I get nearer I can start to pinpoint an exact location.”
He picked up speed as the road widened. “How did you discover your talent?”
Her lips twitched at the memory. “I was in nursery school when one of my friends went missing. We were sent to our homes so the pack could gather together and start a search. I grabbed the missing cub’s favorite ball so I could give it to him when he was found.” She gave a low chuckle. While the pack had been in a frantic search, she’d merrily led her mother straight to the caves that were a favorite playground for the young cubs. “As soon as I touched it I knew he was hiding in one of the caves to play a trick on our teacher.”
The air was abruptly scented with the musk of Ice’s cat. Cammy’s nose twitched. She could smell his sudden surge of anger.
“Let me guess—the cub was Rage,” he snarled.
Cammy frowned, studying the stark lines of his profile. “Why does Rage bother you?”
“He doesn’t,” he growled. Then, with a visible effort, he eased his clenched muscles. “Not anymore.”
Cammy blinked. “What’s that mean?”
“Exactly what I said.” He lifted one shoulder. “I no longer need to concern myself with Rage.”
Cammy shook her head. Ice had never truly fit in with her and her friends.
When he’d decided to remain in the Wildlands rather than continue to travel with his parents, he’d instantly been elevated to the upper ranks of the Hunters. Not surprising with his skills, but it hadn’t sat well with all the younger males. And his lack of interest in trying to become a part of their group had only deepened the resentment.
“Always so cryptic,” she muttered.
He shrugged. “I’ve never seen the point in using a hundred words when I can use ten.”
“Yeah, right,” she muttered. “You just like playing the role of the mystical, always-aloof Ice.”
There was an unexpected silence, and Cammy realized she’d struck a nerve. It was obvious in the tight line of his jaw and his white-knuckled clench on the steering wheel.
“I wasn’t raised in the Wildlands,” he said in low tones. “I didn’t develop the same bond with our packmates that you find so easy.”
Regret flared through her. Ice had always been so…reserved, she’d never considered the fact that he might not be comfortable in their company. Now she was forced to accept that she hadn’t been fair. She’d blamed her own unease in his presence on him.
“It must have been lonely,” she murmured.
He shot her a startled glance, clearly unprepared for her attempt to offer an olive branch.
“At times,” he admitted. “But I had schooling from top scholars around the world and the ability to develop a variety of fighting skills. And, of course, we returned to the Wildlands every few months to release our cats.”
A part of her envied his travels. Her own parents rarely left the Wildlands, considering humans as dangerous beasts who should be avoided at all costs. Which meant that Cammy had a very limited opportunity to discover the world.
“Why didn’t you join us when you decided to return home?” she demanded.
He returned his gaze to the road. Was there something he was hiding from her?
“I was more advanced,” he said. “It made more sense to spend my time with the mature Pantera.”
She rolled her eyes. Okay. She wasn’t entirely to blame for their awkward relationship.
“Arrogant ass,” she muttered.
His lips twitched. “Possibly.”
“Definitely.”
Ice was smart enough not to argue. He was an arrogant ass. Although Cammy was beginning to suspect it wasn’t so much conceit as it was sheer confidence, combined with an introverted nature.
They drove several miles before Ice abruptly broke the silence.
“I’ve explained my occasional discomfort in being a part of the gang,” he said.
Cammy arched a brow. “Gang?”
He ignored her taunting. “Now it’s your turn. Why do you go to such efforts to avoid me?”
“I don’t—” She bit off her instinctive denial as he shot her a narrow-eyed glare. Could he read her mind? “Okay. I might avoid you.”
“Why?”
She hunched her shoulders. “I see how you look at me.”
He jerked, as if she’d struck him. “How do I look at you?”
She glared at him. Did he think she was stupid? Not even a blind female could have been unaware of his lingering gaze.
“Like I’m a bug who just crawled from beneath a rock,” she snapped.
The Jeep abruptly slowed as he took his foot off the gas pedal, gazing at her in pure disbelief. “That’s what you think?”
She gave a slow nod,