“I planned on it,” he said. “I’ll clear my schedule. This is of utmost priority.”
“Okay. I think this is definitely something I can help with.” She shut her portfolio and met his gaze. “I’ll put a proposal together of what we can do and send it to you for approval. My fee will be included as well as the number of projects we’ll need to get them to know each other better.”
She cupped her cheek with her hand. “You see, because all the young people are only hanging with the young people, they have lost touch of what these older generations have done to make their lives easier. So we need to integrate them. Make them spend time together.”
“You’re right,” he agreed. “I didn’t think of how important it was for them to be together. I hadn’t even thought of how little time the younger tigers spent with the elders. Everyone is so busy doing their own thing that they’ve all lost touch with each other.”
“Exactly. So we make them do things together. But more to honor their elders. It’ll help the elders feel special and the youth will see the good in their actions.”
“I knew contacting you was the right thing to do. You’re perfect for this job.”
She gave a slight smile and stood. “Okay. I have everything I need for now. I’ll probably email you some questions and then we can discuss our first project.”
He stood as well. He stopped in front of the door and she walked up to him, waiting to see what he’d do.
“What changed?” he asked, his gaze boring into hers.
She glared at him through narrowed eyes. “You tell me. I’m not the one who moved on to someone else.”
She opened the door and slipped out. It wasn’t until she was safely in the elevator that she let go of the breath she’d been holding. What the fuck had just happened?
Chapter Nine
Ryan watched his mate march angrily toward the elevators, her hips swaying beautifully in her skirt suit. She looked professional, beautiful, and angry beyond words. He just didn’t know why.
He’d done nothing but put fires out since he’d last seen her. So where the idea that he’d moved on to someone else had come from confused him. He left the office and decided to check on the pride elders. Barrick was handling some Tristar business, so he wasn’t going to be around.
When he got to the Pine Inn, he noticed very few of the younger tigers were around.
“Where’s Nigel?” he asked one of the young females working the front.
“He went to The Lion’s Den. There’s been some trouble with him and one of the lions,” she said. “I don’t really know what it’s about.” She shrugged. “So a group of them left to confront the guys over there.”
He growled and rushed out the front door. The Lion’s Den was not a place for tigers. It was a bar for the lions of Denali Ridge. Other shifters were not welcomed and would do well to stay away.
He dialed Xander Caze, the leader for the Denali Ridge pride. Xander’s pride came from extreme affluence and great investments from the pride elders. Xander’s father had been a financial consultant way ahead of his time. Xander and his pride owned several casinos by the beach and bars in town. Though the pride had their own real estate, Xander was top lion in their part of town. He could normally be found in one of his casinos and his top enforcer, Julian, handling the bars. “Xander, sorry to bother you.”
“Ryan Wade. Long time no talk, brother. What’s up?” Xander asked.
“I tried calling Julian, but I couldn’t reach him. I heard some of my cubs went to The Lion’s Den. Apparently, he and one of your guys have issues or something.”
“You’re lucky I’m at the mountain this week. Julian’s visiting a sick family member.” Xander cursed. “Are your cubs looking for a death wish?”
“I know. I know. They’re being increasingly stupid, and I’m tempted to let them suffer whatever fate, but I’m in charge and not doing anything to stop them only makes me seem heartless.”
“I’m on my way there now. I’m not far. I’ll try to stop anyone from dying,” he said. “But I don’t promise anything.”
Fuck! Ryan glared at the empty road in front of him. He hoped Parker’s ideas would be able to help out with getting the youth in control, or he would have to take some drastic measures.
He dialed one of his enforcers, Kell.
“Get to The Lion’s Den. I’m almost there. We need to get Nigel and the other brainless youth out of there before they get themselves killed.”
“You got it.”
When Ryan got to The Lion’s Den, he heard the commotion of broken glass inside. He rushed to the door at the same time Xander arrived. They ran in together and caught sight of complete destruction.
Ryan roared a stop, and everyone stood in place. He and Xander glared at the group. Nigel and one of the members of the Denali pride with a purple mohawk continued beating each other senseless. Thankfully, they’d yet to shift, so that gave Ryan a chance to stop them from seriously hurting themselves.
“Pine Pride tigers,” Ryan growled. “Outside. Now!”
The others pulled Nigel and the lion apart. Then he and six other tigers walked past him. Nigel’s glare was of no fear and his attitude was unconcerned.
Ryan turned to Xander. “Give me a few minutes, and we can discuss how they’re going to fix this.”
Xander nodded. “These guys are going to help. After all, they helped make the mess.”
Ryan marched out, his tiger pushing to be let out to teach these idiot kids a lesson. He picked Nigel by the throat and slammed him up against a tree.
“Are you out of your fucking mind?” he snarled.
Nigel’s confidence wavered, but he scowled hard at Ryan. “Who the hell are you?”
“Your prime. That’s who.” He squeezed the kid’s throat and allowed him to see a flash of his animal over his features. “I am the alpha. Understand?”
Nigel glared but nodded. “I understand.”
He squeezed tighter. “Do you? Do you understand your loyalty belongs to me? Do you understand I lead this pride? I will not be questioned.”
Nigel’s face went beet red with the lack of oxygen. He gave another quick nod and Ryan dropped him to the ground.
“You’re a fucking disgrace,” he snapped with disgust. “All of you,” he glared at each of the young tigers. “How old are you?”
“Twenty,” one said.
“Twenty-one,” Nigel squeaked, clearing his throat.
The rest replied with answers of twenty to twenty-two years old.
“You’re supposed to be learning to make something of yourselves and instead you willingly came to start trouble at another shifter’s property,” he roared. “I hope you’re also ready to make sure you fix the mess you made.” He pinned Nigel with a glare. “You’re all going to come back and help fix and clean up this place tomorrow. Bright and early.” He glanced at all the tigers. “Am I understood?”
They nodded. Nigel glanced at his feet and gave a quick nod.
“If I hear you start any more trouble with any other pack or pride,” he stared at Nigel, “I’m going to take it upon myself to remove you from our pride. Do you understand?”