Kith and Kin

Chapter 6

Ven waited until the door to his cabin was firmly closed before he rounded on Tiger, lips twisted in a snarl. "You are lucky I don't wish to have the young one see violence." He growled threateningly.

Tiger crossed his arms over his broad chest with a derisive huff. "You are crazy if you think I'm going to allow you to follow that human home."

Ven's frowned deepened. "Does your mate know you are so opposed to humans?"

"My mate has nothing to do with this!" Tiger snarled. "Zandy came to Reservation willingly. She knew about New Species and accepted working for us." He gestured at the cottage that now housed the little female and her young. "She came here out of fear for her child. We don't know her background. She might hate New Species. For all we know, she might poison you during dinner!"

Ven sighed and relaxed slightly, Tiger's point of view now coming across clearly. "I understand."

The sigh of relief that escaped Tiger was tremendous. "Good. Then let me take the humans-"

"Send a team with me."

Tiger stopped and blinked. "What?"

"Send a security team with me." Vengeance pressed reasonably. "That way I'll be safe. I doubt she'll poison me with NSO officers around."

Tiger's tone softened and he eyed Ven carefully. "Look Ven, this is a bad idea. I know you've been looking for a mate and I can understand that having this female dropped in your lap might seem like a sign, but it's not. We know nothing about her beyond her having a child and having moved in near Reservation."

"She might even have a mate." Timber added helpfully.

"She didn't smell like it." Zest admitted quietly, earning himself a glare from Tiger.

"She has no mate." Ven assured. "The boy told me his father is gone."

Tiger dragged a hand through his hair as he rumbled in frustration. "No. Just no, Ven. I'm not going to okay you getting involved with this human." He leaned forward and spoke in a dangerously low tone. "You've already tried to carry off two human females. We are not doing this again."

"I am not going to carry her off!" Ven hissed back. "I just want to get to know the female. Her child invited me over. Am I not even allowed to fulfill the young's wish?"

"No. It's not happening." Tiger swore. "Now bring the humans out so I can take them home or I will go in to get them."

Ven growled at the threat but whirled, heading for his cabin. When he opened the door he saw that Jamie and his mother had taken up seats at his table. The image of them, safe and comfortable inside his home, was like a punch in the gut. Here was the dream he'd desired for so long. A mate. A child. A happy home.

And he was being denied even one evening of this pleasure. 

"Come." His voice was a rough growl and he couldn't seem to speak more than that single word in this moment, too weighed down with emotion.

The woman and her son glanced at each other before following Ven out onto the porch. Jamie took his mother's hand as he went down the steps, looking up at her in askance. "Is Ven coming over for dinner now?"

"I don't know. Why don't you ask him?"

"Ven are you coming to dinner now?" Jamie asked head tipped way back to meet Ven's eyes as they came to a stop in front of Tiger.

Vengeance's frown deepened and he shook his head sadly. He opened his mouth, about to try and make the young one understand when Tiger spoke plainly, "No, he won't be." 

Jamie's sharp gaze flicked to Tiger, taking the other male in from head to foot before turning to his mom. "Why is that mean man telling Ven he can't come over?"

The female's cheeks heated in embarrassment as she stumbled over her words, trying for a rational explanation. Beside Tiger, Zest snorted out a laugh and Timber turned away, trying to hold back his own laughter.

Tiger's stern face flashed into one of surprise and then contrition. "Mean?" He mumbled to himself, "I'm the mean one?"

Ven held back a smile, knowing that rubbing Jamie's unexpected insult in the other male's face wouldn't help the situation. Instead, he shrugged and tried to calm his face into expressionless acceptance.

Tiger planted his hands on his hips and gave Ven a warning glare before softening and shifting his gaze to Jamie. "It's not safe for Ven in the out world but just this once I'll make an exception. Just for you." As the young boy brightened, Tiger met Ven's eyes once more. "I will send you with four officers. You can only stay for a little while. An hour or two at most."

Ven nodded, not saying anything in case Tiger changed his mind. He was going to get a chance to live his dream, if only for a few hours.