“I agree.” Leonie folded her arms. “Therealproblem has red hair and a mile-high ego.”
“I am speaking with Paige now,” Zephyr said—mildly enough, but both shifters shut up at once. “Paige, while Iappreciate your concern for your brother, Conleth is your mate. Archie knows that, and he knows what that means, even if you yourself do not. Thisisgoing to affect him. No matter how much you try to avoid Conleth.”
“That’s what I tried to tell her,” Conleth said. At Zephyr’s pointed look, he waved a hand. “Sorry. Carry on.”
“This isn’t just about Archie.” That was dangerously close to revealing too much, but shehadto persuade Zephyr to put a halt to Conleth’s plan. “Please, director. I’ve already told Conleth I can’t be his mate. I’m not going to change my mind. Especially not after he pulls a stunt like this.”
“Wonderful.” Leonie threw up her hands. “So, Conleth, all you’re achieving with this brilliant scheme is to pisseveryoneoff. Including your mate. Zephyr, talk some sense into him.”
Zephyr regarded his business manager thoughtfully. “This does seem counter to your long-term goals, Conleth. If you think this is going to endear yourself to Paige, you may be mistaken.”
“Believe me, I am aware of that fact.” Conleth met Zephyr’s eyes. “I have my reasons.”
Zephyr didn’t speak for a moment, gaze still locked with Conleth’s. Something seemed to pass between the two men. Perhaps it was just the familiarity of two people who had worked together long enough to understand each other without words, but Paige remembered Archie insisting that some shifters could communicate with each other telepathically. At the time she’d dismissed it as another of his wild exaggerations. Now, it seemed all too plausible.
I should have listened to him. There really is a lot I don’t know about shifters.
Zephyr broke that silent communion first, letting out his breath. “You realize you’ll have to report to Leonie.”
“Zephyr!”Leonie yelped, as Paige’s stomach sank. “You can’t seriously be considering agreeing to this!”
“To be honest, I’m somewhat terrified of what Conleth might do next if I don’t.” Zephyr flashed a glance at Conleth. “Which is not to say that I am agreeing. I have significant concerns, Conleth. If this is going to work, you’ll have to follow Leonie’s orders.”
“Already ahead of you.” With a flourish, Conleth snagged some papers from his desk, setting them in front of the director. “I’ve taken the liberty of drawing up an employment contract under our usual terms for a pack counselor. Well, apart from the salary, which is rather lower than standard. If Leonie isn’t satisfied with my performance, she can dismiss me, same as anyone else on her team. I trust that will suffice.”
Zephyr treated Conleth to a long, considering look. “I’ll also need your resignation as camp manager.”
For the first time, Conleth’s cocky smirk faltered. “What?”
Zephyr spread his hands. “Even you can’t do two jobs at the same time, Conleth.”
“But—” Conleth seemed to flounder, as if this obvious truth had caught him unprepared. “Counselors aren’t with their campers literally every minute round the clock. I admit I’ll have to pull some long hours, but with my speed power?—”
“No,” Zephyr interrupted, a hint of steel in his voice. “I am serious about this, Conleth. I won’t have you splitting your focus. Your campers will need your complete attention.”
It was hardly Paige’s place to tell the director how to run his own camp, but she couldn’t keep silent. “Director, you can’t fire your camp manager right before the start of the season. There’s no way you could find a replacement this late.”
“Exactly.” Leonie rounded on Conleth in triumph. “Now you have to back down. We both know Zephyr can’t manage this place on his own.”
“Thanks?” Zephyr murmured.
“Oh, you know what I mean,” Leonie retorted. “You’re already fully loaded with your duties as director. You can’t handle finances and marketing and whatever else it is that Conleth does all day in the office.”
“I’m not saying it’s ideal, but I can manage to keep on top of things for one summer. I’ve made sure to familiarize myself with Conleth’s systems.” Zephyr shrugged. “It’s not like I didn’t know this day was coming, after all.”
“You expected…” Paige waved a hand between herself and Conleth, lost for words. “This? Me?”
“Not perhaps this exact scenario,” Zephyr said calmly. “But I knew that there would come a summer when Conleth would abruptly have other priorities than managing the camp.”
“Moira’s brother is a powerful sea dragon seer,” Leonie explained. “Five years ago, he had a vision that Conleth would meet his mate here.”
“While wearing a suit,” Conleth put in. “Just to be clear, that part wasn’t my idea.”
“Right.” Paige fought down a hysterical laugh. “Of course there was a prophecy. Why else would you be hanging around a summer camp. So you were only working here out of self-interest. That tracks.”
“Conleth’s always been quite clear that he was only here due to the prophecy,” Zephyr said. “And since he’s now met his mate, it seems that we’ll have to do without him. Under the circumstances, I can take over his role for a short transitional period. I don’t see any other option. Do you, Conleth?”
Conleth rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I suppose I’ll still be here at camp to step in when it goes horribly wrong. Just promise that you’ll leave me in charge of recruiting your next camp manager.”
