Page 29 of Catch a Tiger

The biggest issue was these three were more human than tiger, except maybe Rune. Mylo’s was right under the surface of his skin, but he had the tiger locked down – choking its instincts with a death grip she’d normally find impressive except it seemed to make him irritable because the tiger kept clawing to get out.

Vix looked up at the alpha and it was easy to see how much she unnerved him. He thought she was feral and thoughtless, but he just didn’t understand. That could actually work to her benefit. Alpha instincts were difficult to ignore, especially when it came to a mate.

If she was his, he’d feel it even if he couldn’t scent it, but that might not matter.

Still…

Making them want to protect her instead of kill her was the only way to survive stepping into that lifeless house.

Rune clamped his teeth down on the back of her coat, lifting her like he would a cub. Vix bit back a snarl of irritation. She wasn’t his cub, she was his fuckingmate, but she supposed this was better than being dragged.

Crossing her arms over her chest, she glared at the house and lifted her knees to make it a little easier on him – he was her mate after all, no matter how annoying he was being.

Despite being in her awkward human body, he was carrying her as if she weighed nothing.

Such strength.

What would it feel like to have it surround her, protect her from all the memories that haunted her dreams? Vix never really remembered them when she woke up, but they clung to her like frost on flowers, winter desperately holding on until summer finally came and put it out of its misery.

A shame someone couldn’t put Vix out of her misery.

The golden tiger fell into step beside them, shoulder pressed to Rune’s as they walked side by side. Mylo’s scent intertwined with Rune’s effortlessly and she couldn’t help the way she relaxed as it surrounded her.

How long had it been since she’d slept? Vix couldn’t remember.

She’s definitely a shifter, Rune said.

A feral one, Mylo agreed.

Assholes. “I can hear you,” she grumbled, swallowing down a smile when Rune almost dropped her in surprise.

Can you?Mylo asked, eyes glinting a warning.Why is that?

“I don’t know.” Whether he liked that answer or not, it was the truth and they’d be able to hear it even without a scent.

That dangerous glint in the golden tiger’s eyes faded away when he realized she wasn’t lying. How interesting.

Rune gently set her down at the bottom of the stairs as the alpha jogged up them to the cedar porch wrapping around most of the house. He glanced back when he reached the top, jade-green eyes narrowed when she sat in the snow, legs crossed underneath her.

It was kind of funny to see just how uncomfortable she made the alpha, but it was also dangerous. She needed to get him to trust his instincts more than his human eyes, and the best way to do that was to act like she was unfamiliar with so much humanity.

What did he know about her anyway?

The door beyond the alpha was big and red…

Vix got to her feet, one hand gripping Rune’s fur tight as she stared at that horrible door pulsing with dark magic that peeled away as if inviting her inside a trap. It didn’t smell like blood, but she could still smell a metallic tang that made her hackles raise.

Rune shook her off of him and pinned her down with a single paw when she tried to grab on again.What’s the problem?

“It smells weird,” she said, wrinkling her nose at the door. “I don’t like it. It’s not my den.”

He tilted his head down at her.Are you insulting my den, little mate?

Uh-oh. Vix slid her gaze to her autumn tiger, feeling anxious. He’d sounded so offended. “It’s been a long time…” she tried to explain.

But that wasn’t the only reason.

Suddenly, Mylo shifted into his human body and crouched down beside her. Vix took in the pristine suit he wore and decided it still looked fucking ridiculous out here in the wilderness. Why would he wear that when it was cold anyway?

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