El eased from beneath Nae’s arm and slid out the bed. When he stood, he glanced down at her and pursed his lips, debating on leaving. The bed was so much more inviting with her in it. But, he needed to address the threat to his pride. All he had to do was handle the issue, and he could go back to pretending to be the pencil pushing shifter everyone thought he was. He snorted as he backed out the room and tore his gaze away from the lithe form on the king size mattress.
He didn’t bother to put on clothes. He slid the sliding patio door open, and slipped through the slim gap. Cool night air whipped through the trees at the back of his property and across the deck, chilling him. Trace appeared at the base of the stairs, waiting for him on the landing.
Trace knew his secret and had accompanied him on a few assignments. The tiger was as ruthless as he was. El helped Gunter raise the cub when they found him in India, buried under the weight of his dead mother. From the time they discovered him he never uttered a word, but if you wanted another shifter at your back, Trace was definitely the beast for the job.
El gripped his shoulder. “Nae is sleeping.”
Trace’s eyes widened.
“Don’t look so surprised, we had to rest eventually.”
A half smirk lifted the side of Trace’s face.
“I think she tried to break me. I’m not the young lion I use to be.”
Trace rolled his eyes.
“I bet I can still kick your ass.” El chuckled. His smile faltered. “I don’t know what the hell is going on, but I intend to find out. I need you to watch her until I find out who the fuck is stalking our pride. I’m going on a hunt. In the morning take Nae to Trots; I’ll meet you there.”
Trace nodded. He shifted within a few steps and trotted off into the darkness.
El embraced his animal and accepted the reformation of his body, allowing his lion to take control. Fur sprouted from his skin as he dropped to his knees. He raised his head and snarled. Smaller mammals scurried to find shelter among the trees. He leapt off the porch. It was time to find some answers. El bounded into the forest, running at top speed.