Page 60 of Kiss of Embers
“How did you miss that?” she demanded now, pointing to the stump. “It’s huge.”
Struan glowered at her. “It’sdark.”
She pulled her long ponytail off her neck and held her hair on top of her head in an obvious effort to cool off. “I didn’t realize your night vision was so poor.”
Struan lowered his foot, his nostrils flaring. “My night vision is excellent.” He tracked a bead of sweat slowly sliding down her throat. When it got to her neckline, his gaze moved to her breasts. “I’ve just been”—he rubbed a hand over his mouth—“occupied.”
Zara froze. They stared at each other, both seemingly unaware of what they were doing. I’d lived with Struan long enough to know when the moon was affecting him. It obviously pulled at Zara, too, ramping up her aggression. If she and Struan didn’t shed their skins and blow off some steam, they were going to end up fighting or fucking.
I knew which outcome I preferred. Now I just had to steer my stubborn beasties toward the path I wanted them to take.
“Why don’t you two shift and go for a hunt?” I offered.
They jumped, then looked at me as if just seeing me for the first time.
“Hunt?” Zara asked.
I gestured to the moon. “You need to shift, right? I recognize the signs. Struan always gets a bit peevish when it’s his time of the month.”
Struan huffed. “That’s absurd.”
I ignored him. “You both need to shift. And if Struan takes dragon form, he can fly above the trees and see if we missed anything.”
Zara frowned. “What will you do while we’re gone?”
“Oh, I have a few tricks up my sleeve.” I smiled as I patted my hip. “Well, in my pocket. I’ll have dinner and hot showers waiting for you.”
Her frown fled. “Showers,” she breathed, and I knew I’d won her over.
“I’ll take care of the food and hot water,” I said. “You two handle the reconnaissance.”
She nibbled her bottom lip. “Well, I guess it couldn’t hurt to go for a quick run. Especially if it helps us find our way out of here.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
She nodded. “All right. Give me a minute.” She glanced around, then headed toward a cluster of tall, leafy foliage. A second later, the soft sound of clothing hitting the ground drifted in the air.
I looked at Struan and found him watching me with a knowing glint in his eyes.
“Someone’s plotting,” he murmured.
I went to him and patted his cheek. “I’m planning, love. Pay attention.”
He snapped his teeth, catching one of my fingers. I laughed as I jerked my hand away and sucked at the wound.
“You’ll pay for that,” I said around my finger.
His eyes gleamed in the darkness. “Promise?”
The shrubs shivered, and then a giant wolf trotted toward us. Zara was beautiful on two legs. On four, she was absolutely breathtaking. Her fur ranged from a golden buff to the palest platinum. Her eyes glittered like citrines. Muscle rippled as she stalked to my side, rising well above my hip. Power rolled off her in thick waves that lifted the hair on my nape.
Pride swelled my chest. My female was no ordinary werewolf.
“Alpha,” I said, lowering my head. Struan did the same, acknowledging Zara’s status.
She nuzzled my hand, sniffing at the now-healed spot Struan had torn.
“I’m fine,” I said, stroking her fur. It was warm and silky, and I caught my breath as she pushed her head into my hand in a clear demand for more. The force of her snout knocked me backward a step. When she growled softly, I plunged my fingers into the impossibly soft fur on her crown. I’d never encountered a lion, but I had to imagine the protocol for dealing with one was similar. When they wanted ear scritches, they got ear scritches.