The next morning, Zain announces that Timothy and his friends are coming back to take them on a hike. Sommy bites back an eye-roll, instead getting up to help with lunch. She cinches the last of the food into a plastic bag just as Zain steps out of the bedroom, high ponytail bouncing, a giddy smile lighting up her face. Sommy lets out a breath.
Zain is completely smitten with Timothy. That kind of joy—the thrill of a connection—it's what Sommy wants in a mate. If it turns out they're fated, she'll be happy for her friend.
She snaps the bag shut. "Lunch is ready."
Elena beckons her over. "Hand it over. I'll divide everything evenly between the packs."
"I can take more," Jessica offers, adjusting her stance like she's bracing for a challenge. "I'm in training."
"I've got it," Elena replies, firm.
Sommy smirks, exchanging a look with Jessica, who should know better than to argue with Elena.
The deep rumble of a truck rolling up outside catches Sommy's attention. She tilts her head, listening. "Zain, go on out. Timothy will be here any second."
Jessica raises an eyebrow, and Sommy nods a little. It is nice to share those small things-such as heightened senses-with yet another silent reassurance that her choice of telling the truth was the right thing she had ever done.
"Where is the sunscreen?" Elena asks.
Jessica sighs. "It is in my bag. I showed it to you."
Elena protests, but Jessica cuts her off. "We've got everything. Let's go.".
"Fine," Elena huffs, heaving her pack onto her shoulders. "But if we forgot something, I'm blaming you."
Jessica tosses a playful salute as Elena leads the way out of the RV.
Outside, just as Sommy had predicted, was Buchi jumping out of the truck and flipping his hair out of his face. His eyes found hers. Something in her stirred, her wolf perking up at the attention. She was smiling before she could catch herself. And when Buchi smiles back-genuine, easy-it sends warmth curling through her.
So much for guarding her heart. She's crushing on him, just like Zain is with Timothy.
Zain already has Timothy in hand, grinning. "We're going somewhere special," she says, practically bouncing. "Are we ready?"
"Let's go." Sommy cinches her pack straps tight.
The trail is easy at first; their group moves in step, and laughter and chatter fill the space between them. Then the incline steepens, and beads of sweat form along Sommy's forehead, damping her skin. She slows, taking a sip from her water bottle as the others pull ahead.
Buchi turns back. "Can we talk?"
Sommy meets his gaze. "Sure. What's up?"
He lowers his voice. "Why are you hanging out with humans?
The question puts her on edge. "They're my friends," she says, defensive. "Why?"
"I didn't mean it like that," he says. "It's just. not something my pack does." He reaches out, takes her water bottle, and slides it into the side pocket of her pack. His scent—earth, musk—hits her.
Her breath catches.
Recognition slams into her.
The dark wolf in the woods. It was him.
Her wolf leaps beneath her skin, demanding she close the distance. She forces herself still, swallowing. "Blending in is what my pack does. I met Jessica in college and we just clicked. The rest kind of fell into place."
Buchi watches her a beat before nodding. "I can see that.
Something shifts between them. She remembers how his wolf had seemed to zero in on her, the continued presence long after that night in the woods. A small smile plays at her lips.
They start walking again. Curiosity is awakened and she decides to test the waters. "Why do your friends call you Romeo?"
Buchi groans. "Because they like to torture me. I reacted once—now I'll never hear the end of it."
She chuckles. "You guys seem close."
"We have to be. Comes with the job."
She hesitates, then blurts, "I misjudged you when we first met. You have to admit, though, 'we work in security' sounds like a bad pickup line coming from four good-looking guys."
Buchi stops abruptly. She takes another step before realizing and turns to face him.
His expression shifts-surprise, then amusement. "Did you just call me good-looking?"
"Like you don't know."
Huh." He scrolls back to a walk. "My friends are, but nobody ever calls me hot."
"Weird," she says absently. "Maybe they would if you didn't scowl so much.
He catches her wrist, his fingers curling around her skin. The touch sends a jolt through her, a pull she isn't ready for. She flinches, but he doesn't let go. "Why do you pull away?" His voice is lower now, rough. "You feel this too, don't you?"
Her pulse stammers. "Yes. But I'm not looking for something meaningless."
His grip tightens just slightly, enough to make her focus. "Neither am I.
Then he's hauling her close-fast, impatient. One hand cradles her jaw, the other settles at her waist, tugging her against him as his mouth finds hers.
The kiss is unrefined, almost desperate. His tongue grazes hers; the rhythm's all wrong, but something hot and restless starts to coil low in her stomach. She bunches the fabric of his shirt into her fists, her nails raking at his back as a small moan breaks through her throat.
Abruptly, he pulls back.
Sommy exhales, dazed.
Buchi's lips are swollen, his breath uneven. "I like you."
A slow grin stretches across her face—until yesterday's encounter flashes in her mind. Her stomach knots. "Tell me the truth. Was that female wolf from yesterday a mate?"
Buchi's jaw tightens. "She wants to be. But it's not right." His hands glide up her arms, his touch sending a delicious shiver through her.
Relief washes over her. "Good."
This time, she takes control. Rising on her toes, she presses her lips to his, teasing his lower lip before slipping her tongue past his. His sharp intake of breath sends a thrill through her. Her nails trace lightly down his back, and he shudders against her.
The scent of his arousal hits her full force. If they don't stop now—
She breaks away, chest heaving. "We should catch up."
Buchi doesn't move for a second, just watches her. Then he nods.
Ahead, Oga grins. "There you are. We were about to send a search party."
Sommy smooths a hand over her hair. "Needed a break."
Jessica tilts her head, eyes knowing. But she doesn't call her out.
Stephen, however, smirks. "Oh, is that what we're calling it?" He steps aside, gesturing dramatically. "Lead the way, Romeo."
Buchi socks him in the arm as he passes.
Stephen winks at Sommy. "You two are adorable."
Heat creeps up her neck, but she just rolls her eyes and follows Buchi up the hill.
Her wolf preens, satisfied.