Page 225 of Beasts of Mine

“It was the answer you're getting.” I informed Tavian as I released him and kept walking, smiling when he gave the canopy one final distrustful look before following me.

The sanctuary appeared through the vegetation several minutes later, and my pulse quickened before either man came into view. Tavian noticed. His fingers closed around mine briefly before releasing me, and the vibration in his chest deepened as we crossed the final stretch of trail.

Malek appeared first.

He came through the courtyard entrance with his black hair tied away from his face and a faded shirt stretched across his shoulders. His golden-brown eyes went straight to me, shifted toward Tavian and our luggage for a second, then returned to my face.

Cedar reached me before he did.

“Hi.” I told Malek as I smiled and barely managed to put my camera bag safely beside the wall before he reached me, the familiar scent pushing through the combination of airport, hotel, boat, and travel smells clinging to my clothes.

“You smell terrible.” Malek informed me as both arms closed around me, his face lowering into my hair while his purr vibrated heavily through his chest.

“I missed you too.” I told Malek as I laughed against his shirt and wrapped my arms around his waist, breathing in cedar, damp earth, and faint smoke until I no longer had to remember what he smelled like.

“There are too many people on you.” Malek muttered as his nose moved from my hair to my cheek and then beneath my jaw, carefully avoiding the healed marks as he worked through everything unfamiliar clinging to me.

“That tends to happen when I leave the rainforest.” I reminded Malek as I tipped my head enough to give him easier access, enjoying the possessive scenting now that it had nothing to do with trying to keep me from leaving. Malek pressed his mouth against the gland beneath my jaw and breathed deeply, his thumb moving once along my waist as cedar strengthened around us.

“Better.” Malek decided as he finally lifted his head, obvious satisfaction softening his expression.

“That's scientifically impossible.” I told Malek as I rested one palm against his chest, feeling his purr beneath my hand.

“Still better.” Malek replied without hesitation as his fingers passed through the hair near my temple, showing absolutely no interest in accepting criticism of his method. A quieter purr reached me from several feet away, and I turned toward Luca.

His dark hair hung loose around his shoulders, and the sleeves of his clean shirt were rolled to his elbows. He studied my face first, then the luggage and camera cases, taking in whatever signs of exhaustion I hadn't managed to hide.

“Welcome back.” Luca told me as warmth spread across his face, though he stayed where he was and let me decide whether I wanted to close the distance.

I did.

“Hi.” I told Luca as I wrapped both arms around his waist and pressed my cheek against his chest, breathing in sandalwood and fresh herbs as his purr started beneath my ear.

“Good trip?” Luca asked me as he hugged me firmly, one hand resting at the back of my head without disturbing my already hopeless hair.

“Very. I have around four thousand photographs to sort, Tavian discovered vending machines, and I may never financially recover from feeding him in airports.” I answered Luca as I leaned back enough to see him, smiling when his eyes moved over my face once more before he seemed satisfied I hadn't returned injured.

“I needed food.” Tavian protested from behind me as he set his own bag near the courtyard wall, immediately becoming defensive when Luca looked his way.

“You bought three sandwiches at once.” I reminded Tavian as I glanced over Luca's shoulder.

“They were small.” Tavian argued as he spread his hands, clearly expecting one of us to support him.

“They were completely normal sandwiches.” I informed Tavian as Luca laughed quietly beneath his breath.

“I'll make you something. Both of you.” Luca told Tavian and me as he shook his head, one hand remaining comfortably against my waist.

“You're my favorite.” Tavian immediately told Luca as he crossed the courtyard toward him, apparently willing to rearrange pack loyalties for food.

“You said that to me yesterday.” I reminded Tavian as I picked up my camera bag, giving him a look he ignored.

“That was before Luca offered dinner.” Tavian explained to me as one hand settled over his stomach, as though the difference should've been obvious. Luca's gaze shifted toward the larger case sitting beside the wall, but he didn't automatically reach for it. He looked at the case and then at me.

I held the handle toward him once my shoulders started protesting the last two days of travel.

“Can you take that one?” I asked Luca as I loosened my grip when his hand closed securely around the handle.

“Of course.” Luca answered as he took the weight from me and adjusted the case at his side without commenting on how long I'd carried it myself.