Page 11 of Tempting the Tiger

“Of course it does. I’m sure you’ve considered just taking her and tying her to your bed.”

Keair laughed. “Not quite. I will leave such tactics to Tarek.”

“Of course,” Bachar said cheekily, “You prefer the more charming approach for wooing your mate.”

“I find charm usually works in most situations.”

“Well, don’t disregard the idea,” Bachar chuckled. “It does have its advantages.”

Keair shook his head. “TMI—too much information, Alpha. That is my BFF you are speaking off.”

Bachar let out a loud laugh. Then, his features turned serious. “I hope that charm of yours is as effective as you think. I will be needing it in the next week or so.”

“Oh?” Keair felt a slight shiver travel up his spine as if his tiger sensed danger approaching. He did not like that feeling. Especially now that his mate had been found.

“We have a delegation coming from the south.” Bachar paused, hesitating. Even though most shifters were rounded up and driven to the western United States, some had hidden deep in the forests and mountains of the south during those first turbulent years. When the government discovered that they had indeed been living free and without restrictions for so many years, there was little they could do. Those shifters had been allowed to stay in their home territory.

Keair stilled. “What is it?”

“They have requested a meeting.”

“That should be no problem. Are they interested in expanding?”

“No. Not exactly.” Bachar rubbed his face as if he were having a difficult time deciding what to say.

Keair leaned forward, his cat inching closer to the surface. Keair’s own alpha tendencies inched forward too, making him more aggressive than usual. “Do not toy with me, Bachar. What is it?”

“They want a meeting with you. Specifically, they want you. To become their alpha.”

“What?” Keair jumped from his chair, pacing the length of the room. “How do they even know?”

As far as he knew, no one outside Bachar and Tarek knew of his past. The past that involved betrayal and hurt. And loneliness.

A loneliness that had only begun to ease when Grace had appeared.

“I don’t really know, my friend. The council called me last week and informed me of the trip. There is really nothing we can do to stop them coming. But, of course, you do not have to go back with them.”

It was not unusual for a retiring alpha to seek a replacement if he had no offspring to succeed him. In olden days, any alpha wishing to secure a pack would simply challenge an alpha to a fight to the death. Now that was only done if an alpha went rouge. Keair had unfortunately been a victim of another barbaric practice from the past—especially among cat shifters. He had been abandoned as a cub, left to die when his streak had decided to move another part of the states. His alpha had wanted nothing to do with the male who reeked of alpha potential. Luckily, Keair has managed to survive and had accepted Bachar’s offer to join his pride when it was formed those many years ago.

Bachar stood, moving until he blocked Keair’s path, forcing the other shifter to stop pacing. “You are a part of this pride, Keair. There is no one else I would want to have by my side. All I ask is that you attend the meeting to placate the council.”

“I’m not sure that I can,” Keair almost snarled, his composure quickly leaving him. The dream of having his own streak was something he had begun to contemplate—almost from the moment that he had found Grace. But not like this. Never like this. It reeked too much of what had happened to him in the past.

“I will be there with you. You will not be railroaded into something you do not want.” Bachar moved back behind his desk. “But, for the record, I want you to know that I think you would be a great leader for a streak. Any shifters you rule would be better with you as their leader.”

Keair clenched his fists, gathering his control. “Thank you, Alpha. I will not disappoint you. The delegation will be treated with due respect.”

Bachar nodded his head. “Now, go find your mate. And, send mine to me.”

The women were almost done when Keair showed up at their table, looking as if someone had taken away his favorite toy.

“Hello, Keair,” Sally greeted him, a frown on her face. “Is something wrong?”

“Did you have a productive meeting?” Keair ignored Sally’s question, his smile tight. He nodded at Emily.

“Yes, we did. Grace made some wonderful suggestions.” She grimaced. “She ate one of the chocolate chip cookies and immediately agreed to make the desserts.”

“Excellent.” Keair smiled, pulling out Sally’s chair. “Bachar has suggested you meet him in his office.”