It changed everything. It could also explain why his emotions and desires were harder to control. They were resonating with hers. And if she was sharing emotions with Davide as well?
He’d been a fool to believe her humanity would protect her from their bond. And he’d left her alone with no idea what she was experiencing or why. It was unforgivable. Without preparation, this kind of intensity could scare her. That was the last thing he wanted.
Too late.
Who said that?
Chapter Ten
Someone was in his house.
David snarled from the living room at the same time Cam sensed the new arrival. A shifter, but not one of his. And not invited.
He moved fast, heading Davide off right before he lunged for the handsome, long-haired man who was standing in their living room. Not even standing. He was leaning comfortably against the wall without concern or fear, wearing jeans and holding a decorative walking stick. He seemed young, until Cam noticed his eyes.
“Are you lost?”
“Would you believe I was looking for the bathroom?” The man smiled and Cam felt a wave of physical warmth steal through him, soothing him and telling him this man meant no harm. It was difficult to believe, since most shifters had rules about entering someone else’s domain without request or warning. But the feeling persisted.
“No, I wouldn’t.”
“Good. Then you aren’t too far gone yet. Shifters mid mate frenzy occasionally lose their common sense. It’s a dangerous time. I should have known you’d still have your head on straight.”
The soft warning rumble in Davide’s chest ceased and his head tilted toward the stranger. “Coyote,” he informed Cam calmly. Interesting. There weren’t too many of those in the world. Hadn’t Bailey mentioned knowing a coyote? Part of her long, crazy spider story. Was this the one?
The shifter tapped the side of his nose. “Sharp smeller. I didn’t mean to interrupt your private time—frankly, I would hurt someone who did that to me—but we needed to meet, Alpha Locke. I would have called, but I hate cell phones. And this is a conversation that needs to happen in person.”
“We’re not a pack,” Cam corrected carefully at the title, aware that this could be a test by a shifter enforcer. He sensed no threat or judgment, but he wasn’t convinced he was thinking clearly. After all, this stranger was on his property and he’d just accepted it as if it were no big deal. “I run a company of shifters, but we aren’t in town long enough to break any settlement laws. I’m Cameron Locke and this is—”
“I know who you are.” He laughed again. “You two are about as subtle as a shockwave. The wolf and the lynx are owed favors by more packs than I can count. I’ve been keeping my ear to the ground about you for a while now.”
“We do business,” Cam said stiffly. Who the hell was this man?
“We help our people,” Davide added defensively.
“That’s what I’m counting on.” He sent a sideways smile their way. “Not a pack, though? Then that wasn’t the beginnings of boundary lines I felt when I came in?”
Shit. “I can’t explain that, but it wasn’t intentional.”
The coyote shrugged it off. “Don’t worry, I know all about your intentions. But did you know the whole town’s been buzzing about you? Wondering how our delightful young Bailey is dealing with her new landlord and his beau.” He snapped his fingers. “I forgot to introduce myself. Sorry about that. Ego is something I’m still working on. I can’t expect everyone to know me on sight. You can call me Stax.”
Cam ignored his theatrics and honed in on his words. “How do you know Bailey?”
Stax started wandering around the living room, his fingers hovering over some books on a small shelf, the entertainment center, touching everything lightly as Cam and Davide watched. Cam was stunned. Shifters of all stripes were always respectful of scents and possessions. Who did this Stax think he was? It should have angered him more, but it didn’t feel malicious. It felt…he wasn’t sure what he’d call it exactly. Protective?
“Everyone who steps foot in Sedona knows Bailey Wagner,” Stax said, his voice warm. “She prides herself on it. It’s her way of marking her territory, I imagine, which is something I understand. We also have a few close friends in common, so I’ve taken a personal interest in looking out for her. She’s unmarked at the moment, but you could still say she’s one of mine.”
“No, we can’t, and neither can you.” Davide was standing in front of Stax before Cam could stop him. “She already has a mate.”
A warning glint flashed in the coyote’s old eyes. “She has two, which I’m sure you’ve been told is impossible. I know all there is to know on the subject of mates and marking, kitty. I wrote the actual book on it. But go on and tell me what I can and can’t do.”