“Lost track of time. Nothing to report.” I pulled on my shorts, failing to inform him I’d found the person who had been too close to our treasure.
She wasn’t close to it now, though, and I was curious why she’d been so far away from the trails. Our hoard was hidden in a location that even a very experienced hiker would shy away from. So why had my mate been there?
Zarek’s blue eyes narrowed, studying me with that analytical gaze that missed nothing. “What’s that smell?” He stepped closer, nose wrinkling. “Is that—” His eyes widened slightly. “Bear spray?”
I tugged my shirt over my head, using the moment to compose my face. “Maybe.”
“Maybe?” Zarek’s eyebrows shot up, nearly disappearing into his hairline.
“It’s complicated.” I ran a hand through my hair.
“What happened?” His expression morphed from mild irritation to something more akin to fascination. I could practically see his brain cataloging every disaster scenario that might explain my current state. The slight twitch at the corner ofhis mouth suggested he was torn between concern and the urge to laugh at whatever mess I’d gotten myself into.
I needed to be careful about this. Zarek was the most on edge about our hoard, and if he connected the dots that my mate was the one who had been trespassing, his dragon would not accept her.
And without that acceptance, I’d never fully bond with my mate.
Mine.
The certainty my dragon had was undiminished despite our disastrous first meeting.
“There was a female camper, and I wanted to check on her.”
Zarek looked confused, his forehead creasing as he tilted his head slightly to the side. The expression was similar to a dog hearing a squeaky toy—something I’d never tell him to his face if I wanted to keep all my limbs intact.
“I was naked.” I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling the lingering tension there.
“You were naked,” he repeated. “And she... bear-sprayed you? Before or after you introduced yourself?” His efforts to fight a smile became more pronounced.
I looked away, suddenly fascinated by the tree line. “I might have forgotten that part.”
“Forgot to introduce yourself.” Zarek’s voice was flat, but I could hear the laughter he was suppressing. “So you what? Appeared before her?”
“Yes?” I mumbled.
The silence that followed was almost worse than if he’d laughed outright.
“Let me make sure I understand,” he said finally. “You found a solo camper, showed up naked, said nothing intelligible, and then were surprised when she bear-sprayed you.”
When he put it like that...
“I said, ‘Don’t run,’” I offered weakly.
Zarek pinched the bridge of his nose. “Because that’s not terrifying at all.”
My dragon growled, a sound that vibrated through my chest. “I didn’t mean to scare her.” I paced a few steps away, frustration building. “Shouldn’t you be getting ready to patrol?”
I should tell him there was no need, but then what? He’d want to find and interrogate her, and if he did that…
Smoke curled from my nostrils—a dead giveaway of my agitation. I quickly wiped my face, hoping Zarek hadn’t noticed, but of course he had.
“What was that for?” He shifted into a stance that meant he wouldn’t let something go.
Damn it. I needed to get my dragon under control before I gave everything away. The possessive creature inside me was practically clawing at my ribcage, desperate to find her again.
“Nothing.” I tried to sound casual while fighting an internal battle. I waved my hand dismissively near my face. “Just some of the bear spray is burning my nose, and my dragon is grumpy about it.”
A half-truth at best. The spray burned, but that wasn’t why smoke was pouring out of me like a chimney. Until I claimed my mate and we bonded, every male would be a threat.
