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

Chapter 30

A week had passed since the accident, and Matt was slowly able to do stuff. He wasn't able to do much, but that didn't stop him from trying.

Gone was the full body cast like material that he had to wear, and now it was just his arms, legs, hands, and feet. He could stand and walk some, but I could tell that it was still too painful for him.

He was too stubborn sometimes and wouldn't listen to what we had to say, wanting to push himself harder and harder than his body would allow.

This left him upset and grumpy when he finally caved to the pain, and it left him moodier than ever.

There were times when I had to walk away from him because if I didn't, I knew that I would burst from anger and annoyance.

Not only had he been annoying, but the Dark Forces had been annoying as well. They kept popping up more often than not, and it was making everyone anxious while they waited for them to attack.

None did, however, and none of us knew if that was a good or a bad thing.

And, this particular day, it was a bad thing because I really needed to fight something and not train with Shardul and Tygra after I had gotten the all clear.

"I mean I re-"

"Enough," I said, finally getting annoyed with Matt's complaining. I glared at him and slammed the jeans that I had been folding down onto the bed. "I know, Matthew. We have been over this a million times before."

He opened his mouth to say something but stopped when I growled out a warning. He stared at me with wide eyes, his heart beating a bit faster.

"You keep pushing yourself harder than you are supposed to, and you are making yourself hurt more."

"Well, you have been pushing yourself hard, so why can't I?"

"Because I wasn't hurt that bad. My hands were the only thing that was burnt. Half of your body has been burnt, and you almost died. You need to stop pushing yourself."

"But, even when you are injured worse than me, you keep doing stuff," Matt said. "I feel..." He grimaced, and my gaze softened.

"Useless?" I asked, and he hesitated but nodded. I sighed and walked over to him, the jeans forgotten. I moved to his side and laid down beside him, my head facing him.

Matt nodded his head, grimacing. His eyes were wide with sorrow, and I could tell that he didn't like this at all.

"So do I," I said, offering him a small smile. "I feel useless, too."

"But... why?" Matt asked, furrowing his brows. "You're the Almair. You give people so much hope that better days are about to begin."

"Ya, but I still don't know anything about being the Almair," I said, shrugging my shoulder. "And... I feel so useless against the Dark Forces."

With great difficulty, Matt moved his hand until he was touching my cheek and rubbed it. He smiled when I clutched his hand; the bond between us strengthen. "You aren't useless against the Dark Forces," he said softly. "You're the only one that can kill them."

I closed my eyes and offered him a small smile. "I know," I said softly. "But, it is also my fault that they are attacking everyone."

"No, it's not," Matt said, shaking his head. "They are probably just testing you. They are afraid."

I bit back a snort. "Afraid? Of what?" I asked, opening my eyes.

"Of being powerful," Matt replied. "Martha, you are very powerful. Hey, don't do that," he scowled softly when I turned away. "Look at me, please."

I stayed silent and stared at him. I was not sure that I was as powerful as he made me out to be. I wasn't someone that could take nothing and make it into something. Hell, I wasn't someone that could get the respect of an asshole tiger, even though I hadn't done anything to him.

Matt studied me, frowning. "You don't believe me, don't you?" he asked, and I looked down. He sighed and placed a kiss on my forehead.

He knew about my self-doubt, knew that some days were more of a struggle than not. He knew all of this but still loved me for it. He loved me for being me, and I needed that.

I needed that a lot.

My phone ringing broke the silence that settled between us, and I groaned.

I reached for my phone and answered it, not caring about who was calling. "This is Martha," I said, hearing nothing but static on the other end of the line.

I frowned and sat up. "Hello?" I asked.

Screaming and shouts filled the background, and I stood up. The person holding the phone was yelling something, but I wasn't able to make it out.

Terrified for people's safety, I turned to my mate and mouthed, 'I have to go,' and he nodded and gestured for me to go, knowing I had to do my duty.

I nodded my head and walked out of the room, glad that I still had my boots on. I had been about to go to Tansuke's territory and start to scout, but I hadn't left yet because Ms. Kathy had asked me to fold some of her son's clothes.

Finally, the yelling stopped, and the sound of heavy breathing was heard. "Martha?" a voice asked through the static. "Are you there? Can you hear me?"

I picked up speed, worried. "Shardul? I am here, and I can hear you. Is everything alright? What happened?"

"It's Bethany," he said, and my heart sank with dread. "She has been kidnapped."