Page 35 of Primal Mirror

“Definite allies. Invited back anytime.” Kit rolled down the window so he could draw in the air. “I also got drunk with bears one time. Just one time. And nearly ended up arrested.”

Remi grinned. “I’ve been there, my young friend. I woke up naked in a cave in the forest with not a bear in sight and a note in lipstick on my chest that said 10/10. All I remember about that night is that I had a damn good time—and it’s possible I wore a bear suit to blend in at some point.”

Kit’s laughter was young and bright. “I wonder if Lucas has a bear story?” he mused. “I’ve always been too chicken to ask him.” A considering look Remi could almost feel. “You’re a fellow alpha. You could ask him.”

Remi decided he really liked Kit Monaghan.

Conversation flowed between them with ease, and when it came time for the run, Kit proved fast enough to keep up with Remi even through the falling darkness that muted the spectacular dance of color that was the fall foliage in daytime. No light remained in the world by the time they reached the heart of pack territory.

“We’re on the periphery,” Remi said, bringing them down to a jog. “You want to lurk while I go lure Rina out?”

Kit’s grin was huge. “Absolutely.” Waiting until they’d reached the very edge of the aerie trees, the twinkling lights of the homes perched in the branches showing from between the leaves, he dropped his duffel to the side. “You’ll bring her so I’m upwind?”

Remi nodded. “Won’t be long. I checked with Finn before we started our run—he’s our healer, by the way—and she’s in the dining aerie shooting the shit with the other sentinels and senior soldiers over dinner.”

“Wait.” Kit frowned. “Sandy hair, green eyes, that Finn? I think I met him at Tammy’s.”

“Same one,” Remi said. “He’s friends with your healer. Back soon.”

After Remi stepped out of the trees, however, he first had to react with lightning speed to catch a tiny cub who’d jumped into his arms from a branch. Growling, he nipped the culprit’s ear. “You should be in bed, Jasper.”

The cub nuzzled his chin, patting at his chest with tiny paws.

Remi scratched the baby’s head, but dropped him off with his parents. Play was encouraged among the pack, but so was safety. Before handing him back to his parents, he held the cub up by the scruff of his neck and said, “No sneaking out after dark.” He used his alpha voice.

The cub made a mournful growling sound.

“Yes, you are in trouble.” He nipped the cub’s nose. “The rules exist for a reason.” Leopard cubs were curious to the nth degree—without those rules, they’d never make it to adulthood.

The cub hung his head.

Bringing him against his chest, Remi petted him. “You’re one of mine, and I want you safe,” he said, gentling his tone now that the message had gotten through.

Being alpha meant walking a fine line when it came to the cubs. Discipline had to stand alongside affection and love. One without the other would damage their fierce and curious hearts. “It’s too dangerous for you to be out alone after dark. Do you understand?”

The cub lifted its head, its ears pricked, and nodded.

Remi nipped his nose again, this time more playfully. The cub batted at him with unclawed paws. Laughing, he handed the boy over to his frazzled parents. Zion’s hair was sticking up in spikes and he had suitcases under his eyes.

He and his mate not only had Jasper, but a newborn cub.

“We turned our backs for one second,” the man grumbled, throwing the cub over his shoulder. “It’s like they’re made of pure grease—just slide out under doors.”

Leopard in full agreement, Remi left the two to wrangle their cubs, then made his way along the pack’s treetop highway to the dining aerie. “Rina!” he called out from the door.

When she glanced over, spoon paused above her dessert, he motioned her across. “Can I grab you for a sec?”

“You need me, too?” Lark asked, looking up from a truly enormous bowl of ice cream.

“No, just Rina.”

He’d jumped down to the forest floor by the time Rina made it outside. Seeing that he wasn’t on the balcony, she made the jump, too, her ponytail a blond banner behind her. It wasn’t a jump any human would ever make, the trees goliaths—and even Remi’s cats wouldn’t chance the jump from the very top, but the dining aerie was in the lower branches.

“What’s up?” the sentinel asked once she was beside him.

“Walk with me. I have some—good—personal news for you.”

Reaching up, she fixed her ponytail as she fell into a walk by his side. “Yeah?” A smile. “Don’t tell me. My baby brother sent another postcard from a random location.”

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