She scrambled around inside the bag until she found the first zipper and got that one down, then searched for the second one. As she moved her fingers furiously around the quilted material, she strained her ears, listening for the sounds of an argument. Or worse, growling. Tanner would never hurt her, but if another person irritated him—or implied some threat to her—all bets were off. Tanner had already demonstrated on numerous occasions that he could be extremely dangerous if he thought someone he cared about was in jeopardy.
Zarina yanked down the second zipper and shoved her way out of the sleeping bags. Goose bumps spread over her skin as the cold air hit her. That’s when she realized she wasn’t wearing anything but the flannel pajamas she’d bought in town before hitting the trails. The things had looked absolutely adorable on the store shelf, and the salesman had insisted they’d help keep her warm. That had been another lie, like the one about the flashlight.
The pajamas were also a bit snugger than she’d realized. She didn’t mind Tanner seeing her in the curve-hugging clothes, but she wasn’t as crazy about a complete stranger ogling her. Unfortunately, the rest of her stuff was out by the fire, so all she was left with was one of Tanner’s sweatshirts that he’d rolled up and tucked to one side of the small tent. She quickly pulled it over her head, reveling in his masculine scent for a moment before shoving aside the door flap and crawling out of the tent.
Zarina wished there was a more dignified way to scramble out of it other than on her hands and knees, but she didn’t know one. She got out as fast as she could and stood up, then pushed her long hair back from her face, fearing the worst.
But Tanner merely stood there talking to their visitor, no claws or fangs in sight. The newcomer had dark hair and a thick beard and was dressed in jeans and boots similar to Tanner’s, as well as a heavy jacket. Tanner, on the other hand, was standing there bare-chested. The sight of him made her both hot and cold at the same time.
Tanner gave her an apologetic look. “Sorry we woke you.” He glanced at the man. “This is Burt.”
She waited for Tanner to elaborate on who Burt was, but instead, he introduced her with the same amount of eloquence.
“Burt, Zarina.”
The man gave her a nod, clearly not impressed by her moose-print pajama pants in the least, then turned his attention back to Tanner.
“They hit the south end of the camp this morning,” he told Tanner. “There were at least half a dozen of them, and they were armed with automatic weapons this time. I’m assuming you heard the gunfire?”
Tanner nodded. “Yeah, I heard.” He jerked his chin in Zarina’s direction. “I wasn’t able to come help. Sorry.”
Zarina had no idea what they were talking about, but she definitely hadn’t heard any gunfire. Then again, with Tanner’s hearing, the shooting could have come from very far away. But that would suggest Burt knew about Tanner’s enhanced hearing.
“Just as well you didn’t,” Burt said. “They raided us with military efficiency and were in and out in less than five minutes. As fast as you are, you still wouldn’t have gotten there in time.”
Zarina frowned. That answered the question about whether Burt knew of Tanner’s abilities.
Tanner didn’t comment on that assumption one way or the other. “Was anyone hurt?”
Pain flickered across Burt’s face. “Three people, including Lorraine. She got shot in the leg. She’ll make it, but I doubt she’s going to be able to walk again for a long time, if ever.”
Zarina stepped closer to Tanner, hugging herself with her arms in an effort to ward off the morning chill. “What did the doctor say?”
She was surprised the woman was already out of surgery with injuries that bad.
“No one in our camp goes to doctors.” Burt’s mouth tightened. “We don’t trust them.”
Zarina gaped at him. “Why not?”
Beside her, Tanner sighed. “It’s a long story.”
Zarina fought the urge to throw her hands in the air. “Then you can tell me on the way to Burt’s camp. I’m going to check on Lorraine and the other people who are injured.”
Zarina ignored Tanner’s scowl as she crouched down beside her pack. No doubt he’d been planning to take her into town this morning and get her on the first plane out of Seattle. She wouldn’t have gone anyway, but now she had even more reason to stay. This woman Lorraine needed medical attention, and she might be the only one who could give it.
As she rummaged through the pack for fresh clothes, Zarina tried to make sense of Tanner’s behavior the previous night. He’d been angry with her, but she’d expected that. He was a stubborn man who’d decided to run off and live like a hermit in the wilderness rather than risk hurting the people he cared about. She’d never expected him to be happy about her tracking him down.
But something told her there was more to it than that. When she’d explained about the antidote that would repair the damage the hybrid serum had done to his DNA, she’d expected him to jump at the chance to be human. Instead, he’d started talking about never being normal again. That made no sense.
Even more confusing—if that were possible—was the way Tanner had reacted after he’d carried her into his tent. She could tell from the bulge in his jeans he’d been aroused, but instead of taking her up on the offer to share the sleeping bags, he’d bolted. It was like he couldn’t stand the sight of her, and that rejection had hurt more than she could ever have imagined.
“Did they grab anyone this time?” Tanner asked Burt.
Zarina stilled, hand on a long-sleeved T-shirt. The thought that whoever attacked Burt’s camp had kidnapped people hadn’t even entered her mind. Who were these lunatics? She glanced over her shoulder to see Burt’s eyes fill with sadness.
“Josh is missing.” Burt shook his head. “He was right beside me during the fight, but then next time I looked, he was nowhere to be found. We’re still looking, but…”
Tanner growled. “What the hell was Josh doing fighting? He’s frigging seventeen years old!”
Burt met Tanner’s gaze. “He’s old enough to carry a weapon, so he’s old enough to protect the camp.”
Tanner cursed and turned away from her and Burt to gaze into the forest. Zarina wondered if it was because his eyes had turned hybrid red. She tightened her grip on the shirt in her hand, fighting the urge to comfort him. Something told her he wouldn’t appreciate a gesture like that at the moment.
“Chad thinks it would be a good idea if you stayed with us until we figure out how to stop these people,” Burt said. “He doesn’t think you should be out here on your own.”