Waking up in bed alone, Carleen grabbed the pillow Tex had been using and pulled it close. His spicy scent of dry cedar and vanilla lingered, making her press her nose into the pillow and take a deep breath. His scent eased the anxiety and loss within her, making it easier to breathe. In the moments when her emotions wanted to drown her, he was her life preserver, keeping her afloat.

That very thought made her realize she’d found him at the right time. She needed him now more than ever. A knot formed in her stomach from fear of the unknown. He was an Alpha and once they completed the mating, it would cement things between them, putting her in the same position Lucy had been in. Everything she learned about Tex showed her he was nothing like Lee, but that fear remained.

He had pulled her into his flashback before and offered to do it again, allowing her to see more of him. Yet, she hadn’t taken his offer, partly because she was terrified of what she might find, while the other part of her wanted to learn it as it came. They were supposed to be on this journey together. She could be pulled into his flashbacks, but she had nothing to offer him. He’d have to wait until their mating to know what kind of person she was. That didn’t seem right and instead of taking him up on his offer, she forced herself to trust those around her. Ty trusted Tex and she trusted Ty. That had to be enough.

“Carleen?”

The whisper from the other side of the door had her bolting upright with the pillow still clutched in her hand. The scent outside was familiar enough that she could tell the visitor was human, but tied to the clan. It was the hint of something else within the aroma of human and tigers that kept her on high alert. “Who’s there?”

“It’s Courtney.”

“Come in.” Relieved, she dropped the pillow back onto the bed. Courtney’s scent was mixed with her mates, which explained the lingering bear scent clinging to her from her second mate, Thaddeus.

The door pushed open and Courtney stepped into the room. “I didn’t want to wake you but…”

“It’s fine. What’s going on? What are you doing here? Where’s Tex?”

“Tex didn’t want to leave you alone, but he had to go meet with Ty, so I offered to stay with you. Milo’s here, too, in the living room.” She shifted from one foot to the other. “Mason’s here and he wants to speak with you.”

“Mason?” She took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay, give me a minute and I’ll be out.”

“Tex is on his way back over, too.” Courtney turned back to the door. “I heard what happened in Mississippi…if you need anything, I’m here.”

“Thanks.” She scooted to the edge of the bed and waited until Courtney left before standing.

Her thoughts raced through her mind faster than she could keep up with them. What did Mason want? Tex told her that he was staying in Alaska while his compound was being rebuilt in Arizona, but that didn’t explain why he’d decided to visit her. She wanted a shower, but refused to take the time. After a quick glance in the mirror, she dragged her hand through her hair, fluffing it the best she could and headed out.

“Where is she?” Tex’s voice carried back to her room as the front door banged close behind him.

“I’m here.” She stepped into the small hallway and her gaze found Tex. Concern darkened his eyes as he made his way toward her. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, peaches.” When he was close enough to touch her, he wrapped his arms around her waist, bringing her against the front of his body. “I just wanted to be with you when Mason spoke with you. I was worried I wouldn’t make it in time.”

“If I had known, I would have waited.” Another male voice spoke and she could only assume it was Mason.

“We’ll be leaving now, but if you need anything, Carleen, let me know.”

Over Tex’s shoulder, she caught a glimpse of Courtney and Milo moving toward the door, but her attention was on her mate. “You’re here now. That’s what matters.”

“Now and always.” He interlaced their fingers. “Come on, let’s not keep Mason waiting any longer. He’s had a long trip and is no doubt tired.”

“I’ve rushed back to Alaska as fast as Thaddeus could get me here, because what I have to say couldn’t wait and needed to be delivered in person.” Mason set a glass of what appeared to be water aside and rose. “Please, come sit. I only need a few minutes of your time.”

“I don’t understand. What is this about?” Needing the comfort Tex could offer, she stayed close to him as they entered the living room, heading straight for the sofa. Unlike before when she was uneasy just from standing in front of an Elder, it was the impending conversation making her anxious. He had been with her sister in the final minutes of her life and there was no doubt that whatever brought him to her cabin had to do with that.

“Lucy.” Mason waited for her to sit before taking a seat on the chair across from them. “I spoke with your sister before she died.”

“I know. Tex told me she…” Her voice cracked, forcing her to take a deep breath and swallow. “She took her own life.”

“I was checking to see that she was okay when the commotion from Jack and Lee drew my attention. I only looked away for a second.” He shook his head. “I never saw the gun in her hand until it was too late and I’m sorry for that. Ty informed me Lucy’s will had been broken, making the connection she had with Lee stronger. Still, I wanted to get her out of there safely. We were going to take care of Lee, but after speaking with Ty we thought we might be able to save her from dying alongside him.”

“How?” She glanced at Tex. “I know you tried to hide it, but I felt your concern when I told you her will was broken. You knew she’d die.”

“That was before I spoke with Ty and Tabitha.”

“Let me explain.” Mason leaned forward. “It’s purely hypothetical since we were unable to test it, but Tabitha believed that an Elder might have been able to pull her from the connection she had with Lee. In order to do that, we would have had to be there before he was killed or at the very least arrive before she lost consciousness. His death would break the hold he had over her and to save her, she’d need to find someone else strong enough to keep her will alive and force her to fight.”

“We weren’t sure if Mason would be enough. He doesn’t have a large clan behind him anymore, but he’s a strong Alpha and the only one we had who could make the journey,” Tex explained. “That’s why we called the Alpha of the West Virginia Tigers, Jinx. He arrived moments after the team stormed the compound. Between the two of them, they might have been able to pull her through.”

“But we didn’t get a chance to tell her,” Mason added. “She took her own life to weaken Lee, so your father could take over the clan. I know the pain is raw from the loss you suffered, but I want you to know she didn’t die in vain. Jack has taken over the clan and is determined to get it back on the right track. With her actions, Lucy saved the lives of every member. The only one to die in the battle was Lee.”

“Dad is the Alpha?” She leaned forward, her elbows resting on her knees as she wiped her eyes.

Mason nodded. “I can also tell you that Ethan was announced as his Lieutenant before I left and that the clan has vowed themselves to Tabitha’s cause. Other than that, I’m not sure what’s changed.”

“Uncle Ethan will make sure her legacy lives on within the clan and more importantly, Lee can’t hurt anyone anymore.” Her relationship with Ethan had always been stronger than it was with her father, and as the clan’s Lieutenant he’d make sure Lucy would continue to live on in the clan’s memories. She blinked away the last of her tears and met Mason’s gaze. “Thank you.”

“I wish I could have done more.” He rose from the chair and reached into his pocket. “She asked me to give you this.” In his hand was the silver coin they’d made days before Lucy had been whisked away by Lee.

She leaned forward and took the coin from his outstretched hand. Bringing it close, she ran her thumb along the engravings. LMD. Sisters by birth. Flipping it over, she read the other side. CMD. Best friends by choice. Always. “We had two of these made at the mall. One for each of us.” She reached into the pocket of her jeans and brought out the twin coin. “From that day forward, I carried mine with me. It’s never left my possession.”

“When she gave that to me, she told me it was the one thing she’d kept away from Lee, and it gave her courage to allow Jack and the others into their private quarters once Lee sent the guards away for the night.” Mason took a step back and shook his head. “I feel as though I failed you.”

“You didn’t.” Slipping out of Tex’s embrace, she stood and went to him. Standing in front of him, his size dwarfed her, making her feel vulnerable. Still, the sadness shinning in his deep blue eyes urged her forward and she timidly placed her hand on his arm. “You did everything you could for her. Just because there was a chance she could have been saved, doesn’t mean that’s what she wanted. She wouldn’t have been the same person she was before and I don’t know if she could live with the memories of what Lee did to her. She’s at peace.”

“From the information Jack provided, Lucy got what she wanted—a clan free of Lee’s control.” Tex stepped up behind her, his hand resting on her shoulder. “Jack has the same chance I had. He has to step up and be the Alpha the clan needs, to pull them back from the edge of darkness and allow them to flourish again. If he can accomplish that, then her death isn’t in vain.”

“If anyone can do it, Dad and Ethan can.” She nodded. “He might not have been an easy man to live with and the issues between him and Mom were unbearable at times, but he always wanted what was best for the clan.”

“Once things have settled, we can go see them,” he assured her. “You have to give your father time to establish his rule first.”

“It shouldn’t be long. Jack has a firm grasp on the clan. Not like Lee had, but one that will turn the clan around,” Mason added. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go get some sleep. If you need anything, I’ll be around.”

“Thank you.” The grief was still raw within her, but there was also a ray of peace. Rubbing her finger along the two coins in her hand, she leaned back into Tex’s body, soaking in the comfort that his touch offered.

“Oh, and…Carleen.” Mason paused near the door, his hand resting on the handle. “Welcome to the team. Being an Elder has its challenges, but the rewards outweigh the negatives. When you go to Texas as the Alpha Female, remember the clan was in a worse place than the Mississippi Tigers are, and you’ll be shocked at how far they’ve come. Tex did that, just as I believe Jack will with his clan.”

“It wasn’t just me.”

“Modest.” Mason shook his head. “While I’ll agree that others have helped along the way, he’s the reason for the clan’s turnaround. You’ve got a good man there and I’m sure he’ll be an excellent mate, just as he’s an exceptional Alpha.” With that, Mason opened the door and stepped out into the cold night air.

“He’s right.” She spun around to look at him. “I haven’t seen it for myself yet, but I catch glimpses of the man you are whenever we touch. I can see the way Rhett follows you. His commitment to you and the clan is genuine. Robin and the others speak highly of you. Maybe that’s part of why Thorn wanted to impress you so much.”

“I—” She pressed her finger to his lips, cutting him off.

“Don’t deny it. See what I mean? I know things I shouldn’t yet. The mating isn’t official and I already know you would argue with what I just said. Just as I know you doubt yourself, wondering if you’re doing the right things for the clan. You need to have more confidence in yourself, in your tiger. Your beast will never steer you in the wrong direction.” Chuckling lightly, she slipped the coins into the pocket of her jeans and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Maybe I should take my own advice and trust my tigress.”

“Trust her with what?” His arms looped around her waist and his fingers brushed along the hem of her shirt, slipping under the material.

“That you’re the right man for me.” Teasing her finger along the curve of his neck, just below his cowboy hat, she smiled up at him. “I’ve been hesitant because you’re an Alpha. Terrified I’d end up in the same situation Lucy did. But Lucy knew that Lee hadn’t changed. She always knew, but I wanted to believe that love could change someone, could change him. You offered to show me more of you, to prove you’re not like Lee, but if I had only listened to my tigress she’d have eliminated all my fears already.”

“Sometimes our human side gets in the way of our true nature. It might take us longer to get to where we’re meant to be but in the end, we find it.”

“Well, I’m ready.” She kept her gaze on him, watching him. Need rose within her, but she wanted him to make the first move.

“Peaches, are you sure?” His body was still under her touch, but she could feel the tight control he had on his tiger. His beast was tired of waiting.

“Yes, but not here. I don’t want Thorn coming back while we’re…busy. Your place?”

“I can’t wait.” His hands drifted lower until the grabbed her butt, lifting her up and she had no choice but to wrap her legs around his waist. “Thorn won’t be back for a while. Rhett, Styx, and Felix are putting him through some additional training. We’ve got the place to ourselves for at least the next few hours.”

“What are we waiting for? You know where the bedroom is,” she teased. “Hurry.”