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Abby let her fingers trail across his chest, trying to soothe him. The tension in Michael’s body had appeared suddenly, and she hated to see him strung up like he was.
“You can tell me anything,” she told him. “I’m not going to judge you for it. Romance writers are very non-judgmental types.”
That made Michael smile, but even his smile was strained. Abby’s fingertips brushed down his side, and after a moment spent collecting himself, he continued.
“White tigers are a genetic variant of normal tigers,” Michael explained. “But the thing is, if a white tiger mates with a normal tiger mate, their cubs won’t be albino. And of course, we’re all fiercely proud of our white coats and how it sets us apart from the rest.”
“Of course.” Abby smiled. So far, she followed along. Michael was taking the time to explain it to her in a way she’d understand, and she appreciated it.
“So, although all of us are receptive to other mates, every white tiger’s first choice is another white tiger.”
“But you left your clan.”
“Right.” Michael looked divided, as though he didn’t want to share with her that part of the story. “The problem is, because white tigers desire to take other white tigers as mates, there is a lot of in-fighting and rivalry, and it’s become dangerous and destructive.”
Abby’s eyes widened, and she sat up to look down at him. Michael flopped onto his back and stared up at the ceiling.
“What are you saying?” she asked.
“My clansmen are killing each other over potential mates,” Michael lamented. “Two of my brothers died while fighting over tigresses. I didn’t want any part in it, and so I left and chased my fortune elsewhere.”
“I can’t believe that.” Abby closed her eyes as she tried to imagine the pain Michael must have gone through. Losing a brother was unfathomable, but two? And to something so petty? “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Don’t be.” Michael’s grip around her tightened, and he drew her close. He smelled like a summer’s day, and faintly like paint and wood and the materials he used in his day-to-day work. It was a scent that Abby had come to associate with comfort. “They made their choices and I made mine. I’m at peace with it. But that’s why I’m not interested in getting back in touch with my family. As much as I love them, they’re dangerous.”
“And I’m just a human,” Abby whispered.
“And I need to keep you safe,” Michael corrected her. “And any cubs that we might have, I need to keep them safe as well. There is a chance that the children we might have one day would take after me and be shifters, and if that does happen, they’ll inherit their albino genes, too. And I don’t want to bring them into that world.”
“I understand,” Abby whispered, and she meant it. “It just means that we’ll have to start a family of our own to make up for the family that you lost.”
The tension eased from Michael’s shoulders and he smiled at her. “How is it that you always know the right things to say?”
Abby smiled back. “I already told you—I’m a romance writer. If I didn’t know what to say, I wouldn’t get very far.”
Michael’s laugh was all the reassurance she needed. The future was going to be fantastic, and they were going to shape it together.
* * *
Meeting Michael’s parents wasn’t going to happen, ever—but the conversation he’d had that morning, snuggled up next to Abby, convinced him that family was important for her. And while he couldn’t let her into his world to see his history, Michael wanted her to know that he was enthusiastic about learning all he could about her, and sharing her past as equally as he shared her present.
He’d suggested Abby invite her parents to meet him.
Six months had passed since the speed-dating event, and summer had turned to winter before their eyes. Abby’s novel was finished, and she’d been keeping busy with meetings and phone calls while Michael officiated the start of the business he now shared equally with Jason.
In a town as small as Cub’s Cove, the best business decision for them was to offer their services in neighboring towns. At times the commute was long, and sometimes Michael was forced to spend a night or two away, but every time he returned, Abby was waiting for him, and they made love like it was the first time all over again.
After even a short absence, the tiger in his soul rose up and became insatiable. Michael was glad that Abby had as healthy a sexual appetite as he did—she never left him disappointed.
Then again, Michael hadn’t expected anything less of his mate. Abby’s soul was designed to fit his, and they were compatible through and through.
It was why he was going to ask her to marry him after her parents arrived and got settled.
Family and human tradition didn’t mean much to Michael. The ways of the tiger were simple and straightforward and lacked pomp, but he appreciated that Abby came from a different background. And as a romance novelist, he was sure she had different expectations about love and eternity.
Michael didn’t want to fail her.
The ring had been in his possession for the last two weeks, and he’d hidden it amongst his belongings to keep it a surprise. Never before had something had so much significance.
