Page 14 of Scout’s Honor

She knelt and pressed her fingers to the end of Dallas’ shoelace, and when she stood, he had a new aglet that looked like it was made from glowing blue stone.

“Thanks,” he said, meaning it.

“Anytime,” she said.

He nodded.

She nodded back. “Seriously, anytime, I mean it.”

Dallas nodded again and gave her a smile. He left the room and stalked through the house to the garage, wanting to get to the meeting place early and scout around before Maze and Thorn showed up.

9—Snake in the Grass

Dallas drove to the BBOC and used the map Maze had drawn him to find Wolf’s Keep, which turned out to be a boulder that looked like a howling wolf if you squinted at it from a certain distance.

The hike was easy, with few roots and rough spots to trip him up.

He jogged down a trail, familiarizing himself with the scents of the area, and came around a turn, scenting someone. He slowed and spied Thorn in a small clearing fifty feet away. The male’s face was turned directly into the sun, his eyes closed. He leaned against a boulder, smiling into the sun. He was dressed stylishly, looking out of place in the forest, wearing chinos and a blue button-down shirt with sleeves rolled up. He wore hiking boots, but they were definitely brand new.

Dallas scoffed. This fucking city boy was going to get his ass lost. Maze should have had him meet them at the BBOC.

A small, red stone hung suspended from a leather string around Thorn’s neck, clashing with the rest of his outfit. Dallas’ eyes were drawn to it… until he noticed Thorn’s neck and arms were still scratched up from last night.

Holy shit, was bro even a shifter?

Dallas backed off and returned to the meeting place. Just in time, a red-tailed hawk fluttered in, then grew mid-air into a man, coming down feet-first. He hit the ground, rolling back up in a graceful somersault. His clothes were on, but his boots were untied, and the left one had come partially off with the impact. Maze tied his boots, then stood to clasp hands with Dallas.

Dallas pointed over his shoulder. “He’s back there. He hasn’t shifted. He’s still all scratched up.”

“The fuck?” Maze said.

Dallas lowered his voice. “Is he a shifter or what?”

Maze lowered his voice, also. “He’s got an animal scent. He must be.”

“Shit.” Dallas spat in the dirt. “Ready?”

“Yeah. What if I fly in and you can watch his reaction?”

“Good plan.”

Maze took two running steps, his boots thudding in the dirt, then he jumped and shifted into a hawk, screeching a bloodcurdling cry and shooting into the air.

Dallas jogged down the path, laughing softly. All birds were showoffs.

Dallas came to the clearing and walked in steadily, eyes on Thorn, who hadn’t moved, except now his sleeves were rolled down. Thorn stood tall and watched Dallas as he came close. They shook hands.

“How’d it go last night?” Dallas asked.

Thorn looked down his nose and spoke like he had a giant stick up his ass. “It went as well as could be hoped. The hospital director is a fraternity brother of mine. I convinced him to give all the women private rooms and guards, so they’d feel safe. I paid for it,” he said, lifting his chin.

Dallas nodded, impressed. “That was good of you,” he said.

Thorn nodded once, seeming pleased.

Dallas spied two scratches on Thorn’s neck that the shirt collar didn’t cover. “You haven’t shifted,” he said. “How come?”

Thorn stiffened and backed away. He didn’t answer. Awkward.