The Year of the Tiger (Book 3 of The Almair Series) (Completed)

Chapter 14

A warm hand was placed on my shoulder before a figure pulled me into a hug. The scent of my mate comforted me but didn't dull the guilt. His whole body relaxed me, but it wasn't enough.

"It's my fault," I whispered, my voice cracking. "I didn't get here fast enough."

"You got here fast enough to save the Pups." He kissed my forehead and squeezed me closer to him. "It's not your fault. It's those flippin' Dark Forces fault."

I took a deep breath and let out a silent growl. "It doesn't stop the feeling," I muttered. I pulled away and schooled my face into a stoic expression. I knew that the pack would be fine with me crying, but they needed me as a leader, as their protector. I knew that they needed me to be strong for them, even though they knew it was tough.

"Martha?" Faolon asked, coming over to me. He nudged my fist, trying to bring me some comfort. "What do you want us to do?" Worry filled his eyes, and I knew that he was more worried about me than his pack. He thought I would do something stupid, which I would have done if it hadn't been for the fact that it could hurt them in the process.

"I want everyone in their houses or dens," I said, looking at the pack that was gathered. "The only people I want out right now is border patrol but have it doubled. I'll be out here, too." I held my hand, stopping my older brother from talking. "Leah, if you can check out my shoulder, then I will be more than grateful. After that, can you check on the pups? I want to make sure that they are all right before they go back with their parents."

She nodded her head and walked over to me. She studied the wound or what she could and frowned. "We'll have to go to my house, Almair. I think that you will need stitches."

I pursed my lips and nodded. "Then check on the pups first."

"What about Randi?" a member of the pack asked.

"There will be a full moon in three days. We'll have the parting ceremony for her then."

"But..."

"She protected the children when I wasn't able to. She should be respected like any other top member." I glanced at Faolon to see him nod, agreeing with me. "I'll be starting to train to become a tiger tomorrow. I will see if I can't take the third night off to be here to lay our members to rest. I want everyone to be inside by five starting tomorrow."

"Any reason?" another pack member asked.

"I will not be able to answer my phone. I don't want anyone to be killed by the Dark Forces. I must try to become the last part as soon as possible. I feel as if there is going to be an attack before or after I get it."

"What do we do until then?" John asked. Worry filled his eyes, and I knew that he was scared that he would lose me. He knew that I would be in the front line because I was the only one that could kill the Dark Forces.

"We survive," I replied. "And, we have to find out a way to kill or injure those Dark Forces. We need to find their weakness. They have to have one. I cannot just be the only one to kill them."

***

I walked into my house, followed by Brody and Matt. It was around nine in the morning, and I was exhausted. My wounds were aching as they started to heal and scab over slowly, and I was grateful that Leah decided to use thread that could dissolve over time.

"Martha?" I heard my mom call from the living room. "You have visitors."

I bit back a groan of annoyance. All I wanted to do was take a shower and get some sleep. However, I knew that it would be best to see who wanted me and why. "You two, go on up and get some sleep," I said, spying Matt leaning against the door with his eyes closed. "I'll be there later." I bit my lip when I saw Brody almost fall over because he was tired too.

Matt startled awake and shook his head. "No, I'm going to go with you," he said. He nudged Brody, and he jerked awake and looked around confused. "We are good." He yawned and didn't bother to cover it up. "We want to be with you."

I gave them my best look, and they squirmed before they decided that it was best for them to go up to my room and get some sleep. 

It was their fault that they were tired because they didn't go back when I told them to. They wanted to stay with me and keep me company.

They had decided to stay up the whole night with me and patrol. 

Yes, I was grateful, but I was also annoyed and scared. I was scared that they could get hurt or worse because they were with me.

I shook my head in amusement and walked into the living room to see Shardul, Marcus, and Vanessa sitting there. I nodded my head in respect, and I couldn't help but be curious as to why they were here. "What is this about?" I asked. I sat down in the main seat and felt my brother stand behind me. "Also, John, you need to get some sleep, too. I know that you stayed up all night waiting for me to get home." I bit back a smirk when he growled, knowing that he was caught.

"Go, John, she is safe," Mom said. She patted my shoulder, knowing that I wanted her to leave as well. "Your father went to talk to the Alpha, so he isn't home. Holler if you need us."

I waited until I was left with the three tigers and leaned back in the seat. "Now, is there anything that you needed?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Why? Do you want to kick us out because we are not part of your norm?" Marcus asked. "I see that you have no problems with the Horses."

I growled a low warning. "I am tired and would like to get some sleep before I have to come over and babysit," I replied coldly. "I have been up all night patrolling because someone was actually killed. Be glad that it wasn't a Pup." Or it would have been your head on my wall, I added, silently.

"How many injured, not including the person that was killed?" Shardul asked. Worry filled his eyes, and I couldn't help but respect him a little more. He cared about the other two groups, and he didn't let Marcus influence his decisions.

"Just me, thankfully," I replied. "If I had gotten there any later, then I am sure that there would have been more deaths."

Shardul nodded. "I have discussed with Vanessa, and she is not expecting you today to babysit. I will see you at my house at five o'clock and lead you to the forest entrance. You will have to find your way to the meeting area." He handed me a piece of paper with his address on it.

I nodded and took the piece of paper. "I will not be training the night of the full moon, nor will I be able to make it to babysit the kids." I narrowed my eyes at Marcus when I noticed his mouth open. "We are going to recognize the female that helped save the pups from the Dark Forces. If she didn't, then they could have died. The Dark Forces are our enemy, so do not make me an enemy. Right now, I am the only thing that can kill them."

"Will you protect us if we get attacked?" Shardul asked, and I looked at him.

I nodded. "Mrs. Vanessa has my number, so if you need to reach me, then ask her for it."

Shardul nodded and stood. "I will see you tonight. You will be starting to train, but I will have to see who will be your teacher. I should know by tonight as to who will help you become a tiger."

I stood as well and watched as the others stood. "Yes, Shardul, thank you."

He smiled. "No, thank you." And, with that, the three of them left, leaving me confused.

What was he thanking me for?