Page 36 of Accidental Mate

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“Hard to say,” chuckled Colby. “Either she does and is ignoring it, or she hasn’t a clue. I can’t decide which is worse.”

“Keeping her out of this can’t be a bad thing.”

Colby laughed again. “How I wish that were possible, but it isn’t. She’s right in the thick of it, but that’s a story for another time and a really good bottle of scotch.”

“You pick the time, I’ll bring the Macallan’s.”

Colby smiled and pointed to Carson. “I’m going to hold you to that. And speaking of headstrong mates, I see yours is headed my way.”

“About the nose…”

Colby grinned. “Think nothing of it. Happens all the time. I think it gives me character.”

Amelia passed Colby, who gave her an exaggerated wide berth. “If he was pressuring you…”

He dragged her around to stand in front of him. Wrapping his arms around her, he said, “He wasn’t, but I love you for being concerned. I know what we said last night, but I think we ought to throw in with them.”

“Agreed. I believe they’re fighting the good fight and that whatever your old company is up to is wrong. I also think they killed Mason. I’m afraid, I’m a little biblical in my take on justice—eye for eye; tooth for tooth; life for life.”

“Mason wouldn’t want us risking our lives to avenge his.”

“Liar,” she said with a laugh. “He wouldn’t mind if you did, but he’d want to keep me out of the fray. For the record, he’d be wrong, and it’ll never happen.”

“Why doesn’t it surprise me that you would say that?”

“Mason said it was because you were always the smarter brother.”

“Mason was right.”

“Come and run with me. I want to clear my head.”

They joined hands and returned to the cottage before removing their clothes, shifting into their snow leopard forms, and beginning to explore not only the lighthouse and its property but all of the land surrounding it. They ranged from a run along the rocky shoreline to up into the cliffs and hills above the isolated harbor that was somehow separate, yet a part of the larger Otter Cove. They galloped through the hills, taking numerous breaks to catch their breath or simply nuzzle one another in a form of solace and connection.

Numerous people called or waved to them in welcome and recognition. Carson was beginning to understand why Mason had chosen this place to call home and why he had wanted to stand with them against the coming darkness. Mason was gone. Nothing would bring him back. But his death would not be in vain, and he would be remembered for as long as he or Amelia took a breath.

Watch over us, Mason. We’re going to make them rue the day they decided to challenge the Payne brothers. They should have paid attention to our last name—Payne, pain. It means the same and those who would serve the servants of evil will feel our wrath.

CHAPTER19

CARSON

The sheriff of Otter Cove, Zach Grayson, was waiting for them when they returned to the lighthouse property. He leaned against the wall of the cottage he had once called home. Carson and Amelia had shifted and changed back into clothes they had left in a storage box at the end of the dock before heading up to Zach.

“Zach,” said Carson, extending his hand.

Zach took Carson’s hand and shook it, inclining his head toward Amelia. “Amelia, Carson. Just wanted to see how you’re settling in. I understand from Deke you’re planning to stay.”

“We are. I appreciate your generous offer of the lighthouse, but we can pay you for it.”

“No need. It gave me the impetus I needed to get all of my people up to Akiak,” Zach said with a smile.

“Can I ask why your clan was split?”

“My father and I never got along. I could pretty much ignore him until he tried to kill my kid brother’s mate. With the support of the Ruling Council, I banished my father and assumed the position of alpha. My second, Wyatt, stayed here at Polaris, but more and more the clan missed the unity of being together. It was actually Wyatt’s idea to gift you and those who join you with the lighthouse property. It makes sense from a lot of different perspectives.”

“As Colby explained it,” said Amelia, “and as we’ve seen, there are enough structures already built and functional that when we get Carson’s team here, they’ll have places to work and live in relative comfort.”

“The only thing I can see that we’ll need is a large building to house the research facilities and labs. There seems to be enough smaller buildings that each of my team members can have their own residence.”