Tiger Born (21 page)

“Ward, did you come to a final decision yet?” she asked, and Ward froze with a bite of food at his mouth.

Coreen forced a smile. “I’m sure this conversation can wait until we all finish eating.”

“I’m sure it can’t.” Deja didn’t look away from Ward. “The humans are locked away wherever you have them while we’re enjoying tea and crumpets. So, I’m asking, have you decided?”

Ward frowned and thumped his fork down on his plate. “You seem to see things one-sided, never considering the big picture.”

“I’m one-sided? Are you serious? All you see is your side. You can’t feel how this affects real people. Not even just humans. You’re breaking the hearts of shifters. Look at Carter. You’re killing him.”

Ward sneered. “Carter is the poster child for one-sided. You know Melanie, Deja. Does it seem to you that she’s devoted to Carter, that she loves him?”

Several others gasped, and Carter paled.

“Spoken like the coldhearted bastard you are.”

Ward bolted to his feet, and a wave of power rippled over the table, almost toppling her out of her chair. If it weren’t for Heath’s reflexes to catch her, she would have hit the floor. He roared like a tiger and sent a fist into his father’s chest so strong, the man slid backward and crashed into the server against the wall. Several crystal pieces Coreen had set there for decoration fell to the floor and shattered. Although Heath’s punch had been strong, Ward shook it off as if it were no more than a tap. He growled at his son, but Heath snarled back. Deja tried to get out from behind Heath, but he held her in place with a grip of steel.

Deja scanned the room. Everyone had stood to their feet when Ward jumped to his, and when Heath punched him, Joe and Carter coiled as if ready to attack. What she couldn’t tell is whom they would back. Of course they’d have to side with Ward, being the alpha, but they didn’t appear happy about facing off against Heath.

“Sit down, everybody,” Ward said after some time. Joe, Carter, and Coreen took their seats immediately, but Deja couldn’t sit until Heath let her go. His hold hadn’t lessened. Neither did he bend his knees. Ward sighed and held up his hands palms out. “Please. Sit down. Let’s finish our food. No, Coreen, leave it. We can clean that up later. It was my fault anyway for losing my temper.”

Heath squeezed her hip and then patted it before removing his hand. Deja sat down, and so did he. When she slid her chair up closer to the table, she glanced across and caught Carter’s angry gaze. She could read the meaning.
“Stop provoking him.”
She resisted a chuckle that rose inside.

“I know you think I don’t care about anyone but myself, Deja, but do you think it didn’t affect me when I saw the pain and tears in Coreen’s eyes when I told her my decision? It’s not easy running an entire town. Instead of judging me, perhaps you should think about what you would do if it were all on you.”

She could say nothing to that. She’d yelled at him and called him names, thinking his heart dead, but in the end, could she make the tough choices? Now that she had calmed a little, she thought about the other thing he’d said as well. Did Melanie love Carter? Quick as a whip the woman had turned her back on shifters to stick with a woman who obviously hated them. Jake had risked life and limb and never blinked twice about sticking by her. Still, just because Melanie was weak of character didn’t mean she didn’t care about Carter. Deja thought she did. She was just scared of giving over to it. Anyone could see Carter adored Melanie.

“I have a few suggestions,” Heath said, and every eye turned to him. “No humans allowed in Siberia, except those who have a sworn commitment to a shifter as their mate of at least five years.”

Ward nodded. “I’ve already decided on that much. Go on.”

“The rest are asked to leave.”

Voices erupted at that point, everyone shouting an opinion about what Heath meant. Ward was shaking his head frowning. He slammed his fist on the table. “Son, have you forgotten we’re still looking at having to move the town? Spiderweb has infiltrated. That much we know. We can’t just ask the humans to leave. The perpetrators will just run off and inform our enemy.”

Deja leaned forward. “Well, if everybody will shut up, maybe Heath will explain what he means.”

Heath grinned at her, and the rest scowled. She wasn’t moved.

“I believe there are humans who have been with their shifters less than five years, yet they love them.” He nodded to Carter. “In that case…I think the shifter needs to leave with his human and take responsibility for him or her outside of Siberia.”

Carter’s mouth dropped open. What Heath suggested was that he leave his home, his people, and live among humans hiding what he was—forever. He would be charged with basically monitoring whether Melanie was for real or if she’d just been with him for the moment. Deja wondered what would happen down the line if any of the humans who left appeared ready to rat them out. Heath’s next words gave her the answer.

“As I said, the shifter is then directly responsible for his or her human. If she or he tries to betray us, the shifter has a duty to take care of it.”

Deja’s throat dried. “Take care of it?”

No one bothered to answer her question. They all knew. A slow smile spread over Ward’s face, and he stroked his chin, eyes taking on a glazed appearance. “I like that. I like it a lot. It gives everyone a chance, and all of the humans know—while we won’t say expressly—that they are being watched. They’re not fools, and the fact is one or more of them
is
guilty. Done! Heath, I’m making you in charge of the investigation.”

Heath started. “Investigation?”

Ward pounded his son’s shoulder with a heavy hand, pride written all over his face. “Oh, didn’t I tell you? You’re Siberia’s new sheriff.”

Deja rolled her eyes and chuckled. “Goodness, Ward, you’re a piece of work.”

Ward went on as if he hadn’t dropped a bomb on Heath. “I need you to sweep both the town and the surrounding area, looking into every hint of who might have betrayed us. We will likely still have to move, but as that’s a great undertaking, it will take time. Meanwhile, I want to weed out anyone who should not go with us. I refuse to allow this type of situation happening again somewhere else. You can use Carter and Joe…or, uh, Joe and whoever else you need to get the job done.”

The rest of the evening continued with less drama but no less interest. Deja remained at Heath’s side long after Joe and Carter said good night, listening to Ward outline to his son what he had in mind for Heath’s new position. She waited for Heath to say something against it, but he seemed to warm to the idea. She didn’t like the risk of him being hurt again, and she’d say so when they got home.

“If you’re taking tips, Ward,” Deja began, and both men turned to look at her, “there’s this woman who owns a clothing shop not far from city hall. I don’t know her name, but the place is called Taavi Style. Then again, maybe that’s her name. Anyway, she’s human, and I’ve never seen such a hateful spirit. She seems like she can’t stand us, and I’m wondering why she’s even here. How could there be any shifter she loves?”

Sadness darkened Ward’s eyes. “There isn’t. Not anymore. Taavi was the shifter she loved. They were together about fifteen years, but he was killed in freak accident three years ago. Janet, that’s her name, has been as she is now since then. She loved Taavi so much, I almost felt like they had a bond as strong as any two shifters.”

Deja put a hand to her mouth. “Oh, my goodness, I’m so sorry to hear that.” She glanced at Heath, and worry knotted her stomach. He seemed to sense how she felt and took her hand in his. He brought it to his lips and kissed her fingers.

“I’m not going anywhere, Deja. You don’t have to worry.”

She frowned at him. “You don’t know that.”

He chuckled. “Weren’t you the one arguing with me recently about living our lives and not living in fear? You were a strong advocate for not keeping ourselves from anything just because we were afraid Spiderweb would sweep in and take it all away.”

She thought of the baby and sighed. “I guess.”

He kissed her hand again. “Everything will be okay, and we’re leaving here soon.”

Heath kept his promise and wrapped up the conversation with his father. They left Ward and Coreen’s house a little after midnight. The drive home took moments, and Deja should be tired, but she thought this was the perfect time to tell Heath about the baby. The mere thought of it had her wide awake, yet she stalled when they walked into their own house. Heath took her into his arms just inside the front door and tossed her purse across to the couch. She laid her head on his shoulder and breathed in his manly scent, a mixture of the fresh aroma of his soap and a hint of sandalwood.

“I thought you were keen on getting the ranch?” she commented. “Nobody’s standing in your way anymore, but you seem excited about the sheriff position.”

He drew back and shrugged. “I don’t know. Something about being captured changed my attitude. I told you how they grabbed me, the ammonia for scent, the drug they put in my system afterward. Our greatest strengths are our greatest vices. I want to get stronger and learn to do better. I don’t want to risk any of the people I love, and, more so, I want to do everything I can to protect them. That’s why I like the idea of being sheriff. As far as the ranch, baby, we don’t know how long we’ll be here. That part bothers me. I thought Siberia would be a place we could settle down and stay forever, but it’s true, we’ve been compromised. We have to think about the safety of everyone.”

She played with the top button on his shirt. “I don’t want you doing anything dangerous.”

“I won’t.”

“You can’t guarantee that.”

“Deja.” He raised her chin so she’d look into his eyes. “I love you.”

A wave of joy hit her, vastly different from what she’d felt when she pissed Ward off. “I love you too. It’s just…”

“What? Talk to me, honey. I want us to work out everything from now on.”

She swallowed. “Well, I’m glad you say that because…um…I’m pregnant.”

Heath blinked in silence as if she’d made a joke he didn’t get.

“Did you hear me? Heath, I’m going to have your baby. I know you didn’t want kids, but, well, you weren’t that careful either.”

“You were on birth control,” he accused her.

She broke from his arms. “That’s what you want to say to me?”

He glared.

“Well, for your information, I was on birth control before I was changed. What humans develop to keep from getting pregnant—according to what Dr. Adams tells me—doesn’t always work on us.”

“And you didn’t tell me.”

“I didn’t learn that until after I found out I was pregnant. Believe it or not.” She started walking away and had to swallow a sob. “I think it’s obvious you don’t want to be a part of his or her life, so don’t even worry about it. I got this.”

“Deja!”

She whirled around to snap, “What?”

“I love you.”

“W-what?”

“I love you. Come here.” She didn’t move, and to her surprise, he came to her. He drew her into his arms and stroked her hair. When she felt him kiss the top of her head, she broke down, and silent tears ran down her cheeks. His hold tightened. “There is absolutely no way I’m letting you go. I don’t care what I want as far as anything else. I don’t care about my fears, my worries, my concerns, hell, not even my world views.” He raised her chin to look into her face, and she saw the pain in his at seeing her cry.

“I’m happy about the baby,” she choked. “Can’t you be?”

“Yes, I can and I am.” He turned her away from him and walked her into the bedroom while he followed. Deja sat down on the bed, and Heath sank beside her. He ran a hand over her belly, his eyes wide in wonder. “I feel her.”

She laughed. “No, you don’t, idiot. I’m not even showing yet. The baby is just a bundle of cells right now.”

He shook his head, concentrating. “No, I mean, I sense life. I don’t know how to explain it. I don’t even know how I sense it, but…Deja, we…”

She stiffened. “What? Tell me. Is something wrong with the baby?”

“No.”

“Heath Hunter, stop looking so damn mysterious and just say it.”

“We’re having twins.”

She wanted to say
what
again, in fact intended to, but her head grew light, and she shut her eyes. He couldn’t have said what she thought he did, and why wasn’t he back to freaking out? Her heart pounded, and blood rushed in her ears. Goodness, two babies at once? Was he nuts?

“Deja, are you okay?” The sharpness in his tone let her know she’d worried him, and she forced her eyes open.

“I’m fine. I just thought you said we’re having twins.” The light laugh she tried forcing out fell flat. The serious expression on his face said he hadn’t stopped worrying yet.

“I did say that, baby, and it’s going to be fine. I’m going to be right there with you. I’ll even get up in the middle of the night to help change and feed them.”

Deja sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. She managed a smile, but Heath flinched as if it wasn’t as calm and friendly as she’d intended it to be. “Heath?”

“Yes, baby?” He took hold of her hand and laced his fingers with hers.

“I’m going to kill you dead.
Dead!
”

Chapter Fifteen

Heath’s first reaction to Deja’s news had been anger, that somehow she had tricked him into getting her pregnant, but he regretted it now. He had made her cry, and he wouldn’t forgive himself for that. Deja was everything to him. He would devote himself the rest of her term to making her happy, and for a lifetime afterward.

He didn’t know how he knew there were two babies. The only explanation for it was that it was similar to his father’s ability to know where his people were, but Heath hadn’t consciously sent out any burst of power. Thinking about it, he grinned. His babies were
his
people, and a fierce love for them and for Deja rose up in him until he wanted to shout it to the world. Unfortunately, since Deja slept feet away from him, he kept the noise to a minimum.

Chuckling, he reached for the tray he’d set aside when he came into the room just now. “Baby, it’s time to wake up.”