Free Mating Season by Allie Ritch Page A

Shila saw he was about to argue. “They don't have to see me. They'll smell me. All I have to do is leave a fresh scent trail for them to follow, leading them right into your trap. I'll make sure it's strong enough that they can't miss it."
    "How will you do that? Oh.” Koll cleared his throat.
    Despite the circumstances, Shila was amused. “Where do you think bears relieve themselves?"
    The chuffing noise he made had her grinning.
    "The trick will be covering my scent,” he pointed out, serious again.
    "You already smell strongly of me.” As intimately as they'd been living together, they were covered in each other's scents. “Greyfell can also mask you. I believe your hound has helped keep them from finding me this long, although that won't work forever."
    Shila stood. “Let me find them first. The farther they've traveled, the more time we'll have to prepare."
    Koll expressed his discontent with a grumble, but he didn't balk. Instead, he picked up her coat and handed it to her.
    "I'll be in bear form,” she reminded him. Time to take her clothes off, not put them on.
    "Not yet. We'll get Gilby first.” His tone brooked no argument so she didn't waste any more time.
    When they reached Gilby's house, Shila just shook her head and laughed. The runt's home was nearly twice the size of Koll's. He was lucky he was such a personable little fellow, or he probably wouldn't have survived among the bigger males this long. She'd actually grown quite fond of him, if for no other reason than he was such a good friend to her mate.
    "All right.” Gilby stepped out his front door and flipped up his hood. “I'm carrying my extra knife and best spear, as requested. Now what's this about us tracking those outsiders?"
    Her mate was equally well-armed beside her. “They're killers, and they're after Shila. If we don't get them first, they'll kill me to get to her."
    "What?” Gilby gaped at him.
    Koll remained silent, wearing a look that clearly said, “You heard me."
    "So we're hunting.” His friend's voice turned flat, and his eyes narrowed until he looked as vicious as a wolverine pup.
    Shila's respect for him increased tenfold.
    "First tracking,” Koll said. “Then we trap and kill."
    "They are Children of Nanook,” Shila warned him.
    "Let me guess.” Gilby's voice turned drier than the wind. “They like to put on bearskins and go around terrorizing villagers? People get crazy enough being cooped up all winter. Add a myth and a scary costume, and I'm sure you can build a reputation. You say they're dangerous, Koll, and I believe you. You know I'll fight with you. But don't try to tell me those two can magically transform themselves into frost bears."
    It was Shila's turn to grunt, a habit she'd picked up from her mate.
    "Fine,” Koll said. “I won't tell you."
    The hint of a smile in his voice lightened Shila's mood. Slipping off her coat, she handed it to Koll and then reached for her boots.
    "What are you doing?” Gilby asked.
    "Changing."
    "Out here? Why didn't you change clothes at home?"
    Koll took control with a terse, “Turn around.” He spun the smaller man so he faced away from her.
    As soon as she had her clothing off, Shila let the change take her. It felt incredible, like diving deep into the water and breaking the surface reborn. The fur coat that covered her was far better insulated than anything pilfered from other beasts, and strength flooded her expanding muscles. A new universe opened up to her courtesy of her snout. She felt every incredible detail of the change, though it was over in an instant.
    Walking forward on feet that no longer sank in the snow, Shila nudged Koll's back to get his attention. Well, maybe she aimed more for his butt. She had an endless fascination for his rear end and every other angle of his body.
    He gave her a look before letting his friend turn around.
    "Don't take this the wrong way,” Gilby said, “but you two are very strange. Coming all the way over here to—"
    His