Wildfire Griffin (Fire & Rescue Shifters: Wildfire Crew #1)(13)

“You’re going too fast,” she said, jogging up to him. “Joe can’t keep up.”

Rory glanced impatiently at the fallen material waiting to be cleared. “Joe can learn how to shift his lazy arse.”

“I’m right here.” Joe’s voice came from amidst the trees.

“I know,” Rory said. “Move it, prince. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”

Joe reappeared from between the trunks, sweating and scowling. “Join my squad, Joe,” he muttered. “Become a firefighter and heroically save lives with your special skills, Joe.” He heaved the next log onto his shoulder, carrying it safely out of reach of the approaching fire. “You’ll get to spend hours picking up sticks, Joe. Oh wait, you didn’t mention that last one. Must have slipped your mind.”

“If you’ve got breath to complain, you’re not working hard enough!” Blaise yelled after him. She turned back to Rory, lowering her voice. “Seriously though, you need to slow down. Even if Joe could swamp fast enough to keep up with you, there’s only three of us to cut line. You can’t expect the squad to hold this pace all day.”

Rory looked back along the line. Wystan and Callum were some way back, digging down to mineral soil along the path that he’d cleared. The paramedic was gamely matching Cal swing for swing, but exhaustion showed in his bowed head and dragging steps. Even Callum was looking a little less crisp and perfect than normal.

Rory clenched his jaw in frustration, but had to concede Blaise was right. “Take a break!” he shouted down to them.

Wystan immediately cast down his tool, flopping to the ground with a heartfelt groan. Callum just settled into something resembling parade rest, feet apart and spine straight, but Rory detected a certain relief to the line of his shoulders.

There wasn’t any point in continuing to clear fuel without his squad supporting him. Rory switched his chainsaw off, slinging it over his shoulder. Grabbing hold of the sapling he’d just cut down, he started to drag it away—and discovered that he was trying to drag Blaise as well.

“You need to take a rest too, boss,” she said, one foot firmly planted on the slender trunk. “You look like you’re about to keel over.”

“I’m fine,” he growled, barely resisting making it an alpha command. He yanked on the branches, but Blaise kept her balance. “And we need to get this fire under control.”

“It is under control. Trust me, it’s not going anywhere. We’re well ahead of the advance, so you don’t need to act like there’s a wall of flame bearing down on us.” She glared at him, her hands on her hips. “I promised your family I would watch out for you. Now come on, before you face plant into the dirt and we have to drag you behind the line.”

We will be of no use to our mate if we are exhausted, his griffin agreed.

Rory growled again, but let Blaise lead him back to the rest of the squad. Joe had returned as well, and was busy rummaging in his pack for his canteen. Wystan lay flat on the ground, eyes closed. Callum was still standing, staring intently into the bushes.

“Something wrong, Cal?” Rory asked as he set down his chainsaw.

“Hare’s back.” The pegasus shifter pointed, though Rory couldn’t see anything himself. “Shadowing us.”

“Watch out, Rory,” Joe said, smirking. “It might be looking for another round.”

Rory frowned, unslinging his pack. “That’s odd. I would have thought it would be miles away by now. You sense anything strange about it, Cal?”

Callum shook his head. “Not a shifter.”

“Well, let me know if it does anything. Maybe it’s just wistful thinking, but I’m not so sure that was a normal animal.” He couldn’t help wincing a little as he lowered himself to the ground. Even with shifter-fast healing, his bruises were still tender.

Noticing, Wystan struggled up onto his elbows. “Let me check you over again, Rory. That was quite a knock you took earlier.”

Rory waved him back down. “For the last time, stop fussing. I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not.” Blaise sat down cross-legged, taking off her helmet and running a hand through her sweat-damp curls. “I still think he’s concussed, Wys.”

“I am not concussed!”

“Yeah, it’d take more than a twenty foot fall to dent Rory’s thick skull,” Joe muttered.

“You aren’t acting yourself, Rory,” Wystan said, looking concerned. “Please, let me take another look. Head injuries need to be treated seriously, even with shifter healing.”

They weren’t going to let it go. He could use the alpha voice on them, but that would only raise their suspicions even further. He didn’t have any choice but to tell them the truth.

“I really am fine.” He couldn’t stop a silly grin from spreading over his face. “Better than fine. I met my mate.”

Joe, who had just taken a drink, sprayed water across Callum.

“Edith?” Wystan sat bolt upright. “Edith is your mate?”

“Rory, that’s wonderful!” Blaise punched his shoulder, grinning ear-to-ear herself. “Why didn’t you say so sooner?”

“Yes,” Callum said, dripping. “Why?”

“Because I didn’t want you lot gaping at her and elbowing each other.” Rory swept them all with a glare. “She’s already on edge enough.”