“Oh, the motherlover will talk.” Buck drained his mug of coffee. “That pointy son-of-an-ass and I have never seen eye-to-eye, but I’m on pretty good terms with the lead mare up there. When I tell Sunrise that Alder’s been keeping secrets that could threaten the herd, she’ll kick the crap out of him herself.”
Zephyr frowned. “If Alder-in-Winter does know something about this, I don’t understand why he’d keep it from the other unicorns. Or from us, for that matter. Nothing’s more important to him that the safety of the herd, and this is potentially as much a threat to the unicorns as to Camp Thunderbird.”
Buck grunted. “As far as Alder’s concerned, all humans are dangerous. Probably worried that if he gets too close, we’ll corrupt him with our decadent monkey ways. Leave it with me. I’ll find out what he’s hiding.”
Zephyr said something in reply. Shan didn’t hear what, because at that moment, the door opened. Leonie strode into the dining hall, bright and energetic as ever—but as her right foot touched the ground, he saw the slightest wince of pain cross her face.
He was at her side in an instant, without any recollection of crossing the hall. Before she could take another step, he grabbed her arm, supporting her weight.
“Shan!” She tried to shake him off, unsuccessfully. “Let go. I’m fine.”
Bitter ash flooded his mouth. “You said last night that your ankle was just sprained.”
“Itisjust sprained.” Glancing around, she took herclipboard from under her arm, angling it as if she was showing him something. “Stop making a fuss. Someone will notice.”
She was telling the truth about her ankle. Though that didn’t make any sense. With shifter healing, she should have recovered from such a minor injury by now.
He transferred his grip to her waist, taking more of her weight. “You should not be on your feet. I’ll help you back to your cabin and tell Zephyr you’re taking the day off.”
“You will do no such thing,” she hissed through her smile. “The kids would wonder what happened last night. We don’t want rumors flying around, especially not now. It’s best to carry on as normal.”
They were already attracting attention. A few kids eyed them curiously from nearby tables. Across the hall, half of their own pack were having a whispered consultation, casting glances in their direction. Apparently nominated as spokesperson, Beth separated from the rest of the group, hurrying over.
“Leonie?” the girl asked, looking worried. “Why are you and Shan arguing? Is something wrong?”
“We’re not arguing, Beth,” Leonie replied. Out of sight of the kids, her fingernails dug into his arm, warning him not to contradict. “It’s all right. Everything’s fine.”
“Everything is not fine,” he said, and felt an exasperated pinch. “Leonie is hurt.”
Beth’s eyes rounded in dismay. “What? How?”
“Oh, it was my own silly fault,” Leonie said lightly. “I was out hunting last night, and an owl startled me. I jumped and twisted my ankle. No need to worry.”
Beth looked briefly relieved, but then her forehead furrowed. “But when I get a cut or a bruise, it’s always gone in a few hours. If you hurt your ankle last night, shouldn’t it be better by now?”
“Yes, it should,” Shan said. “Leonie, you need medical attention.”
“For pity’s sake.” Leonie rolled her eyes. “You’re all acting like my entire leg’s about to fall off. I’ve always healed a little slower than other shifters, for some reason. I’ll be right as rain in a day or so.”
“But in the meantime, you need to stay off your feet.” Giving in to instinct, he picked her up entirely, ignoring her startled squeak. “Beth, tell the others that we’ll be making some changes to the schedule for today.”
“Yes, sir,” Beth replied. She trotted off obediently.
Leonie was not nearly so docile. She whacked him over the head with her clipboard, trying to wriggle free. “Shan! Put me down at once.”
He tightened his grip on her, holding her closer to his chest. “No.”
She glared at him as best she could. “You are beingutterlyridiculous.”
“I am your mate,” he growled under his breath, mouth an inch from her ear. “When it comes to you, I am allowed to be ridiculous.”
She stopped kicking her feet. “Oh. That’s true. The kidswouldexpect you to lose your mind if your mate was injured.”
Hunt. Stalk. Protect.“Yes.”
“I guess a certain level of overprotectiveness is appropriate,” Leonie conceded somewhat grudgingly. She relaxed at last, laying her head against his shoulder. “Just don’t overdo it.”
CHAPTER 17
