Page 9 of Coral Rustling

“That doesn’t explain your lack of herd,” Payson pointed out.

“Sorry, got a little off track there,” Trey said with a laugh.“Anyway, the herd I was affiliated with is probably still in southern Oklahoma.Our alpha died in an accident.A flood, and our beta took over.”With a sigh, Trey admitted, “He wasn’t a strong leader, and it didn’t take long for the head enforcer to challenge him, win, and start making plenty of changes.”Trey focused on Reagan as he murmured, “Including kicking out any non-shifter.So our family left and made our own way.”Resting his hand on his nephew’s shoulder, Trey added, “That was over twenty-five years ago.”

Payson growled, the sound soft and low.“Tell me who the fuck he is,” he demanded, his lip curling in obvious disgust.“We’ll report him to the council.”

Trey felt his eyes widen, surprise flooding him.“You can do that?”

“Sure as fuck can,” Payson declared.

“And they care?”Trey couldn’t fathom it.

“Yup.”Land had seemed a little bouncy and maybe a bit nerdy while on the ride, but the expression he sported right then was almost feral, very similar to his mate’s.“And they’re cracking down on alphas trying to separate true mates, regardless of gender or race.”

“But they’re the alpha.”The idea of someone trying to regulate the alpha just wasn’t computing.“They’re word is law.”

“Not no more,” Payson countered in a sing-song voice.

Trey scoffed softly.“Okay.I’ll give you what I can.”As Payson nodded, he turned his attention to Ulkna.“So, uh, anyway.”Trey hesitated, uncertain how to ask for what he wanted...time alone with his mate.

Fortunately, Trey’s growling stomach helped him out.

“Guess you didn’t eat your hay,” Payson teased, his attitude changing on a dime.Waggling his brows, he focused on Ulkna.“I’ll text Yuma.He and Hunter can set up a picnic somewhere reasonably close to where we’re setting up camp.”Payson winked while leering.“But nottooclose.Somewhere...secluded...so ya can get to know each other better.”

Land giggled.

Reagan’s cheeks started to pinken.

Trey had to fight against a blush of his own.

Ulkna rolled his eyes.

“So, uh, should I expect you back here by morning?”Reagan asked, worriedly rubbing the back of his neck.“Or do I need to make up a story about finding a problem bad enough to pull you from the string?”

Trey smiled warmly at his nephew, loving that he could always count on the young man.“No, I’ll be back before morning feed,” he assured.Seeing Ulkna’s furrowed brows and questioning look, Trey explained, “Morning feed is at six, giving the mounts plenty of time to enjoy their hay and grain before being pulled for grooming and tacking at eight-thirty.”

Seeing Ulkna’s disappointed expression coupled with the way he opened and closed his mouth, as if to question him further, Trey quickly added, “I only have one more day before I’m supposed to be taken off rotation for a rest.”

“A rest?”Ulkna asked.

Trey nodded as he took the t-shirt, socks, and boots from Reagan.“Yeah,” he began as he pulled on first the socks and boots.Straightening, Trey explained, “Each horse is on a rotation.Working four days, then taken to the ranch for two days off.This company takes damn good care of their mounts.”

Reagan nodded.“They know that their business is only as good as their horses.”

Ulkna began to nod, then looked alarmed.“Are youownedby the company?”

Shaking his head, Trey chuckled.“On paper, I’m owned by Reagan.”He yanked the shirt over his head, grinning at Ulkna’s confused features as he settled it into place.“A little over five years ago, it was time for me to step back from society, so we came up with this idea.”Waving at Reagan, Trey told him, “We forged documents that said Reagan bought me at auction, and he leases me to the trail company.”

“How hard will it be to get out of that lease?”Payson asked, glancing between them.“You know, so you don’t have to do this every day.”

“Uh...”Leave his job?Trey hadn’t considered that.As odd as it might seem to others, he found the monotony soothing.He pretty much always knew what to expect.He even enjoyed the company of the other horses.In a weird way, they almost felt like younger brothers and sisters.After a glance at Reagan, Trey met Ulkna’s intense, hazel-eyed gaze.“I-I guess...that’s something that we’ll have to figure out.”

Ulkna nodded slowly.“Right,” he murmured.His lips curved into an understanding smile.“I hear matings take compromise and communication.”

Trey chuckled.“I’ve heard and seen that, too.”Pulling away from Ulkna, he gave Reagan a quick hug, whispering, “I’ll see you in the morning.”

Reagan returned his squeeze, murmuring back, “Have a good night.”Before he released Trey, he softly added, “And be careful, Uncle.”

“I will,” Trey assured.As he drew away, he cupped his nephew’s jaw and gave him a reassuring smile.Then Trey drew away and turned to his mate and his friends.“So, uh, dinner?”

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