To Tempt A Tiger(47)

Using Rose’s SUV, they drove to a higher elevations, leaving the car parked in a small lot at the base of a hiking trail she and Zoe had walked before. Zoe stayed out in front of the adults as they walked the narrow path. The snow was only a few inches deep, so the hike was pleasant.

Vlad and Alexis both seemed distracted as they went deeper into the woods. When Rose frowned a question at Vlad, he said, “We’re listening and scenting for other humans. Don’t want to be interrupted.”

True. She couldn’t even imagine how they’d explain having a tiger cub out here. One more thing to worry about. How was she going to raise Zoe like this? She didn’t want her discovered by human authorities who might try to experiment on her like she was some sort of alien. But she didn’t trust the tiger shifters to keep her daughter safe either. A sense of isolation and the overwhelming task ahead of her tightened a band around her chest.

She startled when Vlad took her hand and squeezed, almost as if he sensed her distress. She forced a smile in thanks and was a little surprised when the tightness in her chest loosened. Glancing down at their linked hands, she realized she was starting to believe he’d stick around and support them, that she wasn’t as alone in this new world as she’d felt.

That thought led down a confused path of mixed feelings. She didn’t entirely trust him and yet part of her sort of did. But he’d kept information from her. Could she believe anything he said? Could she even trust her own instincts where Vlad was concerned? She still wanted him, yet without complete trust, did she dare give in to that want?

She couldn't explain exactly how she felt about him, even to herself, and she didn’t have time to sort it all out right then, so she took his comfort and ignored everything else. Right now, her focus had to remain on Zoe.

They reached a place where the trail disappeared beneath the snow and there were no signs of human hikers going farther. They continued beyond that point, tramping through the soft whiteness until Alexis announced they were safe to practice shifting.

“Vlad, why don’t you change and I’ll stay in this form. That way we can handle anything.”

Vlad brushed his fingers over Rose’s cheek once before moving off into the trees both taking and giving privacy.

Rose watched him go, her stomach twisting with those unexamined emotions. When she looked back, Zoe was grinning at her. “What?”

“You liiiikkke him.” She giggled into her hand, then threw herself against Rose’s legs, wrapping her up in a hug.

Rose couldn’t help but laugh. “We’re here to play tigers not talk about who Mommy likes.” She lifted one of her backpack’s shoulder straps and said, “I brought plenty of spare clothes if you want to change while you’re still dressed. It’s pretty cold out here for getting naked.”

“Naked! I not cold. I like naked.”

Rose glanced at Alexis. “Is this safe? She won’t freeze?”

“No. High metabolism. And a good fur coat once she changes.”

“But can she change fast enough? She’s only done it once so far.”

“Trust me,” Alexis said. “Okay, sweetie, time to go tiger. Remember, you are to listen to me and Mommy, and if we tell you to change back or to hide, you have to do as we say. Got it?”

“Yes.”

“Vlad will stay with you, too, so you don’t need to be afraid.”

“Not afraid. I’m tiger!”

Rose pressed her lips together to keep from laughing again. She held Zoe’s clothes as she wiggled out of them, taking off even her snow boots. Seeing her daughter standing naked in the snow was so contrary to her instincts to keep her warm, it was almost impossible not to wrap a coat around her again. But Zoe didn’t seem to notice and she didn’t shiver as she bounced on her toes.

“Can I change now?”

“You give it a try,” Alexis said. “Remember, focus on how your tiger body feels, what it’s like to have fur and paws…”

To Rose’s surprise, the change happened very quickly this time. One minute, Zoe was a vulnerable little girl, and the next, she was a tiger cub, bouncing around in a snow bank as if she’d been doing this her whole life.

“How did she adapt so quickly?” Rose wondered aloud.

“This is natural to her. She just didn’t know it. Now that she does, she won’t ever have to go through those painful episodes again.”

The reality of that almost brought Rose to her knees. Whatever else they had to worry about going forward, knowing she wouldn’t have to watch her daughter writhing in pain was like a gift from God.

Vlad came out of the trees then, and Zoe launched herself at him, attacking with a little cub hiss and claws extended. Vlad jumped away, a move that sent Zoe tumbling through the snow. She stood up with her muzzle covered in white, sneezing to clear her nose, then she charged him again, bouncing around his feet and swatting at him to get him to jump away. He moved gently, letting the cub jump on his back and bite at him, taking the aggressive game easily.