Gavin paced Sam’s bedroom. He’d gotten her home to her pride, and the healer worked to remove the silver from her bloodstream. He’d never been so afraid of losing someone in his life. Sam was so much stronger than he, lived a hell of a lot longer, and yet could die.
Sam’s mother sat in a chair pulled as close as it could to the bed, tears in her eyes. Gavin’s heart ached while his chest tightened. Sam looked so much like her mother that they could pass as sisters.
A moment later, Sam’s father entered the room. Gavin stopped pacing and peered up at the man. “What did you tell the authorities?”
The hotline Sam asked him to call had to contact the police since it involved a human, but briefed Gavin on what to tell them. He ran a hand through his hair and studied Sam’s sleeping form. “It was an accident. Sam and I went for a walk, and Viktor attacked us. I shoved him when he stabbed her, and he slipped and fell over the edge.”
“They bought it?”
Gavin nodded. “They seemed to. I’m not surprised. Viktor has a record of violence.”
Her father nodded. “Thank you for being there.”
Before Gavin could respond, the other man left the room, leaving him alone with the women. A moment later, Asia, the pride healer, stood.
She appeared tired as she spoke to Mary. “The silver is neutralized. I’ll have to bring the change on now for her to heal the rest of the way.” The healer glanced over her shoulder to him. “Have you seen her shift?”
Gavin straightened. “No.”
Asia sighed. “It doesn’t hurt her. You have to believe that, no matter what it looks like. Understand? You cannot interfere.”
He gave a short nod and crossed his arms over his chest. “I understand.”
Turning her attention back to Sam, Asia placed a hand on her forehead. A moment later, her body shimmered, and then her muscles locked up, her legs and arms stiffening before she curled into the fetal position. Gavin’s heart pounded, and his own body tensed. Then, a soft white flash of light filled the room.
Seeing her transformed into a beautiful orange-and-black tiger, he was hit yet again with the reality of the new world he’d been introduced to. A world where shape-shifters were real, and he was fated to mate one.
Asia stopped beside him on her way out of the room. “You can go sit with her. The tiger knows you as well as the young woman does.”
Not taking his eyes off Sam, he nodded. “Thanks.”
Sam’s mom stood, rubbed circles over her large belly as if soothing the baby she carried, and walked toward him. Unexpectedly, she drew him into a tight hug. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, ma’am.”
She pulled back and smiled. “You’re cute. Call me Mary or Mom, not ma’am. I have to go fix breakfast.”
Conner stuck his head inside the room and glared at his mate. “You will go rest. You’ve been up all night.”
Mary rolled her eyes before sending Gavin a wink and walking out the room. “I feel fine. Asia, tell Con I’m fine.”
Gavin chuckled as he heard Asia to tell Mary to sit and relax. Alone, he watched Sam sleep, still trying to come to terms with the fact that she was a tiger. Life was weird.
He yawned and shook his head. It was seven in the morning. Man, what a night.
Slowly, he walked over and pressed a hand on the bed and waited. When the tiger didn’t move, he sat next to her then lay down on his back. Once he settled in place, the tiger nuzzled her nose into his neck. He could feel Sam as if she was in human form snuggled up to him.
Smiling, he shut his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
***
Sam watched Gavin sleep for the past half hour. His light snores amused her. Was this what it was like to wake up next to her mate? If so, she wanted to do it every day for the rest of her life.
His eyes blinked open, and she smiled. “Morning, handsome.”
He sat up and started to gently pat her down. “How are you feeling? When did you change?”
She cradled he face in her hands and kissed him. “Once I healed, I changed back to my human form. I’m back to new again.”
He gathered her in his arms and lay back down. “I was so scared. One of my dorm mates said he saw you with Viktor, and you can imagine what went through my mind? When I didn’t find you at your dorm, Camile told me to focus on you and follow my intuition. Do I really want to know how many shifters go to Harmony?”
Laughing, Sam snuggled into him. “Not as many as you think.” The thought of school and Viktor made her frown. “I guess I screwed things up pretty bad.”
“Why do you think so?”
“Because I cut classes with you. I was supposed to retake the test I failed. Then I killed Viktor. I won’t be able to return to class. All because I can’t control my temper.” She closed her eyes and sighed. There were always other schools. Hell, she could take online classes.
“The ROAR hotline was able to get in contact with the right people to pull some strings or something. I told them I pushed Viktor because he attacked you. The police ruled it an accidental death.” He kissed her temple and continued, “Psychology is an elective. You can take an extra class online to make it up. And if you ask for help with things you don’t know, I’ll help you.”
She crinkled her nose. “Yeah, I can do that.”
They lay in silence for several moments, peaceful. The only sounds she heard were her parents in the living room talking. She couldn’t make out what they were saying, but heard the soft murmurs of their voices. “I guess you met my parents.”
“Yep. I like them.”
She studied him, unsure. Her family could be intense at best. Suffocating most the time. “That surprises me.”
He nipped at her nose. “They were worried about you.”
“I know.” She stopped talking to listen. Crap, her uncle was there. “We have to get up. You’re about to meet the alpha.”
Pushing off the bed, she stood and smiled down at Gavin. Her mate. He was inside her heart, and the bond between them grew a little more each day, strengthening. And she was in love.
He stood and searched her face. A frown formed, creasing his forehead. “What is it?”
She opened her mouth but closed it just as her uncle Colt entered the bedroom with his twin behind him. Sam smiled and ran to him, hugging him tight. His power wrapped around her, soothing the tiger and strengthening them both. “I’m sorry….”
Colt pulled back and shook his head. “Viktor would have attacked someone else if you hadn’t stepped in.”
“I was irresponsible in my methods, went against my training. I let impulse rule my judgment.” She glanced to Gavin then the floor. Fisting her hands, she pushed away the self-pity of her mistake. She’d do better. “I’m changing my minor to psychology. I need to understand behavior, especially in humans. It will help me become a better sentinel one day.”
One of Colt’s dark brows rose. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Plus, I have a study buddy.” She held out her hand for Gavin. He took it, linking their fingers together. “Also, I want to see if we can get an apartment together. I’m not sure how focused my tiger will allow me to be with him in a different dorm.”
She laughed at how Gavin stiffened beside her.
Colt glanced between them, then at her father in question.
Con gave a short nod. “I’ll talk to Martha tomorrow.” Her father looked at Gavin and asked, “Are you sure you’re ready for this. We mate for life. There is no divorce.”
Gavin squeezed her hand and straightened his shoulders. “How long have you been mated?”
Sam’s heart stopped for a brief moment as she watched her father and uncle glance at each and laugh. Her father was the one to answer. “Mary and I have been together since we were your age. That was over two hundred years ago. And to answer your next question, the spark you feel now never dies. Once bound, there is no other.”
Gavin smiled and hugged her close. “Then I’m ready. I’m in love with your daughter. We’ll just figure out the long-life-span thing later.”
Studying Gavin, giddiness bubbled within her. “Say that again.”
With a crooked smile, he said, “I love you and accept you as my mate.”
She threw her arms around her neck and kissed him. “I love you, too. Forever.”
“And always,” he finished.