Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

C onleth was well aware that this was one of his riskier schemes. As plans went, it ranked somewhere between ‘juggling live hand grenades’ and ‘starting a land war in Asia.’

But he’d had to keep his true intentions secret from Paige. If this was going to work, her reaction needed to be genuine. He’d been braced for her anger.

Insufficiently, as it turned out.

“ This is your plan?” Paige hissed. “I told you we had to avoid each other!”

“And I told you that wouldn’t work,” Conleth replied. “A shifter can’t abandon his mate. Archie knows that.”

“You said you’d do anything for me!” Paige’s hands balled into fists. “I thought you were going to help!”

“I am.” He couldn’t reveal the details to her; not yet, at least. “Trust me. I have a plan.”

It was just as well Paige couldn’t turn into a bear like her brother. If she’d been a shifter, he would have been in several pieces on the floor right now.

Though Paige was going to murder him, she might have to take a ticket and form an orderly line. Leonie looked just as ready to beat him to death with his own liver, and she was a shifter. Conleth was beginning to wish the staff uniform included body armor.

“Conleth,” Leonie growled—literally. That was never a good sign. “What did you do?”

“Filled a critical staff vacancy.” He spread his hands, affecting nonchalance. “One of the counselors had a personal emergency which meant he had to leave camp immediately.”

Leonie fixed him with a predatory glare. “What kind of personal emergency?”

Conleth gazed at the ceiling in an exaggerated—and wholly fictitious—show of unconcern. “I believe it was ten thousand dollars in urgent need of spending.”

“Ten thousand dollars?” Paige’s voice shot up an octave. “You bribed my co-counselor ten thousand dollars ?”

“He was a very poor negotiator. My next offer would have been considerably higher.” As far as Conleth was concerned, it would have been a bargain at any price. “In the spirit of full disclosure, I should probably warn you I am, by most people’s standards, obscenely rich. In case that changes anything.”

From Paige’s expression, it absolutely did not.

Buck, on the other hand, looked like he was having a religious experience. Conleth didn’t think he’d even blinked yet.

“Conleth,” Buck announced, “is wearing a staff t-shirt.”

“Thank you for that observation,” Conleth snapped. “Does anyone else want to point out the blatantly obvious?”

“Conleth is wearing a staff t-shirt,” Buck repeated. “Did I fall asleep without realizing? Is this a wonderful dream? Nobody wake me up.”

“You’re not helping,” Honey muttered out of the side of her mouth.

“Conleth,” Moira said, in the careful tones of someone addressing a man merrily lighting matches while up to his ankles in gasoline. “Are you certain you’ve thought this through?”

“Of course I have. When have I ever not thoroughly planned for every possible outcome?” Conleth folded his arms, meeting the mass stares with sham equanimity. “I don’t know why you’re all gaping at me like that. I expected you to be pleased, Moira. You and Leonie have nagged me about doing a stint as a counselor ever since our very first year.”

“It is the day before the start of camp ,” Leonie snarled. “I’ve been planning the staff assignments for weeks. Do you expect me to re-write all the counselor schedules in one evening? ”

“Of course not,” Conleth said calmly. “I already did it. You’ll find them waiting for you in the office, collated and color coded. You’re welcome.”

“But this is a most wonderful turn of events!” Alone among the group, Ragvald seemed genuinely delighted. “An inspired plan, friend Conleth! Such a display of intrepid daring cannot fail to thaw your mate’s heart!”

Ragvald thinks this is a good idea.

Oh, shit.

“Not thawing at all over here,” Paige gritted out. “Entirely the reverse, in fact.”

“But you do not understand what a grand gesture friend Conleth makes by taking his place at your side in such a fashion!” Ragvald leaned down to Paige, dropping his voice to a conspiratorial whisper that could probably have been heard from the other end of the camp. “You see, it is well known by all here that friend Conleth, while cunning and true, has always avoided involvement with the younglings of this steading. Why, I have heard he has sworn a mighty oath that he would sooner be a cold corpse in the icy ground than a camp counselor!”

“Thank you for that, Ragvald,” Conleth said. “Also, do you perhaps recall what I said about you attempting to help me?”

“Tell him he can’t do this,” Paige entreated Leonie. “He can’t be my co-counselor. He just can’t.”

“Oh, I am not letting Conleth get away with this.” Leonie began flipping through her clipboard. “I’m all for romance, Conleth, but not when it interferes with my team. I’m promoting one of the back-up counselors.”

“Ah,” Conleth said. “About that.”

Leonie stopped turning pages. Very slowly, she lifted her head.

We should run now, his pegasus advised.

“Conleth,” Leonie said, in deceptively level tones. “Precisely how many ‘personal emergencies’ have there been among my counselors in the last few hours?”

He clamped down on his animal’s instinctive urge to put a healthy distance between themselves and the angry apex predator. “Let’s just say that we’re running significantly closer to mandatory minimum staffing levels than previously forecasted.”

Leonie bared her teeth, which were starting to look a lot more feline than human. “You’re telling me I have no back-up counselors again ?”

That wasn’t in fact the case, of course. He’d never put the smooth operation of the camp at risk. The counselors he’d ‘dismissed’ were currently enjoying an unexpected all-expenses-paid extended vacation at the nearest luxury hotel, on the understanding that they could be called back to camp at any moment. But he wasn’t about to reveal that to Leonie.

“It would seem I’m your only option,” he said lightly. “And to forestall your next obvious move, my employment comes with certain conditions. I am only willing to work with Paige, so you can abandon any thought of pairing us up with different co- counselors. Shall we save time and skip to the part where you accept you’re outmaneuvered?”

“We’ll see about that.” Leonie snapped her clipboard under her elbow as if holstering a gun. “Moira, can you take over the first training session? Conleth, Paige, come with me. We’re taking this all the way to the top.”

Paige clenched her jaw, glaring at Conleth’s back as Leonie led them both toward the main office. She couldn’t believe the sheer gall of the man.

She’d thought he was nobly putting his own desires to one side for the sake of her family. She’d felt sorry for him. And while she’d been wrestling with guilt and regret, he’d been arranging this .

Conleth had said a shifter experienced a powerful, overwhelming attraction to their mate. At the moment, she was not inclined to be charitable. He was a grown man, not a little kid like her brother. He should have been able to control his animal instincts.

That two-faced, arrogant, scheming…shifter!

Leonie strode into the office without bothering to knock first. A handsome man with long black hair sat behind the larger desk—the one she’d thought was Conleth’s—his head in his hands. Paige recognized him from her online interview, though she hadn’t met him in person before. This was Zephyr, the camp director and owner.

“My apologies, Leonie.” Zephyr glanced up, rubbing at his eyes. “It’s not a good time. Conleth said he needed me to review these financial accounts as a matter of extreme urgency, but I can’t make head or tail of…”

He trailed off as he noticed Conleth. The director’s gaze skimmed down, then up again, taking in the man’s jeans and staff t-shirt. His only visible reaction was a single blink.

“Zephyr, tell your business partner that this,” Leonie jabbed a finger at the Camp Thunderbird logo on Conleth’s chest, “is not happening.”

“I think first someone needs to tell me what is happening.” Zephyr held up a hand as everyone attempted to speak at once. “One at a time, please. Conleth?”

“First of all, you can stop staring at those figures like a dog trying to decipher cuneiform.” Conleth leaned over the desk to close Zephyr’s laptop. “That spreadsheet is a complete work of fiction. I just needed you safely preoccupied for a couple of hours.”

Zephyr’s eyebrows rose. “You seem to have been busy. Dare I ask why you’re wearing a staff t-shirt?”

“Because when we started this place, you insisted there should be a staff uniform. Which, by the way, I still think is appallingly tacky, not to mention an unnecessary expense.” Conleth brushed a nonexistent crease out of the offending t-shirt. “But I accept that as owner, you must sometimes be indulged in the occasional whim. In any event, counselors wear staff t-shirts. Therefore, I am wearing a staff t-shirt. I’m stepping in to fill a last-minute vacancy.”

“That you created!” Leonie exploded.

“Ah.” Zephyr leaned back in his chair, expression neutral. Paige couldn’t guess what might be going on behind his dark eyes. “I believe I am beginning to understand the situation here.”

“The situation is that Conleth thinks he can steamroller his way to happy-ever-after without caring in the slightest who gets crushed in the process.” Leonie slapped her clipboard onto Zephyr’s desk with an emphatic bang. “You know what this is, Zephyr?”

The director regarded it. “A clipboard?”

“Hopes and dreams.” Leonie pointed at her files. “The most important thing we do here is make sure every child has counselors who can best support and nurture them over the summer. I spend months matching campers to mentors that they’ll be able to respect and trust, and I make sure all my staff appreciate that responsibility. Every counselor is here because they genuinely care about the kids. Not out of some bone-headed attempt to win their mate!”

“I object to this description of my motives,” Conleth said. “And also, ‘bone-headed.’”

“Fine,” Leonie snapped. “Statement withdrawn. On further reflection, the body part that’s doing your thinking for you is definitely not your head.”

Zephyr appeared unruffled by the sniping. “I’d like to hear from Paige now, please.”

Paige’s mouth went dry as Zephyr’s gaze fell on her. On video chat, he’d come across as a soft-spoken, quiet sort of man. In person, he had a presence far beyond the physical. It was like attracting the attention of Thunder Mountain itself.

“I can’t work with Conleth,” she said. There were a lot of reasons for that, but she went for the one everyone would understand. “Archie would pitch a fit.”

Zephyr steepled his fingers. “I’m aware that Archie has, shall we say, strong opinions about Conleth.”

“Don’t we all,” Leonie muttered.

“There’s no need to worry about Archie,” Conleth said, with what Paige felt was far too much confidence. “I have a plan to handle that particular issue. He’s not a problem.”

“I agree.” Leonie folded her arms. “The real problem has red hair and a mile-high ego.”

“I am speaking with Paige now,” Zephyr said—mildly enough, but both shifters shut up at once. “Paige, while I appreciate your concern for your brother, Conleth is your mate. Archie knows that, and he knows what that means, even if you yourself do not. This is going to affect him. No matter how much you try to avoid Conleth.”

“That’s what I tried to tell her,” Conleth said. At Zephyr’s pointed look, he waved a hand. “Sorry. Carry on.”

“This isn’t just about Archie.” That was dangerously close to revealing too much, but she had to persuade Zephyr to put a halt to Conleth’s plan. “Please, director. I’ve already told Conleth I can’t be his mate. I’m not going to change my mind. Especially not after he pulls a stunt like this.”

“Wonderful.” Leonie threw up her hands. “So, Conleth, all you’re achieving with this brilliant scheme is to piss everyone off. Including your mate. Zephyr, talk some sense into him.”

Zephyr regarded his business manager thoughtfully. “This does seem counter to your long-term goals, Conleth. If you think this is going to endear yourself to Paige, you may be mistaken.”

“Believe me, I am aware of that fact.” Conleth met Zephyr’s eyes. “I have my reasons.”

Zephyr didn’t speak for a moment, gaze still locked with Conleth’s. Something seemed to pass between the two men. Perhaps it was just the familiarity of two people who had worked together long enough to understand each other without words, but Paige remembered Archie insisting that some shifters could communicate with each other telepathically. At the time she’d dismissed it as another of his wild exaggerations. Now, it seemed all too plausible.

I should have listened to him. There really is a lot I don’t know about shifters.

Zephyr broke that silent communion first, letting out his breath. “You realize you’ll have to report to Leonie.”

“Zephyr! ” Leonie yelped, as Paige’s stomach sank. “You can’t seriously be considering agreeing to this!”

“To be honest, I’m somewhat terrified of what Conleth might do next if I don’t.” Zephyr flashed a glance at Conleth. “Which is not to say that I am agreeing. I have significant concerns, Conleth. If this is going to work, you’ll have to follow Leonie’s orders.”

“Already ahead of you.” With a flourish, Conleth snagged some papers from his desk, setting them in front of the director. “I’ve taken the liberty of drawing up an employment contract under our usual terms for a pack counselor. Well, apart from the salary, which is rather lower than standard. If Leonie isn’t satisfied with my performance, she can dismiss me, same as anyone else on her team. I trust that will suffice.”

Zephyr treated Conleth to a long, considering look. “I’ll also need your resignation as camp manager.”

For the first time, Conleth’s cocky smirk faltered. “What?”

Zephyr spread his hands. “Even you can’t do two jobs at the same time, Conleth.”

“But—” Conleth seemed to flounder, as if this obvious truth had caught him unprepared. “Counselors aren’t with their campers literally every minute round the clock. I admit I’ll have to pull some long hours, but with my speed power?—”

“No,” Zephyr interrupted, a hint of steel in his voice. “I am serious about this, Conleth. I won’t have you splitting your focus. Your campers will need your complete attention.”

It was hardly Paige’s place to tell the director how to run his own camp, but she couldn’t keep silent. “Director, you can’t fire your camp manager right before the start of the season. There’s no way you could find a replacement this late.”

“Exactly.” Leonie rounded on Conleth in triumph. “Now you have to back down. We both know Zephyr can’t manage this place on his own.”

“Thanks?” Zephyr murmured.

“Oh, you know what I mean,” Leonie retorted. “You’re already fully loaded with your duties as director. You can’t handle finances and marketing and whatever else it is that Conleth does all day in the office.”

“I’m not saying it’s ideal, but I can manage to keep on top of things for one summer. I’ve made sure to familiarize myself with Conleth’s systems.” Zephyr shrugged. “It’s not like I didn’t know this day was coming, after all.”

“You expected…” Paige waved a hand between herself and Conleth, lost for words. “This? Me?”

“Not perhaps this exact scenario,” Zephyr said calmly. “But I knew that there would come a summer when Conleth would abruptly have other priorities than managing the camp.”

“Moira’s brother is a powerful sea dragon seer,” Leonie explained. “Five years ago, he had a vision that Conleth would meet his mate here.”

“While wearing a suit,” Conleth put in. “Just to be clear, that part wasn’t my idea.”

“Right.” Paige fought down a hysterical laugh. “Of course there was a prophecy. Why else would you be hanging around a summer camp. So you were only working here out of self-interest. That tracks.”

“Conleth’s always been quite clear that he was only here due to the prophecy,” Zephyr said. “And since he’s now met his mate, it seems that we’ll have to do without him. Under the circumstances, I can take over his role for a short transitional period. I don’t see any other option. Do you, Conleth?”

Conleth rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I suppose I’ll still be here at camp to step in when it goes horribly wrong. Just promise that you’ll leave me in charge of recruiting your next camp manager.”

“Of course,” Zephyr said. A hint of amusement tinged his voice. “Given your strong opinions on the matter back when the camp first opened, I wouldn’t dream of hiring anyone without consulting you first. I’m sure you’ll find a suitable candidate.”

“Indeed.” Conleth regained some of his previous confident aura, though Paige thought it seemed a little forced. “I already have someone in mind. Well, then. Consider this my verbal resignation as camp manager. Effective immediately.”

“Accepted.” Zephyr reached for the contract. “And also, congratulations. You’re hired.”

“Oh, no.” Leonie slapped her hand over the paper before Zephyr could touch it. “As head counselor, I have the right to decide who joins my team. And I haven’t agreed to anything yet.”

Zephyr raised an eyebrow at her. “I seem to recall you telling Conleth that he should have more involvement with the campers. On almost a daily basis, in fact.”

Leonie hesitated. “Yes, but?—”

“Do you have reason to believe he is unsuitable for this role?” Zephyr interrupted. “That he wouldn’t be completely dedicated to the wellbeing of any children under his care?”

Leonie ground her teeth, but answered, “No. Of course not.”

Zephyr nodded. “And in your professional opinion, is he capable of being a good counselor?”

“I really hate you sometimes,” Leonie informed him.

Zephyr’s mouth curved in a slight smile. “Your honest answer, please.”

“Fine. Yes, he could be a good counselor.” Leonie glared at Conleth. “ If someone reins him in when he’s being an insufferable horse’s ass.”

“I believe his co-counselor will be more than capable of keeping him in line.” Zephyr picked up a pen. “It seems we are in agreement, then.”

“Wait,” Paige started, but Zephyr’s pen was already moving. She could only stew in helpless fury as he scrawled a zig-zag, untidy signature.

“There.” Zephyr tucked the completed contract away in his desk. “Now, I believe you’re all due at counselor training. If there’s nothing else…?”

There was a great deal more Paige would have liked to say, but none of it would have done any good. She followed Leonie out of the office, all too aware of Conleth falling into step next to her.

Paige glared up at him. “I hope you’re happy.”

“Actually, no.” He released a breath. “That did not entirely go as I planned.”

“Well, you’ve made one thing easier for me, at least.” The only emotion left in her chest now was pure, burning rage. “I may be stuck with you for now, but at the end of the summer, we’re through. I’m going to walk away without a backward glance.”

A muscle tightened in his jaw. “That’s a risk I have to take.”

“Why?” She rounded on him, blocking his way. “You must know I’m not going to forgive you for this. What on earth are you hoping to accomplish?”

His mouth crooked up, a hint of that inexplicable, infuriating confidence returning. “You’ll see.”