The horse snorted, bobbing her head.
“Alone?”
He gave a regretful sigh. “I brought her over from my tribe. She had horses to socialize with, but now it’s just my girl.”
I lowered my hand to offer it to the horse. “You should get her a companion animal. If not a horse, then a dog, sheep, or a donkey. Just not a goat.”
“Why is that?”
I grinned as the horse approached me. “They’re troublemakers. Hi, girl. What’s your name?”
“Luna,” Tak replied.
She nickered when I stroked her muzzle. Then I let my hand brush over her coat, down her neck, and across her side. She radiated contentment, and I could tell she was happy here. Just lonely.
“She doesn’t like the noise. See how differently she’s behaving from earlier?” I patted her side.
Tak approached and rubbed her nose. “I can’t do much about that. We have work.”
“Perhaps someone could take her riding when you’re running the saws? I bet she’d like to go for a ride now. Then she’ll be tired and ready to go back to the stable.”
“You know your horses.”
“I should. Iamone.”
His eyebrows popped up.
Then it dawned on me that I was slighting a Packmaster by giving him advice on how to do his job. Under normal circumstances, I would have never had this conversation.
Wine and me did not mix.
I lowered my head, my heart racing. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you. Of course you know what’s best for her. Please forget I said anything.”
Before I embarrassed myself any further, I hustled back to the house. Having lived around humans, I’d forgotten that I couldn’tspeak as freely with all Breed, especially leaders who lived in the same area as me. It might reflect poorly on Noah and hurt his standing in the community.
I swerved and realized the wine had gone to my head since I hadn’t eaten lunch or had anything else to drink. Working out and then standing in the sun had proved a dangerous combination. On one hand, alcohol relaxed me and brought me out of my shell. But now I felt dizzy and slightly nauseated. One bottle between three women had turned into two.
Still, I’d had so much fun. I’d never realized how comfortable I could be with complete strangers, but I’d also never had friends.
When I made it to the top of the steps, my bladder threatened to burst. I stepped inside the house in absolute panic, desperately needing to pee.
From around the corner, a man with a shaved head and golden eyes stalked up, his nostrils flaring. He scrutinized me and tipped his head to the side.
My stomach clenched. Chitahs were a Breed similar to Shifters, only they didn’t shift. I’d never had close interactions with them.
“What’s wrong, female?”
“Bathroom?” My knees locked together.
His lips curved in a sinister smile, and he gestured to a door on my left.
I flew inside, locked the door, and peed for so long that I heard the man chuckling. Mortified, I finished and washed my hands. A glance in the mirror revealed my ponytail had given up on all existence, the hair tie loose and low, strands hanging askew. I pulled the elastic tie off and shook my hair. Still woozy, I splashed water on my flushed face to sober up.
After emerging from the bathroom, I steered around the corner and smacked into Archer.
He stepped back, his brows drawing together. “What are you doing here?”
“What areyoudoing here?”
