Page 9 of Claws and Effect

The attack she anticipated never came.

Instead, an earth-shaking roar split the air, freezing everyone in place for a crucial second. From the dense forest beside the road, a massive white tiger exploded into view—muscles rippling beneath pristine fur, silver eyes blazing with controlled rage.

The tiger launched at the nearest attacker, massive paws sending the masked figure flying. With lethal efficiency, it moved through her assailants—not killing, Laykin noted through her drugged haze, but disabling with surgical precision.

Her remaining attackers scattered, two racing for their vehicle while others disappeared into the trees. Within moments, only the unconscious remained.

The white tiger turned toward Laykin, silver eyes assessing her with unnerving intelligence. Something about those eyes triggered recognition—the exact silver from her tea-induced vision that morning.

Her knees buckled as the tranquilizer overwhelmed her lioness’s resistance. The tiger bounded forward, transforming mid-leap in a seamless display of power and control. Where the tiger had been, a man now knelt beside her—tall, powerfully built, with intense silver eyes set in a face of striking angles and planes.

“Are you hurt?” His voice rumbled like distant thunder, deep and resonant.

Laykin struggled to focus through the drug’s effects. “Tranquilizer,” she managed, each word requiring effort.

“How long ago?” His hands steadied her shoulders, the touch sending an unexpected jolt of electricity through her dulled senses.

“Minutes,” she whispered, fighting to maintain consciousness. His scent surrounded her—pine and wilderness and something untamed that called directly to her lioness. Despite the sedative, her inner beast stirred in response, recognizing something her human mind couldn’t yet comprehend.

“Your security team is arriving,” he said, head tilting toward the distant sound of approaching engines. “I have to go.”

“Wait.” Laykin grasped his wrist, surprised by the strength she still commanded. “Who are you?”

His silver eyes held hers for an extended moment, something powerful and unspoken passing between them.

“Someone who couldn’t stand by and watch,” he finally said, gently disengaging from her grip. “Rest, lioness. You’re safe now.”

Before she could respond, he stepped back, his form blurring as he shifted. The magnificent white tiger regarded her once more, then disappeared into the forest with impossible speed and silence.

Laykin slumped to the asphalt, the tranquilizer finally claiming victory over her consciousness. As darkness closed in, her fingers tucked into her skirt pocket a metal object she’d torn from one attacker during the fight—a signet ring bearing an ancient symbol she recognized from her historical studies: the mark of the Northern Bear Clan, supposedly extinct for centuries.

Her last thought before surrendering to darkness centered not on the mysterious ring or the implications of the attack, but on silver eyes that seemed to see straight through to her soul.

SIX

“Princess? Can you hear me?”

Laykin blinked against harsh light, gradually recognizing the royal physician’s concerned face hovering above her. She lay in her own bed at Summit Castle, surrounded by anxious staff.

“I’m fine,” she said automatically, pushing herself upright despite the lingering grogginess. “How long was I unconscious?”

“Approximately forty minutes,” Dr. Reeves replied, checking her pupils with a penlight. “The tranquilizer was a standard shifter-grade sedative. No lasting effects expected, though you may experience fatigue for several hours.”

Laykin nodded, memories of the attack crystallizing. “My security team?”

“Recovering in the medical wing,” her father’s chief of security answered from the doorway. “Minor injuries only. Your emergency beacon worked perfectly—allowed us to locate you quickly.”

“The attackers?”

“Gone when we arrived,” he admitted grimly. “Though we found three unconscious ones zip-tied at the scene. They’re being questioned now.”

Seren pushed through the cluster of staff, her face pale with worry. “Out! Everyone out!” she ordered with surprising authority. “The princess needs to prepare for tonight. Dr. Reeves can stay, the rest of you—shoo!”

The room cleared with remarkable speed, leaving only Seren, the doctor, and the security chief.

“The gala—” Laykin began.

“Is still four hours away,” Seren cut in. “Plenty of time to recover and prepare if Dr. Reeves clears you.”

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