Della hissed louder.

"Then leave." Kylie's gaze moved over him. She got the feeling the one who spoke was the leader. He didn't look old, but things like the gray at his temple and the fine lines around his dark blue eyes told her he was older than she'd first assumed. Caught by his eyes, her mind tried to place him. She felt him staring, doing the same with her, and then his eyes pinched as he read her pattern.

As sudden as a flicker of light, she knew who he was. She sensed he recognized her as well. That kernel of fear lingering in her gut grew. This man didn't value life. He'd already proven that to Kylie once.

He took another step forward. Della tried to jump in front of him, but Kylie grabbed her.

"Let me handle this." The sizzle in Kylie's blood-the sizzle that came when her need to protect arose-grew stronger.

"I'm not here to spill blood," he insisted.

"Then leave," Kylie demanded.

"Yeah, tuck your tail between your legs and run," Della bit out.

A threatening growl came from behind them. Della swung around, yanking away from Kylie's hold, her eyes glowing brighter. Fear took another lap around Kylie's heart. Not fear for herself, but for what was about to happen. Her blood now buzzed as it moved into her veins. She kept her focus on Della. If anyone put a hand on her, this would not end well.

"Calm down," the leader spoke, and Kylie sensed he spoke to her as well as to his own men. "I just came to speak to my son."

"Then speak to him." A new voice rang out from the trees. "But you and your guards back away right this minute." Lucas's voice, deep and menacing, came from Kylie's right. When she turned, she saw that his eyes glowed burnt orange. She watched him lift his head ever so slightly to pull air in through his nose.

She knew then she'd lost her battle trying to hide her fear. Lucas had smelled it as the others probably had. But she wondered if they picked up on the fact that she hadn't feared the fight. She'd feared the emotional havoc it would've caused. Killing your boyfriend's father couldn't be good for a relationship.

"I said, back off," Lucas ordered.

When the three men didn't back up, Della spoke up again. "You heard him, you jackasses. Back off."

Lucas suddenly stood on the other side of Kylie. His warm forearm brushed against her shoulder, leaving no doubt of his loyalty to her, even over his own father. The thought warmed her heart, even as it thudded with panic.

More werewolf campers stepped out from behind the trees. They didn't appear aggressive, but just their presence spoke of their loyalty to Lucas.

"It appears I'm not the only one who brought his guards," Mr. Parker said.

"If I need them, they'll back me," Lucas said.

A low growl came from one of the weres bracketing Lucas's dad. Mr. Parker glanced over at him. "There will be no trouble tonight."

While still leery, and with the tension so thick it made breathing difficult, Kylie heard the command in the man's voice and sensed his men would not defy him. The surge of adrenaline storming in her veins lessened.

Will, another camper and one of Lucas's friends, moved in closer. Somewhere in the back of Kylie's brain, the realization hit. Lucas hadn't been alone with Fredericka. A thread of guilt over doubting him rose in her chest.

As if thinking of the girl brought her here, Fredericka walked out of the line of trees and into the small clearing.

"Mr. Parker," Fredericka said in a light tone, breaking the tight tension. "What a pleasure to see you again." The she-wolf shot Kylie a slight smirk, as if wanting Kylie to know she was friends with Lucas's dad.

"The same here," the man replied with disinterest. He paid Fredericka no heed. He hadn't stopped studying Kylie's pattern. She felt the slightest bit worried that it was doing something strange.

"So the rumors don't lie," Mr. Parker said, sounding perplexed.

"What rumors?" Kylie asked.

"I can see why my son is intrigued by you. A shame that you are not one of us."

Kylie's chest tightened at the implication. As if her relationship with Lucas was doomed.

"Enough," Lucas said. "I think-"

"You are one strange bird, Kylie Galen." Mr. Parker tightened his brows as if to get a closer look at her pattern.

Kylie tilted her chin up a notch. Not a bird, Kylie thought. A chameleon. And an inexplicable sense of pride filled her chest. For the first time, Kylie accepted that while she knew nothing of what being a chameleon meant, there was value in the little knowledge she had.

Lucas turned to face Della. "Both of you go back to your cabin." His gaze settled on Kylie. "I'll see you later."

Resentment at being told to leave stirred in Kylie's gut, but logic intervened and she sensed his intention came from his need to protect her and not to control her. Then she realized that if she resented his authoritative tone ... She glanced at Della.

"I'd rather help you send these guys off," Della growled.

Kylie spoke up. "We should go."

Della frowned, but her expression said she'd concede. "Fine. I didn't want to hang out with these dogs anyway." She snarled at the intruders.

One of Mr. Parker's guards took a defensive step forward, and both Kylie and Lucas moved in a step. That one step left little doubt that neither of them would allow the guard to touch Della. Kylie didn't miss the frown that Lucas sent Kylie, as if to say he didn't want her taking the protective role. But that was what she was. A protector. A chameleon protector.