Chapter 31 Heath #2
I trotted along the worn path that led away from our cluster of cabins.
At the bottom of the hill, I picked up the pace, making my way past the Support Squadron cabins and around the lake.
The buzz of the night insects filled my sensitive ears, and a barrage of scents assaulted my canine nose.
Wet sand, maple trees, shifter pheromones, and soap that smelled like sandalwood and sage.
I looked forward to a night—or a morning, really—of dozing to the smell of Avery’s jasmine and lavender on the breeze.
I veered off the main path and took a circuitous route so that I could sneak into my usual cluster of trees near Avery’s cabin. It had an unobstructed view and room for a beast of my size to sleep comfortably.
As I approached my hiding spot, the low murmur of deep voices sent my hackles straight up.
“—not sure this is the time,” Teegan said in his usual monotone.
“I’m aware it’s not ideal,” Kellan replied. “But fuck, man. Did you see her tonight? She’s amazing. We have to shoot our shot. Camp is about to be over, and who knows what the hell is going to happen tomorrow night.”
Teegan grunted. “She’s softening toward Blackwell and the rest of them.”
I crept closer, lying low in the shadows and avoiding the soft light emitted from the cabin.
“I know,” Kellan replied. “It’s now or never.”
He stepped onto the little stoop in front of Avery’s screen door and rapped his knuckles on the wooden frame.
Light footsteps sounded inside as Avery approached the door. She didn’t open it or step outside, instead staring at those two presumptuous assholes through the screen. “Uh, hey, Kellan. Teegan.” She sounded tired, and my wolf wanted to rip their throats out for keeping her awake. “What’s up?”
Kellan propped an arm against her doorframe and hit her with his blinding white smile.
It pained me to admit it, but he truly was a handsome bastard, with his blond beach waves and perfect face.
He never wanted for female attention at school, especially from the girls from Prime families who circled the power quads like glittery vultures.
But here he fucking was, shooting his shot with my mate.
Still, I lay there, not making a sound. Kellan was real fucking lucky it was my night on duty and not Elijah’s.
“You were spectacular tonight,” he said to Avery. “I promise we won’t keep you up, but Teegan and I wanted to drop by, first and foremost to just make sure you were okay. No lasting injuries, anything like that.”
“Oh,” she replied. “Um, thank you for your concern, but I’m fine. Our kills tonight were pretty textbook, despite the very active rift and the, uh, Giants.”
“Good to hear,” Kellan said. “My beast wouldn’t settle until we knew you were unharmed.”
I smothered a snort. What bullshit.
“We had another question,” Teegan announced, nudging Kellan. “If we could just have one more minute of your time.”
“Yes.” Kellan’s expression turned serious. “We—all of us, my whole quad—were wondering if we could spend a little time with you when camp is over? You have a few weeks before school starts, and we’ll have about the same amount of time before we have to report to active duty with the Guardians—”
“You mean like a date?” Avery asked.
Kellan’s slick smile was back. “I mean exactly like a date.”
Kill, my wolf snarled.
No, I said, even though it went against every instinct I had. We have to trust in what we’ve been building with her. What’s been growing between us.
Avery didn’t answer right away, and I could feel her scrutinizing Kellan. His smile slipped, and he shuffled his feet.
“You’re aware that I have a beast?” she finally asked. “I’m not playing coy about it anymore. She’s real.”
“And I bet she’s a Prime,” Kellan replied silkily. “I wasn’t lying when we spoke at the beginning of camp, Avery. Our quad is very interested in a central bond with a beast, especially one of substantial power. You ladies don’t exactly grow on trees.”
“Why?” she countered.
“Why, what?”
“What is it about bonding with a beast soul that has you so interested? What do you think you know that the rest of Prime society doesn’t? What are you hoping to gain with a bond like that?”
Kellan’s smile faltered again. “I—” Teegan elbowed him, and he sighed. “Listen, Avery. It isn’t just that. You’re also gorgeous, funny, and so fucking talented. Let us take you out, and we can answer all of your questions.”
Kill.
We can’t.
“It’s late, Kellan,” Avery said wearily. “I’m… flattered, but I don’t think a date is in the cards.”
The knot of pressure in my chest released.
Kellan did not appear deterred. He grinned, leaning in as far as he could, and his eyes blazed a warm amber color.
“We still have plenty of time to change your mind, gorgeous. Maybe we do know something the others don’t.
Whenever you want answers to your questions, we’ll be waiting. Have a good night.”
The two of them strode off, Prime swagger in full force like they hadn’t just been shot down by the only female in camp.
I remained still, my chin on the ground, my breath stirring the blades of grass in front of me. At some point, I would need to relocate to my trees, but for now, my wolf could only lie here, huffing the tantalizing hint of jasmine and lavender on the breeze, feeling relieved and morose all at once.
How many more times would we have to watch hungry men make a move on our mate?
Avery’s beautiful face appeared in the window facing my wallowing spot. Her hair was damp from her shower, hanging in waves around her shoulders. She wore a tiny little tank top, her nipples peeking at me even in the fucking dark, and now I really would have to murder Kellan and Teegan.
Elijah would help, no question.
She propped her forearms in the windowsill and arched a brow, staring at me through the screen. “I take it you heard all of that, huh?”
I snorted irritably.
“You managed to behave yourself.”
I rumbled another annoyed noise.
“Is it your night to pretend you aren’t sleeping outside my cabin?”
I snorted again.
She sighed, and a soft smile pulled at her lips. I nearly melted into the ground. My mate smiled for me, and I could die happy.
“Just… come inside, Heath.”