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But then they were above the tops of the trees, picking up speed, flying , and suddenly she was thinking about nothing at all.

The forest rushed by below them, a patchwork of deep greens and blazing colors amongst the swirling mists, and Chloe simply took the time to enjoy the sensation of flying through the air on the back of a warm, living being, the cool mountain air whipping her scarf around and revitalizing her with every breath.

This could be my life. Not just now, but forever.

… No, don’t think about that, she chided herself. You have no idea what Ethan wants.

Determined to avoid thinking about such things, she relaxed her death grip on Ethan’s mane, gaining confidence by the second, even as he banked to avoid a mountainside that loomed up out of the fog.

He performed the movement so easily, without the slightest hint of worry, that she was sure its appearance had been expected. She’d seen enough in the past few days to not be surprised by it – perhaps the pegasus had some kind of sonar power or something.

The mental image of the pompous pegasus emitting a high-pitched scream so that it could echolocate its way around the mountains set her to laughing, and Ethan looked over his shoulder with concern.

“It’s nothing!” she called out into the wind, still giggling. “Eyes on the road, please!”

Looking a little dubious, Ethan turned his head back forward again, and Chloe contented herself with just enjoying the ride.

She watched, awed, as a blur shot by them, revealing itself to be a peregrine falcon only when it resurfaced from the forest canopy, apparently unsuccessful in its hunt this time. Its yellow eyes locked with hers for one long moment, and she suppressed a shiver.

As much as she loved her work with domestic animals, there was something about the primal beauty of wild creatures in their native habitat that regular vet work could never touch.

She hadn’t fully realized that she had been missing this in her life until now – she’d always considered herself more or less a city slicker, but her eyes were being opened to a whole new way of life.

After what seemed like both an eternity and a mere second, Ethan was soaring above what Chloe realized must be Rudd Gorge, a deep, jagged cut across the otherwise pristine landscape.

She looked down, trying and failing to see the bottom of the narrow gorge, and shuddered a little.

If we fall down there, we’re never coming back out again.

The pegasus looped around as it came in to land, gently coming to rest with a little trot inside of a lovely grassy glade that was, despite the weather, dotted with tiny wildflowers. The mist was starting to burn off in the weak afternoon warmth, casting everything in a muted radiance.

As she slid down to the ground and turned around, a sunbeam broke through momentarily, catching the pegasus in its dazzling light. It preened a little, obviously knowing that it looked fantastic, and Chloe couldn’t help but laugh. She was pretty sure at this point that it had its own personality!

“Okay, enough of that,” she said – and, after a brief shimmer, Ethan was back, looking a bit sheepish.

“It’s a bit of a show pony, in case it wasn’t obvious,” he said. “It doesn’t get much chance to get out and about, so when it does, it’s extra obnoxious.”

Chloe was surprised to hear that it didn’t get out much – but once she thought about it, it made sense.

Between the innate difficulties of flying around undetected in this day and age, and the self-imposed difficulties of being a workaholic who probably slept at the office, she could see why Ethan wouldn’t shift very often.

Which was a shame. Besides the fact that the pegasus was stunning to look at, she could only imagine the sense of freedom that would come from being able to turn into such a creature.

“Well, it did at least give me a very nice ride up the mountain, so I’ll give it points for that,” she said. “I think I could lose all fear of flying if I went everywhere by pegasus.”

“It’s definitely better than taking a plane,” Ethan agreed. “If something goes wrong, I’ve got no one but myself to blame. Or the pegasus, which is even better.”

“You two really do have a feisty relationship,” Chloe said thoughtfully, before a sudden shiver went through her. It was considerably cooler up here – not freezing by any means, but enough to be noticeable. She was suddenly glad that she’d dressed warmly this morning!

Oh, well – hopefully I’ll get nice and warm once we start walking.

She pulled off the backpack, intending to hand it to Ethan – not that she was incapable, but she’d been carrying it this whole time and it was pretty heavy, and Ethan was clearly not lacking in the strength department.

But the next thing she knew, there was some warm material being draped around her shoulders, and she was shivering for an entirely different reason.

“Wha—?” she said intelligently, before realizing that Ethan had given her his jacket.

Which was a lovely gesture, especially given that it was large and pre-warmed and it smelled like him, but… but…

“Not that I don’t appreciate it, because I really do, but we have got to get you some new clothes,” she blurted out, as she looked down at the impeccably tailored suit jacket that she was now swimming in.

He blinked. “I don’t need clothes. I have plenty. They’re just not here at this moment.”

“You know what I mean!” she yelled, even as she tried not to get distracted by just how much she was enjoying wearing his jacket. “You’re going canyoneering in an Armani suit!”

“This one is a Loro Piana,” Ethan said mildly. “But normally I wouldn’t wear a suit while hiking, you’re right.” He paused. “I’d wear boat shoes and a sweater tied around my shoulders instead.”

And nothing else, apparently, her mind supplied unhelpfully. The mental image of that particular clothing combination should’ve been a complete turn-off, and yet…

“ Augh! ” She thrust the backpack at him. “Here. Take this. As punishment.”

The faintest hint of a smile crept in at the corners of Ethan’s mouth as he took the bag, though he was doing a good job of suppressing it. “If you insist.”

“I do.”

She wrapped herself tighter in the jacket, before a thought occurred to her. “But hang on – aren’t you cold? I’m wearing, like, four layers, and you’re only wearing one.”

Ethan shrugged. “Shifters run hot. The jacket is just for show, really, so people don’t get suspicious. I’m fine.”

As if demonstrating just how fine he was, Ethan took off his tie and shoved it in the bag, before he then undid the top three buttons of his shirt, showing off just the faintest promise of collarbones and rock-hard pecs.

Chloe tried very hard not to gape at the wanton display, and failed utterly.

“Well, then,” Ethan said breezily, reaching for the backpack. “Shall we head off?”

Steeling herself, Chloe replied, “Just as soon as you tell me why the word ‘mate’ had you so freaked out earlier.”

At Ethan’s stunned look, she smiled and added, “Or did you hope that I forgot?”