, and found people who consider me family. People that obviously care about me.
* * *
Tabitha walked up to the nurses’ desk, and the nice nurse who’d been on duty when Tabitha had left the night before was still there. “I’m so sorry about your friend. I don't know how he managed to get in,” the kind nurse said in a gentle tone.
Officer O’Malley came around the corner. “You finally had time to come down. You were called thirty minutes ago! Your friend was murdered, and you couldn't get down here any faster? What kind of friend are you?”
The nerve of him to speak to me like that. He didn't know what I was going through. He didn't just lose the only person that ever cared about him. Before she could say anything, Ty spoke up, “Hey there, officer, we came as fast as we could. She was asleep when you called. She just lost her friend. There is no need to take that tone with her. She came down here to answer your questions, not be scolded.”
Officer O’Malley looked shocked that someone would stand up to him. He was obviously a man used to yelling to get what he wanted. “You’re right. I'm sorry. I don't understand how he got in. The camera shows him just walking in past the nurses’ desk. No one was paying attention. The cameras caught what happened, and I sent another officer to arrest him. I just have a few questions for you, if you could give me a few moments of your time.”
“Yes, I want to do whatever I can to help. She was my best friend.” She didn’t care for Officer O’Malley and his attitude, but at least he seemed to care that Alice died.
“Good. Let’s go into the staff break area. That’s where we’re set up right now.” He led them down the hall and into a large room with couches and tables. One of the large round tables was already set up with recording devices, files and tablets. “Please have a seat there. Do you mind if I record this conversation?”
Shaking her head, Tabitha took a seat at the table. She maintained a firm grip on Ty’s hand. She didn't care if the officer recorded it. She just wanted to help Alice and put this whole thing behind her. Now more than ever, she wanted out of Pittsburgh. She wanted away from all these painful memories, of the plans Alice and she had.
The officer sat at the table across from her and clicked on the tape recorder, stating the time, date and who was present before directing his attention to her. “Tabitha, what happened last night to cause the doctor to give Alice a sedative?”
“When Alice woke up last night, she wanted to know if the baby was all right. The doctor told me to page him and not to tell her anything. I tried to get a doctor, but she just started crying. She knew her baby was dead and that bastard did it. I went to her and held her. I hit the nurse call button and when the doctor finally came, she was hysterical. The only way to calm her was to give her something.” The memory and the feelings it evoked in her caused her voice to waver slightly.
“What happened next?”
“Once the doctor gave her the shot and she was asleep, the nurse told me there was nothing I could do for her now. She would sleep through the night, and I should go home and rest. I gave the nurse my number in case things changed, and I went home.”
Officer O’Malley reached into one of the files and pulled out a picture of a man with black hair, about thirty-five, with a teardrop tattoo in black ink under his eye. “Have you ever seen this man befo
re?”
She was startled as she stared at the picture. “Yes, that’s Mike. But last time I saw him, he didn't have the teardrop tattoo. The video shows him?”
“Yes. He is shown going into Alice's room and coming out covered in blood. He is also wanted for the murder of another pregnant girl.”
She started to shake as if she was cold, and Ty put his arm around her, pulling her close. As Ty’s strength and warmth penetrated her clothing, the tremors slowed before stopping all together. “She was my best friend. I want to see him pay for this.” Anger replaced her grief and caused a stiffening in her spine.
Officer O’Malley nodded as he spoke. “With this evidence, I believe he will never see the light of day again. If we need you to testify at trial, where can I reach you?”
She looked to Ty, unsure what to tell the officer. Ty understood. “Tabitha is going to be joining me in Alaska. If you need to reach her, you can reach her at 2087 Snowman Lane, North Pole, Alaska. We will be leaving as soon as possible.”
“That's a big move.” Officer O’Malley glanced from Tabitha to Ty, then back at her.
She smiled politely. “Will there be anything else? I do have a lot to do before we can leave.”
As she started to stand, he spoke again, “One last thing. Did Alice have any family?”
“No. But I am sure you know that. We were raised in the foster care system together.”
From the look on his face, she gathered he’d done his research on them and knew darn well they were raised by the state. He was just being rude by asking. Rather than continue that line of questioning, he switched tactics. “Are you going to be making arrangements for her body to be buried?”
“I don’t have the money to make arrangements for her. She wanted to be cremated. I’m sure the state will take care of that. It’s the least they can do when they gave us so little growing up.” With that, she took Ty's hand and walked out of the room. She’d had enough of Officer O’Malley’s rudeness.
Chapter Six
Instead of going straight back to Tabitha’s apartment from the hospital, they stopped by the restaurant she worked at. She wanted to break the news to Betty, her boss, that she wouldn’t be returning to work.
She spotted Betty coming around the corner as the waiter went to put their order in. “Betty,” she called from their table.
“Tabitha, I thought you were off today.” Betty’s brown hair slightly graying at the temples was pulled back in a tight bun that she wore when working in the kitchen. She had a patch of flour on her slacks, as she spent most of the time baking. It was her passion.
“I am. I was hoping you had a moment to talk.”
Betty gazed back into the kitchen, where everything looked under control, before grabbing a chair and joining them.
“Betty, this is Ty Reynolds, an old friend of the family.”
Betty eyed him cautiously.
“My parents were good friends with her family. It wasn’t until recently that we were able to locate Tabitha. I have asked Tabitha to come home to Alaska with me. That’s where my family and I live. She will be with people who love her.”
Tabitha watched Ty and Betty. She would miss her boss. She’d been the mother she’d always wanted. Would my mother have been like Betty?
Betty was a sweet lady who had taken Tabitha under her wing, slowly bringing her out of the shell Tabitha had built around herself after being tossed around from foster home to foster home.
Betty beamed at her. “Tabitha, you will be missed, but I’m happy for you. You deserve to have people around you who love and care for you.
After an emotional goodbye, Betty handed Tabitha an envelope. Hugs were exchanged, and they promised if they were back in the area they would stop by the restaurant to see her. Then they left.
As Ty drove, Tabitha opened the envelope. Inside was her final paycheck with a nice bonus, along with a handwritten letter containing Betty’s number and the words: If you ever need anything, I’m only a phone call away.
Tabitha’s heart skipped a beat as she read the note.
* * *
Tabitha closed her apartment door, and the toll of the day hit her like a semi-truck. She tried to push the weariness away. She had to pack. She wasn’t sure where she would have started, but Ty pulled her into his arms. With her head resting on his solid chest, breathing in his cologne, she let the tears she had been holding back fall.
“Oh, Tabitha. I’m sorry for the loss of your friend. I wish I could ease your pain,” Ty soothed her as she cried.
Looking up to him was somewhat difficult with the way he was holding her and the fact that he was a good five inches taller than her. “Thank you. I just want to pack and get out of here. Mike knows where I live. He knows I can identify him. What if he comes after me? I want to get away from all of this.”
He didn’t release her from his hold. His body stiffened as he rested his head on top of hers. “I won't let him hurt you. I won't let anyone hurt you. Tabitha, before you pack, I want to talk to you. I don't know how to put this, but I feel you should know everything before we leave.” He seemed at a loss for words as he let go of her and walked over to the couch.
She tried to remain calm, but her knees felt weak with worry. She took a seat as thoughts raced through her mind. Did he change his mind? If so, why couldn’t he have said so before I quit my job?
“Remember the jolt you felt last night?” Without waiting for her to answer, he continued, “That’s what you feel when you find your lifemate.”
She started to laugh. There was no way that was real.
“Tabitha, I’m being serious. I know this is all new to you, but I want you to understand what that means. You’re my mate. If you accept me, then it is my job to protect you, to please you. You will be my world.”
She stared at him, too amazed to form words. There was a whole other world than the one she’d grown up in. It seemed unreal. “But...I want to marry and have children.”
“Oh, Tabby,” he said, pulling her into his embrace. “We can do all of that. But maybe we should take it slow. After all, you just found out you are a tiger shifter.”
She relaxed in Ty’s arms. Feeling his arms tight around her gave her a comfort she’d never felt before. Everything was sinking in, but instead of being concerned about being a tiger shifter, the death of Alice, or finding the man that was supposed to be her lifemate, the shock that was forefront in her mind was that he’d called her Tabby. “You called me Tabby. I've never had a nickname before.”
For a brief moment, a hurt look crossed his face. Just as quickly as it had appeared, it was gone. He looked as though she’d stabbed him in the chest. “Do you not like it?”
“That's not it at all. I love it. I always believed nicknames mean you mattered.”
“Tabby, you matter to me. I have watched over you since your parents died. You have always mattered to me, and you always will. You are my world. Come on, babe, you need to get some more sleep. You haven’t been getting enough, and I know you’re still tired. We’ll pack when you get up.” They hesitated, neither of them wanting the embrace to end, but sleep was the best.
Between the long day and the last few weeks of very little sleep, Ty was right; she was tired. She wanted to curl up in bed and cuddle next to him. “What about Mike? He could have someone come after me.”
She crawled into bed, and Ty pulled the blanket up from the bottom of the mattress and covered her. “Tabby, you’re my mate. I won't let anything happen to you. I’m going to make us flight reservations, and then I’ll lie with you. Is leaving tomorrow fine with you?”
Tabitha nodded, snuggling deep in the blanket as she watched Ty move around her cramped apartment. Dodging the sofa, he moved into the kitchen, where a pad and pen lay on the counter. He tried to speak quietly as if trying not to disturb her, but she could still hear him making reservations for them to fly home to Alaska.
Home? I have a place I can finally call home, with people who care.
No matter how many times she told herself that, she couldn’t believe it.
Growing up in foster care, all she’d wanted was people who cared about her and a place to call home. Now she wasn’t so sure. She’d been trained to be a loner, to not rely on anyone. Would that have to change now? Could she handle it?
She lay lost in her own thoughts as Ty finished making reservations. She opened her eyes to find him standing next to the bed.
“I thought you would be sleeping. You’ve had a difficult day.”
“I missed you. Won’t you lay with me?”
Without answering, he took off his dress shirt and crawled into bed next to her, cuddling his body close to hers. He felt warm, and their bodies fit side-by-side like they belonged together. Like two pieces of the same puzzle final joined. She couldn’t get enough of his warmth and the feeling of belonging that she found in his embrace.
Ty slid his arm under her head. Her check rested on his bicep, and their gazes met. He rolled onto his side to face her. He reached for her cheek, drawing them together until their lips met.
His lips on hers made her body tingle. It felt as if electricity was all around them, waiting to explode. It didn't hurt, just provided a strange pins and needles feeling. She didn't let her mind talk her out of it. She wanted this. Her heart knew this was what she needed, no matter what her head was saying.
He was her mate.
Gently pulling back just a little, Ty looked at her. “Tabby, I'm sorry. I don't want to rush you. The tiger in me wants to claim you as my mate now. Tigers are not very patient.” As he said that, a smile crept over her face.
“You're not rushing me. I want this. I love feeling our bodies together. You’re like my other half, and I need you next to me.” She didn’t wait for him. Instead, she leaned back in to kiss him, craving his hands on her body.
Ty started sliding up her black turtleneck sweater, when there was pounding on the door and someone yelling, “If you don't open this door now, I will break it down.”
Ty jumped off the bed and grabbed the duffle bag at the end of it. In a blink of an eye, there was a gun in his hand. She opened her mouth to ask him what was going on, but he put his finger to his lips, motioning her to remain quiet.