“We’re in agreement.”

Lorn glanced at Lavos and his brother let go of Kira. She didn’t look pleased with him but she didn’t verbally protest. She came to his side instead and offered her hand. He took it, figuring she’d speak to him when they were alone about what had just happened. They turned, leaving the lodge. His brother and two enforcers followed.

“I’m taking Kira to my house,” Lorn announced. “You three should go to your own homes and get some sleep. It will be another long day tomorrow.”

Lavos snorted. “No way in hell. We’re sticking together until things calm down.”

Lorn stopped and turned, raising a brow at his brother. “I’m going to mate Kira, and I don’t need your help with that.”

“You need us to watch your back though,” Kar spoke. “We’ll stay outside and sleep in shifts. It’s nice weather. I haven’t been camping in a while. Garson can run and get us sleeping bags and something to eat.”

“Yeah. I can do that.” Garson grinned. “Maybe we can build a fire and cook a few burgers. I just thawed a few pounds of hamburger and bought buns. I’ll even toss in some chips and sodas.”

Lorn appreciated his enforcers and their loyalty. “Thank you.”

“Not to mention,” Garson paused, then chuckled. “You don’t want any distractions while you’re mating your babe. Your sole focus should be on her when the clothes hit the floor. I’d hate to try to get it on while staying aware of my surroundings.”

“Shut it,” Kar muttered.

“What? Am I wrong?” Garson shrugged. “I’m just saying what we’re all thinking.”

Lavos laughed. “True. I think Kar’s just a little horrified that you’d speak to our clan leader and his mate that way. But it’s okay.”

Garson’s eyes widened as he stared at Lorn. “Sorry. That was out of line, huh? I guess I’m going to have to work on what I say around you now.”

Lorn was amused. “It’s okay. I’m nothing like Decker. I don’t expect us to be formal when we’re alone. And you’re right. I’d much rather focus on Kira than worry about someone trying to sneak into the house to attack us.”

Garson grinned.

Lorn turned away and tugged on Kira. He glanced at her as they walked through the woods and down the hill. She smiled but didn’t say anything. Garson took off for home once they reached the bottom while Lorn led the remaining group to his house. He felt nervous, taking Kira there. She’d never been inside his home before. It would have set his father and Decker off if she’d visited.

They all entered his house and flipped on lights. Lavos and Kar searched the rooms for any danger as Lorn assessed Kira. She seemed interested in taking in every detail of the living room.

“What do you think? This is your home now too.”

“I like it. It’s a little cold though. You need some throw pillows on the couch with some color, maybe some paintings on the walls, and the empty bookshelves need to be filled.”

He had to agree. “I mainly live in my bedroom while I’m here. It’s got more furnishings and personal touches.” He remembered something then, and bit his lip, wondering how he’d get rid of the things stashed in one drawer before she found them.

Kira noticed. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t lie to me.”

“Wait until we’re alone.”

She nodded.

Kar and Lavos came back into the living room. His brother spoke. “It’s clear. No one has been there. We checked the locks. It’s all secure. We’ll be outside.”

“Thank you.”

He bolted the door after them and motioned Kira to follow him. She did. He hoped she liked his bedroom. Lavos had left the lights on and he moved out of the way, watching her reaction.

She smiled, seeing his large king bed, the fireplace in the corner, and a few paintings he had on the walls of wild wolves. One was a forest scene, while another featured a waterfall and large pool of water.

“I like it.”

He walked up behind her and she turned, peering up at him. “I’ve never had anyone here.”

“You mean women?”

“Yes.”

“Were you worried I’d hate your furniture or something? I like dark wood.”

“That’s not it.”

She turned away, studying the room. She spotted the mantel and walked over to it. Her fingers traced over a fist-size stone placed on top of it. “I know this.”

“You should.” He came up behind her again but stayed a few feet away.

“I found this in the river and thought it looked like a sleeping bunny. The shape of it still reminds me of one. You kept it.” She stopped touching it and turned to him, smiling.

“I might as well show you what I think you’ll find anyway, once you start exploring my house.” He spun and walked over to his closet, pulling open the double doors, and then crossed to the tall dresser against one wall, opposite where he hung his clothes. He slid the bottom drawer open and picked up the photos. He returned to her and held them out.

She couldn’t hide her surprise as she accepted them. She flipped through the ten photographs he’d had blown up into five-by-sevens. “These are all of me.”

“Lavos took photos for me when Decker sent me on trips. I wanted proof you were alive. There are more stashed around here that you might come across. I had some prints made.”

Tears filled her eyes as she stopped looking at the photos. “You thought Decker sent you away so he could kill me?”

“It was possible. I had my brother watching out for you while I was gone. He swore he’d grab you and take you somewhere safe until I could come home, if anyone made a move to do you harm.”

She put the stack of photos on the mantel next to the rock and placed her hands on his chest. “You really do love me. Some of those are years old.”

“I’ve always loved you, Kira.” He reached for his shirt and started to take it off. “Strip down for me.”

“I’m going to use your bathroom real quick. My feet are dirty.”

“Hurry.”

She disappeared into his bathroom. He used the time she was in there to remove his clothing, and then light a fire. He even turned down the bed, hating how he suddenly felt nervous. To mate Kira was something he’d always wanted to do, ever since that day at the river when he’d pulled her out of the water and realized they’d both matured enough for it to be possible.