and he sought the source. Dellan rolled onto his front and froze, his attention riveted on the object that flew toward them. Then he gave chase, running at it. Catch it.
Horvan followed suit. Drone. Catch drone.
Rael caught sight of Hashtag in the doorway, grinning, his hands occupied. The drone led Dellan and Horvan a merry dance, both of them running in circles and sprinting across the snow, Dellan executing huge leaps to try to catch it.
Rael was not playing. Rael was freezing his furry ass off.
Dellan leaped into the air, trying to clamp the drone between his paws, but the device rose higher, evading him. Then it dropped, and Dellan went for it again, only this time he caught it, pulling it to the ground, where it lay, steam rising from it. Dellan and Horvan approached it with obvious caution, Dellan pawing at it. Both reared back when it rose into the air again, and the chase was on once more.
Watching them made Rael tired. Not to mention the fact that his paws felt frozen.
He ran back to the cabin, and Hashtag hastily stepped aside as he leaped through the doorway into blessed warmth. Rael shifted, then hurried over to the wood stove in the corner.
“Fuck, it’s cold out there.” He stood in front of it, letting the radiating heat warm his body.
“Did you like my little toy?” Hashtag called from the door. “I figured cats like to chase things.”
Rael had to admit it was a brilliant idea. “I think Dellan got more out of it than I did.”
“They’re having fun out there,” Doc observed, watching through the window. “They seem well suited to these conditions.”
“You want to know what I’m well suited to?” Rael grinned. “Staying indoors and drinking hot chocolate.”
Crank moaned. “Oh yeah. Now you’re talking.” He went to the cabinet.
Mate. It was Dellan’s voice, soft and coaxing. Maaaaate.
Uh-uh. Lions and snow don’t mix. Rael was staying put. He’d had enough exercise for one day.
Get your ass out here, Rael. Now. Horvan’s order sent a pleasurable shudder through him. Ever been fucked in the snow?
Rael laughed. If you’re trying to persuade me, you just lost.
Danger.
He stiffened instantly, his heart hammering. What danger, Dellan? Rael raced to the door.
Man coming.
“Hashtag, we’ve got company.” Rael scanned the landscape and spotted the figure in the distance. Get inside now, both of you. He grabbed his clothing and dressed quickly.
Hashtag dropped the drone’s control module onto a nearby chair and dashed over to his laptop. “Okay, he’s crossed the boundaries.”
“Who is he?” Roadkill demanded, striding across the cabin floor, a rifle in his hand. “Can you see him yet?”
Crank had grabbed a gun and was peering through the window. “Okay, I see him.” He opened it and took aim through the gap. “Got him in my sights.” He held the gun rock steady.
Dellan shifted as he crossed the threshold. “It could be Doc’s contact. He’s too far away for me to tell if he’s a shifter.” He stepped into his sweats and pulled his top over his head.
Horvan stepped into the cabin, shivering, and closed the door behind him. “Tell me what you see, Crank.” Rael threw Horvan his clothing.
“Male, Caucasian. Dressed in black.” Crank smirked. “Nice of him to make himself such an easy target. He’s armed. And definitely coming this way.”
“What’s he carrying?” Horvan demanded.
“Rifle. Looks like he could pass for a hunter, but….” Crank paused.
“What is it?” Rael’s heartbeat was still climbing.
“This guy is military, or ex-military at the very least.”
“I’m with Crank.” Roadkill was aiming his rifle through another window.
Doc peered through the glass before inhaling deeply. “Relax, boys. He’s okay.”
“Stand down,” Horvan instructed them.
Pouting, Crank lowered his gun. “I guess that’s one more for hot chocolate, then.” He went back to his task.
Doc opened the front door. “Vic? I didn’t think you’d be here so fast.”
Vic stomped his feet outside, then stomped his boots on the mat inside the cabin. “I got on the first flight I could.” He glanced around the interior, arching his eyebrows at the sight of Roadkill’s rifle. “I guess I should have told you I was coming.”
“It might have been advisable,” Doc commented dryly. “Come sit at the table and I’ll do the introductions.”
Vic nodded, then sniffed the air. He stiffened. “Are they staying?” he asked, pointing to Crank, Roadkill, and Hashtag.
Horvan set his jaw. “You’re free to talk in front of them.”
Vic scowled. “You trust them?”
“Hey, buddy.” Crank snarled. “We’ve probably been fighting together since before you were an itch in