“Buck,” she called. “Visitors.”
His disgruntled growl drifted through the open front door. “If it’s the kids, tell them they’ve got all summer to burst in at inopportune moments. I’m not having them starting early.”
“It’s not thecampkids,” Honey said, surveying the hopeful herd gathered on their front lawn. “I think you’d better get out here.”
Buck emerged, hair still damp from the shower, tugging his t-shirt down over his abs. He scowled as he saw the young unicorns, but Honey could feel his secret affection down the mate bond.
“What are you lot doing here?” He swept the small group with a glare. “If you’ve come to beg for more Froot Loops, we’re all out. Pretty sure motherloving magical creatures aren’t supposed to guzzle down artificial flavors by the bucket, anyway.”
One of the oldest unicorns—a long-legged, coltish teen with deep amethyst eyes—disappeared in a flash of light. She reappeared on the porch next to Buck. Her horn prodded him in the chest, tapping the Camp Thunderbird logo on his t-shirt.
“Oh, no.” Buck pushed the unicorn’s horn away, shaking his head. “We’ve been over this, Flash. You know your herd elders don’t approve.”
The young unicorn’s lower lip stuck out in a mulish pout. She poked Buck again, harder.
“You want me to lose my job?” Buck folded his arms, covering the camp logo. “It’s not my decision. You lot want to come to camp, take it up with Alder-in-Winter.He’sthe one you’ve got to convince, not me. Now go on, get out of here before he notices you’re gone.”
“Sorry, kids,” Honey called as the unicorns trailed disconsolately away, tails drooping. She sighed. “I wish they could come to camp.”
“You’ve already changed the rules to allow humans, woman. Let that one settle in before you start demanding Zeph builds a stable block.”
“It wouldn’t be too hard to alter the cabins to accommodate them, if Alder would let the youngsters leave herd territory.”
“True enough, but it would take a motherloving miracle to change that overgrown ass’s mind. The way he talks, you’d think all humans were twelve feet tall and jonesing for fresh-grilled unicorn steaks.” Buck locked the front door, pocketing the keys. “You ready to go?”
She nodded, getting to her feet. “It feels strange not to need to pack anything. I have to admit, I’m a little sad we won’t be living full time at the camp this summer. I’m going to miss sharing a cabin with the girls.”
Buck’s hand slipped around her waist, dipping under her t-shirt. “I’m not going to miss sneaking around at night, trying to steal a moment of privacy.”
Honey caught her breath as his fingertips brushed sparks across her skin. “I suppose being senior staff hassomeadvantages.”
“I’ll keep reminding you of that.” With a final lingering caress, Buck released her. “And much as I’d like to show you right now, we should get going. Leonie will skin us if we’re late to the staff welcome meeting.”
He stepped away, shifting into the powerful gray form of the stormwolf. Honey reached for her own animal; that constant warm, glowing presence in her soul, as bright as summer sunlight. By now, it was second nature to let that wild, secret part of herself come out.
She shook out her fur, then trotted over to Buck. He nuzzled her muzzle in a wolfish kiss before spreading his wings. With a leap, he took off, lightning crackling between his feathers.
She followed him into the sky, delighting in the smooth strength of her own glowing, golden wings. Flying was one of her favorite things about her new body. She played in the air, catching the eddying wind currents to dance around Buck.
He huffed, refusing to chase her. Honey darted in to nip at his tail, spiraling away before he could retaliate.
He growled at her, showing his teeth.*Stop that.*
She taunted him with her own tail, staying just out of reach.*Make me.*
*Damn it, woman.*He kept flying in a steady line, his powerful wingbeats carrying him through the air.*I have a reputation to maintain. You can’t expect me to frolic over the camp for everyone to see.*
Honey wrinkled her nose at him, but abandoned her teasing. Wingtip to wingtip, they headed for the camp.
The camp, mostly deserted in previous months, was now packed with bustling staff. As they swooped over the car park, Honey glimpsed a few new counselors goggling up at them, nudging each other and pointing. Most counselors just waved in greeting, recognizing them from last year.
“Shield-siblings!” boomed a familiar voice as they touched down in the central square. Before Honey could even shift back to human form, she found herself swept up in brawny arms. “My heart rejoices to be reunited with such mighty warriors once more!”
Honey shifted to return the hug. “Ragvald! It’s so good to see you again!”
Buck let out a long, dangerous growl, lips wrinkling back from his fangs.
“Oh hush, you,” she told him, not letting go of Ragvald. “There’s no point going all possessive-alpha-male to try to preserve your image. We can all see your soft, floofy belly.”
