To Tempt A Tiger(26)
“Tiger shifters are facing extinction. Female birthrates have dropped so dramatically it’s left the sex ratio really skewed.”
“How skewed?”
“Roughly 90 percent males to 10 percent females worldwide.”
“Wow. That sounds bad.”
“And it’s not getting better.”
“What are you doing to prevent extinction?”
Her eyes narrowed, and he could see the wariness and suspicion in her expression. He knew she’d catch on quickly. But he didn’t want to tell her how bad things had gotten when the dwindling female numbers were finally noticed. The truth about how violent tiger males could be might just send her into hiding. So he skimmed over that part of their history. “The elders set up the Mate Run. It’s essentially a way for males to compete for females.”
“How does it work?”
“During a female’s estrous cycle, she goes into one of the areas we have set up in an isolated forest, and she runs from a group of males. Whichever male she allows to catch her, gets to be with her for the three days of her cycle. If they get pregnant, they’re allowed to mate permanently—get married if they like. Or she can run again for a new mate once her cycles start again. There’s a lot of flexibility for the female, and the choice of mates is entirely up to her.”
“And if the couple doesn’t get pregnant?”
“The female keeps running until she does. She can stay with the same male cycle to cycle, or she can choose a new male with each Run. Entirely up to her.”
He was making a point to emphasize how much control the females had during the Run to keep Rose from panicking, but as he watched her, he realized she hadn’t yet made the connection that this would be something expected of Zoe. She frowned and took the information seriously, but there was nothing in her scent or expression to hint at worry for her own child.
“How did the Run solve the skewed sex ration?”
“It didn’t. It’s just helped stave off extinction.”
“What’s being done about the low female numbers, then?”
“A lot of research.” He took a breath. “Some of that research involved the possibility of humans and tigers mating.”
Her eyes narrowed. “So you knew before your sister that it was possible?”
The bite in her voice made him flinch. “No. Most tigers think it’s just the stuff of myths and legends. We have a story of an ancient couple—human woman, male tiger—who had children together, but most tigers assumed the story had no basis in reality.”
“Then why is there research being done?”
“One of the elders believes it might be the key to tiger survival. Until my half sister, though, there was no evidence of half breeds.”
He winced at the term. His father had imbued that phrase with a great deal of disgust and hatred whenever he discussed tiger-human offspring.
Rose didn’t seem to notice his reaction. “And now Zoe.” She pulled in a breath. “What does all this mean for our daughter?”
He set his tea down and leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees and staring at the fire. He didn’t want to tell her this part. But she had to know some of it. Again, he settled on giving her the basics. “Some of my people think those like Nila and Zoe are…saviors. They represent hope of other breeding options. Then there are those like my brothers, my father…who think tiger-human offspring will dilute our bloodlines and lead us to extinction faster. They argue that successful matings between humans and tigers—if they could even happen—would result in only humans, like my sister.”
He fisted his hands when they started to shake, a combination of anger and betrayal swamping him. He pushed thoughts of his family aside and turned to face Rose. “Zoe proves tiger offspring can come from mixed matings.”
“And that means?”
“It means we’ll have to eventually introduce her to the elders and get her protected under our laws.”
“I don’t see why?”
“Because without that protection, my brothers will just keep coming for her.”
“You said they bought your story about wanting me back and Zoe not being yours.”
He ran his hands through his hair. “They did. I think. But I can’t guarantee they won’t figure it out eventually. Rose, she has my eyes. Anton saw that.”
She sighed and dropped her head back against the couch. “If she’s a shifter, though, why would they still want to hurt her?”
“They’re convinced hybrids will dilute our bloodlines no matter what kind of offspring is produced.”
She rolled her head to look at him. “What good will the protection of the elders do?”