“Just give it to me straight, Conleth. Have you found someone or not?”
“Very well.” For all Conleth’s casual air, Buck noticed that his sharp green eyes were watching him intently. “I have some promising leads, but nothing immediate. You’ll have to hang on a while longer. Is that bad news?”
It was definitely bad news. Especially given Honey’s recent conversation with Ignatius. If the boy’s suspicions had been raised, he’d be keeping a close eye on her from now on. And if he did, it could only be a matter of time before he figured out that she never shifted. And then he’d start wondering why, and the whole house of cards would come crashing down.
And yet he couldn’t help the kick in his chest, like his heart was some idiot bird smacking straight into a closed window. There was a tingle at the base of his spine, and not in the place thoughts of Honey usually stirred.
“You have got to bekiddingme,” he snarled under his breath.
Conleth’s eyebrows lifted. “Much as I am renowned for my wit, on this occasion, I’m afraid I am not.”
“I wasn’t talking to you.”
He could feel it, the phantom echo of the tail he currently didn’t have, swishing from side to side. Wagging. Motherfuckingwagging.
Buck growled, forcing the damn beast out of his mind. The tingling sensation ebbed, but the warm glow in his chest remained.
“Idiot,” he muttered.
Conleth idly inspected his fingernails, as though waiting for Buck to finish blowing his nose. “Just a thought, but have you ever considered the possibility that perhaps your relationship with your animal would be more amicable if you didn’t constantly insult it?”
He hadn’t been talking to the beast, but he’d rather swallow glass than admit that to anyone. Let alone Conleth.
“When I want advice, I’ll ask for it,” he snapped. “Are you sure you can’t get anyone here any faster?”
“Believe it or not, most sane people are not willing to drop all their plans and rush to the middle of nowhere to look after a pack of squalling savages at a moment’s notice. Certainly not at the wages that we can offer.”
“I did.”
“Note my use of the word ‘sane.’”
Buck couldn’t really argue with that one. “How much time are we talking about here?”
“Hard to say. A few weeks, I expect. Is that likely to be a problem?”
He looked across at Honey, reading a book on the porch of the girls’ cabin. As if sensing his eyes on her, she glanced his way. Even at this distance, he could feel her smile like sunlight on his skin.
A few more weeks. Honey will have to stay a few more weeks. She’s not leaving. Not yet.
“No,” he said. “That’s not a problem.”
* * *
“Hey!” Estelle protested as Finley grabbed her arm, dragging her out of the line for breakfast. “Finley! We were right at the front, and you know they never make enough waffles!”
“This is more important than waffles,” Finley said grimly. “Flora, Beth, Claire, you’d better come too.”
“Is this about Archie and Ignatius?” Beth asked as they all followed him outside. “If they’re fighting again, I’m going straight to Zephyr. They’ve already gotten the pack in enough trouble.”
Finley shook his head. “It’s not them. Well, not directly. Just come on. You need to hear this in private.”
He led them round the corner of the dining hall. Archie and Rufus were already there, looking tense.
“We’ve only got a few minutes before the counselors spot we’re gone,” Finley said. “Archie, tell the girls what you told us.”
Archie had been crouching in the shadows on all fours, rocking a little like an agitated bear, even though he was in human form. Now he stood up. For once, there was no trace of mischief in his face.
“I heard Buck talking to Conleth last night.” Archie stopped, swallowing. “About a replacement counselor. Buck is planning to leave.”
