Magic and Alphas: A Paranormal Romance Collection, page 124
“We could draw the rest of them out, sir,” Drake said.
“My thoughts exactly,” Roman continued. “How many women do they have left?” That was where the Incas would concentrate their forces—where they had the most to lose. If they’d had anything left to lose at all. This was all for show. Roman had gathered this information from Jackson and Drake long ago. He simply needed to make sure the rest of the streak was with him in this plan.
“None, to the best of our knowledge,” Jackson answered. “We haven’t seen a female of theirs for some time. No cubs or younglings, either. We believe all they have left are some adult males, maybe an elder or two.”
“Do we know where any of them are?”
“We think they’ve vacated the south side completely,” Jackson said. “I haven’t seen any at my post for weeks, and neither have any of the other scouts in the area.” A few other tiger-shifters murmured in agreement. “We have occasionally found some downtown, and we have managed to capture and kill those. Our best guess is that they’ve migrated downtown to be closer to us. They’re probably looking for any chance to strike.”
“Are we seeing them any place in particular?”
“We used to see them around the Alamo and the Crockett Hotel and the Lana Center Mall,” Drake said. “But they haven’t been there for a long time. The last one we caught was outside the ER of the Baptist Medical Center, near I-35, right after a skirmish. We suspect he was there in case we sought medical help from the humans.”
“How long ago was that?”
“Right before your return.”
“There’s a chance they have a new lair in that area. Let’s concentrate some scouts there. Do we have any Inca prisoners?”
“Yes, sir,” Drake said, though the glance he shared with Jackson silently reminded Roman that his two top warriors disliked his plan.
“Keep him drugged and in human form. Show him in the neighborhoods you suspect hide the Incas. Let’s see if we can draw them out.”
See if the threat of torturing one of their own the way he’d been tortured prompted the other streak to act.
If it did—if he could make the city safe for his people—then maybe he’d be able to take a mate someday, help the other shifters under his command find mates, as well.
If there are any female tiger-shifters left when this is over.
Chapter 7
A week later, Roman sat in the outside waiting area at La Encanto, watching the tourists and the mild waters of the San Antonio River, wishing he was drinking a frozen margarita while he waited for Lana.
He hadn’t been sure how she would react to seeing him again, but he certainly hadn’t expected the reaction he got.
He could have accepted anger that he’d left without saying goodbye and then stayed gone for a week. Her being happy and excited might seem less possible, but it would have been nice. Telling him to leave and never come back? He had to admit he’d considered that a strong contender.
But telling him to leave and come back at the end of her shift—to wait for her outside until she was done? Definitely unexpected.
Although Roman had tried to time his return as accurately as possible, her section was still busy, even fifteen minutes before her shift ended. He’d waited over an hour before she came out.
When Lana did finally emerge, she seemed focused, not angry at all. In fact, she even accepted a brief hug from him when he offered it. He took this as a good sign.
“We need to go somewhere we can talk,” she told him. “Unless you live nearby, I know a great local coffee shop.”
“The coffee shop sounds like a nice option,” he told her.
“Fine,” she said. She walked at a brisk pace, not really waiting for him to keep up.
“Did you have a good shift?” He tried to break the ice.
“Did you not see what I had to deal with? Do you really think I had a good shift?”
“Look, I’m sorry. Can...?”
“It’s fine. Look, let’s not talk until we get to the coffee place, okay?”
“Okay,” he said, wondering what was going on. Women had always been a mystery to him, and he knew that he’d messed up bad with this one, but he was still puzzled by Lana’s reaction to him tonight, wondering what was on her mind.
She did seem to be breathing a bit heavy, so he waited to see if she changed her mind, decided to strike up a conversation on their walk, but it never happened.
Eventually, they reached a picturesque little coffee shop, Guanatanemera. Roman had heard of this place a couple of weeks ago, but hadn’t known where it was.
Inside, she chose a spot in a corner, with a nice view, and they both sat.
There was no need for Roman to order anything, as Lana had ordered two espressos for them when the baristas welcomed her. Roman said nothing about not being in the mood for an espresso—he’s amused and a little charmed by her taking of control.
Sweet, silly human.
Inhaling deeply, she put her purse down, looking at him. “Hopefully, this area will stay empty. If it doesn’t, we’re going to have to go somewhere else. We have a lot to talk about, and we don’t need any eavesdroppers.”
“Okay,” Roman responded, cautious and even a little uneasy.
“I’m on the run, Roman. And I will probably spend my entire life on the run. I’m from the largest streak in Missoula, Montana.”
Roman blinked in surprise, but Lana kept going without waiting for a response. “My father was the alpha, my mate Ian was training to take over from him, and our lives were perfect. But then, this sick son of a bitch killed my father and Ian and imprisoned me. He’s a twisted bastard and he took over the whole streak, the whole territory.”
She bit her bottom lip, and then clenched her jaw against tears. “Fortunately, someone loyal to my father got me out of there fast and sent me to a shaman in Arizona, who taught me how to mask my scent, to hide, a few other things. They’ve come close to tracking me down a few times, but since I can sense them coming, and they can’t sense me, it’s always been pretty easy for me to get away.
“The thing is, when I first scented you that night, I thought you might be one of them. But then I sensed something different. I stuck it out. I’m glad that I did. Meeting you was exactly what I needed that night. And I really enjoyed our time together.”
Lana said this without smiles or tenderness, describing emotions as if she were merely relating facts.
What does this mean about where she is going?
“So, that’s my story.” She sat back in her chair, and one of the baristas brought their small espresso cups by. Narrowing her gaze, she speared him with an intense stare. “What’s yours?”
“I’m the temporary alpha of the streak here,” he said slowly, after the barista left. “We are at war with another streak in the area. I was actually imprisoned and tortured by them for months. After I finally escaped, I learned that most of the streak that abducted me had been destroyed. We’re currently in the process of completely wiping them out.”
Her gaze drifted to his missing arm, and then quickly flicked to his face as she caught herself.
“Yes, that’s how I lost the arm. And where I got most of the scars on my body.”
Oddly enough, Roman didn’t recognize pity on her face. What he did see seemed to resemble desire more than anything.
“So, in some ways, our stories are kind of similar,” she said with the first hint of softness in her voice.
“Yes, that’s true.”
“Maybe it’s a good thing that we met, then.” Her eyes didn’t quite tear up, but they do moisten slightly.
“I am definitely glad that we met, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Well, good, but that’s not really what I meant.” Her hard, practical tone returned.
“I think I know what you meant.”
“Really? Then, how about you tell me?” She sipped her espresso. He let his sit.
“The inevitable ‘what now?’ question.”
“Something like that.” Despite her tough facade, a hint of hope flashed in her eyes.
“You said maybe it’s a good thing that we met.”
“Glad you were listening.”
He let that slide. He started to tell her she was foolish if she planned to keep running, to continue on her own, but he realized that telling him her secret probably meant she wasn’t planning on that.
And even if she is, telling her she’d be foolish might only spur her on.
No. Better to make her part of the streak.
An odd thought crossed his mind—the kind of thought he’d never have had before he became alpha.
“I want to protect you. I want to have you in my life. My streak can protect you.” He bit his lip. “In fact, I suspect my entire streak would want to take care of you. Watch over you. Love you.”
Her eyes softened and then the tears did start to build, but didn’t pour forth. He knew he is going down the right path.
“Glad to hear it.” She attempted to mask her emotions.
“You don’t have to be alone anymore, Lana. You don’t have to be without a streak. You have found a new streak. And you can be happy again.”
“Okay, let’s get something straight. I think it’s pretty obvious that I like you and that we have good chemistry. But this doesn’t mean that we are together.”
He laughed aloud, given the thought he’d just had. He’d have to check with Jackson and Drake, but he already knew—any tiger-shifter would prefer what he had in mind to living without a mate for the rest of his life. He gazed into her eyes intently. “I want you in my streak, under our protection. And I get that you want it, too, even though you wouldn’t allow yourself to say it, in so many words.”
She said nothing, though she maintained eye contact.
“I’m sure you know most of the country’s streaks have always had more males than females.”
Lana inclined her head, still watching him suspiciously.
“And this war has left all of San Antonio without many female tiger-shifters at all.”
“So you want me to come into your streak as your mate?”
He inhaled deeply, and then took a drink of his espresso to fortify himself for this next bit. “Not precisely. I want to go back to the old ways. I you to agree to come in as the Alpha Mate for my streak.”
Lana’s face lost all expression. “You want what?”
Roman didn’t respond, just waited for her to catch up.
“Streaks quit doing that centuries ago,” she finally managed to splutter.
“That doesn’t make it a bad practice.” He leaned forward, urging her with every fiber of his being to consider his suggestion. “You would come into the streak, and have your choice of several different mates. Three was the traditional number, right?”
“With you as alpha and my other two mates as your seconds? Could you let me pick which tigers work with you?”
He grinned. “Well, I hope you’d at least consider the two who are my seconds now. But yes. I could let you choose.”
“And could the three of you manage to avoid jealous rages? Isn’t that why the practice died out in the first place?”
Roman’s expression grew serious. “That would be for us to work out. I promise you would be safe. Cherished.”
At the word, something in her expression lit up.
This might just work.
If only he could convince the rest of the streak to go along with it, too.
Chapter 8
“Do you care what I want?”
Roman’s stomach clenched. He didn’t know if Lana’s question was an out, or a trap, or something else entirely, but since he’d started the conversation, he had to see it through.
“I want you to figure out what you want. Not what your streak wants. Not what you think your streak needs. I need you to tell me what you think is right.”
Oh, hell.
“Our streak.” His feeble attempt at using intimacy to deflect her implicit rejection of his idea didn’t elicit any response, so he forged ahead. “I want you, Lana. That is why I came back tonight. I regretted leaving the way I did. I wanted to see you again.” Roman crossed his fingers under the table, hoping she’d eventually see things his way.
“You want me? And why is that, pray tell?”
“I’m crazy about you. You do something to me. I can’t get you out of my system.”
“And that’s why you left? That’s why I didn’t hear from you again until tonight? Because you care about me?” Her voice rose. “That’s why you’re proposing to share me with your whole damn streak?”
“No,” he replied, knowing that he dug a grave for himself.
“Or is it because I’m a She-Tiger and I’m available?”
That comment from her made him go hard, the memory of her riding him flashing through his mind.
Could he stand for her to be with others? Or would the thought of her like that with his streak-mates drive a wedge between them?
It didn’t matter. He needed her. The streak needed her. “I would want you in my streak forever. I wouldn’t want a temporary arrangement. This would be for life.” He paused, suddenly considering one reason she might not be saying yes. “If you’ll have me.”
“Why wouldn’t I have you?” Her puzzlement seemed genuine.
“I’m an invalid. Your first mate must have been much stronger than I am.”
Lana shook her head impatiently. “Don’t be ridiculous. I couldn’t ask for a stronger protector than you.”
“I want you, Lana. I want you with me. I don’t want you to leave me or my streak. You don’t have to be alone anymore.”
“I want you, too, Roman. But I think we need to be clear on some things. I really do believe that we were meant to meet. And I am grateful to be part of a streak again. I’m even grateful for you.” She gave him a sweet smile. “But I was practically royalty in my previous streak, so I can hardly consent to being your streak’s concubine now. Neither my bloodline nor my self-respect will let me do that.”
“Of course.” Excitement began to flutter in his chest. She was going to say yes. It was just a beginning, but having an Alpha Mate could bring other female tigers to his streak. They could survive, even thrive. And he could make sure Lana was protected. “You won’t be our concubine.” He grinned. “I’ll make it clear to anyone who wants to court you that the reality will be closer to the opposite.”
She nodded solemnly, but a glimmer of amusement flickered in her eyes.
“How much do you want to tell them about your situation?” he asked.
“That will be up to you,” she said. “You can share as much or as little as you would like.”
“I’d like to let everyone know the danger you are in. So they will know to protect you. So that they are not caught off guard.”
“Do you trust your entire streak?”
“Implicitly.”
“Well, like I said, it’s your call. I know that you will protect us, and that you won’t do anything to put me in danger.” She paused, biting her bottom lip. “And that includes not letting me choose any mates who might be…”
“Less than perfect for you?”
She nodded. “Yes. That.”
So don’t mess it up, man.
“Thank you, Lana. This means more to me—to our entire streak—than you will ever know.”
“So,” she sighed, taking another sip of her espresso.
He finally sipped his. It was freezing cold.
“Now, for the practicality of things. Specifically, of how I should—what?—choose my other mates?”
“Yes, there is that.” He tapped his fingers on the table, considering.
“How would you prefer to go about introducing me to the streak?”
“I think I’d like to make the announcement to them alone, as a group, before they meet you, so they can feel free to ask any questions they have.”
“That’s probably a good idea. I agree.”
“But I’d also like to have you nearby. I wouldn’t want to leave for two hours and then come and get you. And I’d hate to worry about you during that time.”
She glanced up at him from beneath her lashes, suddenly shy at the thought of meeting the men who might be her mates. “I appreciate that.”
“What if you were in the hotel above our sanctuary? So that I could come up and get you once I had made the announcement, to introduce you, and to address any questions they might have?”
“You live beneath a hotel?”
* * *
“Oh... no. This will not do,” Lana said to him right after he swings the door open.
This was not the reaction he was expecting. His streak members had insisted he take over the official Alpha Quarters while he was leading them. He had gone to great pains to make it his own after he took over. He realized he’d expected Lana to be impressed.
“What’s wrong?”
“This is a man cave. No.”
“But...”
“Look, antlers and skull paintings might be great for a bachelor, but I am not doing this.”
“What do you mean?”
“I know this place is safe,” she sighed, walking over to the steps which led up to the large bed on the platform. “But some windows would be nice. Everyone needs sunlight.”
“I know,” he said soothingly, stepping up to the bed and sitting next to her. “But you said it. It’s safe here. We can protect you here. I can protect you here.”
“You’re right. And I know suburbia isn’t exactly a great idea. But does this hotel have any lofts or residential suites or anything?”
“I don’t know. Jackson is in charge of that.”
“Of course you don’t.” She gave him a smile and put her hand on his thigh. “I know you’ve got a lot on your plate right now.”
Roman tried to think of something to say to reinforce her realization, but came up with nothing.
“It’s okay,” she said. “But if I’m going to have more than one mate, I’m going to need my own space—I can’t simply move from one man’s bedroom to another’s. Then we’re right back to concubine territory.”
