Page 13 of The Tech Guru's Heart

Link had thought long and hard about it.If he introduced Ezra to shifters and mates out in the wilds, he could not only prove that he was an outdoorsman—which he sort of was, being a shifter and all—but that they had things they could do in common.Also, it wasn’t as if Ezra would have anywhere to run to.

A little manipulative, perhaps, but Link would use any advantage that he could.As much as he hoped he’d made inroads with their conversation the evening before—being honest, connecting, getting honesty in return—he thought, anyway—he couldn’t scent his mate over the phone.Link also didn’t know Ezra well enough to get a read on the inflections in his tone.

“Ezra’s hiking for two weeks,” Link told his brother when he noticed the man’s dubious look.“I can’t wait that long to see him again.”Lowering his voice, he told the other man, “I’m a shifter.I’m not going to slow him down.”

Luke barked a laugh even as he rolled his eyes.“Of course, I don’t think you’re going to slow him down, bro.”Smirking, he hooked his arm around Link’s neck and pulled him forward and down their couple of inch height difference so they could press their foreheads together.Luke stared deep into Link’s eyes and told him, “I’m worried that if he freaks out and runs, you or him could get hurt.Especially with you both out there all on your own.”

Link felt a swell of appreciation for Luke.His brother was a hell of a man.“You’re gonna make some human a great mate,” he told him, lifting his hand to cradle Luke’s nape.“Sorry you didn’t end up next.”

Scoffing, Luke straightened and shook his head.“Don’t worry about it, Link.”He squeezed the back of Link’s neck while grinning widely.“Like we all said yesterday.Fate works in her own time, little brother.Whoever I end up with, he’ll be worth the wait.”Releasing him, Luke stepped backward.“Okay.I’m gonna get a room here tonight.Ping me with your location every evening, and I’ll follow you up the mountain chain and be available to help if there’s a problem or if you both need a ride when you’re finished.”

“Thanks, bro.I know I can always count on family.”Chuckling, Link took a step away from Luke.“I’ll keep you updated.”He patted his bag.“I have a water filtration device I don’t need, jerky, nuts, and trail mix.”With a wink, Link added, “Although, I can just forage on the way.”He patted his bag again and added, “I have my tablet, satellite phone, and I’ll ping my location for you every evening.”

“You’re taking your tablet and not just your phone?”Luke scowled at him.“Are you going to work while out there trying to woo your mate?”

Link winced guiltily.“Not if I can help it, but you know how things happen.”

Luke tipped his head back and laughed.“Only you, Link.Only you.”He shook his head as he continued to chuckle.“And I’m going to talk to Dane.He can put a post on the SC message board that you’re out wooing your mate and that you shouldn’t be disturbed for anything other than an emergency.”

Nodding, Link grimaced as he thought of the Komodo dragon shifter who worked as a Shifter Council enforcer.“Should have thought of that.”The Shifter Council had an internal message board to post announcements for those working within their ranks.It was hidden deep within the dark web.Link rubbed his palm down his beard.“Brain’s all scattered,” he admitted, shaking his head.“Wish me luck out there.”

Luke chuckled softly, nodding.“Yeah, Bruin got damn scattered, too, when he found Juan.”Patting Link’s shoulder, he headed toward the driver’s side door.“You sure you got everything you need?”

Link nodded.“Yeah.‘Course.”Curious about his brother’s thoughts, he asked, “Why?”

Smirking at him, Luke waved toward his outfit.“You’re wearing gym shorts, a tank top, andBarefoottoe hiking shoes.”His brother’s mirth was damn near a palpable thing.“A big, bald, bearded man dressed like that carrying a satchel-style bag.”

Shrugging, Link grumbled, “It’s summer, it’s lightweight, and I’m comfortable.”He grinned as he waggled his brows and added, “Easy to fold up and carry in here, too.”He patted his large satchel once more.

Luke laughed again, even as he nodded.“Yeah, man.I gotcha.”Pulling open the driver’s side door, he winked.“I finally get to drive yourHummer.”

Growling under his breath, Link ordered, “Don’t scratch it.”

With another laugh, Luke hopped in and closed the door.He waved as he pulled out of the lot.

Shaking his head, Link watched his brother leave.Then he turned and headed toward the trailhead that would lead him to the start of the Appalachian Trail.As he walked, he enjoyed the fresh scents of nature and the rumble of pleasure in his mind from his musk ox.

We’re only three hours behind Ezra.Don’t want to get too close too soon.

Link intended to stalk his mate until the second day.The trick would be in figuring out the best way to reveal himself.

*

AS PROMISED, THAT EVENING, Link turned on his tablet and pinned his location for Luke.He received an immediate confirmation message in return.Then Link did a quick check over all the tracking systems he’d put in place for the Shifter Council, making certain nothing had been tampered with, before shutting the device back off again.

Link slipped into the woods about fifty yards off the trail and hung his satchel on a tree branch.After stripping and placing his clothes in the bag, he shifted into his musk ox form.He grazed for a while on leaves, grass, and twigs before slipping into a doze.

When Link woke at first light, he eased the satchel strap over a horn, lifting it from the tree.He began walking parallel to the trail, foraging as he went.Any time Link heard the sound of a hiker, he eased further into the trees and stood quietly until they passed.

Link easily found the place where Ezra had camped the prior evening, and he paused to enjoy the scent of his mate.The smell had already begun to fade, telling him that his human had moved on at dawn.His mate appeared to be making good time, hiking steadily.

My mate’s in great shape.

Can’t wait to explore his sexy toned body.

Dismissing those thoughts so he didn’t sprout a boner in musk ox form—that’d be so embarrassing, not to mention uncomfortable—Link picked up his pace.He had to balance his need to stick with his plan to not reveal himself quite yet with his animal’s desire to be with his mate.He occasionally caught Ezra’s tantalizing scent on the wind, telling him he was close and testing his self-control.His mouth watered with his desire to taste the man’s flesh, and his body continually threatened to pop wood, even while in ox form.

That had definitely never happened to Link before, and he sure didn’t intend to allow it to happen then.

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