CHAPTER1
Buck drifted awake to warm sunlight on his face, a rough surface under his back, and a gentle breeze tickling parts that should absolutely not be hanging out in the fresh air.
He groaned. “Oh, you motherloving mutt. Not again.”
Sharp edges dug into his buttocks. Buck didn’t move, keeping his eyes firmly closed. As long as he didn’t look, he could still cling to the pleasant hope that he might be up a tree. Or stranded at the top of the highest mountain in Montana. Or draped across the roof of the damn White House with a patriotic flag up his ass. Anywhere except—
“Good morning, Mr. Frazer!” chimed two bright, cheerful young voices from ground level.
Buck cupped his hands over his groin. Letting out a sigh, he opened his eyes, staring up into the clear summer sky.
“Hi, kids,” he said gloomily. “Are all of you down there?”
“No, just me and Estelle,” said Beth. “We were about to go meet the boys for breakfast when we heard a thump.”
“You’re on the roof of our cabin again,” Estelle informed him, as though this might have somehow escaped his notice.
“Hundreds of miles of mountains,” Buck muttered. “Acres of uninhabited wilderness. And you still pick the summer camp every time, you damn hairy pervert.”
“What was that, Mr. Frazer?” asked Beth.
“Nothing. Just talking to myself.”
Buck rolled, wincing as his battered muscles made it known in no uncertain terms that he was far too old for this nonsense. Keeping his body safely out of sight, he peered over the edge of the roof.
Two upturned faces looked back at him; one with a worried expression, the other with avid curiosity. Both girls were dressed in identical camp t-shirts, which was the only point of similarity between them.
Beth, all of ten years old, stood as straight and rigid as a soldier on parade, her flaming red hair bound back in a ruthlessly neat French plait. In contrast, Estelle’s white-blond mop stuck out around her head like a dandelion seed. Next to the much taller Beth, she looked so tiny that a stranger would have assumed she was six rather than nearly nine.
Buck had known them both since they were literal babes in arms. Looking down at them now made him feel like he should be mounted in a museum, somewhere between the trilobites and the dinosaur bones.
“Are you all right, Mr. Frazer?” Beth asked. Buck detected an eager note under her concern, like she was already picturing how she’d modestly accept her medal of heroism. “If you’re hurt, I could shift and fly up to you.”
“No!” Buck edged a little farther back, grateful that the shallow pitch of the roof hid his hindquarters from sight. “Stay right where you are.”
Beth looked crestfallen. “Are you sure you don’t need help?”
“I’m fine,” Buck said, nuts crushed flat against the shingles. “Just dandy. Having a real whale of a time up here.”
Estelle cocked her head, her expression of interest intensifying. “Did you leave your clothes behind again?”
“That,” Buck said firmly, “is none of your motherloving business.”
“Estelle!” Beth hissed. “Don’t embarrass Mr. Frazer. You know he can’t help it.”
“I was only asking.” Estelle heaved a sigh, envy clear in her mismatched eyes. “I wishIwoke up on top of buildings naked.”
“Believe me, it’s not as much fun as it looks.” Buck searched for help that wasn’t prepubescent and female. “Is there a grown-up around?”
Beth got the vague, distracted look that shifters always did when they were using their damn freaky mind powers. “Most of the counselors are at breakfast. Director Zephyr is in his office, though. Do you want me to go get him?”
“Please,” Buck said, heartfelt. “Tell him it’s the usual problem.”
Beth straightened her spine, radiating responsibility. “You can count on me. Let’s go, Estelle.”
“What, me?” Estelle protested. “Why can’t you go get Zeph by yourself?”
“You know camp rules. And it’sDirectorZephyr, remember?”
