The Tiger Within

"It was several years ago, and I have made every effort to make sure that she doesn"t know anything about this . The family that had taken her in tried their best but that area was extremely poor . They had four children of their own and had taken in their in law"s three children as well . Her dropping Raina off with them… they couldn"t take care of her . When I found them, she was tiny and barely weighed anything at all . I could fit her in the palm of my hand . At any rate I took her home and got her a wet nurse . She was always quiet and had a very small personality . It took a very long time to get her healthy and even longer to get her to connect with people . I think having her mother disregard her like that left a mark on her mind… deep beneath the love I gave her . She… I never dreamed she would heal . " He explained a small smile creasing his lips . "Then your sister came in like a Enchanted Roaring Wind fixing everything it pa.s.sed . Raina"s confidence, her smile, her happiness came quickly after . Then we started connecting . Suddenly, it felt like I could move on from my darling first wife and find my own center again . That"s why my heart broke at the wedding . " Clovis trailed off, deciding that was far enough . "Look at me, talking your ear off . "

"No, its good to hear . My little sister has always been one to take care of others . She was a princess from a very young age and did all she could for others . Hearing that she"s making a difference for others, and on top of that she has found happiness what more could a brother ask for . " Keenan explained as they walked out of the forest . Clovis was once again left in awe .
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Before him was a sprawling mountainside, rolling hills building to a beautiful mountain that towered over the landscape, emerald gra.s.s and warm brown boulders and cliffs decorating its face . There, at the mountains feet was a towering structure, that seemed to be made of the coolest grey stone . It was made of towers and walls that reached for the sky . As he watched he quickly realized the palace of Shadows was a Castle of beauty and grace . The gates before him surrounded a large garden with trees he had never seen before . Colors, shapes and sizes he had never seen before . Some of the flowers he recognized from drawings on the walls at that sewing shop he had taken the girls to .

"Oh wow…" He whispered softly . Keenan chuckled rather amused by his brother in law"s response . Then again, he knew there was a certain awe to this place, but it had long stopped affecting the brothers .

"Sooo you know how there"s more than one of us right?" Keenan asked as he saw several shapes moving on the horizon . Clovis looked at him a bit nervously .

"Yes… there are three plus you right? Keenan, Konner, Kain and… Kendrick?" Clovis asked honestly having a hard time with the last name . Keenan nodded and smirked a bit .

"Good you know us, now get ready to face the rest of the clan . " He replied smirking as a three tigers ran to the gates . Konnor turned first, launching to tackle Keenan, who sidestepped and let the younger boy crash into the trees behind . The other two brothers flinched slightly, the largest of the third brother approached sniffed the air and his eyes narrowed .

He turned human, Kain standing tall with white hair cascading down his back in a free waterfall . There was a certain elegance to his warm complexion but darkness in his golden eyes that resembled his younger sister . His eyes sized Clovis up from head to toe and then looked over at his brother, an eyebrow raised .

"Who did you bring with you?" Kain asked, and Keenan chuckled, honestly seeming as though he was expecting a really good show .

"Well, give him a sniff and tell me who you think he is?" Keenan replied giving Clovis a look that seemed to mean, "your on your own . "

"You smell like Kyera… a little stronger than I would like to admit . Who are you, her guard?" Kain asked seeming rather confused . Clovis coughed softly, clearing his throat . For some reason, based on Keenan"s response he had a feeling this was going to be a interesting encounter .