Alone in the living room, Tex stood near the window with his third cup of coffee. It was after three in the morning and his time for sleep had passed without so much as a quick nap. After he’d walked Carleen home shortly after midnight, he tried to sleep but his mind refused to shut off. His thoughts were on her until he had to get up and go to the living room. He spent most of the last hour on the sofa just so he could breathe in her scent, which still lingered there.

For hours, they had sat there talking about everything from their past to what they wanted in the future. Never in his life had he shared so much with one person, but with her, it was easy. He wanted to know everything about her, and while he had been hesitant about telling her too much of his past, she had a way of putting him at ease, allowing him to reveal more than he had planned. Hours slipped past until it was well beyond midnight. It seemed liked minutes, but hours passed in the blink of an eye. He hadn’t wanted her to go, but she needed to sleep and he had other things to deal with.

Before Rhett went to meet with Tad, they had put together a plan to test the first guard at three that morning. At that point, the plan sounded fine, but now Tex decided there needed to be a shakeup in the plans. Tex was used to going on very little sleep, so it had nothing to do with lack of sleep, and everything to do with proving Thorn had what it took to make it as part of the Elder Guards.

“Morning,” Rhett called to him as he came out of the bedroom and headed straight for the kitchen and the pot of coffee.

“Just the person I wanted to see.”

As he poured coffee, Rhett made a huffing sound as if he doubted it. “More like you were considering that cute redhead.”

“Carleen.” He eyed his guard, letting him know with his narrowed gaze that he wasn’t amused he’d been checking her out.

“Hey, man, I thought jealousy wasn’t something we had to deal with. Are you telling me they’ve lied about mating?” Rhett leaned against the kitchen counter, devouring his coffee. With every gulp, his eyes became more alert and his voice less of a growl.

“Not jealousy, more like protectiveness. She’s been through a lot and I know you’ve got your doubts about Thorn, so I don’t want you saying anything to upset her.”

“I never said he couldn’t do the job, I said he wasn’t my first choice out of the others. You and Ben need Elder Guards more than anything. We need people who can help me train others. I’m not sure Thorn is cut out as an Elder Guard yet. He seemed to be allowing the hatred within him to eat him alive. There’s also the issue that no one knows the reason behind him leaving Mississippi, not even Ty. Are you willing to invite someone into the clan who could be a security risk? Especially someone you’re hoping to add as a guard?”

Tex wasn’t surprised as Rhett polished off the coffee and turned to refill the mug. He was pretty sure Rhett had burned off enough layers from his tongue in the past to protect himself from the steaming hot liquid. “I don’t think he’s a security risk, but we’ll make sure of it before we leave here. I think he’s letting his state of mind influence him too much. He’s concerned about the future. He feels Carleen is his responsibility. He forced her to leave Mississippi, and if he can’t keep her safe then he’s failed her just like he failed their sister, Lucy. I believe he’s trying too hard and that’s his issue. He went after Milo’s shoulder thinking it would be a weakness and allowed him to win the fight without risking too much. He learned the hard way and he’s beating himself up for it.”

“They’re a package deal, so you want him to do better in today’s challenge.”

“I don’t want you to go light on him. Actually, just the opposite. I’ve decided we need to change the line-up. Thorn’s first fight was weaker than Dawson’s and Brody’s, so I want him tested first.” Tex glanced back out the window, over toward Carleen and Thorn’s cabin. “I watched him stagger home under an hour ago. So, the timing is perfect.”

“I saw the celebration they were having last night. Brody and Dawson were gone before I came back, but Thorn, a couple other guys, and some of the new guards who just arrived were still going at it. Thorn was already pretty hammered, so I can only imagine how bad he’s feeling this morning. Have you considered the possibility he’ll fail? What then?”

Tex considered it most of the night, but the fact remained the same. He needed to put Thorn through the worst test he could and go from there. If he failed, the position he had in mind wouldn’t be his. If he was successful, there was no doubt that he wanted Rhett to work with him one-on-one until he was sure Thorn could handle it.

“Carleen is my mate and with her coming to Texas, it’s likely Thorn will visit at the very least. If he’s not chosen for a spot or doesn’t accept it, he’ll have the option to stay here and continue training, to hopefully be picked up by one of the other Alphas. Or he can return with us, as her brother and nothing more. He could work with the guards and we could see if there’s a point in the future when he could take a position—whether that be guarding the grounds or guarding an Elder, I’m not sure.”

“Have you spoken with her about this?” Rhett turned and placed his coffee mug in the sink.

He hadn’t, but it didn’t matter; their beasts wouldn’t allow them to be apart for long. They would have to do something and from what she’d said hours before, she already accepted that. “I’ll deal with it when the time comes. Now let’s go.”

* * *

Two hours had passed since Carleen overheard Tex and Rhett come retrieve Thorn for another session and with every minute that passed, she became more uneasy. Her brother had been drunk off his ass when he arrived back from the celebration, waking her from a dead sleep as he stumbled through the house, screaming her name. Tex’s scent in the house angered him enough that he didn’t care about keeping his voice down. He had been pissed that she agreed to have dinner with him and had voiced his displeasure before he left. She expected him to be gone for most of the night so she hadn’t been worried about coming back early, yet it turned out that he had come back a little before eleven to apologize and she wasn’t at the cabin.

He had considered going to Tex’s cabin, but even in his drunken state he realized what a mistake it would be. Not only would it cost him the possible position with the Texas Tigers or any clan Ty had lined up, it would also force them to leave. Ty wouldn’t accept Thorn’s behavior and would have no choice but to force him to leave—which meant her, too. He had been sober enough to realize that would put them both in danger and that was the only reason he stopped himself before he could make a scene. He made it back to the celebration and with every drink, his anger grew. By the time he came home, he was livid and she was the only one there to deal with his rage.

What had happened in Mississippi to make Thorn so on edge? He hadn’t been like that before. Not even when Lucy started to separate herself from them. Yet, something had changed and he was afraid. She just wasn’t sure if he was afraid for both of them or just her. It didn’t make sense that he was worried about her. She had kept herself out of the political aspects of the clan and did her best to keep herself hidden. The only time she came to Lee’s attention was when Lucy pulled her aside and demanded that she gain control over her emotions. So, she couldn’t comprehend his attitude.

She rubbed her temples, trying her best to push away the headache that had plagued her since her encounter with Thorn. Stress was not helping and neither had the hot bath she’d taken. A run would do wonders to relieve the tension, but it was out of the question until she knew what was going on. Whatever they wanted with Thorn could have their future in the balance. What was she going to do if he didn’t make the guard roster? Tex told her that he was planning on offering him a position but there was something else he had to accomplish first. What if he didn’t pass the second test? Could she leave him behind to go to Texas by herself?

If she was honest with herself, there was no other option. She had to go to Texas because that’s where her mate had to be. His clan needed him and she accepted that. She just wasn’t sure how it would affect things with Thorn or even what his backup plan was. He was so convinced he could secure a spot with the clan that he hadn’t considered any other option. Without a backup plan and the results of his first test less than outstanding, he seemed to have lost his spark. There was no excitement in his eyes as he walked out the door to celebrate with the other guys. She had no doubt that he saw them leaving for Texas while he was stuck there waiting for the next Alpha.

The door flung open, startling her enough that she jumped. Warm tea sloshed over the rim of her mug and onto her hand. “Shit, Thorn, you…” It wasn’t so much the look on his face as he entered, but Tex directly on his heels that stopped her from finishing her thought.

“We need to talk.” Thorn marched toward her. “Alone.”

“No.” Before Thorn could reach her, Tex stepped in the way. “I told you to leave your anger at the door. You’re going to behave rationally.”

“What’s going on?” She grabbed a napkin from the center of the round kitchen table and wiped her hands off before cleaning up the spilled tea.

“After everything you witnessed with Lucy, you’re just going to fall into the arms of the first single Alpha. Are you insane, Carleen?” Thorn stepped back so he could see her around Tex. “Lucy wouldn’t want that for you. She wouldn’t want you to face the same fate she has.”

“Are you trying to tell me I should be strong and take my own life? Because if you are, you’re not the same brother I grew up with.” Standing up from her chair, she tossed the damp napkin on the table and crossed her arms over her chest. “I was just thinking about how much you changed and now you’re standing there proving me right. What the hell is going on with you?”

“Going on with me? What’s going on with you? You completely ignored the fact I know you’re Tex’s mate.”

“I’m not going to deny it, if that’s what you mean. I planned to tell you. I just wanted to wait until after these tests. If you knew I was his mate, you’d have thought the only reason you got the position is because of me. You’ve worked so hard and I wanted you to get the position on your own. You’re a strong guard and an excellent ally. You could prove yourself to Tex or any other clan you set your heart on.”

“And he did.” Rhett appeared in the still open doorway. “I hadn’t planned on coming in. This is a family matter, but I needed to be close in case my assistance was required. Still, at that last comment, I couldn’t stay quiet any longer. Thorn, I’ve made no attempt to hide that your first session didn’t impress me. You went for what you considered Milo’s weakness and it backfired.”

“I know,” Thorn snapped.

“Let him finish.” Tex nodded to Rhett as if giving him the go-ahead.

“In the gym this morning, my impression changed. One-on-one, you surprised me. You revealed skills you didn’t show during the first session. Even after a night of drink and little sleep, your fighting was clean. Instead of going after what you thought could be a weakness, you fought through it, waiting for your opening. Even after I blocked you twice, you kept with it until I gave you an opening. Every opponent is going to give you an opening and you’ve got to be ready to take it. Missing the opportunity could be the difference between life and death.”

“I still wasn’t able to take you down.” Thorn shook his head, his disappointment in himself showing through his words.

“You’re not connected to a strong Alpha or even a clan. When you renounced your commitment to Lee and the Mississippi Tigers, you cut that connection.” Carleen tried to ease her brother’s frustration and get him to see the larger picture.

“She’s right.” Tex reached back to take her hand in his and bring her to stand next to him. “The two of you are lone shifters and that makes you weaker than those connected to a clan with a strong Alpha leading them. Rhett’s connection with me makes him stronger. You could have that, too, but if you continue to allow your anger to rule you, you’re going to lose the opportunity.”

“You expect—”

“Don’t!” That single word came out as more of a shout than she had expected, but she knew what her brother was about to say and she had to stop him. “Thorn, please don’t.”

“Don’t what, tell the truth? Voice my concern over your actions? Did you really except me to be quiet this time?” His gaze bored into her, making her stomach tighten, but she refused to back down.

“This is different and you know it. He isn’t like Lee.”

“How do you know?” Thorn snapped.

“Two reasons. Let’s go with one you should have already realized.” Taking her gaze away from Thorn, she glanced up at Tex and took in the man before her. Anyone who took a quick glance at him would assume he was in his early twenties, but what she saw in his eyes aged him. This man was her mate, and while he frightened her at first, the fear had dissipated. There was so much more to him than she realized at first and she was eager to know everything about him. The darkness in his past would surely come to light and while it helped to mold him into the man he was, it didn’t define him. There was so much more to him and that was the side of him she wanted to know completely.

“Look at the hold he has over you.” Thorn’s rage tainted his voice, making his words come out in more of a growl. “You can’t even finish your thought because you’re too engrossed in him.”

Shaking her head, she turned back to her brother. “There’s no hold over me and that wasn’t the reason I was looking at him. I got lost in my thoughts for a moment. The point is that you should realize he’s not anything like Lee. I’ve come to know Ty, Tabitha, and many of the others here since we arrived and I know without a doubt that they’d never allow Tex here if they weren’t completely sure he was on their side. You’ve worked with Ty and the others enough to know that, too.”

“He could be hiding his true beliefs.”

“Bullshit,” Rhett snapped.

“He’s right, you know.” Instead of looking in Rhett’s direction, she kept her attention on her brother. His shoulders seemed to relax and his fists were no longer clenched, making her wonder if they were getting through to him. “Tex has committed himself and his clan to Tabitha’s cause. You know the legend as well as I do. Tabitha will be the strongest tigress ever born and once mated, the Queen of the Tigers and her King will grow stronger with each step they take to unite all tigers. There’s no way Tex could hide a betrayal of that magnitude from them even if he wanted to.”

“Maybe you’re just defending him because you’re his mate.” The anger was gone and even as he tried to hold tight to his original stance, the conviction was gone from his tone. “Shit, Carleen, I’m just trying to keep you safe.”

“She is safe,” Tex replied before she could speak. “After what happened with Lucy, I understand your desire to protect her, but I’m not the one you need to shield her from.”

“You’re going to put her in more danger.” Thorn stepped back toward the living room and sank down onto the accent chair. “You don’t have the protection you need which is why you came here to find additional guards. With the resort set to open in the coming weeks, you’re placing your clan in danger. After I learned about your clan, I thought you were the best fit. With some of the clan members living on the ninth floor, you’ve added safeguards to protect them. If I could convince you to give us, or at least Carleen, a room there, it would keep her safe. I could keep her safe and help you at the same time. It was a win-win for everyone.”

“Then you should be happy to know the precautions taken for the tenth floor, the Elders floor, went even further. As my mate, Carleen will reside there.” Still holding her hand, he led her toward the sofa so they could continue the conversation in comfort. “While the work isn’t complete yet, the suites have been opened up to provide us larger living quarters. There will be extremely limited access to this floor. Out of six permanent living quarters, only three are occupied. In addition to those, there are six guest suites on the floor, and a private meeting room. Those with permanent quarters on the floor include me, my Lieutenant, Ben Evans, and Rhett. The additional ones are for future Captains of the Guards for both Ben, his future mate, and my mate.”

“With the danger level of guest suites on your private floor being so high, I cannot believe you’d allow that.” Thorn’s statement was directed at Tex but his gaze was on her, as if telling her to reconsider her actions.

“One is for the West Virginia Tigers’ Alpha, Jinx. His mate, Summer, is Ben’s sister and their adopted daughter Claire was born in my clan. Claire’s situation is a long story that isn’t important at the moment. They have a guest suite for their visits and there’s room for a couple guards. These suites will also be used if Ty and Tabitha visit, as their protection is of the utmost importance.”

“The eighth floor is also undergoing renovations to provide enhanced security measures to other Elders of committed clans,” Rhett explained from his position near the now closed door. “Before all of this started, you have to remember a couple years ago when Manetka Resort was the place to be for shifters. We’re hoping to bring that back safely, without jeopardizing the Elders or the clan. Every reservation will be going through security checks to ensure that we’re not allowing our enemies into the resort. Manetka will be a safe place where those fleeing Alphas like Lee can go.”

“That doesn’t sidestep the fact Carleen will be in more danger because of you. All I’ve wanted to do was keep her safe, and now look at this. Damn it, she’s all I have left.” Thorn ran his hand through his hair. “Lee’s not going to like it when he finds out.”

At the mention of Lee, her heart skipped a beat and it was as if the moment froze. All she could think about was Lucy. Her sister would suffer for Carleen’s mating with Tex. Every move she made, every comment spoken, always reflected on Lucy. Why did I think that would change when we left Mississippi?