Page 14 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

Saul released Vic and folded his arms. “Fine. You’re right. Happy now? And it’sstillno.”

“It’s also not your place to make decisions for me,” Vic said in a quiet voice. “So here’smyopinion, even if you don’t want to hear it. I agree with Aelryn and Horvan. It’s the best option. I’ve worked and fought with most of the teams, so it makes perfect sense to send me. Not to put down Aelryn, but he’s—”

“Royalty,” Horvan interjected. “And some people don’t like taking orders from a superior, even if heisshifter royalty, whereas if an oral historian known the world over shows up, one who’s also a fighter, they’d be more inclined to take notice.” Saul snorted, and Horvan rolled his eyes. “This is because I said ‘oral,’ isn’t it? You’re as bad as your mate.”

“I hope you’re not referring to me.” Vic walked over to the map and stared at it. “They’re everywhere, aren’t they? They spread like a fucking cancer.”

Horvan joined him. “Even more reason why we need to spread as fast as they do. They’re the cancer. We’re the cure.”

“But we still don’t know enough about the camps,” Saul said as he stood at Vic’s side. “How many there are, their locations…. God help us if there are as many camps as there are schools.”

“I don’t think so,” Vic murmured. “At least I hope not. It doesn’t help that we have absolutely no intel about them.”

“Hey, we found two, didn’t we?” Saul remonstrated.

“Sure, but that was because we got lucky,” Vic fired back. “Yes, Hashtag located them by hacking into a US spy satellite, but he had an idea where to search both times. Since then, there’s been nothing. And to find all the camps, we don’t need luck—we need a miracle.”

VIC STOODat the kitchen countertop, vaguely pondering what he wanted for a snack.

Except I’m not really hungry.

He stared through the window toward the lake, where stacks of building materials had begun to congregate. Dellan had moved swiftly, and the plans for Vic, Saul, and Crank’s home had been drawn up within a week of getting back to Homer Glen from Montana.

Our own place.

Not that Vic wasn’t comfortable in Dellan’s home—it was an amazing space—but privacy was a rare commodity, and having two alpha mates who were both incredibly loud when it came to sex had made them the butt of Roadkill’s and Hashtag’s jokes, which showed no signs of petering out.

Two strong arms enfolded him from behind, and Vic gave himself up to Saul’s embrace, leaning against Saul’s hard body.

Saul’s lips brushed his ear. “You know we’re gonna miss you.”

Vic turned and looped his arms around Saul’s neck. “I’m happy you said ‘we.’” A warm mouth met his, and Vic surrendered to Saul’s claiming kiss, his dick rising when Saul reached down to cup Vic’s ass and squeeze it, pressing Vic to him, molding him against the rock wall of firm flesh that was Saul.

That was all it took to have Vic entertaining carnal thoughts that had no place in a kitchen.

Then again, the countertops were sturdily built and at exactly the right height, and it was Mrs. Landon’s day off, so they weren’t about to have her walk in on them….

Saul chuckled.Now you’re talking.

Except the sexy hug took Vic’s mind off on a tangent, and he knew what he had to say.

He pulled back and looked Saul in the eye. “One thing. When I go?”

“So youaregoing.” Before Vic could confirm, Saul smiled. “It’s okay. Aelryn and Horvan were right. You’re the obvious choice. And I was thinking with the wrong head.”

Vic bit back a smile. “Actually, it’sthathead that I want to talk about.”

Saul leered. “Then let’s find a flat surface to ‘talk’ on,” he air-quoted. “A bed, a table, a wall….” He shrugged. “I’m easy.”

Vic did his best to shove aside the image of Saul plowing into his ass while he was bent over the kitchen table, holding on for dear life.

“When I go,” he persisted, “you and Crank—”

“We’ll count the days. Our bed is gonna think it’s done something wrong, with no action.”

Vic nodded. “Andthat’swhat I want to talk to you about. While I’m gone, I want you and Crank to….”

Saul widened his eyes. “To fuck?”

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