Page 131 of Love Bleeds Red
“They’re smaller than regular bears,” Jasper continues, “but way more vicious. And smart… they can actually work together to open tents.”
“Open tents?” Leon repeats.
“With their claws,” I nod, struggling so hard to keep a straight face. “They’re really dexterous… part of the evolution. Dad always said to never keep food in your tent because they can smell it from miles away and they’ll find a way in.”
Leon looks around our campsite like he’s mentally calculating how many Midnight Howlers could surround us. “Maybe we should head back.”
“Nah, we’re good, buddy,” Jasper waves dismissively. “As long as we follow the rules, we’ll be fine. Just don’t sleep too deeply, don’t keep anything scented in the tent, and whatever you do, don’t try to take pictures if you see one. They hate camera flashes.”
“Camera flashes?” Leon asks. “That’s oddly specific.”
“It triggers their hunting instinct,” I say. “According to Dad… it’s something about the light drawing out their predatory nature.”
Falin snorts from inside the tent, and we hear rustling as she quickly covers it up with a fake cough.
Leon stares at us, his brows narrowed. “Midnight Howlers that hunt in packs, open tents with their claws, and are triggered by camera flashes.”
“Exactly,” Jasper and I say in unison.
“You’re both completely full of shit.”
We burst into laughter while Leon shakes his head at us. “You almost had me,” he says, smiling. “But the Shea genes kicked in and gave you away. You have the same look when you’re shit-talking. Plus, Falin’s in there about to piss herself trying not to laugh.”
“We had you for a minute though,” I grin.
He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “Maybe for one second tops I was worried about being eaten by some clawed bear-wolf hybrid. One second. That’s all.”
“Just wait until we tell you about the Reptilian Tent Stalkers,” Jasper says with a completely straight face.
Leon throws a marshmallow at him.
“Oh no, you’re wasting our precious food supply,” I tease.
He sets down the marshmallow bag and walks over from the car, a devious look in his eye, and pulls me up from my chair, slinging me over his shoulder. “You’re in trouble, Firefly. I’m putting you on firewood duty.”
“It was Jasper’s idea!” I say, between laughing and trying not to get dizzy as he walks away from camp. “Put me down, I’ll accept my punishment.”
Leon laughs and his whole chest rumbles. He sets me down near a tree, and I lean on it to catch my breath. “Good girl.”
My whole body recoils. Just like that, Sir’s voice is back in my head, calling me his good girl. I turn away from Leon, trying to get my breathing to go back to normal.
“Bailey? Are you alright?” Leon rushes to my side, reaching for my arm, but I sidestep away. “Shit, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lifted you up like that. Did I hurt you?”
“No,” I manage through a shaky breath. “It wasn’t…”
I hear his footsteps as he paces behind me. When I swipe my hand over my eyes, it comes away wet. When did I start crying?
“Love, talk to me. What happened?” His voice is gentle and somehow that makes me cry harder. I feel so stupid. “Was it something I said?”
I take a shaky breath, still facing the tree. “What you… called… me. It just...” I can’t finish the sentence.
“Good girl,” he says quietly, understanding immediately. “Fuck. Bailey, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault,” I whisper. “You didn’t know.”
“Can I come closer?” he asks. “Or do you need space?”
I think for a moment, willing the bad thoughts to go the fuck away. Part of me wants to run back to camp, to pretend this didn’t happen, avoid more embarrassment. But a bigger part of me wants Leon close, to replace Sir’s voice in my head with his.
