I nodded, trying to keep calm.
“That hasn’t changed. You won’t turn into a wolf. You can’t. You’re human. That’s not going to change. Our kind normally doesn’t pick a human to mate, but we’re certain you’re ours. Our noses don’t lie.”
God, I felt so slow. I was still trying to catch up with all this. “So there’s some kind of pheromone that tells you who to mate? And you two are attracted to my scent?”
“Yes.”
“And why are we going to the doctor?”
“Well, Wade mentioned something earlier that got me thinking. You’re a wolf biologist. Fate—biology—chose you to be our mate. Maybe because you’re supposed to be studying our genes. Shifter genes.”
I stared at him. Wow. Shifter genes. I’d love to get some blood samples and take a look.
“Cord is studying all the shifters in the Two Marks pack—”
“Two Marks pack?” I asked.
Landry gave my thigh a squeeze. “Right. Sorry. Shifters live in packs, just like ordinary wolves. As we said, the West land is for everyone in our group. Our pack. Our pack name is Two Marks.”
“Because you mate in pairs,” I added, finally seeing.
“Exactly.” Wade lifted our joined hands to his mouth so he could kiss my knuckles.
“He’s studying our blood, our DNA, and comparing it to the shifter species that mate singly. Our particular species has a very limited population. Anyway, it’s not unlike what you’re doing in your studies,” Landry added. “I thought you might hit it off.”
“And answer all those questions that are filling your head,” Wade added.
Oh. I slumped back in the seat and decided to be quiet for the rest of the ride into town. My head was going to explode if I got any more overwhelmed.
“I know you came here to get those trackers on more wolves,” Landry said. “I think you can understand now why we aren’t doing that.”
I tipped my head to look at him. His dark eyes met mine. “I let you tag two, but no more. It went against everything in me to do it.”
I saw the frown take over his face.
“You did it for me?” I whispered.
He nodded. “We couldn’t tell you about us, not then. It was a—”
“Compromise,” Wade finished.
“But now, you won’t have me tag more.” I wasn’t sure if I was upset or understanding. Maybe both. I’d fallen for two cowboy shifters. Two guys who had a direct impact on my paper. On my job. On my staying in Wyoming.
“That’s why we’re meeting Cord. Maybe you can talk to him about your research. No pressure, it’s just an idea.”
Ten minutes later, we parked on the Main Street of West Springs, the quaint town nestled in the mountains. A river ran through the valley that was partially fed by a deep spring. This was the reason the town was named as it was, and after Landry’s family for the rest.
Hanging flower pots graced lamp posts at every block. Storefronts were welcoming to tourists and locals alike. It had a calm feel. Life here was simple, friendly.
I liked it, even more so than Granger, which was only an hour away.
Landry pointed through the windshield. “That’s his office, there. Next to the bakery.”
Wade undid my seatbelt and climbed out. I followed Landry out the passenger side and he took my hand. A bell above the door chimed when we entered the small waiting area. It was empty, even the spot behind the desk.
A man came down the hallway, which I assumed was where the exam rooms were.
“Hi, Caitlyn, I’m Cord. Landry gave me a call and told me about you.”
I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans. “I admit, I don’t know all that much about you.”
He cocked his head to the side, gave me an understanding smile. “Want a lollipop?”
His question was a surprise and made me laugh. “Sure.”
He went to the receptionist's desk and picked up a glass jar and held it out for me. I reached in, picking out a wrapped red one. Landry’s cell chimed. He pulled it from his pocket, read the display, an incoming text.
He sighed, swore under his breath. “The ordering system at the distillery is down.”
Wade swore too. “Text them back and say we’ll be there in a few minutes.”
Then they looked to me. “Want to see the distillery?” Landry asked.
“Caitlyn, you’re welcome to stay with me,” Cord offered. “I know your mates wanted me to share some of my research. These two can go save the world, and come back for you.”
I could tell by the way Landry and Wade stood that they had to get to their jobs. They’d taken enough time off for me. Even though it was a Saturday, I had a feeling their roles kept them occupied no matter if it was the weekend.
“It’s fine. Go,” I said.
They stepped close, kissed me, then looked to Cord. Their gazes shifted to dark and broody, and I could have sworn I heard Landry growl. “Touch our mate, and you die,” Landry said, not quite light enough for it to sound like he was kidding.