Camellia would have collapsed into a heap on the makeshift bed if it wasn’t for Kaden and Ari holding her up on her knees. With the mating bond cemented, what she felt for them was taken to a whole new level. She had never felt this connection with anyone else, ever. It didn’t even come close to the bond she had with the tribe or the Chief. It was unlike anything she could have hoped for.

“Our beautiful mate.” Kaden smiled at her as he smoothed her hair away from her face.

“Wow.” She wasn’t sure what else to say. It was unbelievable what was happening within her and the bond; her body was overloaded with sensations. Everything seemed to smell stronger, emotions were clearer, and her body crackled with electricity. She tipped her head forward and nuzzled against the curve of his neck. The scent of honey and woods filled her, but for once it didn’t make her want to scurry away. She wanted to snuggle against Kaden and wrap herself in his scent.

“Take her back to the cabin. I’ll grab the clothes.” Ari kissed her shoulder just above where he’d bitten her. “We’re not nearly done with you, kitten.”

Kitten, she liked the way it sounded coming from him. The deep voice was like a direct line to her core, sparking the fire within her.

Kaden slipped his shirt around her shoulders, lifted her into her arms, and still naked, he rose from the makeshift bed. “Back at your cabin, you’re mine.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck. “There’s nothing I want more.” How things had changed. Just hours ago, she’d run in fear of her life. Now, the lion inside her was ready to surrender to her mate.

They were her mates. Their species didn’t matter. She ran her hand along the curve of his jaw, and her fingers were met with the roughness of his stubbles from where he hadn’t shaved. Something she found wildly attractive. The coarseness fit perfectly with his longer hair and his beast.

A sudden burst of fury blazed against her skin. Not hers. Not Kaden’s. Someone was hiding in the darkness. Her body went ridged and her chest tightened.

She stiffened and held her breath, tuning her sense to seek out whoever was out there. Her lioness trotted forward, head tipped toward the sky, sniffing the air. Her hand stilled as she glanced around the compound, searching in the direction her lioness urged her to.

There, not ten feet away from her cabin, stood Swift. Her red hair billowed in the wind, but it was the anger rippling off her that made Camellia take notice. What had her in such a twist? They had become friends over the last few years. But since Zoe had arrived, something had changed. Swift had hidden away in her cabin, avoiding everyone. Even when Camellia had tried to comfort her friend, Swift had pushed her away.

“Put me down,” she whispered.

He did as she asked, but kept his hand on her back. She could feel the tension vibrating through him as he evaluated the situation. Whatever he sensed had his bear on guard, too. Instead of listening to her better judgement, she continued toward Swift, buttoning the shirt Kaden had wrapped around her as she did.

“You fucked them!” Swift’s accusing glare drifted between Camellia and Kaden’s naked body. “Outsiders in our tribe and you bring them to your bed. What if they are part of the attacks on the foxes?”

Camellia took a deep breath and tried not to let her anger get the best of her. Swift was her friend, and she was hurting. This wasn’t her, but her anger and fear taking control. “They’re bears, not humans like the ones that have attacked—”

“Don’t give me that shit.” Swift marched toward them. “You don’t know anything about them. They could be part of it.”

“Swift…” She tried to keep her voice calm, even when she wanted to fight. They were her mates, and while she hadn’t known them but a few hours, she knew they didn’t deserve Swift’s accusations.

“How could you jeopardize this tribe? Our friendship? Do you care so little about me that you’d allow them to come here and kill off the foxes that remain?”

“Damn it, Swift.” Camellia could no longer keep her anger in check, but it was Kaden who growled behind her.

“You know nothing about us, or how much she cares for you. Yet you stand there and curse the one person who’s been by your side, trying to help you through this turmoil.”

“Bear, you know nothing.” Swift swung at him, missing, but giving Camellia time to step between them before Kaden could retaliate.

“Stop this!” she hollered over his growls. “Kaden please,” she said, darting a glance over her shoulder. “I’ll meet you at the cabin.”

“I’m not leaving you.”

“Fine. But back up a few paces.” She wasn’t going to argue with him. Swift was angry, but Camellia could easily take down her friend if she needed to. When he took a step back and stopped, she realized that was the best she was going to get from him.

Swift tried to sidestep Camellia as if she was going to go after Kaden again. Camellia grabbed her wrist. “Stop this. I’m trying to give you the benefit of the doubt because I know you’re letting your emotions get the best of you, but if you go after him again I’m not going to intercede.”

Swift’s upper lip lifted in a snarl. “Since you’re so willing to welcome my executioner, maybe it’s for the best. Maybe I can eliminate him before he can wipe out the rest of the foxes.”

“Damn it, Swift. I’m at the end of my rope tonight.” She let go of the other woman’s wrist and took a deep breath. “Why were you waiting out here for me?”

“I know Jase approved them, but I don’t trust them.” Swift paused for a moment as Ari came up behind them.

Camellia held up a hand to halt him. “Just stay back. I’ve got this.”

Swift’s body shivered with outrage. “I’ve been watching them. Waiting for them to attack.”

“They’re not here for foxes. They’re security experts, and are giving Jase and Sin assistance to keep everyone safe.” Even as Camellia said it she knew her friend wouldn’t believe her. She was convinced they were here to kill her and the other foxes. Nothing anyone said would change that.

“I felt your fear when they showed up at your door, and you were still terrified when they left.” Swift crossed her arms over her chest. “You’ve always been cautious around bears, and while I’ve never pried I know you were hiding something. Now, instead of being afraid of them you’re welcoming them into your bed. That doesn’t seem like the friend I’ve known for years. Maybe you’re a part of all of it, too?”

Her chest tightened as Swift accused her of being part of the attacks on their neighboring tribes. Their friendship was falling apart before her eyes and she didn’t know how to fix it. “The attacks are over and those responsible have met their demise.”

“Only time will prove that.” Swift glanced toward the men. “Or when they kill one of us.”

“That’s enough!” Camellia howled. “Everyone except you is working together to keep this place safe, and they are here doing us a favor.”

“It would seem they’re here doing you.” With one last cold glare, Swift turned on her heel and headed back to her home.

Kaden and Ari came closer, their hands touching her shoulders before she could react. Anger, hurt, and insult raced through her. In a matter of moments, Swift had sliced apart their friendship. Part of her wanted to go after Swift and beat some sense into her, while the other part that was hurt and betrayed wanted to forget the whole mess and seek comfort in her mates.