Sweet Stripes

Prologue

The serene morning ambience of Hunter’s Rest was shattered by the cacophony of two tigers battling. The angry growls and snarls echoed off the distant oaks, sending crows squawking off in their obnoxious alarm.

Gauge Reed pinned his younger sister to the ground, digging his claws into her front and hind legs. His inner tiger seethed. After six long months of avoiding the last remaining family he knew, Gauge had not been expecting this kind of reunion. Cammy Reed was still a cub at heart, but she was a mysterious woman. She was always up to something even when she didn’t appear to be. She had her own motives, which was why Gauge was baffled at finding her here in Diesel’s territory.

Cammy didn’t fight back, not that she could, as Gauge bore his muscular four-hundred-pound weight down on her. She simply glared at him, her orange-gold tiger’s eyes staring deep into his soul. She projected a telepathic message to his mind.

Hello, Furball.

Gauge let out an agitated roar. He’d always despised that ridiculous nickname. Call me that again, and I’ll tear out your fucking throat.

Cammy roared back. You do that, and Diesel will come after your ass. You’re trespassing in his territory.

The mention of their older brother’s name piqued his interest. Having returned from his long journey of training and finding himself, he was hoping to see Diesel again and face him in battle. Gauge had lost to him once before, but this time, he was more prepared. He had decided to do it stealthily, with his fur covered in mud and leaves to mask his scent in hopes of getting a preemptive strike on his brother.

Where is he? Gauge projected the question into his sister’s mind.

Cammy sneered. I’m not telling you shit. Get out of here now.

Not until I see him.

You’ll have to kill me first in order to see him.

Gauge bared his canines. He raised his left paw, claws extended, and stared at her exposed throat.

She lifted her head slightly, giving him easier access.

He blinked. She’s willing to die for that bastard? His paw shook as he wrestled with his thoughts.

How can you protect him after what he’s done to our family? Gauge asked her telepathically.

He did nothing to our family, and you know it, Cammy projected. You’re just upset he couldn’t defeat Axle… And neither could you, apparently.

A low growl rumbled in his throat. Axle Reed, their eldest brother, was the current alpha of the Whitetide Streak—or what was left of it. He was a disgrace of a leader, yet nobody had been able to take the throne. The more Gauge thought about the situation, the more helpless he felt. As strong as Diesel was, Gauge couldn't persuade him to take over. Diesel wanted no part of the clan now. Gauge had nowhere else to turn to—no family, no mate… He was truly alone.

At last, Gauge retracted his claws and tore his gaze from Cammy’s throat. Killing his sister wouldn’t fix the shit with Axle. And he also didn’t need to deal with Diesel’s wrath. He moved off her and sat nearby, looking at her.

I didn’t come here to kill you, he projected into her mind.

Cammy rolled onto her belly and licked the small claw wounds on her front paws. You’ve got balls, coming here at all, she replied, not looking at him.

He closed his eyes for a moment then sighed deeply through his nose. Why are you keeping him away from me?

Cammy stopped licking her paw and glowered at him. Because I don’t trust you. Especially after what you did before, trying to steal his mate just to coerce him to fight. You’re pathetic, Gauge.

I never intended to steal his mate for myself. I only did it to test him. To see if after all those years of him being away, he would have the drive and strength to finally defeat Axle.

Gauge recalled that fateful night he and Diesel fought. He’d regretted it ever since. Diesel was more than ready. But it seemed useless to implore his help now. Diesel had other obligations.

It was shitty all around. You’re a dick. Go back to Greyson Creek where you belong, Cammy projected.

Gauge hung his head and stood. This was proving to be a losing battle. Cammy was headstrong, and as much as he hated her for it, he didn’t have the guts to harm her just to get his way. But going back home wouldn’t be easy. And just defeating Axle wouldn’t solve the Whitetide Streak’s long-term problems either.

His tail lashed back and forth, echoing his nervousness. I can’t go back.

Cammy tilted her head, regarding him curiously. And why the hell not?

Because even if I manage to defeat Axle myself, I can’t guarantee the Whitetide Streak will be able to sustain itself.

She perked up. What do you mean?

Gauge snarled. He sensed the conversation taking an undesirable turn. Since he couldn’t make amends with his brothers, Gauge was left with one last alternative, one last hope for redeeming his dignity: finding a mate. But that outlook seemed bleak. What worthy mate would want a clan outcast?

When he didn’t respond, Cammy snorted mockingly. "Oh… I see. So that’s what it’s really about," she continued.

Gauge cast her a befuddled stare. What?

"Don’t play dumb. I know that look. And I can smell your fear. Embarrassment… You’re looking for a mate. That’s why you really came to New Rochford, wasn’t it? It had nothing to do with Diesel."

Although she’d seemed dense, Cammy was as sharp as a knife. She appeared to know more about him than he knew about himself. It had everything to do with him, he replied, trying to convince himself more than her. He has to take the throne.

That throne has been tainted ever since Axle came to power. Diesel doesn’t want it, and I don’t blame him.

Gauge dug his claws into the dirt, exasperated. He was running out of options—running out of excuses.

Tell the truth, Cammy continued, staring at him intently. It’s a mate you want. But you’re too chickenshit to admit it.

He sneered. That brat... Then his mind wandered, and he thought about the possibility of a mate—a plump female he could sink his claws into. Even if it was what I wanted, I would never be happy, as long as Axle was in charge, he projected to his sister.

"Then why don’t you take the throne?"

He swallowed once.

Axle had soiled the Whitetide family name, making countless enemies. After Gauge failed to defeat his eldest brother in battle, he attempted to entice Diesel to fight Axle, but that plan had proved to be his biggest mistake. Gauge’s multiple failures indicated he was far from ready to take the throne, but he also couldn’t endure another day living under Axle’s rule.

When Gauge didn’t respond, Cammy shook her head, turned, and trekked toward a narrow path leading deeper into the forest. I’m done with you.

Gauge watched her for a moment as he let his mind wander. His life really was pathetic. He lacked the confidence in himself that he wouldn’t fail a third time. To face Axle again—and lose—would surely mean death. But he didn’t want to die alone. Just once, he wanted to feel what it was like to be accepted and loved unconditionally. And he would get that only from his one true mate. The more Gauge thought about Cammy’s suggestion in taking the throne as Alpha of the Whitetide Streak, the more he realized that maybe that was something he’d secretly desired all along. For Diesel, who had willingly given up that opportunity as if it were an insignificant piece of lint, the position was practically destined for him, while Gauge was left struggling to carve out his own destiny. Being the youngest brother meant life tended to deal him the worst cards from the deck.

Gauge took a deep breath, shook off the muddy mess of leaves from his fur as best he could, and rushed after Cammy. His head held low, he caught up to her and walked a short distance behind her. Okay… he projected to his sister. You’re right. I want a mate… and maybe I do want the throne. But I don’t know where or how to start. I have nobody in my corner…

Cammy stopped walking and slowly looked over her shoulder. She let out an amused growl. "Are my ears deceiving me, or did you just admit that I’m right? You never admit that I’m right!" she replied in his mind.

He sighed. Look, are you going to help me or not?

That depends on what kind of ‘help’ you’re looking for. I’m sure as hell not going to fight your battles. You need to decide what you want for yourself.

I want a mate. I want a family. I want my clan back.

You sure about that? I don’t think you’re ready, if you ask me.

Well, I didn’t ask you.

She stared at him long and hard then gave a subtle head gesture for him to follow. Afterward, she continued along the forest path.

His head inclined, Gauge walked beside her. A small part of him was grateful that his sister was sparing him the time, though his pride was cut deep. He wasn’t sure what he would say to Diesel if he saw him again. After all, Gauge used Diesel’s mate as bait in order to get Diesel riled up enough to fight Axle. But when that plan backfired, Gauge and Diesel’s estranged relationship had gone beyond simple apologies.

They reached a clearing where a small cabin sat. Cammy went to the back of the cabin, to an attached porch. She shifted back to her human form, a lithe, athletic, twenty-four-year-old woman with long golden hair and smooth, olive-toned skin. She grabbed a beach towel sitting on a shelf on the porch and wrapped it around her nude body.

Gauge respectfully averted his gaze and assessed the cabin’s exterior. Is this your place or Diesel’s? he inquired in her mind.

Cammy spun and faced him. It’s D’s, she replied aloud. Stay here a moment. I need to check on the cubs.

Cubs? he thought, watching her disappear inside the cabin. Gauge never thought of her as the intimate type, and she’d vocally expressed how much she’d never wanted a mate or cubs. Perhaps she’d finally changed her mind. That made Gauge feel even more pathetic about his own life. Even that annoying little brat managed to settle down. What the fuck is wrong with me?

Cammy soon returned fully dressed and cradling a small baby boy wrapped in a blue blanket while she fed him a bottle. A miniature brown canvas knapsack hung from her shoulder.

Gauge perked up. Faint black tiger stripes ran along the kid’s arms and around the back of his neck. More stripes appeared to run down the baby’s body, which was concealed by the blanket. He wouldn’t be able to shift for several years, but the