Tiger's Eye (On Hold. Sorry!)

Tiger's Eye

Well, wow. I can't believe it.

I never thought I'd write a story, let alone the word 'sequel'. But here we are. Tiger, Tiger has taught me a lot. How to use more punctuation in speech and not to write so many sentences beginning with 'I'. Anyway, I hope that you feel I've improved, as you ever lovely comments have helped me to do so. Thank you for all your support, new and old, on Tiger, Tiger. I hope that you enjoy this new book... xxx

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I nestled, cross-legged, into Rose’s leather sofa. Shivering slightly, I pulled my thick cream cardigan tightly around my now very thin body. Winter was creeping up all too quickly, dusting the woods outside with frost. Mum and Julie could be heard gossiping loudly from upstairs, their chatter broken only by short bursts of laughter.

It had been about a week since I’d returned and already mum was feeling stronger and healthier. I’d sat for hours upon hours with her, reliving every detail of the time we’d spent apart. And after she had been told of what Julie had done for her, they had become close friends.

I looked up, watching Rose over the rim of my coffee mug. She was slaving over a large bowl of cake mixture on the counter that separated the kitchen and the living room. Various tubs and pots of expensive looking ingredients lined with worktop. Her wavy, dark blonde hair was pulled into a messy bun.

Alexander and I had already been accepted as the Alpha pair, but tonight was the official celebration, and Alphas from nearby Were packs would be invited so that word of our new leadership would spread. And Rose, being Rose, insisted that there had to be a cake. ‘Seriously. Every celebration needs a cake, Alexis!’ were her exact words.

“Rose,” I called, smiling slyly to myself, “What do you think I should do about my Beta pair?”

“Hurry up and choose,” she mumbled, distracted by her cooking, “Some of the pack are getting restless waiting to find out who you’ve chosen.”

“Who do you think I should choose then?” I smiled again, pressing my lips to the mug to take a sip.

“Someone you really trust. Someone you’re willing to share everything with. They have to be your right hand man, or woman, to aid you and step in when you’re unable.”

“Hmm. Let’s say, hypothetically, that I’d chosen my Beta, and convinced the elders to allow me a single Beta until they found their mate, what do you think they’d say?” I said, tracing the top of the mug with my finger, biting my lip to stop myself grinning. “If, hypothetically, I were to ask that person right now?”

I heard something metallic drop into the bowl, and I looked up to meet Rose’s startled eyes. “No way. Me?” she whispered, pointing to her chest.

“Yes, you,” I grinned, pointing at her, “Hypothetically of course.”

She paused and then squealed, abandoning her cooking and running towards me. Before it could be spilt all over the white carpet, I put my coffee mug onto the table. I pushed myself up and met her halfway. She hit me with a thump and wrapped her arms around me, continuing to bounce excitedly up and down and squeal as we hugged.

“So?” I managed to ask.

“Yes!” she squealed again, and then pulled back. “Wait, are you sure? I mean, I can’t even make a cake without making a mess, can I really be a Beta?”

“There is no one I would rather be my ‘right hand woman’. Alexander agrees you’d be perfect, too. You might have made a bit of a mess, but the cake will be perfect in the end and you’re prepared to clean up. That’s exactly what I need in a Beta.” I felt like a sap as soon as I’d said it, but it was completely true.