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Chapter 7
Niko
“Hey, boss, we have a small situation.” Interrupting the Alpha’s vacation was the last thing I wanted to do but forcing a shift on anyone was his call and no one else’s. In most groupings, whether pride, pack, or otherwise, the Alpha was the only one who could force a shift. Leo was different; he shared the responsibility of taking care of our pride with his Beta, Diego, and his inner circle, which included me. I knew I had the ability to force Amelia, but my tiger roared his displeasure at the thought.
“Tell me,” Leo replied. I could hear voices in the background, laughter and giggles of young ones, and Diego’s hearty guffaw. My lips tilted upward, enjoying the happy sounds before quickly frowning as I explained the situation.
“Niko,” I heard Kat’s voice join Leo’s. “You can’t force a change on her; it would set her back months, if not years, in her progress.”
“Hush, pet. If that’s the best way to help her heal, then we will.”
“I just want my opinion on record,” Kat huffed.
“Duly noted, love.” The quiet sound of lips on skin followed before Leo addressed me again, “What is Jax’s suggestion?”
I explained how healing would process if left in her human form versus her tiger form.
“I think this needs to be her decision. I know she has difficulty, and her tigress refuses to emerge most days. I won’t approve a forced shift if she doesn’t want it.”
I could hear leaves rustling as I replied. “I agree, but if she wants to try and can’t?” I wanted specific instructions to bring to Amelia options she could choose from.
“Nudging through pack bonds might help, or another special bond if that has formed.” Leo skirted around the subject of mates. As Alpha, he sometimes knew before we did who were destined to be together. “If that doesn’t work, then, and only then, can you try to force her tigress to emerge.” He paused. “But Niko, I don’t want to find out you forced a shift if she doesn’t agree.”
“I would never—” I began, but he cut me off.
“Have Miguel stay with her. He has a way with your animal sides. He might be able to get her to come out on her own.” My tiger growled low, vibrating in my chest. “Keep your tiger under control; Miguel’s presence poses no threat to you, him, or her.”
“Unca Leo, Momma says foods ready.” A young male voice rang clear.
“I have been summoned. If I don’t go, Marla will have a cow and won’t feed me.” He laughed. “Keep me in the loop on her progress, and Niko, thank you for bringing them both back safely. I knew leaving the pride in your hands was the right decision.” He didn’t wait for an answer. The line disconnected, and I went back to Amelia’s room.
“What did Leo say?” Miguel asked. Jax turned his attention to me, waiting for the same answer.
“He said no force shifts without her permission. Kat was adamant that even with her permission, we shouldn’t. That we need to let her heal in her own way, whether human or animal.” I ran my hand through my hair, feeling the strands stick out at odd angles.
“He also said for you to stay with her. Your comfort may help her relax, help her tigress relax enough to shift,” I addressed Miguel.
“I’ll do whatever is best for Amelia.” Miguel didn’t take his eyes off her prone form.
Jax put on a new pair of gloves and moved to her ankle. I cringed at the odd angle. My tiger growled as Jax placed his hands and a metal device around it.
“I have to re-break it, Niko. Unless you want to help me, this little device is the next best thing I have to shifter strength. It also helps guide me to the right place to break so that it will heal correctly.”
My tiger continued to growl, but I gave him a sharp nod. I knew he was right, but I didn’t have to be happy about it. Miguel grasped my hand as Jax made quick work of the break, the crack echoing in the silent room.
“I’ve done everything I can for her. Marigold has removed all traces of dark magic. Now, it’s up to her body to begin repairing itself.” Jax stood, taking his gloves off and removing the paper gown he had donned when we arrived earlier, placing both in a special bin for disposal. “I can pull out the bed extension to give you room to be close to her, Miguel.”
“No, I’ll just sit next to her for now. If she wants me closer when she wakes, I’ll figure out how to make room.” Miguel pulled up the lone club chair from the corner of the room, placing it next to the head of the bed.
“Let me know of any changes or if you need anything,” I instructed Miguel as I walked toward the bed. I leaned down, brushed her hair from her face, and placed a light kiss on her forehead. I absently ran my fingers through Miguel’s hair as I whispered in her ear, “Let us help you, pet. Relax and trust.”
I had responsibilities to attend to, even though every cell in my body wanted to stay right here. I kissed Miguel’s cheek before standing straight again. “I’ll check back in after rounds.”
“Check on Molly, too, please. Let her know Amelia will be okay,” Miguel whispered.
I nodded before turning and striding from the room. I headed upstairs first to check in on the central hub, make sure the schedule of patrols was up to date, scan the cameras placed on the outside wall, and finish the order for the new trail cameras DJ insisted we install throughout the property surrounding the compound. I had voted against the project but now was thankful I was outvoted. If these had been installed, we could have narrowed the search for the girls much faster.
I spent the next two hours buried under paperwork, making phone calls, and notifying the security teams of the re-worked patrols. I wanted an experienced tracker on every team, which meant some of our guys had to take extra shifts or teams had to double up on shifts. There wasn’t a single complaint about my requested extra work. Everyone felt guilty that the girls had found a way out of the compound without being detected. If they could get out, it meant someone else could get in.
