Page 46 of Easy, Tiger

Halsey crosses her arms, but her expression remains open. "And you think I'm your mate?"

"I know you are. I knew the moment you stepped foot in Red Pine."

"That's convenient timing."

Despite everything, I almost smile. "You're taking this remarkably well."

"I'm reserving judgment until I hear the rest." She gestures toward the treeline. "Your family's been watching this entire conversation, haven't they?"

"They're protective. We've had to be, especially lately."

As if summoned by the words, Sadie materializes from the treeline, close enough now that moonlight catches her auburn braid. She maintains her distance, inclining her head with quiet caution—the kind of gesture one gives a person you respect while still withholding full trust. Owen remains half-hidden among the pines, hands clasped behind his back, his face unreadable. The others stay back entirely, shapes more than faces in the shadows between the trees.

"You know Sadie," I say. "She's patched me up more than once growing up."

"Hi." Sadie's voice travels easily across the clearing. "For what it's worth, I'm glad it was you who found him."

Halsey stares at her in silence before answering. "I didn't know what I was finding."

"Neither did he, really. Not at first." Something that might be humor flickers across Sadie's face and vanishes before she cedes the ground, giving them space again. "We'll be right here if you need us."

"Why does it feel like this is more than merely wanting to meet me?" Halsey asks once Sadie's shadow has folded back into the treeline.

"Because it is."

"Because of the hunter?"

I nod. "He operates with a discipline that sets him apart from ordinary trophy poachers, methodical in a way that means he's done this many times before. He's been tracking our migration patterns for years, learning our habits and territories. Every autumn when we move to winter grounds, he picks off stragglers."

"How many has he killed?"

"Seven in the past three years. All of them alone, all of them shot from a long distance." The familiar rage builds in my chest. "He's good at what he does."

Halsey processes this in thoughtful silence. "And now he knows about me."

"Someone's been scoping out your cabin, photographing you. The bridge collapse was an intentional act of sabotage—someone intentionally weakened those supports."

Her face goes pale. "He's using me to get to you."

"Which is why you need to leave." The painful truth forces its way past the tightness in my throat. "Pack your things tonight. Drive back to wherever you came from. Forget Red Pine, forget the field guide, forget all of this."

"Forget you?"

"Especially me."

She takes an inch closer instead of backing away. "What if I don't want to forget?"

"Halsey, look closely at the weight of this choice. This life rests entirely on absolute secrecy and necessary violence. Once you step into it, every path forward stays permanently bound to it."

"My normal life exploded in my face six months ago. I came here broken, convinced I'd never trust anyone again."

"That doesn't mean⁠—"

"You saved me too, Nolan. You gave me safety from believing I was worthless and restored my faith that I could finally belong somewhere."

Above us, the first snow clouds gather across the moon, casting dancing shadows through the clearing. The temperature drops perceptibly, bringing a sharp winter bite on the wind.

"The mating bond builds a foundation for love," I say quietly. "It offers the potential, while the final choice remains entirely yours."