Travis's Gift (Riley's Pride #3)- Sandra R Neeley Page 0,68
on end until she finally found herself here.
She’d been surprised at the number of humans meandering about and thought to quickly leave. But, then she’d felt him, on the outer fringes of the noisy people gathered in the foreground. And she’d settled in to wait, to watch. He’d eventually shown himself as he escorted one group of humans after another, allowed them to choose a tree, chopped it down for them and carried it back. She’d wondered if the pull she felt was her imagination.
But, then he’d looked directly at her in the darkness. Of course, he couldn’t see her. She’d had herself cloaked in case he’d felt her. But he’d definitely known she was there. She’d spent the rest of the night moving closer to watch him, before again pulling away just in time to avoid being detected. She’d watched the crowd of humans and shifters interacting as though it was completely natural. She didn’t understand it — the two shouldn’t mix. Yet, here they were, living together as though there was no law broken as they mingled together.
She’d rushed away when the Bear and Gorilla had come toward her through the rows and rows of trees, their goal specifically to find her. Then she’d watched silently as they both thought to outsmart her. She’d retreated to the treetops to listen to them speak to her, trying to lure her out.
When her mate had tired of speaking to the nighttime and receiving no answer, he issued his warning and began to walk away. She settled down in the tree and watched him as he moved silently, powerfully away from her. Her mate was a strong mate. A beautiful mate. There was a time she’d believed when she found him, she’d be happy ever after. Now though? Now all she wanted to do was run away and hide.
There was no way she could show herself. If she did, he’d reject her as her own people had, and she quite frankly didn’t want to have to deal with it. She watched him go until she couldn’t see him any longer, then she dropped out of the tree and began to follow him, her feet not even touching the ground as she moved. She’d heard the other male speak his name and used that name when she whispered words of a promise to him. “I will not cause you humiliation, my mate. I’ll watch just a little while longer, before I’ll leave you and your life unsullied, my Lucas.”
Chapter 21
Travis had just taken a seat when there was a knock at the door. “Bet that’s Roman or Lucas,” he said, getting to his feet. He walked over to the door and pulled it open.
“Hey, Travis. Wanted to let you know we checked it out. Couldn’t find anybody, but, I’m sure someone’s there,” Roman said.
“Scent anything?” Travis asked.
“Naw. But there was no sound at all. It’s like everything out there just went silent.”
“That says a predator is nearby,” Scotty said from the table.
“My thoughts, too,” Roman agreed.
“Feel threatened?” Travis asked.
“No. Not at all. But, Lucas said he feels stalked. I told him whatever it is don’t like Bears, and he said whatever it is only likes Bears.”
Travis chuckled. “Well, either way, since we’re not Bears, we’re good,” Travis said.
“Ya’ll good for the night, or you feel like you need me to stay on?” Roman asked.
“No, we’re good. Nothing out there is sending out any kind of threat. Whatever it is wants to be left alone. Won’t be the first to move through seemingly undetected,” Travis said.
“Alright, then. I’ll head on home and be back tomorrow. What time ya’ll setting up?”
“About 8:00 A.M. We open for business at 10:30 A.M.,” Travis answered.
“I’ll see ya’ll then,” Roman said. “Okay if I bring Lucas back?”
“Of course,” Travis said. “Tell him I appreciate his help.”
“I will. See ya’ll in the morning,” Roman answered.
Travis closed the door and locked it as Roman turned and walked away.
Roman stood on the porch for only a few minutes before he saw Lucas striding toward the front gate. “They got it,” Roman called out. “I’m coming with you.”
“Alright,” Lucas said, turning at the sound of Roman’s voice and waiting for him to catch up.
“They’re going to set up about eight in the morning. Travis said he really appreciates your help,” Roman said as they let themselves out of the gate and headed toward the truck.
“I enjoyed being here tonight. I’ll come back tomorrow if he doesn’t mind,” Lucas said.