Chapter 3
CHAPTER 3
I n that moment of ringing clarity, when time stopped and the entire universe reorientated around a new center, Conleth knew two things.
First, this woman was his mate.
And second, he was going to absolutely murder Joe.
For the past five years, he’d worn the damn suit. At the start of every summer, he made a point of loitering outside the office, pretending to scrutinize the new arrivals. He’d perfected an initial look of hope, followed by increasing feigned disappointment.
In short, he had acted in every way like he fully expected to one day meet his mate at Camp Thunderbird.
He had never once, in all that time, entertained the possibility of it actually happening.
Shit, shit, shit .
His heart beat against his ribcage as though trying to break free and fly straight into her hands. Inside his head, his pegasus was going mad with joy. She was his mate, and he was…
Standing in the middle of a crowded summer camp, dressed in a suit, gaping at her in slack-jawed, brain-dead astonishment like an utter idiot.
If he’d known that prophecy was true, he would have been prepared for this. He should have been prepared for this. Should have made a plan, thought of every possible scenario, prepared a hundred different opening lines. Made certain that he would make the right first impression.
For a moment, he dared to hope that it might be all right. Paige had frozen too, her hazel eyes locked on his. Perhaps she too had secretly yearned for this day, without any real hope that it would ever come…
Then she jerked her gaze away from him. Her expression was not that of a woman finally meeting her fated soulmate, and discovering he was everything she’d ever dreamed. More like she’d suddenly remembered a pressing engagement on the other side of the planet.
“I have to report for work!” Paige yelped, her voice rather higher pitched than previously. She spun on her heel, so fast her chestnut ponytail whipped behind her. “Thanks again!”
Panic spiked through his veins. “Wait!”
In his haste to stop her, he moved too fast. Paige squeaked as her nose practically bounced off his chest. She leaped back, opening up more space between them.
Get a grip, you bloody fool. Conleth made himself take a deep, deliberate breath, forcing himself to slow down. This was the most important moment of his entire life, and he was not going to ruin it.
“Wait,” he said again, more calmly. “Don’t leave. We need to talk.”
His fated mate clearly did not agree. Her gaze darted over the surroundings as though in search of escape.
This was a disaster. The other half of his soul had taken one look at him and decided that if this was fate, she wanted no part of it. He hadn’t prepared for this, hadn’t planned ? —
In his soul, his pegasus stamped an impatient hoof. Who needs plans? She is our mate! Tell her!
Behind his fixed smile, Conleth gritted his teeth. What was he supposed to tell her? Much as he’d love to convince Paige that he had at least some desirable qualities, this was hardly the time to whip out a presentation on his investment portfolio.
His pegasus flicked its tail in exasperation. Tell her she is our mate.
What good would that do? Conleth mentally snapped at his idiotic beast. She already knows I’m her mate.
No, his animal replied, simply. She doesn’t.
But that was ridiculous. Paige had stared straight into his eyes. They’d shared that long, frozen moment of mutual recognition. She had to know they were mates…
Unless she wasn’t a shifter.
In previous years, it would have been impossible. But non-shifters were allowed at the camp now, thanks to the dramatic events last summer. And Zephyr had mentioned that he’d hired a human counselor this year. The director had been somewhat evasive about the details, which probably meant he’d done something creative with the hiring budget and was hoping Conleth wouldn’t notice.
If she wasn’t a shifter… if she hadn’t recognized him…
Conleth straightened his jacket, doing his best to look like a man who knew what he was doing rather than a dozen panicked weasels stuffed into a business suit. He had to regain control of this situation, and fast.
“Perhaps I should introduce myself.” He offered her his most charming smile, though not his hand. If he touched her, he’d never let go. “Conleth Tiernach-West, business advisor and camp manager. Amongst other things.”
Paige showed no indication of understanding what those ‘other things’ might be. She just nodded, still not quite looking at him. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Tiernach-West.”
“Not as pleased as I am to meet you.” This was not only the understatement of the century, but possibly in entire recorded history. “And it’s Conleth. Just Conleth.”
She moistened her lips, sending a bolt of pure need down his spine. “Conleth.”
Dear God. It was all he could do to maintain his casual smile. Just seeing her mouth shape his name had him desperate to shove her against the nearest wall.
If Paige was feeling the same burning, all-consuming desire, she was doing a sterling job of concealing it. She fidgeted with a strap of her backpack, glancing around. “I should go find the head counselor. She must be wondering where I am by now.”
“There’s no rush,” he said lightly, though every inch of his skin ached for her touch. Control, damn it. “Induction and training won’t begin for some time. And she knows I make a habit of greeting every new member of staff. In fact, I was particularly eager to meet you.”
That got her attention. “Me?”
Was his pegasus right? She was finally looking at him, yet there was still nothing in her face except wary bafflement.
No hint of a shared secret. No sign that her heart said Mine with every beat, like his own.
“Yes.” He was almost certain now. “Given your unique position here at camp.”
“Oh.” The worried crease between Paige’s brows smoothed out a little, though it didn’t vanish. “You mean, because I’m human.”
She wasn’t a shifter. She wasn’t a shifter.
It took every ounce of willpower not to sag in relief. She hadn’t rejected him at first sight after all. She didn’t even know he was her mate.
Then tell her! His pegasus reared, wings beating with impatience. Tell her we want her, tell her we need her, more than air and sky. We have waited for so long, and she is here, now, at last! Tell her she is our mate!
But that would be madness. At the moment, Paige had no reason to welcome the news. He couldn’t let himself be ruled by emotion and impulse. Not now, of all times.
Paige was still looking a little worried. “I understand if you’re concerned about me being the only non-shifter here. But I’ll work hard. I can do the job, I promise.”
“I don’t doubt it.” She had to be strong enough to cope with anything, given her fated mate. Out of genuine curiosity, he added, “Though what on earth would bring a non-shifter to Camp Thunderbird?”
“It’s my little brother.” The slightest grimace crossed Paige’s face. “He was a camper here last summer, and, well, this was the only way we could afford it again this year.”
“Giving up so much of your time is quite a sacrifice. I hope he appreciates it.”
Paige let out a sigh. “Not exactly. He’s embarrassed that I’m working here. I just hope it won’t ruin his whole summer.”
“I’m sure he’ll have a good time,” Conleth said, privately resolving to make sure Paige’s brother, whoever he was, would have the summer of his life. “And who knows? Perhaps you will as well.”
Oddly, Paige stiffened, as though even the suggestion she might enjoy herself was somehow scandalous. “I’m here to work. This might not be where I ever expected to spend my summer, but I’ll do my best.”
“I’m sure you will.” He leaned in a little closer, deliberately adjusting his voice to a lighter, more teasing tone. “To be honest, working at a children’s summer camp wasn’t on my five-year career plan either.”
To his relief, the tense line of her shoulders relaxed a little. “I have to admit, you don’t look like you work at a summer camp.”
He glanced at his suit jacket in resignation. “Let me guess. It’s my hair.”
“Not exactly.” She tilted her head, expression turning more curious. “Okay, since you mentioned it, I have to ask. Why are you wearing a suit?”
He had to stay in control, yet he couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face—a real smile, for once, with nothing feigned at all. “I had an important meeting.”
It was true, after all. A kind of giddy joy filled him. She was here. His mate was here , against all odds. And he had all summer to win her heart.
He tugged at his tie, pulling it away from his throat. “Now that I think of it, I suppose I don’t need this anymore.”
He’d worn the damn thing for so long, he’d almost stopped noticing it. Now, as he undid the top two buttons on his collar, a rush of relief went through him. He hadn’t realized how much he’d hated that slight sense of constriction until he was able to breathe freely at last.
He was working on the last button of his suit jacket when he realized Paige seemed to have stopped breathing. Glancing up, he found her attention riveted to the gap where his collar hung open. Her own throat worked as she swallowed hard.
Conleth abruptly felt ten feet tall and made of solid gold. He had a mad urge to do a victory lap around the camp, high-fiving everyone he passed.
She wants us! His stallion pranced in his soul, preening shamelessly. See how she looks at us? Our mate wants us!
She did. It might only be on the basest, most physical level, but it was a start. He could work with that.
Slowly, he cautioned himself. There was no need to rush. As long as he stayed in control and didn’t lose his head, everything was going to be fine?—
“Hey!”
Conleth jerked at the yell. He’d been so focused on Paige, he’d lost track of the rest of the world.
Now it all came rushing back, his pegasus’s awareness of all the nearby lives flooding his mind. All the glowing dots of the surrounding staff members, going about their own business, paying no attention to Paige and himself…
And one smaller, brighter spark, charging straight for them.
A spark that Conleth knew only too well.
“Get away from her!” Archie pushed in front of Paige, squaring up to him with bunched fists. “That’s my sister! ”