Chapter 2

Chapter Two

Tucker

"Your mate is coming, and on her tail is danger, something that if you don't protect her from it, then it'll take her from you forever."

Karsyn's words swirl around in my head for the hundredth time since she said it a little over a week ago. A part of me doesn't want to believe her. It would be stupid to do so. Karsyn isn't just an earth witch. She's more than that. Only one person knows exactly what she is, and that's her mate, my Prez. Sure, we all know she's special and has sight.

I witnessed it once. When she'd first gotten to the clubhouse and showed Corbin. Because of her gifts and that she's Corbin's mate and ol' lady, she's to be protected at all times. We can't let anything happen to her especially now that she's carrying an alpha pup inside her.

The club can't allow anything to happen to her or the babe. Just as we can't allow anything to happen to Corbin's daughter, Sage. She's just as special, and only a few know just how much so. Sage is also just a little girl—a shifter who has yet to grow as she will.

Shifters don't shift for the first time until they're thirteen. It's a slow process for shifter pups and cubs. First, they have to get their sense of smell and strength at ten years old. They'll also grow in speed. This gives them a chance to learn control before the first shift. At sixteen, once they've had time to learn to control themselves as a fully shifted shifter, they'll be able to half-shift.

I never understood the reason for entirely shifting before being able to half-shift, but I'm sure it has to do with earning the connection with the beasts within us.

From the moment Karsyn spoke those words about my mate, the tiger within my very skin has been more than ready to go in search of her. Find her. Claim her. Protect her. Keep her. It's what he demands. She's in danger, supposedly so. But I've no way of knowing who she is. What she looks like. Who she's in danger from. It could be nothing at all.

Earlier today, I felt something while riding with my brothers through town, heading back from Dyrk. I couldn't put my finger on it or stop to investigate it. We had to get back to the clubhouse and prepare a shipment going out tonight with Abel, Dane, Jackson, and Salem. Club business has to come before all else, it's what matters to me. They took me in when I didn't think I'd be able to keep myself sane after watching those within my streak slaughtered by blood witches.

I never understood why I was spared that night. I lost my sisters, mother, and even my two brothers, who were just little cubs who couldn't protect themselves. It's my reason for hating witches.

Granted, since meeting Karsyn and even Harmony, Cyrus's mate, they've helped focus that hate on those who deserve it.

"You good, Tuck?" Dane asks, slapping a hand on my shoulder and motions to Hips to get him a drink.

"Yeah, I'm good," I mutter and shift slightly on my seat, not liking his attention on me right now.

I would prefer to be left to myself so I can get my mind off the fact my mate is out there and in trouble. A mate I know nothing about.

Dane looks at me closely, brows furrowed, nostrils flaring.

Damn wolf.

Setting the drink down on the bar, I get to my feet. "I'm gonna head out," I tell him. "See you later."

"Later," Dane calls out, his tone knowing. He knows I'm going to go riding again. I won't see him or the others before they ride out to handle the order they're delivering to another club we're allies with, the Moon Howlers MC.

The only thing about finding her is I can't sense her. Not really. Earlier today, I thought I sensed something, but I can't be sure what it was. It could've been anything.I don't know what she looks like, but I'm sure I should be able to sense her if she's close enough.

Karsyn had said she was coming, and I needed to be ready. She hadn't exactly stated when she was coming, only that she was. For all I know, she could already be here, and I wouldn't even know it.

Shaking the thoughts away, I make my way out of the club.

"Tucker, hold up."

I do so and slowly spin around to face my Prez. "What's up, Prez?"

"Wanted to check on you," he remarks, stopping in front of me. His eyes shielded behind the dark sunglasses he wears, but I don't have to see them to know he's got them narrowed.

Since Corbin found his mate, he's been constantly on alert. More so since Sage told her about what she sees, the gift that girl has is something I didn't know was possible.

"I'm good." Was I, though? I'm a tiger shifter who supposedly has a fated mate. Having a mate that isn't chosen is a big deal for tiger shifters. It's rare that we have them. I guess knowing I do, it's fucking with my head. It's driving me up the wall not being able to find her.

"Karsyn asked me to give you this." Reaching into his back pocket, Corbin pulls out a slip of paper. "Says it might help you find her."

I take the paper from Corbin's outreached hand and look at it.

It's an address.

"Appreciate it." I nod, lifting the paper in between two fingers.

"Didn't do anything, brother, except give you the message." Corbin shrugs. "She wanted to give it to you herself but wasn't feeling good."

"She okay?" I ask, seeing the grimace crossing his features.

"She will be. Just needs to rest. I've got a call into a healer. Waiting for them to come so we can have her looked over," he explains and lets out a ragged breath.

"You know your woman is gonna be fine. She's a fighter."

It was nothing but the truth. Karsyn was a survivor. She might be dainty and petite, but she's a fighter.

Corbin nods, then shakes his head. "Enough with the pussy talking shit. Let me know if you find her. Bring her back here, and we'll find out what the fuck she's running from. We don't need any surprises."

"If she's there." I nod. Hell, she might not be. This could be just a dead end."

If the tiger inside me weren't clawing at my insides to find her, I wouldn't even bother. I've been alone other than my brothers this long. It's not like I need anyone in my life who isn't already a part of it.

This club, they're my family. They might not replace the ones I lost, but they're there for me, and the same goes for me.

I pivot on the toe of my boot and make my way to my bike. I didn't have to see the address again to know where I was heading. The little house that the address belongs to isn't just any place in this town. I know where it is because it's a property that belongs to me and is managed for me by a company in town that deals in rentals as well as selling houses.

Even better. I already have the key to the place. It means whoever it is that moved in will be shocked to find me walking in if they're home.