Jinx’s Mate(47)

“Giving up isn’t an option, not until we know for sure it’s too late.”

How did one ever lose hope where their child was concerned? If the time came, he wondered if he would he be able to do his duty and take down Claire before she could hurt someone.





Chapter Twenty




It was midday in Alaska when they finally landed. For Summer and the rest of them, it was five hours later. They had much to do to get ready for Tabitha’s announcement. By this time tomorrow, the whole world for tigers was going to change.

They’d have one Queen who ruled over all the Alphas. It also meant some major backlash was coming, and Tabitha, Ty, and their clan weren’t the only targets. Tex and the Texas Tigers, Jinx and the West Virginia Tigers, and the Kodiak Bears all had to be on alert. They had to embrace a life where danger was around every corner, and any of them could die at any time.

“Summer,” Robin called out, working her way toward them. “With everything that’s going on I was thinking if I could get you and Claire right off the plane we could get it over with. That way Claire’s not too tired. What do you think?”

“Sure.” She nodded. Claire stood next to her holding her hand. “Jinx?”

“I need to speak with Ty, and the others. Can I catch up with you in a bit?”

“That’s fine.” Robin nodded. “We’ll be in my cabin, just ask Adam or one of the others to direct you.”

“Jackson goes with Summer,” Jinx ordered. “I’ll have Carson take your bags to our rooms and then he’ll join you.”

Robin led the way, quickly passing through the gathering crowd. “I’m sorry to catch you right when you landed, but if we can make some progress with Claire, I can work with her while you’re here. We should take advantage of every moment we have for her sake.”

“It’s fine. I wanted to have this meeting today before things got busy with the announcement.” Though she had hoped to spend a moment with Ben before being rushed off.

“Have there been any changes with Claire?”

She leaned down and picked Claire up, so they could keep up with Robin as they made their way to the cabin. “She’s not talking, but she’s adjusting well. We had a wonderful play date yesterday with another little girl, Lisa.”

“That’s great.” Robin opened the cabin door. “How is she adjusting to the guards?”

“She’s doing well with Jackson.” She walked in, and sat Claire next to the fire with her stuffed tiger. “And she’s doing well with Carson and Garth. Larry, he’s in Texas at the moment, but he looks a little too much like Avery and that seems to be scaring her. As for the rest, she hasn’t met them really. Well, she saw Hugo on the plane but she didn’t actually meet him.”

“Have you thought about assigning Larry somewhere else then?”

“He’s a good guard, and one that needs to be on the team to keep the Alpha Female and Claire safe.” Jackson answered before Summer could.

“Very well. I was only considering Claire.”

“So are we.” Jackson stepped closer to Claire, in a protective gesture. “As Captain of the Guards, Summer and Claire are my top priorities. Larry is part of the team but we’ll make sure he keeps his distance until Claire has a chance to warm up to him. Sheltering her from him will only let the fear continue. He’s a good man and will protect her, she’ll see that.”

“Fine then, if you’ll both give me a few minutes alone with Claire, I’ll see what I can do.”

“Actually, Jinx and I discussed this…Jackson can wait by the door out of eyesight, but I won’t leave her,” Summer said. “Anytime she’s along without Jackson, Jinx, or myself, it seems to set things back further. She’s come to trust us, and leaving her now in a new place could prove to be disastrous.”

Robin took a seat by the fireplace. “That’s not how I prefer to work, but as you are the Alpha Female I’ll let it slide this time. In the future I’ll need to do this alone in order to make progress with her. I would ask that you step out of direct eyesight as well.”

She gave a nod to Jackson who reluctantly took a place by the door. Then, with a reminder to herself they were doing this to help Claire, she stepped back. As soon as she stepped away Claire pulled her legs up against her chest, hugging the stuffed tiger to her.

“Claire, my name’s Robin and I’m here to help you.” She slipped forward on her chair, bringing herself closer to Claire.

Summer’s heart broke as she watched Claire begin to rock herself. The fear was clear in her body as she made herself as small as she could get. Even Jackson had taken a step forward.