The Year of the Tiger (Book 3 of The Almair Series) (Completed)

Chapter 4

"I want this. Please let me have this toy," someone screamed out in the direction that Brody and I were going towards.

Brody and I looked at each other and started to walk towards the screaming. I know it wasn't good to be curious about what is happening, but I couldn't help but wonder if they needed my guidance or something.

"Quiet, I can't give you that toy. Your father won't like it," a mother said, sounding stressed. "Please, Bethany."

"But, Mommy, I want this wolf. It's a pretty wolf."

I walked down the frozen aisle, where I had heard the scream, and saw a five-year-old girl holding a wolf that looked like... me?

"Martha," Broday said, probably catching sight of the wolf toy as well. He looked up at me, amazement in his eyes. "It's you," he whispered.

"No, Bethany. Put it up," the mother said.

"Bu-"

"It is a pretty wolf," I said, causing the older woman to jump up and turn around. I smiled apologetically. I felt guilty that I had scared her, even though I didn't mean to. "I'm sorry, Ma'am," I added. "I didn't mean to scare you."

The woman had brown hair and dark brown, almost black eyes. They were wide with fear, and I could see that there were bags underneath her eyes. And, I was sure that there was some bruising underneath as well. "I-i-it's fine," she said, not meeting my gaze. "I-I'm sorry for my daughter's crying. I didn't realize that she would be that loud."

I waved off her apology. "It's all right. I am used to kids screaming in my ears." I looked at the mother and then looking at the kid, raising an eyebrow. I had taken a whiff of her, and I knew that she was of the tiger clan. "I'm Martha, by the way," I said, holding out my hand. "This is my br- dog, Brody."

The tiger woman gave a small smile on because of my mix up. She took hold of my hand. "Vanessa," she replied, bowing her head a bit in greeting. "That is Bethany and the baby's name is Courtney," she nodded to the sleeping child in the cart filled to the brim with food.

I nodded my head, frowning. That looked like a lot of stuff, and I couldn't help but feel as if her husband was beating her or starving her. I mean, now that I was close up to her, I could see that there was a bruise around her left eye. My lip curled into a snarl of disgust, causing Vanessa to back up, fear in her eyes.

Brody nudged me and gave me a pointed glare before flicking his eyes towards her.

My eyes widened and a blush appeared on my face. "I'm sorry for scaring you, Mrs. Vanessa," I said. I looked down and bit my lip. "I did not mean to. It's just that... I noticed something that I didn't like." I rubbed my eye, causing her to look down. "But, hey, if he does it again, you can always contact me." I gave her a smile before looking at Bethany who was staring at us.

"It's fine," Vanessa said. "And Vanessa is just fine."

I nodded and looked at Vanessa before looking back at her daughter. I gave her a small smile when she caught my drift of wanting to speak with Bethany and went over to her. I knelt down and smiled. "Hi, I am Martha, what is your name?" I asked, even though I knew it already.

"Bethany," she replied, hugging the wolf close to her. She looked at me with her brown eyes, and I couldn't help but aww by the fact that she looked so cute.

"Now, do you like wolves?" I asked, nodding to the wolf in her hand.

"Yes," she replied. She looked up at me with watery eyes, melting my heart. "Tigers are mean."

I bit back an amused snort because I did not think that a Tiger cub would call another tiger mean. "Why do you say that? Does your mother like tigers?"

"Un-huh," she replied, nodding her head. "And Shere Khan." She pouted. "He hurt Mowgli."

I nodded my head, remembering the tiger from 'The Jungle Book'. "But, sometimes wolves are mean too," I replied. "Remember Little Red and the Big Bad Wolf?" I raised an eyebrow when I heard Brody snort back a bite of laughter.

"Yes, but he got killed."

"So did Shere Khan," I replied. I smiled at her, causing her to smile a bit. "But, one bad tiger, wolf, or even a horse doesn't mean that all the rest are bad." I leaned back on my heels. "Now, why don't you pick out a tiger toy?"

Bethany shook her head. "I really want the wolf." She pouted.

I bit my lip and thought about something before a small smirk appeared on my face. "Tell you what, if you get the tiger, I'll pay for the wolf." I held my hand up, shushing Vanessa. "I have the money from babysitting kids, but I want you to hide the wolf where your father can't find it. Ok? And I want you to behave for your mother. You have a little sister that looks up to you and will mimic the way you act."

Bethany frowned and scrunched up her nose. "I don't like having a baby sibling."

I shrugged. "I don't know about that. I am the youngest of eight, so I am treated like a baby." I rolled my eyes and grimaced. "I don't like it." I pouted, causing Bethany to giggle.

"Do you look up to your older siblings?"

I smiled and nodded my head. "Ya, I look up to my oldest brother." I stood. "Behave for your mother, all right?" I smiled when she nodded her head, clutching the wolf to her chest. "And remember, not all tigers are bad, just like not all wolves are bad." I looked at Vanessa when I said that.

"Thank you," Bethany said.

I smiled at her before going over to her mother and handing them money for the wolf before handing her a card that had my information on it. "Call me if you need anything," I said. "I don't want you to get hurt, again," I said this softly so that Bethany wouldn't hear.

Vanessa, hesitantly, accepted the money and card. "Thank you," she said.

I smiled and nodded my head. "No problem." I waved by to Bethany. "See ya, Bethany," I called. I looked at Vanessa. "I'm serious," I added. With that, I walked away from the family, praying to whoever was out there to protect Vanessa from her abusive husband.

I just hoped that she would let me protect her from him.