After the phone call ended, Tex slipped into bed. Lying next to Carleen, he wrapped his arms around her. Her emotions were bouncing from sorrow, to relief, to joy, and instead of pressing her he waited. She’d confide in him when she was ready. Until then, he was content having her body cuddled against his.

“Thank you.” She tipped her head up from his chest. “For knowing I needed to talk to him and for encouraging me to take the call. He needed to hear from me as much as I needed it.”

“Even before we were mated, the relationship you have with Jack vibrated along the edge of our connection. I don’t want to come between that, but you need to realize it’s going to take time before you can go to Mississippi.” He watched her for a moment, expecting her to question him. Instead, she remained quiet. “From what Mason told me, I don’t except an uproar from the members. They all seem relieved to be rid of Lee. My concern is with outsiders seeing the clan as an easy target. We need to give it a few weeks before visiting. It will allow Jack to stand on his own paws and show others he’s not weak. That will eliminate a lot of the threat to them and it will also mean it’s safe for you.”

“What if he needs help?”

“Then we’ll help. He’s not alone, but his rule must be his own. Other clans can’t come to his aid to ward off those who challenge his position. He’ll have to do that himself. If there’s a threat to the clan, we can help. Ty and Tabitha aren’t going to allow an ally clan to be attacked and slaughtered.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. “You should already know I would send whoever I can to help Jack if he needs it. He’s family.”

“You say family as if you know what it’s like, but the only similar connection you have is the one with Ben. Before he became your Lieutenant, he was your closest friend, an ally. Some shifters don’t have family connections out of choice, but yours wasn’t by choice.”

“The clan is my family. It’s all I’ve known.”

“What about the tigress who raised you?” Teasing her finger down his abs before slowly working her way back, she watched him.

“She was a good woman and I’ll always be thankful for her taking me in, but she wasn’t family. There was a wall between us, dividing any bond I might have wanted. She did it to protect herself because Avery had his eye on me. Developing too much of a link would have given Avery something else to hold over us. Instead, she kept me at arm’s length and that distance only grew when I was a teenager and he had me working as a guard.”

“She cared enough to make sure you received the education Avery tried to deprive you of.”

“Out of duty.” He dragged his hand through her hair, watching the silky strands slide through his fingers. “That’s not fair to her. She did it so I had a chance. If I had the education she could give me and the training as a guard, I had a chance. Without it, what did I have to offer an Elder or even my mate?”

“You have a lot to offer.” She snuggled closer, draping her leg over his. “I don’t know what kind of person you’d have been without her kindness. Maybe you’d have been harder or filled with hatred. I witnessed the torment you went through and all that shit made you stronger. I love having you as my mate and I’m looking forward to our future together.”

“What a change in a matter of days.” He let out a light chuckle, vibrating his chest.

“I know I wasn’t as welcoming to the idea of having an Alpha as a mate, but you surprised me. I was scared of what being mated to an Alpha meant. I didn’t want to have the same horrible relationship my parents had or be stuck in a situation like Lucy was.”

“I don’t think you have to worry about that,” he teased. “That is unless you’re hiding some hatred for me. So, tell me, why does he call you Zoom?”

“Zoom.” A smile curled up the corners of her lips. “Lucy was close with Mom, making me feel left out. All our lives, Thorn and I were close but he also had his own thing. Dad was alone, so I tried to have that same relationship with him. Our relationship was rocky most of my life, but there were moments when they were wonderful. One of those special times is when the nickname started and kind of stuck. No one ever asked about it and unless Dad told someone else, it was just between us.”

“Go on,” he encouraged.

“Dad worked construction most of my life and until Lee stopped allowing people to leave for work every day, he owned his own business. It was a small company, but he was proud of it. Sometimes he’d allow me to tag along with him when he was going to check on projects his crew was assigned to. That day he had his crews spread out on a couple projects, so it was going to be a long day driving from one job site to another. I still wanted to go. It was a break from the clan and a few hours of freedom. I don’t remember what he yelled at me for, but to make up for it he pulled me into his lap and let me drive.” Grinning ear to ear, she chuckled.

“How old were you?”

“Seven, I think. It was just a dirt road leading back to a new housing development, so there wasn’t any oncoming traffic or anything. Now I realize he had his hand resting gently on the bottom of the wheel, making sure we stayed on the road, but at that time I thought I was doing it myself. It felt amazing. The sensation of freedom was overwhelming. I wanted to just drive away and forget about all the crap that was starting within the clan. He seemed so happy and I didn’t want to go back. The man he was when we were out checking on the job sites was so different from the one I lived with.” She tugged the blanket up over her shoulder and returned her hand to his chest. “While I was pretending to drive, I kept making these zooming noises. He teased me about it and I guess the nickname just kind of stuck.”

“Memories like that are what allowed you to build a relationship with him. They helped you let go of the hatred you witnessed between him and your mother. As the clan remembers their own moments like that, they’ll find it easier to put Lee’s torment behind them and rebuild their lives.” He squeezed her a little tighter against his side. “Now, as much as I’d love to stay cuddled in here with your naked body pressed against me, I think we should get up.”

“Why?” She snuggled against him, working the blanket farther up toward her chin. “The bed is so warm and outside…well, you know what it is. It’s Alaska, freezing and snowy. Let’s just stay here and kick Thorn out.”

“Sorry, peaches, but my cabin is set up for visiting Elders. There’s a communication device in the bedroom so I know what’s happening. In the unlikeliness that the cabin was breached, there’s even a secret escape. It’s a precaution, but that’s where we need to be tonight.” He pulled back the covers, revealing her naked body and all thoughts of getting out of bed nearly vanished. “But that’s not why I suggested we get up.”

“Then why did you?” She shivered against him and her nipples hardened, making him want to roll her over and suck them into his mouth.

“You should know, you’re connected to the clan now. Focus on Rhett.” He forced himself to move to the edge of the bed and gather his clothes. Before any of them could sleep, he needed a few minutes with Thorn to discuss the guard position and he wanted to be dressed for that conversation. Thorn wanted to protect his sister, and he was starting to accept Carleen and Tex being mates. Still, the last thing he needed was to find them naked in bed together.

“Oh shit!” She hopped out of bed. “I wasn’t paying attention and I barely noticed Rhett’s emotions. I didn’t even realize they were on their way back.”

“You still have a lot going on to keep your thoughts entertained, and it’s not surprising you have strong walls within your mind to keep the clan from overwhelming you. Tomorrow will be the test to see if they can withstand it.” He tugged on his jeans. “Unless you want your brother to know how we’ve spent the time together, you might want to get dressed.”

“Spent the time? You mean packing and talking to Dad? You know, somehow I don’t think he’ll be upset about that.” She shot him a cocky smile as she tugged on her jeans.

“Smart ass.” He tugged his shirt over his head. “I’m going to grab a cup of coffee. Want one?”

Buttoning her jeans, she shook her head. “You’re going to want me to skip the caffeine and get eight hours of sleep if I’m going to be cheerful tomorrow when I meet your clan. Trust me when I say my claws come out when I’m tired.”

“I can’t remember the last time I got eight hours of uninterrupted sleep.” Shaking his head, he strolled toward the door. “Being an Elder plays hell on your sleep schedule.”

“Keep it up with those helpful tidbits and I might decide killing you is a better option than being mated to you.” Slipping her sweater over her head, she followed him toward the kitchen.

“Believe what you want.” He leaned against the wall closer to the living room and as she neared, he wrapped his arms around her, drawing her against his body. “You know you’d miss what we have. The way your body fits against mine because you’re meant to be there. You’re mine and while there might be times when you’re sleep deprived, I’ll make up for it in other ways.”

“What ways?” Before he could answer, the front door opened and Thorn ambled into the cabin, Rhett close behind.

“I see you’re packed.” Thorn nodded to the suitcases by the door. “I figured you’d have already left.”

“She’s going to come stay with me, but we wanted to talk to you. Let me grab a cup of coffee first. Anyone else want a cup?” Without waiting for an answer, Tex strolled toward the kitchen.

“It’s late and unless you have more tests to put me through, I’ll pass.” Thorn dropped down onto the chair in the living room. Exhaustion rolled off him but his eyes were alert, giving him a bump up in Tex’s opinion. “Well…”

“Well what?” Tex glanced toward the living room, the coffee pot in his hand.

“Dawson and Brody both know they’ve got a position in Texas and neither of them had to go through these additional tests. So, what’s up? Did I secure a spot or not?”

With his coffee in hand, Tex moved to the end of the counter where Carleen was lingering out of the way and slipped his arm around her waist, drawing her against him. Letting Thorn’s uneasiness grow, he took a drink of his coffee before lifting his gaze away from his mate and focusing on her brother. “I came here looking for guards to ensure the safety of my clan. With the resort opening soon, the threat level goes up. I need to ensure not only the clan and guests are safe, but that we’re ready for any situation that arrives. Which means I need to find a couple of strong guards to help train more until our team is running at full capacity. I’m open to recruiting from other clans, but until some construction is complete, it limits how many recruits I can bring onboard. So, I need the strongest and the best warriors available to me.”

“I understand. I appreciate the opportunity.” Thorn slammed his hands on his thighs and started to rise. “Car, we need to talk. Privately.”

“Sit down. We’re not done.” Tex watched him with annoyance as he waited for him to sit back down. “From the moment you found me and Carleen in the kitchen, your attitude has been working under my skin. I realize you’re stressed, but giving your anger an outlet is going to cost you dearly.”

“My attitude is the reason you’re not giving me a position?” Thorn’s gaze shifted from Tex to Carleen, then back to Tex. “I was trying to protect my sister. After what your clan went through and the news of Lucy’s death, I would have thought you’d understand. I guess compassion isn’t something Alphas comprehend.”

“Thorn!” Carleen scolded.

“No, Carleen.” Thorn’s fingers tightened around the arm of the chair as he continued to stare at them. “The person he’s seen is the real me. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to protect you. You’re my little sister and we’ve always been close. I can’t stand by as some new Alpha comes in and the past repeats itself. Don’t expect me to do nothing. I won’t allow you to end up the same way Lucy did.”

“It’s not the—”

“That’s what I mean.” The fabric of the chair ripped as Thorn dug his fingers in deeper. “You’re always so quick to defend him. Even before he claimed you. You’ve always wanted to believe in fairytales and a happily-ever-after, but that’s not real life. Look at Lee. You wanted to believe he’d changed but if anything, he got worse.”

“That attack is exactly why I shouldn’t offer you a guard position.” He held her tighter to him, trying to ease her tension with his touch so they could get the conversation over with. “Your blatant disregard for authority and your sister’s feelings is more than enough to remove you from the running, and depending on Ty’s decision eliminate you from future possible guard positions.”

“The first might be your decision, but the second one isn’t. At the very least I should have an opportunity to present my side to Ty before he removes me from the program.” Thorn shifted uneasily in his seat. “Maybe Raja can understand my position. He’d do the same if it was Tora’s safety at risk.”

“Unlike what I’ve witnessed from you, Raja knows what battles to fight and when to keep his mouth shut. Good thing for you I truly believe you’re irritated because you’re afraid for Carleen’s life and that’s the only reason you’ve lasted this long. Otherwise, I’d have already eliminated you.” He took another sip from his coffee mug. “Carleen means a great deal to you, to both of us. As my mate, she’s in danger not only for my support of Tabitha, but also from those who supported Avery. While they might no longer be part of the clan, they’re still a threat. With the resort opening, no amount of background checks or security in place will eliminate the danger surrounding her and that has helped to keep you in the running.”

“What? I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

“I want you in Texas with us. As—” Unease rushed through him and he looked at Carleen just as she turned toward him and slipped her arms around his waist. She was afraid her brother would reject the position and that fear was nearly overwhelming. He opened the connection between them, allowing her to hear him. It’s okay, peaches.

“As what?” Thorn pressed.

“The Captain of Carleen’s Guards.” With his focus on her brother, he rubbed his hand down her back. “If you want the position, you’re going to need to change your attitude.”

“Why offer me the position?”

“I’m aware of the conversation you’ve had with her and that you’re willing to challenge me if it will keep her safe. You might not believe this, but I understand where you’re coming from. You want her safe.” He glanced down at her. “That’s what I want, too.”

“What if the threat to her safety is you?” Thorn’s voice remained steady, though something shifted in his eyes.

“Soon enough you’ll realize that there’s nothing more important to me than her happiness and safety.” With one last sip, he set the coffee aside and teased his hand up her arm. “If you find proof that I’m an Alpha who’s anything like Lee, then challenge me.”

“If I lost, she’d be at your mercy.” He caught the change in Thorn’s voice. The fight was gone, but he continued because he couldn’t trust himself enough to know Tex was different. It was clear in his voice, his posture, and most of all his scent.

“Ty and Tabitha would never allow me to continue as Alpha if I was turning into someone like Avery or Lee. The clan has been through too much and we’re just putting the pieces of our lives back together. I’m committed to Ty and Tabitha. As the King and Queen of the tigers, they can feel the Alpha I am. They know how I run my clan and my true beliefs. If there was ever a hint that I’d become a vindictive Alpha, they’d swoop in and rescue the clan before damage could be done.”

“Fear of the unknown is what has you holding on to this insane idea.” She stepped out of his embrace and moved toward her brother. “We both know if Tex wasn’t an Elder, you’d look at him differently. You’d respect him for what he’s accomplished and what he’s overcome. Those same reasons are why you should be honored to serve under him. A young Alpha who’s brought his clan back from ashes and is building something amazing in Texas. Manetka Resort is going to be back, better than ever. I want to be part of that and I want you to be, too, but I understand if you can’t.”

“If I can’t.”

“Yeah, Thorn. If you can’t let go of your anger and learn to respect Tex, then what else is there for you to do but find a different clan.”

Her sorrow stabbed Tex in the stomach. He knew she wanted Thorn in Texas, but he hadn’t realized how much her brother’s decision weighed on her. She wasn’t just anxious he would reject the position, she was scared she’d lose him. Whether he went back to Mississippi or found another clan, the loss would be the same. Rather than going to her like his tiger demanded, he hung back and gave her the opportunity to let her brother know how she felt.

“I want you safe, Car.” Thorn’s shoulder relaxed. “Every time I think of you being mated to an Alpha I think about the hell Lucy went through and how we were all helpless to stop it. Lee’s supporters were very few, but most of us were too scared to do something. Lee made sure he had someone to hold over the clan’s head if they tried anything. Dad kept his people in line for Lucy’s safety. She was loved by so many that no one wanted to be the reason she was harmed.”

“I was there.” She slipped her hand into the front pocket of her jeans and Tex realized she was running her fingers over Lucy’s coin. “Months after they mated, Dad and I were sent to pick up Lee’s brother from the airport. We got back later because someone t-boned us on our drive home, slamming into the passenger side of Dad’s truck. That’s when I realized how bad things were. Lee didn’t care that his brother was decapitated from the sheet metal that flew off the pickup truck that hit us. He was just angry we were late.”

“I know.” Thorn nodded. “Dad and Lucy spent the rest of that night trying to calm Lee down. Even after Dad came home, he stayed in the living room watching Lee’s place, terrified of what might be happening over there. You could have died and Lee couldn’t have cared less.”

“Dad got me out of the car and with the help of the first police officer on scene, they were able to get me into the alley so I could shift, allowing me to heal the internal bleeding and head wound. I had to leave some of my injuries to make the story plausible, but that saved my life. There was nothing we could do for Lee’s brother, not that Dad even cared about him at the time.”

“What does this have to do with the position?” Tex wasn’t seeing the connection and as much as he’d have liked to allow them to reminisce, there wasn’t a lot of time before he had to be back in Texas.

“Dad was hard to live with at times, especially when he and Mom fought, but there were times that he was unbelievable. The compassion he showed me that night as he calmed me was something I’ll never forget. I was frozen from the sight of my own blood, unable to move to heal myself, but Dad forced me to shift. Otherwise, I’d have died.” She took a step back, brushing against Tex’s front as he brought his hand to rest at the small of her back. “That same compassion is within Tex. You saw it firsthand when I cut myself on that beer bottle. Lee never cared when Lucy was bleeding. There wasn’t a drop of compassion in that man. Do you need more evidence that Tex is nothing like him?”

“Believing it and finding a way to stop worrying about you are two different things.” He tipped his head toward Tex. “I want to believe you’ll never hurt her, but after everything…”

“I get that. The shit you went through makes trusting anyone hard. If you commit to me, you’ll know without a doubt that I could never hurt her. I’ve only known her a short time, but I’d give my life to keep her from ever shedding a tear or being hurt.” Unable to stop himself any longer, he wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her back so she was resting against the front of his body. “I want you as the Captain of her Guards because I trust you’ll keep her safe. There’s no one else who can keep her as safe as the two of us can. So, think about it and you can give us an answer in the morning.”

“If you choose not to come to Texas, I wish you the best,” Rhett added. “You’ve got talent and ability that others don’t. If you test out for another Alpha, don’t let your need to impress them overwhelm what you’re doing. You allowed that to happen during the first session and if Tex hadn’t seen something inside you, you might have been eliminated.” He grabbed Carleen’s suitcase and opened the door. “I really hope you consider the opportunity. It would be great having you as part of the team and I could use your help training future guards.”

“Let’s get some rest.” Keep his arm around her waist, he led them toward the door, but before he reached it she paused and looked back at Thorn.

“Will you come for breakfast? I’ll get up early and make sure I can get some of your favorite chocolate chip banana muffins from the kitchen.”

“I’ll be there.” Thorn nodded, sending his shoulder length black hair into his face, but didn’t look back at her. “Night, Car.”

On the short walk over to his cabin, Tex wasn’t certain what to make of Thorn’s stance. He wanted to protect Carleen, and as noble as that was, it was also misplaced. All he could do now was hope that something they’d said would knock enough sense into Thorn that his attitude would change and he’d take the position. He wasn’t holding out hope, which meant he needed to find someone to protect Carleen and fast. The idea of returning to Texas the following day without an official Captain of her Guards made him uneasy. He wanted her protected, and unless Thorn came around, the only other person he trusted with her safety was Rhett. It would cost him and Ben, but he had no doubt Ben would agree with the idea of Rhett standing in temporarily as her Captain.