“No. It just…sort of happened.”
“Uh-huh.” She could almostseeher sister’s leer. “And what were you doing at the time, exactly?”
“I’m not going to shareeverythingwith you, Birdbrain.”
“Pity. Your tiger sounds tasty.” Lola hastily added, “Joking! I’m joking.”
She swallowed her possessive growl. “I know. Sorry. Couldn’t help it.”
“Fuck, Catbutt.” Despite her words, Lola sounded almost tender. “He really is your mate, isn’t he?”
“Yes.” She sighed, leaning back against the wall. “He is. My lioness knows he is, too. Though it doesn’t seem to want us to bond. I think that’s why it called in the eagle.”
“Makes sense. Guy’s notmymate, thank fuck. I’ve got no interest in settling down to play happy families. Especially not in some fucked up harem situation with my own twin.” Lola paused. “What does the griffin make of all this?”
“I don’t know.” She’d been trying to ignore that part of herself, like avoiding biting down on an abscessed tooth. “However my lioness got the eagle here, I don’t think I can send it back to you the same way. When can you get here?”
“Not for a while. We’re out on a fire right now, and I can’t exactly tell my superintendent that I need to take a personal day to retrieve an invisible animal. But I’ve got some time off in a week. I’ll book a flight down.”
“A week?” Guilt stabbed through her. “Will you be okay that long?”
“Eh, I’ll be fine. I know how to use a parachute if we have to jump another fire. Though if Connor gives me any shit over it, I’ll rip his lungs out through his asshole. I’m more worried about you. I’m guessing you can’t finalize the mating bond while the eagle is hanging around like a third wheel.”
“Don’t worry. Shan doesn’t mind waiting. But get here as soon as you can, okay?”
Lola's filthy chuckle crackled from the phone speaker. “Sounds likeyoumind waiting. Listen, I’ve got to get back to work. The rest of the squad is covering for me, but if the superintendent finds out I skipped out to make a personal call, it’ll be my ass that’s on fire. Sit tight for now, Catbutt. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“What do you mean, you need to stay longer?” Min-Seo frowned at him from his phone screen. “Yesterday, you said you were convinced there wasn’t any threat to the camp.”
“There isn’t. But a different issue has arisen.” He braced himself. “I met my mate.”
Min-Seo slumped back in her executive chair, letting out a long, relieved groan. “Finally. I thought you’d never admit it.”
This was not the reaction he’d expected. “You knew?”
“Of course I knew.” Min-Seo gave him an exasperatedlook. “Shan, do you really think I’d send one of my best agents to chase ghosts at a kids’ summer camp?”
He blinked at her. “Ah…yes?”
“See, that’s the problem with being able to detect lies.” Min-Seo unwrapped a candy as she spoke. “Anyone who knows your talent can run rings around you. Zephyrdidcontact us about the so-called ghost sighting. What Ididn’ttell you is that he asked me for a personal favor. He wanted me to send you specifically. And when I asked him why, he told me.”
“Zephyr knew all along?”
“Shan, a bunch ofkidsworked it out. From a distance of twenty feet, as I understand it. Zephyr was right there when you first met Leonie. He noticed your reaction. So did Conleth.” Min-Seo popped the candy into her mouth, speaking around it. “It didn’t take a genius to deduce why you rushed away like you’d seen a ghost. The kids just saved them from having to figure out how to force you back to camp.”
There wasn’t a lot he could say to that. “Oh.”
“I admit I was startled when you uncovered a genuine mystery.” Min-Seo crunched up her candy, reaching for another piece. “But still, all’s well that ends well. I take it you’re asking for emergency personal leave?”
“Yes. I’m afraid I might need to be here for a while. There are…some complications.”
“Shan, you’re a male shifter who just found his mate. Frankly, for the next few months, you’re going to be about as much use to me as a bull elephant in rut. Take as long as you need.” Min-Seo paused, one eyebrow raising. “Though…what kind of complications?”
“Ones that aren’t mine to disclose.” Some flicker of instinct tugged at his awareness. “I have to go. I’ll submit theleave request paperwork today. And…thank you. For everything.”
Min-Seo smiled, her usually sharp eyes softening. “You’re welcome. You’re off duty until further notice, Agent. Go find your mate.”
Leonie came out of her cabin. Putting his phone away, he went to meet her.
