Page 5

LINK CLIMBED OUT OF his Hummer while Luke exited from the passenger side. After tossing his keys over the hood to his brother, he opened the back door and pulled out a large satchel. He lifted the strap over his head and rested it on his left shoulder.

Luke eyed him critically. “You sure this is the way you want to go about it?”

“Yeah.”

Link had thought long and hard about it. If he introduced Ezra to shifters and mates out in the wilds, he could not only prove that he was an outdoorsman—which he sort of was, being a shifter and all—but that they had things they could do in common. Also, it wasn’t as if Ezra would have anywhere to run to.

A little manipulative, perhaps, but Link would use any advantage that he could. As much as he hoped he’d made inroads with their conversation the evening before—being honest, connecting, getting honesty in return—he thought, anyway—he couldn’t scent his mate over the phone. Link also didn’t know Ezra well enough to get a read on the inflections in his tone.

“Ezra’s hiking for two weeks,”

Link told his brother when he noticed the man’s dubious look. “I can’t wait that long to see him again.”

Lowering his voice, he told the other man, “I’m a shifter. I’m not going to slow him down.”

Luke barked a laugh even as he rolled his eyes. “Of course, I don’t think you’re going to slow him down, bro.”

Smirking, he hooked his arm around Link’s neck and pulled him forward and down their couple of inch height difference so they could press their foreheads together. Luke stared deep into Link’s eyes and told him, “I’m worried that if he freaks out and runs, you or him could get hurt. Especially with you both out there all on your own.”

Link felt a swell of appreciation for Luke. His brother was a hell of a man. “You’re gonna make some human a great mate,”

he told him, lifting his hand to cradle Luke’s nape. “Sorry you didn’t end up next.”

Scoffing, Luke straightened and shook his head. “Don’t worry about it, Link.”

He squeezed the back of Link’s neck while grinning widely. “Like we all said yesterday. Fate works in her own time, little brother. Whoever I end up with, he’ll be worth the wait.”

Releasing him, Luke stepped backward. “Okay. I’m gonna get a room here tonight. Ping me with your location every evening, and I’ll follow you up the mountain chain and be available to help if there’s a problem or if you both need a ride when you’re finished.”

“Thanks, bro. I know I can always count on family.”

Chuckling, Link took a step away from Luke. “I’ll keep you updated.”

He patted his bag. “I have a water filtration device I don’t need, jerky, nuts, and trail mix.”

With a wink, Link added, “Although, I can just forage on the way.” He patted his bag again and added, “I have my tablet, satellite phone, and I’ll ping my location for you every evening.”

“You’re taking your tablet and not just your phone?”

Luke scowled at him. “Are you going to work while out there trying to woo your mate?”

Link winced guiltily. “Not if I can help it, but you know how things happen.”

Luke tipped his head back and laughed. “Only you, Link. Only you.”

He shook his head as he continued to chuckle. “And I’m going to talk to Dane. He can put a post on the SC message board that you’re out wooing your mate and that you shouldn’t be disturbed for anything other than an emergency.”

Nodding, Link grimaced as he thought of the Komodo dragon shifter who worked as a Shifter Council enforcer. “Should have thought of that.”

The Shifter Council had an internal message board to post announcements for those working within their ranks. It was hidden deep within the dark web. Link rubbed his palm down his beard. “Brain’s all scattered,”

he admitted, shaking his head. “Wish me luck out there.”

Luke chuckled softly, nodding. “Yeah, Bruin got damn scattered, too, when he found Juan.”

Patting Link’s shoulder, he headed toward the driver’s side door. “You sure you got everything you need?”

Link nodded. “Yeah. ‘Course.”

Curious about his brother’s thoughts, he asked, “Why?”

Smirking at him, Luke waved toward his outfit. “You’re wearing gym shorts, a tank top, and Barefoot toe hiking shoes.”

His brother’s mirth was damn near a palpable thing. “A big, bald, bearded man dressed like that carrying a satchel-style bag.”

Shrugging, Link grumbled, “It’s summer, it’s lightweight, and I’m comfortable.”

He grinned as he waggled his brows and added, “Easy to fold up and carry in here, too.”

He patted his large satchel once more.

Luke laughed again, even as he nodded. “Yeah, man. I gotcha.”

Pulling open the driver’s side door, he winked. “I finally get to drive your Hummer.”

Growling under his breath, Link ordered, “Don’t scratch it.”

With another laugh, Luke hopped in and closed the door. He waved as he pulled out of the lot.

Shaking his head, Link watched his brother leave. Then he turned and headed toward the trailhead that would lead him to the start of the Appalachian Trail. As he walked, he enjoyed the fresh scents of nature and the rumble of pleasure in his mind from his musk ox.

We’re only three hours behind Ezra. Don’t want to get too close too soon.

Link intended to stalk his mate until the second day. The trick would be in figuring out the best way to reveal himself.

AS PROMISED, THAT EVENING, Link turned on his tablet and pinned his location for Luke. He received an immediate confirmation message in return. Then Link did a quick check over all the tracking systems he’d put in place for the Shifter Council, making certain nothing had been tampered with, before shutting the device back off again.

Link slipped into the woods about fifty yards off the trail and hung his satchel on a tree branch. After stripping and placing his clothes in the bag, he shifted into his musk ox form. He grazed for a while on leaves, grass, and twigs before slipping into a doze.

When Link woke at first light, he eased the satchel strap over a horn, lifting it from the tree. He began walking parallel to the trail, foraging as he went. Any time Link heard the sound of a hiker, he eased further into the trees and stood quietly until they passed.

Link easily found the place where Ezra had camped the prior evening, and he paused to enjoy the scent of his mate. The smell had already begun to fade, telling him that his human had moved on at dawn. His mate appeared to be making good time, hiking steadily.

My mate’s in great shape.

Can’t wait to explore his sexy toned body.

Dismissing those thoughts so he didn’t sprout a boner in musk ox form—that’d be so embarrassing, not to mention uncomfortable—Link picked up his pace. He had to balance his need to stick with his plan to not reveal himself quite yet with his animal’s desire to be with his mate. He occasionally caught Ezra’s tantalizing scent on the wind, telling him he was close and testing his self-control. His mouth watered with his desire to taste the man’s flesh, and his body continually threatened to pop wood, even while in ox form.

That had definitely never happened to Link before, and he sure didn’t intend to allow it to happen then.

Link eyed the setting sun through the branches of the trees as he rounded a large trunk. The sound of a swiftly inhaled breath yanked his attention to the right. Freezing, Link stared at Ezra, who crouched only fifty feet away.

Ezra slowly straightened, holding some sort of wrapper clutched in his hand. He’d evidently stopped to pick it up. Link hadn’t realized the path ahead of him had curved in his direction, drastically closing the distance between them.

“Well, now,”

Ezra whispered, roving his gaze over him. “That’s not something you see every day.”

His mate cocked his head and even smirked a little. “Not sure what you are, big fella, but I’m pretty sure it’s not normal to carry a bag on your horn. How’d that happen, big guy?”

Unable to help himself, Link bugled softly, greeting his mate. To his pleasure, Ezra smiled.

Unfortunately, then Ezra pulled out his phone, and Link knew exactly what he was about to do...take his picture. Can’t allow that to happen. Turning away, he hurried deeper into the trees. Link paused and looked back at Ezra, needing one last glimpse of him.

Ezra remained standing still, watching him.

Link was so damn tempted to return to him. The pull was so very strong. Swallowing hard, he stuck to his guns and turned away, moving deeper into the forest.

Tomorrow, Link promised his animal.

According to the map, there was a river crossing the next afternoon. He would make it to the water and cross it first. Then he would wait and shift when Ezra paused to put his hiking shoes back on. According to his mate’s receipts, he’d bought water shoes, and Link was betting that it was for this reason.

LINK EASILY SLIPPED past Ezra the following day. By late morning, he reached the river. There were warning signs as well as a rope spanning the river, attached between two trees. Link assumed that was for when the river was deep or rushing more strongly.

At this time of year, late summer, the river was pretty low, and the water didn’t even make it halfway up Link’s legs as he crossed. He imagined that Ezra wouldn’t even get his knees wet. Once on the other side, Link found a good place to hide. As he watched and waited, he grazed on the leaves and grasses around him, helping to fill his belly while passing the time.

The sound of footsteps reached Link, and he swallowed his mouthful. Keeping in the shadows, he watched as Ezra appeared on the opposite bank. In the morning light, Link thought his mate’s lean, toned body looked amazing in his khaki shorts and a form-fitting, sweat-wicking polo top.

Ezra paused and swept his gaze over the crossing, obviously taking it all in. After setting his backpack on the ground, he crouched beside it and extracted his water shoes. Ezra made quick work of swapping his footwear. Once he’d shoved his socks into his boots, he used his laces to tie them to his backpack.

Standing, Ezra slung his pack back into place. Carefully, he began making his way across the river.

Link watched, ready to rush forward if his mate needed help. Of course, he figured his appearance running toward him in the water would do more harm than good. That didn’t mean his instincts didn’t scream at him to be ready to help.

Not surprising, Ezra agilely made it across. He lowered his pack to the ground and pulled a small towel from his bag. He began the process of drying his feet and legs and swapping footwear again.

Taking advantage of Ezra’s distraction, Link lowered his head and slipped his satchel off his horn. He moved slowly from between the trees, not wanting to spook his mate. Once he stood at the mouth of the trail, Link waited for Ezra to notice him.

It didn’t take long.

Ezra’s head slowly lifted from where he’d been focusing on tying his boot. His lips parted, and his brows shot up. Glancing left and right, Ezra softly cleared his throat.

“I was gonna look you up on my phone, but I don’t have good internet,”

Ezra commented softly, staring at him intently. “But you’re definitely not a moose or an elk, and I can’t think of any other big herbivores that would be out here.”

Looking beyond him, Ezra murmured, “And we’re not supposed to approach them, so I’m pretty sure I’m not supposed to approach you, but you’re standing in the trail. How long do you think you’ll be there?”

Grabbing his backpack, Ezra began easing to the left. “Are you trying to get to the water? Am I in your way?”

Deciding to take advantage of how calm Ezra seemed, Link began his shift. Most of his shifter friends were council enforcers, so he’d worked very hard to streamline his change. If Link went running with them, he didn’t want them to be standing around waiting for thirty seconds for him to finish gaining his animal form. He’d managed to become nearly as swift as them, shifting in under fifteen seconds.

Link knew that worked in his favor. He heard Ezra’s gasp, and he knew his human mate’s brain would take approximately five seconds just to process the fact that something weird was going on. After another five seconds, shock and disbelief would set in. Finally, that would most likely give way to panic and fear, kicking in Ezra’s flight instinct. Link was finished before Ezra could act on it.

“Please don’t run, Ezra,”

Link rumbled from where he knelt on the ground. “You’re safe. I’d never hurt you.”

Link recalled saying that to Ezra once before...at Amelia’s apartment, but he figured it bared repeating.

“L-Link?”

Ezra clutched his backpack to his chest in a white-knuckled grip. Disbelief was etched clearly on his pale features, the scent thick in the air. He shook his head once, looked around as if searching for the animal, then refocused on him. “H-How? Wh-What?”

“I have so much to explain, sweetheart,”

Link told him, the endearment rolling off his tongue without conscious thought. He rose to his feet and took his first step toward the man who would be his forever. “I’ll tell you everything.”

Ezra shook his head again, clearly overwhelmed. Then his eyes began to roll to the back of his head, and he started to drop.

Lunging forward, Link barely reached Ezra before he hit the ground.

“Well, shit,”

Link grumbled, holding Ezra against his chest. “That didn’t work out like I’d hoped.”

After a glance around, Link swung Ezra into his arms. He clutched him close to his chest as he stared down at the handsome face of his sleeping human. Even though Ezra had passed out, Link still smiled, relishing the chance to hold the other half of his soul.

Link continued to smile as he headed between the trees, needing seclusion for when his mate woke.

I’ll explain everything when he wakes, and everything will be fine.

Link would accept no less.