She sat the urn aside, her fingers sliding over the smooth surface one last time before nodding. If in a few days she was going to have to leave with Jinx she needed to know Ben would be safe. She had no doubt he would protect those under him, but when it came to hand-to-hand combat he had no training. It was always possible another tiger from a different clan would see this as an opportunity to claim the Alpha position over their clan. The Texas clan was in a difficult position, where it left them prey to others if they couldn’t prove their strength.
For the first time in a long time, as she wandered down the halls she saw people moving from one place to another, or gathering together in one of the many lobby areas throughout the resort. It lifted her heart to see so much change in only a few days. If she came back in a month, or three, how different would her clan be? It pained her slightly to know she wouldn’t be there to see them evolve.
“We’ll come back as often as Tex allows.” Jinx tried to reassure her, but it set off more alarm bells.
She hadn’t considered the fact that Tex would have to approve their visits. Mating with Jinx had made her the Alpha Female of the West Virginia Tigers. When traveling to another clan, even one that had been her home, she had to have approval from the Alpha. Some Alphas would see her as a threat, especially with Jinx at her side, because of their relationship with the Alaskan Tigers, and soon to be announced Queen of the Tigers. Some might even consider them spies for Tabitha.
“Lass, you worry too much.” He slipped his arm around her waist. “Things will be fine, you have my word.”
They came to a stop in front of a door with the word private etched in bold letters, and he slipped his key into the lock and opened the door. Inside was a spacious office with a large oak desk, and two high backed chairs in front of it. Other than the telephone on the desk, it was spotless.
“This used to be the resort manager’s office.”
“Before Avery killed him.” She remembered that night vividly. Avery blamed him for the low numbers in the resort. He wanted the place full; instead it’d been barely at half capacity.
“Let’s not dwell on things we can’t change,” Jinx advised. “Instead, think about all the members we saved who are now in safe hands under Tex and Ben.” After following her in, he shut the door and stepped to the window.
“So many were lost to get us here.” Pausing by the desk, she ran her hand over the smooth surface and glanced back at him. “I’ve been thinking about what Tabitha’s going to do, and I can’t help but wonder how many more will die before it’s complete.”
“I guess it depends on what you mean. Do you mean how many innocents, or rogues that attack us?” He came close to her, standing just inches from her, but didn’t reach out to touch her. “There’s still a group of rogues out there, determined to continue on where Pierce left off. Ty, many others, and myself have been working together to bring them down. We’ll find them and eliminate them.”
“I understand rogues have to be dealt with. I was thinking of innocents like Autumn, and the others.”
His hands glided up her arms, his touch comforting her. “We’ll do the best we can to protect everyone. In war, people die. This is no different.”
“A shifter war,” she whispered, leaning against him.
“In a sense.” He held her to him, tight enough to make her wonder if he worried what the future might have in store for them. “Come on, you don’t want to miss this.”
They crossed the small space to the window. Below, the gym was empty except for Ty, Ben, Tex, and Styx. Wrestling mats were laid out, giving them a softer place to work. Ben stretched, while Ty spoke with the others. Even with her delaying them, they had managed to make it there before anything began.
“Tex is going to work out on the punching bag, while they put Ben through his paces.” Jinx flicked the light switch twice, and Ty looked up and nodded.
“How do they know we’re here?”
“If you’re looking at the window you can see a faint glow of the light. Ty was watching for it so you wouldn’t miss anything.” He pulled the office chair over. “Have a seat. It will be begin in a moment.”
Her butt was barely in the seat when Ty went head on at Ben. Ty yelled something at Ben, rushing him as if he was going to tackle him. Styx circled around him, coming at him from the back.
Ben slammed his elbow into Styx’s chest, hard enough that he stumbled back. Ty threw a punch, hitting Ben square in his stomach. A second blow flew at him, only to be stopped mid-strike with a quick block, and Ben returned fire. Quickly advancing on Ty, blow by blow, he forced Ty back.