Chapter 13 #5
“Very. Scarlet macaws at a mineral seep. I should have several strong frames.” I glanced toward the secured memory card beside my camera. “I also found some old worked stone farther east and photographed it without touching anything.”
“Don’t start playing archaeologist.” Mara’s interest sharpened through the radio, though the dry edge of her voice remained. “We’ll look at it when you get back.”
“Wasn’t planning to.” I smiled despite myself as I rested my free hand against the table.
“You’re still returning tomorrow?” Mara asked, moving on to the part of my schedule that actually affected her.
“Yes. No changes. I’ll check in before I start back.” I glanced toward the gear I’d repack after breakfast.
“Good. Enjoy your last night, and don’t make me come looking for you.” Mara’s usual dryness returned beneath a small burst of static.
“I won’t. Evie clear.” I pressed the button one final time before lowering the handset.
“Mara clear.” Mara’s voice disappeared into static as the connection ended. I returned the handset beside the charger. Wildlife photographs reported. Unexpected field observation recorded. Tomorrow’s return confirmed.
Normal.
Or at least as close as I was getting tonight.
When I looked toward Malek standing near the place Cat usually slept, something else finally registered.
The camp smelled like them.
Their scents had settled into the place so gradually I hadn’t noticed it happening.
They lingered along the platform edge, on the shelter post Tavian always leaned against, and in the blanket Luca had handled near my sleeping area.
Traces clung to straps they’d moved out of the rain and rough boards they’d crossed night after night, while my own muted scent threaded through theirs.
None of it was new. I was simply understanding it differently now. My Omega instincts knew before I wanted to name it. My fingers tightened around the edge of the worktable.
“What?” Luca rose slightly from the step when he noticed the change in me, concern replacing the relaxed expression he’d worn a moment earlier.
“It doesn’t smell different.” I breathed in once more, cedar and citrus and herbs sitting beneath the heavier smells of damp canvas, wet wood, and rainforest. “I just know what I’m smelling now.”
Understanding softened Luca’s face, but he didn’t explain it for me or turn it into another lesson.
I appreciated that.
“You’ve had enough for one day.” Malek’s low voice carried beneath the evening insects as he studied me from the edge of the platform.
“That may be the smartest thing anyone has said since noon.” I rubbed one hand over the back of my neck as exhaustion finally started replacing the energy that had carried me through the afternoon.
Malek’s eyes followed the movement toward my gland for less than a second before returning to my face.
He didn’t mention it.
Progress.
Tavian glanced toward the darkening trail, his earlier grin gone as he seemed to realize I might need room to process everything.
“If you want tonight to yourself, we’ll give you space.” Luca stood from the step but stopped there, leaving several feet between us. Malek stayed where he was until I looked at him.
“Do you want us to leave?” Malek kept his hands relaxed at his sides, leaving the decision entirely with me.
Knowing the truth should have made sleeping with them nearby feel different.
Maybe it did.
But when I imagined crawling beneath the mosquito net later and finding the platform empty, the thought didn’t feel like relief.
Tavian had stolen my things, brought me flowers, interrupted photographs, and made the field camp more entertaining simply by refusing to behave.
Luca had quietly learned my routines and made difficult days easier without expecting anything in return.
Malek had become the first familiar presence I searched for every day after finding him injured beneath the roots.
Learning what they were hadn’t erased any of it.
“Stay.” I tightened my fingers briefly against the edge of the table as I looked between the three men, getting the word out before I could overthink it.
Malek’s shoulders eased. Luca’s mouth curved into a warm smile, while Tavian brightened so visibly that I immediately knew I had approximately three seconds before he ruined the moment.
“Don’t make it weird.” I looked between all three men before anyone could start.
“We weren’t going to.” Luca lowered himself back onto the step, amusement warming his face.
“You absolutely were.” I caught the smile Luca had failed to hide and narrowed my eyes at him.
“Maybe a little.” Luca’s green-gold eyes brightened as he gave up pretending innocence.
Tavian drew breath.
“Not one word, Menace.” I turned toward Tavian before whatever had formed behind his grin could escape. Tavian lifted both hands and pressed his lips together, wisely keeping his thoughts to himself.
Malek said nothing.
Smart man.
I turned toward the shelter as the last of the daylight faded beyond the platform, aware of three familiar scents settling around me again. For the first time since they’d begun staying near my camp, I knew exactly who would be outside when I went to sleep.
And I’d asked them to stay.