KARL
Karl had checked half the perimeter already. Not because it needed doing—Dave and Christian were on top of things—but because he needed to do something that wasn’t wrapping his hands around a damn cat’s throat.
Not justanycat.Thatcat.
The memory of Leon’s face, unapologetic, infuriatingly cool,beautifulin that too-sharp way, had been in his head ever since the den. So had Luna’s voice, quiet but razor-edged.Then we’d handle it. I would handle it.
He had to admit that she had. The dressing-down had been clean and public, and no less loaded for being quiet. It was clear there’d be no repeat offense. But still. It had happened.
Karl passed the edge of the barn and stopped short. Leon stood in the open space between two outbuildings, back to him, arms folded, head tilted slightly as if listening to something distant.
The worst part? He looked peaceful. Not at all like someone who left chaos in his wake.
Karl made sure his boots crunched on the dirt as he approached. Leon didn’t turn, and Karl clenched his fists. Calm, he reminded himself. Calm, like that fucking cat.
“You planning on ambushing anyone else today?” he asked, voice flat. “Or is your superiority complex satisfied for now?”
Leon faced him fully then. There was no visible tension in him, but Karl couldfeelthe readiness in every line of his body.
“No more ambushes,” Leon said. “Not today.”
Karl snorted. “Gracious of you.”
They stared at each other for a long moment. Neither moved, and Karl’s jaw began to ache from clenching. He wanted to shove Leon, just to see if he’d stumble, or if he’d land on his feet like cats always did. He wanted to shake him. He wanted—God, he didn’t even know what he wanted, except to get Leon out of his head.
Karl should have walked away. Should have said his piece and gone. Instead, something kept him rooted. Probably the absolutenerveof Leon standing there like he hadn’t done anything wrong. Like he’d beenright.As if the pack’s security hadneededhis intervention.
“Do you think you’re the only one who cares about keeping people safe?” Karl demanded.
“No,” Leon said. “But I know what it feels like to be the only one paying attention.”
That hit harder than Karl expected, because he knew that feeling. Only too well. Damn cat somehow knew the way to get under his skin without even trying.
“If you want to watch our flank while you’re guarding your queen, that’s fine,” he said tightly. “But you don’t get to interfere with the pack in any way. If you have any concerns about our security, bring them to me.”
“I’ve already got one team to manage,” Leon said, completely unconcerned by the threat in Karl’s voice. “Could do without another.”
Karl couldn’t help it. He laughed. It was short and humorless, but real. “Jesus. You’re impossible.”
Leon’s mouth curved, just a little. “You’re not exactly a warm hug and a hot cocoa yourself.”
It was all Karl could do not to snarl. Fucking cat was mocking him.
“Good,” he said tightly, as he turned away. “That’s not in the job description.”
“I didn’t mean to scare him,” Leon said.
It was just enough to make Karl pause. Not an apology, but close. “He didn’t seem scared afterward,” Leon added.
“He didn’tshowit,” Karl corrected. “That’s not the same.”
They stared at each other again, then Karl moved away. “Stay away from my pack,” he said, and strode up the hill.
He could feel Leon’s gaze on him the entire way—quiet, deliberate, unblinking. Like the cat he was.
Chapter Eight
KARL
