Page 99 of The Thief

“They don’t mind people wearing their feathers?”

“I want to educate other Breeds who still think of us as unnatural, so maybe learning more about us through our jewelry is a start. It’s empowering to take back control that others once had over us.” She touched the feather. “I have a contract with my supplier, who’s an avian Shifter. She has individual contracts with each donor in her household. There was a lot to figure out in the beginning, but now I never accept a feather I don’t recognize without validating donor consent. They’re paid well for something they would otherwise throw into the trash. There’s history behind each piece and a connection to Breed. I distribute information cards with every pair of earrings sold. I think you’ve seen them.”

“I have. It amazes me how creative you two are.” Suddenly, I wished I could contribute more to the pack than just tip money. I had a grim feeling that my accountant position might be under reconsideration, so I didn’t want to bring it up.

“Immortals rarely hunted us for our feathers and furs,” Hope went on. “They either put us to work or tried to exterminate us. The elders have so many stories, and I want to tell those stories through my jewelry. The stories of proud Shifters who are beautiful, creative, intelligent people.”

“How do you prevent humans from buying them?”

Hope arched her brow. “Good question. Now I keep a sample on display, but customers put in their order. Some know the type they want or request a custom design. We also hold private events after hours to show them our inventory. That’s by invitation only.”

Montana emerged from the back hall with his hat in hand. His short brown hair glistened with sweat from whatever he’d been working on. After wiping his forehead, he asked, “Is everything okay?”

“Girl talk,” I replied.

“When you get a minute, come out front and get some fresh air.” He took a step toward the living room but suddenly paused behind Hope, a hand on her shoulder. “Do you need anything before I head outside?”

She smiled at me. “I’m fine.”

Putting his hat on, he crossed the living room and went out the door.

“He’s right,” I said. “I need fresh air and exercise. Bear didn’t leave, did he? I’m heading to work today.”

“I don’t believe so. If he did, my brother can give you a lift so long as he covers his backside with a pair of trousers.” She walked barefoot toward the front door and followed Montana.

The midmorning sun brightened the living room, and a pang of regret hit me that I’d missed breakfast with the pack. After that night around the fireplace, I’d isolated myself in my room.

Walking onto the deck, I spied Tak in the field, his horse running in circles around him.

“What’s he doing?” I asked Melody, who was sitting on the steps, tying her sneaker. Her light pink hair was a fun change that suited her so much better.

“He’s warming her up so he can get her used to a saddle again.”

I leaned against the wood railing. “Doesn’t he ride bareback?”

“He does both. Apparently, no one rode her while she was staying with Hope’s old pack. She got spoiled grazing the field.”

Lakota pushed through the magnetic screen on the back door. By the looks of it, he’d jumped in the shower but hadn’t washed his hair. The ends were damp and dripping onto his white T-shirt.

Melody turned and ogled her mate’s rear end when he bent over to tie his laces. “Did you leave the towel on the floor again?”

He straightened up. “I’ll get it later.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

A smile swept across his face, and he squatted behind her. “Ooh, my wife’s feeling feisty this morning.” He kissed her neck and made her giggle.

“I mean it, Lakota. Don’t make everything a joke.”

“Yes. A towel on the floor is serious business,” he said, leveling his tone.

She stood up and tied her hair in a ponytail. “I don’t know why it’s a challenge when the hamper is two feet away. Pretend it’s a game and you get points for making a shot. You don’t see me throwing my clothes on the floor and expecting packmates to pick up after me.”

He stood and leaned against the railing. “Are you sure that’s how you want to tell it? I seem to remember bras hanging from the towel bar.”

Melody shot him a fierce look that bordered on laughter. “We went swimming. I was hanging them to dry.”

“Maybe I’m just laying my towels out to dry.”

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