He set his plate on the table and pulled out a chair. "Glad to see you didn't need me after all," he teased.
"Everyone keeps looking at me like I'm a freak." Or maybe that was just my imagination because I knew I was one.
"You're a legend. Although I have heard that a few guys are worried that the need-a-mate myth might be challenged by other girls."
"Yeah, I got a taste of that a few minutes ago when some of the novices stopped by to drool over me. Honestly I don't know whether to be flattered or appalled by the idea that I may start a trend."
"Most people would relish the limelight." "I'm not most people."
"You'll get no argument from me about that. So how was it really?"
"Probably the same as it was when you went through it." I was becoming quite adept at spinning things and avoiding giving direct answers to questions.
"Terrifying, but awesome?"
"Exactly. So what's been going on since I left?" I asked, anxious to change the topic.
"Not much as far as I can tell. In case you haven't heard, Lucas called a meeting to bring us up to speed. We're to head to the council room as soon as we're finished with breakfast."
Daniel began talking about some of the things they were learning about Bio-Chrome, the company that had researchers trying to capture and study us. I was only half listening. I'd been part of the sherpa team that had led them into the wilderness earlier in the summer before we knew their objective. I knew all I needed to know about them. Mason Keane and his father—who was in charge of the project—were certifiably insane.
As Daniel's melodious voice droned on—he was apparently unperturbed by the fact that I wasn't an active participant in the conversation—I didn't know why I hadn't taken more of an interest in him. Like most male Shifters, he had a raspy voice—the better to growl with. He was the only Shifter male I knew who wore his hair buzzed close to his scalp. Which I thought was a shame because his eyes were an emerald-green that I thought would have looked stunning framed by his black hair. His face was animated as he talked, and I knew he couldn't wait to confront the bad guys. But I just couldn't concentrate on him.
Maybe because I was acutely aware that Connor had arrived. Even though I couldn't see him. I was experiencing the kind of sensation that wild animals did when they sensed a change in the environment and all their senses went on even higher alert. The flight or fight response. Usually we fought. My awareness of him gave me hope that maybe I was simply a late bloomer.
As nonchalantly as possible, I glanced over my shoulder. Connor was at the sidebar, filling his plate. I wanted to watch him. Even the way he scooped eggs was sexy. I wanted to know what he'd discovered when he went searching for the abandoned campsite. I wondered if I should invite him to join us. Before I could decide, he strode past and settled at an empty table.
Ouch' I tried not to grow concerned that in following my trail, he may have also somehow detected that I hadn't shifted.
I turned my attention back to Daniel, but I felt Connor's gaze homing in on me. The hairs on the nape of my neck prickled, but in a good way, causing my fears of discovery to dissipate. My hair was arranged in its usual no-frills, long braid, because today we'd be tending to Dark Guardian business. Part of me wished that I'd worn it down, but going for the feminine look had never been my style. I was all about projecting a tough image, even when I didn't feel very tough. Maybe that was another reason that guys didn't flock around me.
I didn't want to be rude, so I tried to concentrate on Daniel. But I was very much aware of Connor studying me. Even though he wasn't doing anything except eating, he kept drawing my attention like a magnet. Whenever my gaze shifted over to him, he didn't look away. If anything he appeared irritated. Was he upset that I was enjoying breakfast with Daniel? Or was he still angry about being the first Guardian in generations to lose his mate? But if that was it, why was he looking at me and not Lindsey?
Daniel launched into a funny story about some campers he'd recently guided into the forest, making me laugh. I discreetly observed Connor out of the corner of my eye. He was scowling. He did look away then, and I felt this strange sense of triumph. Could he be jealous? My heart gave a small unexpected leap at the idea.
There were other Shifter girls waiting for the arrival of their full moon who would need a mate. Would he turn to one of them, or was he sensing the same thing I was: an inescapable connection, as if there were a rope bridging us, tautening and pulling us together. Was he as confused by it as I was?
My gaze drifted back over to him. I'd always liked him, but his attention had always been on Lindsey. Now that he no longer had a destined mate, was he finally taking notice of me?
"And then the squirrel ran up my leg searching for nuts."
I nearly spewed my coffee and my eyes went wide as I jerked my head around to stare at Daniel.
He gave me a wry grin and chuckled. "I thought that would get your attention."
"I've been listening."
"No, you haven't." He gave a meaningful nod in Connor's direction. So much for my subtle observation. "But I can't blame you for wondering about Connor. We're all wondering."
"Wondering what?"
"What exactly happened with him and Lindsey and Rafe—out there in the woods, during the full moon. None of them are talking."
"It's not really anybody's business, is it?" My words came out tarter than I'd meant for them to, but I didn't like people gossiping about my friends. "Sorry," I said quickly. "Didn't mean to snap at you like that, but well—"
"I know. You're a team. It creates a bond. I shouldn't have said anything."
Lucas, Kayla, Rafe, Lindsey, Connor, and I were a sherpa team. We usually worked together to lead campers into the forest. But our bond, our friendship, went beyond that. Although Kayla was new to our group, the rest of us had gone to school together. Daniel had just moved here from the Washington State area. They had Shifter sanctuaries out there, but everyone wanted to be skilled enough to be selected to protect the Wolford area. It was, like, the capital of the Shifter world—at least the North American contingent.
"Would you feel better if one of our best guardians was dead?" I asked. While the challenge should have meant a fight to the death, we'd evolved, become more civilized. Surely.