Through our connection, I could feel Kenai’s frustration warring with his protective instincts. The alpha in him wanted to keep me safe and hidden until my heat scent faded completely. But the part of him that had been fighting for his people’s rights for years knew I was right.
“Besides, she’s drenched in our scent. There’s no way anyone will think she’s human,” Taimyr added, and I blushed at that. He noticed and ran his thumb over the back of my thigh. That did not help the situation.
Kenai’s nostrils flared. “Cut that out. No, she’s still too close to heat?—”
“To Kenai’s point, I don’t have antlers,” I noted.
They both looked at each other.
“Kenai can take care of that,” Taimyr countered.
“But I’m not going to.”
“Yes, you are.” Taimyr stood up, his long hair rippling as he shook his head. “When did I become the reckless one?” He cupped Kenai’s face in his hand. “You can disguise her with your magic and keep her safe. I know you can.”
Kenai melted into Taimyr’s touch. “You always have so much faith in me.”
“You’ve earned it.” Taimyr smiled, then pulled Kenai into a deep kiss, which the slighter man returned instantly, hands wrapping around Taimyr’s waist.
“Cut that out! Christmas is only a few days away—we don’t have time for more…distractions,” I said, my nipples hardening to the point of pain.
“Who’s getting distracted?” Kenai teased with an innocent grin but opened one arm to invite me between them. Well, I couldn’t say no to that.
I nestled between them, their strong arms cocooning me. It felt so good to have them there—grounding me, when for so long I’d felt like I was barely keeping my head above water.
“There’s a logistics center about forty miles north of here,” Taimyr continued. “They’re deep in pre-Christmas preparations. All the subspecies will be there, getting their assignments for Christmas Eve deliveries. If Sylvie could see that…”
“She’d understand exactly what we’re up against,” Kenai finished grimly. “Fine. But at the first sign of trouble?—”
“We leave immediately,” I agreed. “But Kenai, I need you to trust me on this. I’ve been investigating labor violations for years. I know how to observe without being noticed.”
His silver eyes searched my face. “It’s not your investigative skills I’m worried about. It’s every unmated alpha who’s going to catch your scent and lose his mind.”
“But I’m mated to you two now.”
Kenai grinned. “That you are.” He pulled me into a kiss, and I could still taste Taimyr on his lips. My mind went hazy, and my hands found the gap between his shirt and pants, warm bare skin beneath?—
“Okay! Enough, you two. Kenai, focus that energy on glamouring Sylvie.”
Kenai let out a disappointed huff but stepped back. His mouth flattened in concentration as Taimyr handed me a hair tie.
I pulled my hair into a corporate-approved bun and felt the soft snowflakes of Kenai’s magic kiss my cheeks as they swirled up and over my head. His brow furrowed, and then, with a long exhale, he dropped his hands.
I reached up—and my fingers brushed the velvety surface of brand-new antlers.
“How do I look?” I gave a little spin for them.
“Absolutely stunning—which is going to be a problem,” Taimyr muttered.
Kenai nodded in agreement and scurried off to his room, returning a moment later with the ugliest black logoed polo I’d ever seen.
“You can’t be serious,” I said, holding it in front of me between two fingers like it might infect me.
“Afraid so, gorgeous,” Taimyr replied, laughing.
Thirty minutes later,I was dressed in said oversized polo, hidden beneath a thick, generic puffer coat as I stepped outside the chalet and into the afternoon light.
“You want me to ride on your back,” I said flatly, staring at Taimyr in his shifted form, “while you’re flying. Through the air.”
