Page 95 of Beasts of Mine

The purr had calmed me. The growl had an entirely different effect. Warmth tightened low in my stomach, and I shifted my attention to the moss climbing the nearest wall because looking at Malek suddenly felt like a terrible idea.

Attraction.

Great.

“This is deeply unfair.” I pushed myself to my feet and brushed damp grit from my palms before my body came up with another response I didn’t want anyone smelling.

“What part?” Tavian watched me with open amusement as I adjusted my bag.

“The part where leopard noises still work when you’re shaped like people.” I tightened the strap over my shoulder while deliberately refusing to look at Malek.

“Good to know.” Tavian’s grin widened as though I’d just handed him valuable information.

“That was not information for you to use.” I gave Tavian a sharp look that only made him more pleased. Several questions occurred to me about what other leopard behavior carried over into human form.

Every single one could wait.

“You’re all one pack.” I looked between the three men, remembering how naturally they’d always moved around one another.

“We are.” Malek relaxed slightly now that the subject had changed.

“How long?” I glanced from Malek toward Tavian and Luca.

“Years.” Malek’s gaze moved briefly toward the other two men. “Long before you came here.”

There was clearly more behind that answer. Three adult Alphas sharing one pack raised questions I wanted answered for reasons that had very little to do with simple curiosity. The radio at my hip reminded me those questions could wait too.

“The rest can wait.” I checked the time before shifting my camera bag higher onto my shoulder. “We should head back.”

“Six.” Tavian lifted both hands before I could remind him. “I remember.”

“Good.” I adjusted the camera against my chest, satisfied that at least one part of my life still operated according to a schedule.

“We’ve got enough time.” Luca studied the light filtering through the canopy before looking toward the trail. “But we should start back.”

I glanced once toward the path disappearing deeper into their sanctuary.

“So my tour of the secret leopard stronghold has to wait.” I let a little disappointment into my voice before I could decide whether I wanted them noticing it.

“Sanctuary.” Luca corrected me, warmth in his voice making it obvious he wasn’t actually bothered.

“That somehow sounds more suspicious.” I watched Luca’s smile appear as he pushed away from the wall. Malek glanced toward the recessed section where they’d hidden their clothes earlier.

“Do you want us to shift before we leave?” Malek looked back at me instead of making the decision for me.

I considered it.

Three leopards would have been simpler. I was used to Tavian bounding ahead, Luca moving quietly beside me, and Malek appearing whenever I turned around to make sure he was still there.

Three attractive Alpha men were a different problem. Which was exactly why hiding behind their leopard forms felt pointless.

“Stay like this.” I settled the camera strap more securely across my chest and headed toward the old path.

“You sure?” Tavian’s eyebrows rose, pleasure flashing across his face before he could hide it.

“Absolutely not.” I stepped around a section of broken stone as Luca naturally moved with me. “But I’m going to have to get used to this eventually.”

“That sounded almost encouraging.” Tavian moved ahead with an easy grin, slipping naturally into his usual place near the front.