Colin hadn’t been sure that he’d recognize the route after fifteen years, but he did. A few trees had fallen and others had grown, but Hector obviously maintained this running path along with everything else on the estate. And he’d used it, even when no one else had.

The route took them in a large circle that would end at Hector’s cottage. Once around should be plenty for Janet and Sybil, but Colin fully expected Hector and Dulcie to add a second lap. Luna, who wasn’t used to this, already sounded out of breath.

Yet she kept bravely on as Hector broke out of the trees and skirted a bluff on the far side of the island. Few boats came this way in daylight, and none at night. That was fortunate, because if anyone happened to spot wolves running along a bluff in the San Juan Islands, wildlife officials would seek access to the area.

But Weres had learned to be very careful. They’d successfully kept their presence a secret for centuries, which was why this new concept of mating with humans was so risky. Luna’s mother had apparently kept the secret, but what if she hadn’t? Colin couldn’t agree with Byron Reynaud’s decision to mate with a human, just as he couldn’t agree with Duncan’s stated desire to do it.

Although Colin might not be able to keep Duncan from making a potentially dangerous mistake, he had to try. But bloody hell, how he hated the idea of leaving Luna tomorrow morning.

She would be fine, though. After seeing how the staff had rallied around her this afternoon, he was not worried about whether she could survive without him. It wasn’t Luna’s mental health that concerned him now. It was his own.

Three-quarters of the way around the circle, Janet slowed to a trot.

Sybil’s telepathic message floated through the cool night air. Thank you, Janet. I was dying back here.

Then Luna, her sides heaving, also slowed to a trot. I like this running business, but I need to get in shape.

Janet’s trot became a walk. We all do. Well, three of us. Dulcie’s doing just fine, the showoff.

Sybil snorted. Showing off for Hector.

And he’s showing off for her. Janet tossed her head. I didn’t see that coming.

Luna added to the telepathic conversation. I think it’s sweet. They could be good for each other. She glanced back at Colin, who had slowed to a walk along with the female Weres. Sorry, Colin. Y’all would probably rather be running.

I’m fine. I don’t mind conserving my energy. He wondered if she’d figure out what he was conserving it for. She must have, because she looked back at him with a definite gleam in her eyes.

When they reached the end of the path, Hector and Dulcie stood waiting for them. They barely looked winded.

Dulcie faced the latecomers. Who’s up for another lap? Hector and I are going around again.

Janet shook her head. Not me.

Sybil flopped to the ground. I’m done.

Colin decided this was the moment to break off from the group. Luna and I are going down to Happy Hour Beach. We’ll see you all in the morning. He turned and started back to the main house.

Luna fell into step beside him immediately, but she glanced over her shoulder as she walked away. Bye, y’all.

Ah, he was going to miss that sweet Southern accent, although he could hear it over the phone whenever he called. But a phone call wouldn’t give him what he had in mind right now. He walked faster.

Impatient, your lairdness?

He slowed down. Yes, but you’re tired. Sorry.

Not that tired. She trotted ahead of him.

Got your second wind?

Could be. Race you to the bluff!

He could have outrun her, but he didn’t try. Instead he loped alongside her and matched her stride. When she picked up speed, so did he. When she slowed, he slowed.

You have good rhythm. Can you dance?

Yes. He thought of the lessons he’d been forced to take as a young Were. Can you?

No, you’d have to teach me, like you’ve had to teach me most everything.

I’ll teach you next time I visit.

All right.

He was glad she hadn’t asked him when that would be, because he couldn’t give her an answer.

They reached the stone steps leading down to the beach, and he went first, testing to make sure it wasn’t too slippery for them. The steps were damp, but if he moved slowly, he kept his balance.

He turned back to her. Watch your step.

I’m a very careful Were. That’s how I’ve survived this long on my own.

You’re not on your own any more.

I know. I have Janet, Sybil, Dulcie, and Hector. And maybe my grandparents.

He accepted the fact that she hadn’t included him, although mentally he put himself squarely on her list. If she needed him, he would come. It might take him at least twelve hours, but he would get on the first available plane. He doubted she’d require that kind of heroic gesture, though.

He reached the bottom of the steps and gazed up as she came toward him. The scent of her was an aphrodisiac that never failed to arouse him. He’d wanted her from the moment they’d met, and his response to her had only grown stronger.

A leisurely stroll along the beach sounded like a nice prelude to Were sex. When she reached the sand, he turned to lead the way to the far corner of the crescent beach.

She obviously had a different scenario in mind. With a yelp of pure pleasure, she took off, flinging sand in his face. He spit it out and raced after her. He’d been thinking sweet and romantic. He didn’t know what the bloody hell she was thinking.

The night had been calm until now, but now the weather was changing. Clouds scudded across the sky, driven by a wind that whipped the waves and sent them pounding against the shore. The water was wild, and so was Luna. She splashed through the swirling water and danced with the surf.

Pausing, she lifted her head and looked over her shoulder. Come on! Play with me!

And then he understood. This was her way of handling their inevitable parting. She’d work off the tension she felt by cavorting in the sea.

They would come together eventually. He was confident of that. But first, they would chase away their demons by playing in the waves. He plunged toward her, but spun away at the last moment to lead her in a race across the wet sand.

She followed, and in a startling burst of speed, she passed him and jumped straight into the waves. Well, if she was going to swim, so would he. The cold water shocked his system, but once he started swimming, he began to warm up. Moving fast, he put himself between Luna and open water.

She swam to the end of the crescent before turning toward shore. Thrashing through the waves, she regained solid footing, and Colin followed close behind. He arrived just in time for her thorough body shake.

The shower of salt water didn’t matter. He was already soaked. But he took some satisfaction in shaking next to her so that his spray covered her, as well.

She dropped into a play bow, and then raced away again. He took off after her, all the while thinking he hadn’t had to work this hard to pin a female in his entire sexual history. Maybe that was the idea.

She’d been a willing partner from the first time he’d kissed her, mostly because she’d been dying of curiosity. But now she understood the process and might think he needed a challenge. He could imagine her deciding that his last episode with her shouldn’t be too easy for him.

He’d been willing to play along, but by God, she’d had the upper hand long enough. He caught up with her halfway down the beach and dashed in front of her, blocking her path. She whirled and started back the other way, but he got there first.

She wouldn’t win this game. He’d spent far more time as a wolf, and when he put his mind to it, he could outmaneuver any Were. The chase had accomplished one thing, however. He wanted her with a fierceness that put every other coupling to shame.

She stood panting at the edge of the water, the surf sliding up over her paws.

Holding her gaze, he advanced. Game over, Luna.

Maybe. Maybe not. Wheeling, she ran back into the water.

He reached her before she lost her footing and mounted her before she could dodge away. Be still!

Miraculously, she was.

He managed to keep his balance as the waves rolled past, surging against his groin as he sank into her. The pleasure surpassed anything he’d known, and he concentrated on that pleasure as he blocked any thought of a soul-deep connection. The possibility hovered on the edges of his consciousness, but he denied it with every frenzied movement of his hips.

When he felt her contract around him, he surrendered to a mind-shattering climax. Then it was over. The water cradled them both as he stayed buried within her and stared out at the rolling sea. They’d shared so much, including this numbing sorrow for what could not be.

There were moments, Luna realized, when silence was kinder than words. As she and Colin returned to Whittier House, neither spoke. Yet she knew he battled the same bittersweet emotion that filled her heart.

The incredible joy of their physical connection was overshadowed by the knowledge that their special time together was nearly over. She’d tried to lighten the intensity with her beach romp, and he’d obviously understood.

Her plan had even worked for a while. But then…passion had taken over, sending them dangerously close to a true mating. They’d fought that urge and won. Sadly, they’d won. As if they both understood the cost of that victory, they’d touched noses in the entry hall and parted.

She would see him again before he left, but this was the private farewell they would both remember. She should take comfort in knowing he was as miserable as she was, but that didn’t work for her. For the first time, she began to understand why Hector had shut himself away from the world.

Luna didn’t plan to do that, but she understood the motivation. Turning herself into a recluse wouldn’t benefit anyone, especially Colin. As the manager of the Whittier House Inn, she would stay visible and actively promote the business in any way she could.

Colin left the following morning in a flurry of goodbyes. Luna’s comments mingled with everyone else’s as they all gathered in the entry hall in a tableau similar to the one when he’d arrived. But so much had changed between his arrival and departure.

Luna didn’t watch the helicopter take off. She had her limits. When the sound of the rotors shook the house, she was in her office with the door closed working on spreadsheets. If she took a few seconds to bury her face in her hands and weep a little, no one had to know.

She kept herself extremely busy for the rest of the day. Colin sent her a short text message when he landed in Glasgow, but there was nothing personal in it. Luna forced herself to delete it from her phone.

After a fitful night’s sleep, she was at her desk again early the next morning comparing linen prices online. The phone on her desk rang, and she debated how to answer. Should she say Whittier House or Whittier House Inn and get the ball rolling?

She settled on giving that ball a swift kick toward the goal. “Whittier House Inn. This is Luna Reynaud. How may I help you?”

“Miss Reynaud.” The voice was crisp and female. “I have George Trevelyan on the line. Please hold.”

Luna was taken aback. She’d never dealt with someone who employed an assistant to place phone calls, but she probably should get used to it. If Whittier House became as popular as she hoped, the rich and famous would flock to the island.

“Good morning, Luna.” George’s voice contained equal notes of friendly condescension and somber concern. “How are you?”

“I’m fine, George.” She did her best to match his tone. “How are y’all?”

“As a matter of fact, I’m troubled.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” She didn’t rise to the bait and ask why.

“It’s imperative that I meet with you ASAP. I have an unexpected opening in my schedule tomorrow. Knox can pick you up around ten and bring you to my office.”

Her jaw tightened at his assumption that she’d drop everything to meet with him, but she reminded herself that was an alpha tactic. “Unfortunately, I can’t get away tomorrow.”

“That is unfortunate.” He sighed. “Then I’ll come to you. I can be there by three.”

She worked to keep her breathing steady. She would not allow him to steamroll her. “I’m afraid that’s not convenient, either.”

He adopted a more coaxing tone. “Surely you could spend thirty minutes with me, Luna. I promise not to stay long. I just want to discuss something with you concerning your project. It’s an excellent idea and I want it to succeed.”

She wondered what was so urgent that he’d fly over for a thirty-minute meeting. If he was determined to meet with her, maybe she should just get it over with. “All right,” she said. “I’ll see you at three tomorrow.”

“Good. See you then.” He disconnected the call.

Luna replaced the phone in its holder. She couldn’t help feeling uneasy about George inviting himself over, but he’d said he wanted the inn to succeed, so perhaps she had nothing to worry about.

Besides, he couldn’t negotiate a buy-in by talking with her. Colin owned Whittier House, so if George planned to bully his way into being a partner, he’d have to deal with Colin.

She could claim one small victory in the conversation, though. George had summoned her to his office, and she’d refused to be summoned. If she had to meet with him, at least she’d be doing it on her turf, backed up by her staff. And that staff needed to be informed of George’s impending visit.

After she reached everyone by cell phone, they gathered in the kitchen. Each took a stool around the center island. Even Hector showed up. Scraping the mud off his work boots, he chose a stool next to Dulcie.

Luna described the phone call and the outcome. Then she cleared her throat. “I just want to warn everyone that George Trevelyan has his eye on this place. He’d like to make it part of his empire, and both Colin and I are against it.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Hector said. “If George gets his hands on Whittier House, I really will quit.”

Dulcie glanced at him. “Then we just won’t let that happen, will we?”

“Damn straight,” Sybil added. “No way can we let some big wheeler-dealer muscle his way in. This is our project.”

“Absolutely.” Janet slapped a hand on the counter. “He may control half of Seattle, but he sure as hell doesn’t control what happens on this island.”

“No, he doesn’t.” Luna loved the way the staff had assumed ownership of the inn project. They were a force to be reckoned with. “But he is powerful and he’s used to getting his way.”

“Are you saying we have to treat him with kid gloves?” Sybil asked.

Hector frowned. “I don’t much like that idea. You have to stand up to bullies like George Trevelyan.”

“I agree,” Luna said. “To be honest, I’m not sure why he’s coming, since I have no power to grant him a financial stake in Whittier House. Maybe he hopes to convince me I can’t run the inn without his help.”

“I can see him trying to undermine your confidence,” Hector said. “That was the tactic he used as a teenager. I’ll make sure I’m available at three tomorrow to monitor the situation.”

“I dare him to find fault with Whittier House,” Dulcie said. “It rocks!”

“And so do we.” Sybil leaned forward. “We’re all invested in this place, which is why the house is immaculate, the grounds are gorgeous, and the food is to die for.”

“Speaking of food,” Janet said, “I may show off a little and have my world-famous chocolate chip cookies coming out of the oven around three tomorrow.”

Luna smiled with relief. Their moral support meant the world to her. “I don’t know what I’d do without y’all.”

“We’re just grateful you came up with the idea of running Whittier House as an inn,” Dulcie said. “I wasn’t looking forward to taking pot luck with a new owner.”

Sybil nodded. “Me, either. And we’re not going to let George Trevelyan screw things up, either. Just tell us if there’s anything else we can do to help tomorrow.”

“It’s enough to know that you’re standing by, ready to keep him from marching in here thinking he can boss us around.”

Sybil lifted her chin. “I’d like to see him try.”

Luna smiled. If mild-mannered Sybil was ready to fight for Whittier House, then George Trevelyan had better watch out.

After everyone left to begin their respective tasks, Luna returned to her office. She thought about sending Colin a text message about the visit and decided against it. He’d be busy dealing with the crisis of his brother Duncan’s decision to mate with a human. She couldn’t go running to him every time something came up, and besides, she didn’t know what George had on his mind.

She glanced at the clock and automatically added eight hours, which she’d been doing ever since Colin had left. It would be past five in the evening in Scotland. Colin would be looking forward to dinner, perhaps with his family. No, she wouldn’t disturb him about this. She and the staff could handle it.