Buried

and

Shadowed

ABrandedPacksNovel

AlexandraIvyandCarrieAnnRyan

BuriedandShadowed

ABrandedPacksNovel

By:AlexandraIvyandCarrieAnnRyan

ISBN:978-1-943123-13-1

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BuriedandShadowed

Buried

GibsonBartonknowshisPackisonthevergeofsomethingtheywillneverbe
abletopreparefor:achanceatfreedom.Yetwhenhe’sfinallyabletoopenhis
eyestowhatmightbehisfate,itcouldbetoolate.

AsasubmissivewolfofherPack,MandyCalhounhasalwaysonlywatched
Gibsonfromafar.Becauseofherfears,shehasn’tletherintentionstowardhim
—ortheotherinhersights—beknown.

OliverDareistheForeseeroftheUrsinePack,andknowswitheachvision,his
deathisthatmuchcloser.Yethecannotseehisownfuture—orthatofthetwo
wolveswhohavebeenthrustintohispath.

Thereisdangerlurkingintheden,andasthethreelearntoprocesstheir
emotionsandnavigatetheirtemptations,they’llhavetofightforsomethingthey
neverknewtheyhad—orsacrificeitallforapurposefargreaterthantheirown
destinies.

Shadowed

Sinclair,AlphaoftheUnseenPack,isdeterminedtodestroytheShifter
AccommodationUnit.Heunderstandsthathispeoplewillneverbefreeuntilthe
truthisrevealedandtheirenemiesarebroughtoutoftheshadowsandexposed
tothepublic.Unfortunately,thehumanfemalewhohasbeensecretlyworking
withhimhasdisappeared,andhisprioritiesmustshiftslightly.He’sresolvedto
trackherdown,andnotjustbecauseshehastheinformationheneeds.

MiraReeseisn’tstupid.She’spainfullyawarethatthesexyshiftershe’sbeen
workingwithhasbeenusingherfascinationforhimtogainaccesstotheCDC
computersystem.Butthatdoesn’tstopherfromhelpingSinclair.Notwhenit
allowshertobeclosetohim.ButaftertheCDCkidnapsher,sherealizesthat

thisisn’tagame.She’sapotentialsaviorforthefutureoftheshifters—and
perhapsespeciallythelonerwolfwhostirsherpassions.

Buried

Chapter1

Sometimescoveringascar,abrand,didn’tfeellikeathousandneedles

pressingintofleshandtearingthroughaperson’ssoul;sometimes,itadded
somethingnewandprecious.Somethingwithpromise.

Atleastthat’swhatGibsonhoped.
Abreezeslidhishairinfrontofhisface,andheblewonitbeforepulling

awayfromhisfriend’sarmandknockinghisheadbacksohecouldseeagain.
Hisbangsweregettingtoolong,buthedidn’thavethetimeorinclinationtocut
them.

Anya,themateofhisbestfriendCole,stoodbehindhimwithahairtieand

pulledthestrandsback.“Youneedahaircut,Gibson.”

Cole,themanhewascurrentlytattooing,watchedGibsonwithnarrowed

eyes.Theymightbebestfriends,butAnyawasalittletooclosetoGibsonfor
comfortapparently.That’swhathappenedatthestartofnewmatings.Themales
—andhell,thefemales,too—gotalittleterritorialwhenitcametowhatwas
theirs.Gibsoncouldn’treallyblameColeforwantingtoripouthisthroatright
then.

“Youmightwanttotakeastepbackthere,mommabear,”hesaidcasually.
Anya,aslender,decentlytallwoman,stoodbackandmovedsoshewasin

Gibson’slineofsight.Hertwocubsfromherdisastrousfirstrelationship
bouncedaroundherfeetinbearform.Theywereseriouslyadorable.

ShelookedbetweenGibsonandCole,herbrowsraised.“Seriously,lazy

cat?Iwasjustputtinghishairbacksohedidn’tmessupyourmatingtattoo.”

Coleblinkedupather,asmilelazilyformingonhisface.Therewasa

reasonAnyacalledhermatelazycat,themanmovedslowlyandwithasenseof
easeGibsonneverunderstood.Ofcourse,thatwasonlywhentherewasn’t
dangertoAnya,thecubs,orthePack.Ifsomeonecameafterthemliketheyhad
before,well,noonewouldevercallColelazythen.

“Ijustlovewatchingyougetangry,”Colesaidbeforehewinked.“Youget

allhotandbothered.”

Anyasnortedbutdidn’tlookangryatallrightthen.Theircubs,Owenand

Lucas,rolledaroundontheflooraroundthem,oblivioustothecurrent
conversation.Atleasthethoughtso,sincethecubswereoddlyobservantwhen
hewasn’tpayingthatmuchattention.

Sincethenewlymatedpairwascurrentlyinadeepconversationabout

nothing,Gibsonsethistattooingequipmentdownandrubbedthebackofhis
neck.Ofcourse,heprobablycouldhaveredonehishairinanewponytail,buthe
likedthefactthatAnyahaddoneit,merelybecauseitrankledCole.That’swhat
bestfriendsdid,afterall,buggedtheshitoutofeachother.

BeforethethreePacks—Canine,Ursine,andFeline—hadbeenforced

togetherinthesinglecompoundafewmonthsago,Gibsonneverthoughttofind
friendshipwithaFelineTracker.Now,hecouldn’timaginehislifewithoutthe
otherman.

ColeunderstoodGibsoninwaysothersdidn’tbecausehedidn’tpush.The

othermanlethimbe;lethimbreathe.Gibsonlikedbeingalone,watchingfrom
afar.Hedidn’tgettooclosetoothers,andotherthanhisAlpha,Holden,he
didn’tspeaktotheotherwolvesmuch.

Heneverfeltlikehecouldhonestly.BecausehewastheoneinthePack,

andnowtheentirecompound,whohadtheability—andresponsibility—tomark
thosewhohadalreadybeenbranded.

WhentheVeronaVirushadhitthehumanpopulationaquarterofacentury

ago,hispeoplehadbeenforcedoutofhidinginordertosavethehumanrace.
He’donlybeentenatthetime,butheremembereditvividly.Heremembered
thefear,thedeath,andtheentrapment.Whenthehumansfoundoutaboutthe
existenceofshifters,theycreatedtheShifterAccommodationUnit,akathe
SAU,andforcedeveryonenotlikethemintocompounds.

Gibson’sfamilyhaddiedintheambush,andhe’dbeenforcedtofindaway

tolivewithouttheminthisnewworld.Untilrecently,he’donlyseentheSAU
guardsandwolves.Nowwiththebearsandcatswithhim,hehadalittlemore
variety,butitwasstillasolitaryexistence.

Mostlybecauseithadtobeforhim.
Whenthehumanstooktheirfreedom,they’dalsoforcedtheshifterstowear

collarslikeanimalsandbearthebrandsoftheirspecies.Andbecausethosein
theSAUweresadisticweasels,theyforcedthewolves’Alpha,Holden,tobethe
onetobrandthem.HisfriendandAlphawasmadetoburnthefleshofhis
peopleinfrontofthePacksothehumanscouldfeelsuperior.Aschildrenwere
bornintheden,theywereforcedtowearthebrand,aswell.Thankfully,the
humansdidn’tunderstandPackmagic,anddidn’tknowthatHoldenwastheone
whofeltthepainwitheachbrand.Holdenhadtoholdbackthescreamsand
teachthechildrentoplayatbeinginpainsotheywouldn’tgetcaught.

Gibsonknewhe’dneverfullyunderstandthedepthofhisAlpha’sloveand

loyaltytohisPack,buthe’ddoanythinghehadtoinordertoprotectthose
bonds.

Andthatwaswhyhe’dbeentheonetolearntotattoo,tobetheonewho

madeeachbrandspecial,ratherthansomethingfromtheSAU.Helearnedto
traceoverraisedfleshwithinksothebrandlookedlikesomethingthey’dwant,
ratherthansomethingthrustuponthem.Healsoaddedtoonesideofthetattoo
withaspecialdesignthatspokeoftheindividualPack.

ThereweredozensofcompoundslitteredaroundmajorcitiesintheUSand

theworld.Throughtheirownspynetwork,theshiftershadbeenabletocomeup
withawaytomaketheirowndesignsforinkaroundthebrand.ItwasGibson’s
jobtomakesureeachandeveryPackmemberhadit.Ofcourse,hewaiteduntil
eachshifterwasofageandsoundmindtodoit,buthewastheonewhotattooed
eachandeverywolfintheden.

Andbecausethecatsandbearshadnoonewithhistalent,hedidtheirs,as

well.Inthepastdecade,he’dbeentheonetosneakoffthecompoundtothecats’
andbears’placestodotheirtattooing.Whilehecouldhavetaughtotherstodoit,
hefeltlikehewastheonewhohadto.Itseemedridiculousinretrospectthat
he’driskedsomuchtodowhathedid,butatthetime,heknewhehadto.And
theAlphasoftheothertwoPackshadbeenwelcoming—evenifsomeofthe
othershadn’twantedhiskindtotouchthem.

Yeteverysingleonehadhisink.
Hundredsofshiftersworehismark,hiswork,andyethefeltclosedofffrom

them.Asifhewereontheoutsidelookinginbecausehewastheonewhohadto
causethemmorepain.

“Youokay,Gibson?”Coleasked,hisvoicelow.
Gibsonlookedupathisfriendandnodded.Hedidn’tspeakmuchsince

therewasn’tareasonto.Hisworkwouldspeakforitself,andnotjustthePack
tattoos.Healsodidotherworkforanyshifterwhowantedatattoothatwas
theirsandnotthePack’sortheSAU’s.

Thatmeanthewasalwaysbusy.Buthelikedit.Aslongashedidn’thaveto

thinktoohardaboutwhyhewantedtostaybusy,hewasfine.

“Wanttofinishthisanothertime?”Coleasked,worryonhisface.
Gibsonshookhishead.“I’mgood,”hegrumbled,hisvoicerustyfromlack

ofuse.

“Ifyousayso,”Colesaidwearily.“WecandoAnya’smatingtattoo

tomorrowifyouneedabreak.”

“Really,Gibson,I’mgoodwithwaiting.”Colewrappedhisarmsaroundher

hipsasshestoodnexttowherehermatesat.Gibsonheldbackasigh.

Hewashappyforthem,truly.Ifanyonedeservedamateandahappy

ending,itwasthesetwo.They’dbeenthroughhellforoneanotherandtheir
Packs,andthismatingwouldensurethePacks’healthaswellastheirown.

SoGibsonwouldcompletetheotherpartofhisroleandworkonthemating

tattooforthem.Itwastheleasthecoulddo.Ontheothersideofthebrand,
oppositethePacksymbol,whenacoupleortriadmated,theyhadtheirown
designinkedontheirflesh.Thatway,onceitwascompleted,theyheldafull
circle:ofshifter,Pack,mating,andfuture.Withoutallofit,thedesignlooked
unfinished,asifitneededmoreforapersontostaywhole.Hestoleaglanceat
hisowndesign,onehe’dinkedhimself,thoughheknewhecouldhaveprobably
foundanothertodoitforhim.

Hedidn’thavethematingmarkandknewitmightnevercome.Matings

werefewandfarbetweenwithinthecompound.Therejustweren’tenough
peopleforeachpersontofindsomeonetheywantedtospendtherestoftheir
liveswith.Andwhileitmighthavebeenabiteasierto…settleiftheywere
human,theirinnerbeastswouldneverallowthat.

SowhileGibsonmighthavewantedanother,unlesshiswolfagreed,it

wouldneverhappen.Ofcourse,inGibson’scase,itwasalittlemore
complicatedthanthat.

ForGibson,italwayswas.
Owenpattedhiskneewithhislittlepaw,hisclawssheathed,andGibson

smiled.Helovedthesetwocubslikehisown,andsincehewastheirhonorary
uncle,hiswolffeltliketheywerefamily.Infact,hiswolfstretchedout,givinga
bigyawnbeforebumpingupagainsthisskin,wantingcontact.

Soon,Gibsonthought.He’dshifttohiswolfandgoonaruninoneofthe

fewareastheSAUallowedhimtohuntwithinthecompound.Onedaysoon,he
hadafeelingtheirkindwouldbeabletohuntandroaminanyoftheforested
areasaroundhere,freeandontheirownfourpaws.

Thetimewascomingforarevolution,thoughGibsonwasn’tsureitwould

befromtoothandclaw,butmaybementalabilityandpolicyinstead.Thatwasso
unlikethepastthey’dgrownupin,thehistoriesthey’dbeentaught.Butaslong
ashisPackcouldlive,hewoulddoanythingforthem.

GibsonsighedandroughedupthefuronthetopofOwen’sheadbefore

stretching.“Okay,let’sgetthislastpartdoneandIcanworkonAnya’s.It’llbe
quickerwithhersbecauseIalreadyhavethedesigndoneandit’salwayseasier
thesecondtime.”

Coleblinkedathim,andGibsonwasawarehe’dspokenmorethenthan

usual,buthewastryingtogetoutofhisfunkandgethismindonthetaskat
hand.Hecouldbroodonhisownlater.Itwaswhathewasbestat.

“Thanksfordoingthis,”Anyasaidsoftly,Lucassnuggledinherarms.
“It’swhatIdo,”Gibsonsaidjustassoftly.Andthatwastrue.Hewasn’tthe

kindoffighterColewas,evenifhecouldholdhisown.Sohedidhisbesttobe

amasterattheonethingnooneelsewantedtodo.

Ascenthithimstraighton,andhegrippedhismachineharderbefore

forcinghimselftorelax.Thankfultheneedlehadn’tbeeninCole’sskin.Butit
wasdamnclose.Hehatedthatscent.Hateditasmuchashecravedit.

Thoughtheywereinsidehislittlestudio,hehadthedooropentoletout

someoftheintenseheat.Itwasn’tasiftheyhadairconditioningorheating
withintheirlittlehomes.TheytookwhateverofferingstheSAUgavethemand
builtwhattheycould.Thereweresomegeniuscarpentersandbuilderswithin
thePacks,buteventheycouldn’tmagicallyproduceequipmentthatdidn’texist.

Andbecausehehadthedooropen,Oliver’sscentfilledthehomequicklyas

thelargegrizzlybearinhumanformlumberedinsidetowatchhissistergether
matingtattoo.

“Oliver!”Anyacalledoutwithasmile.StillcarryingLucas,shelefther

lazycatmatetoGibson’sdevicesandmovedtowardherbrother.“Youcame.I
didn’tthinkyouwould.”Shecuppedherbrother’sfaceandthatbigbushybeard
ofhis,andthoughGibsoncouldn’tseeherfeatures,heknewshewouldlook
worried.

ShealwayslookedworriedwhenitcametoOliver.
“Ijustneededanap,Anya,”Olivergrowled.AndthoughGibson’sattention

wasonCole’sarm,hecouldstillwatchoutofhisperipheryasOliverpicked
LucasfromAnya’sarmsandliftedOwenupfromthefloor.Thelargemanheld
bothbearcubsinhisembraceandlookedlikehediditeveryday.

Ofcourse,heprobablydid.
Sincethereweren’tthatmanybuildingstohouseeverynewmemberofthe

compound,peoplewereforcedtodoubleuponfamilies.However,sinceOliver
wastheForeseer—amemberofgreatdistinctionandsacrifice—hehadahouse
forhisfamilyalone.

Gibsonalsolivedalonesinceheresidedinhistinystudio.Itwashard

enoughtodotattoosforpeoplewhomightnotwantthemwithoutotherpeople
lookingon.Thoughhehatedwhenotherscameinwiththeirnewlyhealed
brandsandlooksofdefeatintheireyes.Thankfully,ithadbeenawhilesince
he’dseenthatsincetheadultshadbeenbrandedyearsago.Nowthosethatcame
inhadbeenbornintoaworldwhereitwaspartoftheirritesofpassage.

Oneday,thingswouldbedifferent.Theyhadtobe.
GibsonfinishedupCole’sinkandwentthroughaftercareinstructions.

Thoughtheyweredifferentthantheinstructionshe’dgivetoahumansincethey
wereshiftersandcouldhealquickly.Oddlyenough,theonlyhumanhe’dever
hadtotattoowasHolden’smate,Ariel,andshehadn’tbeenfullyhumanatthe
time.She’dbeenthefirsthumantransformedintoashiftersincetheVerona

Virushadhittheworldandtheshifters’secretshadbecomeparamount.Claire,a
wolfwhohadwantedHoldenforherown,hadbrokenthePack’strustwhen
she’dtoldtheSAUoftheirabilitytocreateshifters,notjustbirththem.

Herbetrayalhadstartedthepathtoredemptionandfundamentalchange

theywereon.HisPackhadchangeddramaticallyinthepastfewmonths,and
Gibsoncouldonlyhopeitwasforthebetter.

WhenAnyasatdowninhischairafterGibsonhadcleanedupthearea,his

wolfwasonedge.Oliverhadn’tlefthisspotnearthedoorasthecubsnappedin
hislargearms.Therewassomethingsoothingandyetoff-puttingforGibsonin
thesightofsuchalargemaninaflannelshirteveninthisheat,decentlytight
jeans,andtwocubsinhisarms.Hecarriedthemasiftheyweighednothing,and
yetGibsonknewthetwokidswereheavierthantheylookedinthatform.

Hehatedthathecouldn’tkeephisfocuswhenOliverwasintheroom.Of

course,ifheweretrulyhonestwithhimself,itwasn’tjustOliverwhodidthatto
him.Therewasanother,aswell.

Therewastrulysomethingwrongwithhislineofthinkingifthetwopeople

whocouldn’tbemorewrongforhimweretheonesthatfinallylethiswolfcome
outofhiding.

Withoutanotherword,hedidAnya’stattoo.Thiswasaboutherconnection

andmatingtoCole,notaboutthefactthatGibsoncouldn’tkeephismindoff
Anya’sbrotherandanothersoulouttherewhohecouldn’thave.Thisshould
havebeensomethingalittlemorespecialthanhisneedingtofindaholetohide
in.

Whichwasjustlikehimthesedaysapparently.
Hejustneededtorun,tolethiswolfout.Andoncehedidthat,maybehe’d

getaclueandrememberthatOliverwastheForeseerandnotforhim.The
Foreseerdidn’tmate,andeveniftheydid,itwastoanotherbear,nottoawolf
withnofamilyortitle.Asfortheother?Well,shewasalreadytaken,wasn’t
she?GibsonhadbeentoolateforherandwastoowrongforOliver.

HefinishedupAnya’sink,knowingthereweremoreimportantthingsout

therethanhisneeds.Hedidn’tneedanything.AslongashekepthisPackhappy,
he’dfigureouthisownhappiness.

Anditwouldn’tbewithOliverorher.
Withonelastlookatthenewfamilyofbearsandcat,hepattedColeonthe

shoulderandgavetheothersachinlift.Thecubswerestillnapping,orhe’d
havesaidgoodbyetothem,atleast.Butastheywereoutofit,helefthisstudio
andhomewithoutanotherwordandjoggedtowardthedencenter.Itwasstilltoo
lightforhimtoshiftandchangewiththeSAUguardsonhighalert,sohe’dfind
somethingtodoinordertogetridofthisexcessenergyofhis.

“Gibson!”
HeturnedatthesoundofhisAlpha’svoiceandjoggedtowardwhereAriel

andHoldenstood.ThebigwolfhadhisarmdrapedcasuallyaroundAriel’s
shoulderswhilesheleanedintohim,herwolfinhereyesasshesmiled.Shewas
stillnewatlearningtocontrolherbaseinstincts,butGibsonthoughtshehada
betterhandleonitthansomeoftheadolescentslearningtheirplaceinthe
dominancestructure.Hefiguredtheonlyreasonhecouldfeelherwolfjustthen
wasbecausethepairhadjustcomebackfromtheirhome,scentingofamating
oftheirown.BetweenthatandthefactthatHoldenseemedtohavemisseda
buttonwhilegettingdressedquickly,Gibsonhadafairideawhattheyhadbeen
upto.

Ifhe’dbeenanyotherwolf,he’dhavecalledthemonit,jokinglyornot.But

thatwasn’twhohewas.

“Holden,”Gibsonsaidsoftlyashemadehiswaytotheirsides.Henodded

atAriel.“Ariel.”

“Hello,Gibson,”Arielsaidsweetly.Shesmiledupathim,andhehadto

blinkquickly.Notmanypeoplesmiledathim.Infact,notmanynoticedhimat
all.Hewastherewhenhewasneeded,butpeopletendedtoforgetheexistedany
othertime.

“We’regoingtoworkonsomeofthenewbuilds,”Holdenexplained.Itwas

gettinglaterintheday,thoughtheytendedtoworkatnightanyway.Itkeptthe
SAUofftheirbacksandallowedthemtoworkfaster.Itwasn’tasifthedarkness
wasanissueforthem.

Theywerepredators,afterall.
“Whatdoyouneedmetodo?”heasked.
Holdenstudiedhisface.“Issomethingwrong?”heasked,hiswolfinhis

tone.TherewasareasonHoldenwasAlpha,andthiswasonlypartofit.The
othermanknewwhenhiswolvesneededhim,knewwhensomethingwasoff.
YetGibsonwasn’tabouttolayhisneedsathisAlpha’sfeet.Theywereforhim
andhimalone.

Gibsonshookhishead.“I’mfine.IjustfinishedAnya’sandCole’smating

tattoos.”Itwasn’talie,butHoldenwouldbeabletotakewhatheneededfrom
that.

ArielputherhandonGibson’sforearmoverhisbrandandstudiedhisface.

“You’llletusknowifyouneedus?Ifyoujustwanttotalk?”

Gibsonslowlyremovedhisarm,hertouchtoomuchforhim.Unlesshewas

workingonsomeone’stattoo,hetendedtokeeptohimself.Hemightbeawolf,
buthe’dalwaysknownhewasdifferent.

“Okay,”helied.“Tellmewhereyouneedme,”heaskedHolden.

HisAlphaletoutasigh.“Onthebuildingnexttous.We’reworkingona

fewnewhousingunitsforthebears,thoughit’sgoingtobeasnugfit.”

“Wejustdon’thavetheroom,”Arielsaidsadly.“Wedidn’thavetheroom

beforethebearsandcatsarrived,andnowit’sthatmuchworse.”

Gibsonstudiedherfaceasshefrowned.Holdenbroughtherclose.“It’snot

yourfault.”

Arielgavehimasadsmile.“Itkindofis,butthemoreIwallow,themore

annoyingIget.Sohowaboutweworkonwhatwecanfixandletmesulklater.”

GibsonsighedbutfollowedtheAlphapairastheymadetheirwaytothejob

site.Sincetheheatstartedtosuffocate,seepingintohispores,hestrippedoffhis
shirtandbegantowork.Heneededthereleaseoftension,andbeatinghisbody
intotirednesswouldhavetobethethingthatdidit.

Hewaswellintoanhourofhardworkwhenthesweetscentofwolfand

sugarfilledhissenses.Hetensedanddidhisbestnottolookoverhisshoulder.

Ofcourse,hefailed.
HeturnedasMandymadeherwaytoAriel’sside,herbestfriendandfuture

mate,Theo,closeby.Theotherwolfalwayswatchedher,caredforher,did
everythingamateshoulddoexceptmarkher.

AsMandywassubmissive,herwolfrequiredmoretimeandcarethanother

wolveswould.ShewasanintegralpartofthehealthofthePack,evenifnot
everyoneunderstoodthat.

Andshewasn’this.
Heswallowedhardandforcedhisgazeaway.Shewasn’this.Sameas

Oliver.

Hewasalone,rightwhereheshouldbe.Hecouldn’tdowhathehadtodo

forhisPackifhehadothers,ifhehadsomeonetosharetheburden.They
wouldn’tunderstand,andhedidn’twantthemtohavehisburden.Itwaswhathe
hadtodo.

AndMandywouldbehappywithTheo.
AndOliver…OliverwouldfindhispeaceonedaywithhisroleasForeseer.
HefeltMandy’sgazeonhim,aswellasTheo’sglare.Hepushedhimself

intohiswork,liftingandhammeringuntilsweatcoatedhisbodyandhislungs
burned.Bythetimehelookedaroundagain,theyweregone,andhecould
finallybreatheoncemore.

Gibsonbentdowntoreachforhisbottleofwaterandthehairsontheback

ofhisneckstoodonend.Heroseslowly,readytolashoutatwhoeverhadput
hiswolfonedge.Yetassoonasheturned,clawsout,someoneelsecamefrom
theotherside.

Thelastthingherememberedbeforesomethingsmashedintothebackof

hisheadwasasharppainradiatingfromhisskull,pullingallthoughtsof
matingsandconfusionfromhismind.

“Gibson,”avoicegrowled.“Wakeup,wolf.Thebleeding’sstopped,but

youneedtowakeup.”

Gibsonblinkedhiseyesopenandpromptlyshutthemattheblindinglight.

Hegrowled,tryingtorememberwhathadhappened,butcouldonlyfocusonthe
factthathiswolfcouldn’tstaystill.

Itprowledwithinhim,lashingoutandnudgingathim.Itwantedsomething,

buthecouldn’tquitefigureitout.Ragefilledhim,followedbyrelief,andan
overwhelmingsenseofuneaseandresponsibility.Beforehecouldnavigate
throughtheemotions,hiswolfhowledwithinandheopenedhiseyes.

“Whathappened?”hegasped.
Holdenkneltoverhim,hiseyeswide,thoughnothisown.Ratherhis

wolf’s.“Omega,”hewhispered.

Gibsonswallowed,tryingtocatchhisbreath,buttheemotionsassaulting

himwouldn’tlethimdoanythingexceptliethereandtrytorememberhowtobe
him.“What?”

“You’reourOmega,”Holdenwhispered.“Ihavenoideahowithappened,

but,Gibson,we’vebeenwaitingforyouforalifetime.”

GibsonlookedintohisAlpha’seyes,thenaroundhimattheotherwolves

whokneltinasemicircle,aweintheirgazes.Hecouldn’tbreathe,couldn’t
think.

Hecouldn’tbetheOmega.Thatwasaplaceofpowerandgreatpride.They

weretheoneswhohelpedhealthePackfromwithinandbroughtthemtogether
whiletheAlphaandBetaprotected.

Hecouldn’tbethelostwolfOmega.
Yetasrage,happiness,awe,fear,sadness,angst,andnervousnessassailed

him,heknewithadtobetrue.

HewastheOmega.
Gibsonblinked.
HisPackwasscrewed.
“Whohitme?”heasked,hisvoiceraspy.
Holden’seyesnarrowed.“Thatissomethingwe’regoingtofigureout,

Omega,”hegrowled.

Omega.Yes,Gibsonthought,hisPackwasscrewed.

Chapter2

Mandyranherhandoverthequiltattheendofherbedandfrowned.How

couldthingschangesoquicklyovernightandyetremainsomuchthesame?Her
worldhadshifted,heraxisforeveraltered,yethereshewas,staringatthe
handmadeblanketandwonderingaboutherplaceintheworld.

She’ddonemuchofthesamethedaybefore,andyetherPackhadchanged

whenshehadn’tbeenlooking.

They’dfoundtheirOmega.
Herwolfsighedhappily,contentforthefirsttimeinherlife.Well,maybe

notfullycontentsincetherewassomethingmissingjustoutofherreach,butas
contentasshewasgoingtobeunmated.

Shecouldn’tquitebelievethatGibsonwastheirnewOmega.He’dalways

beenonthesidelines,theonethere,butnotcompletely.He’dmarkedeachand
everyoneofthePackandmostofthecatsandbears,aswell.He’dbeentheone
totakewhatshouldhavebeenanuglyreminderoftheircaptivityandmakeit
somethingbeautiful,unique,theirs.

Andyetshewasneversurehefeltthatway.
Shecouldstillrememberthewayhe’dneveroncelookedinhereyeswhen

hedidhertattoo.Ithadonlybeenacoupleofyearsago,andthoughhewasa
fewyearsolderthanshewas,Mandyhadthoughtthey’dhadaconnection.

Herwolfhadchosenhimrightthenandthere.
Ofcourse,Mandyhadn’tdoneathingaboutit.
Howcouldshewhenheneverlookedather,neverspoketoher,neveronce

acknowledgedher?

Hewasn’tlikesomeoftheothers,whofeltsubmissivesdidn’thaveaplace

inthePackbecausetheirfirstinstinctwasn’ttofight,buttosoothe.Instead,he
pulledawayanddidhisbesttoensuretheywereneveralonetogether.

Ifshehadbeenanyotherwolf,shemighthaveconfrontedhimonthat.But

herwolfhadn’tbeenableto.

Andwhentheothermanhadenteredtheirden,herwolfhaddonemuchof

thesameasithadwithGibson.Onlynow,insteadofyearningforjustone,it
yearnedfortwowithoutdoingathingaboutit.

Herwolfseriouslyconfusedher.
IfGibsonhadshownanyinterestwhatsoever,she’dhavedoneherbestto

pushherwolftomakeamoveortoatleasthaveanormalconversationwiththe
man.Buthehadn’t,andshehadn’tfoundthecouragetogetrejected.Nowthat
Oliverwasintheden,though…

No,thatcouldn’thappeneither.HewastheForeseer.Someonetruly

importanttohispeople,andsomeonewhoshouldprobablymatewithanother
bearsotheirlineremainedstrong.

Mandyknewshewasn’tnothingandneverthoughtofherselfas‘notgood

enough,’butsometimesbeingasubmissivewolfwasn’ttheeasiestthinginthe
world.Foractionslikegoingfortheman—ormen—shewanted,shehadto
worktwiceashardtofindtheability.Andyetwhenitcametomakingsurethe
dominantmembersofthedenhadaplacewheretheycouldfeelsafeandrelax,
shecoulddothatinapinch.Shewasprettysureshewasthemostsubmissive
shifterintheentirecompound,andwhilethathadneverbotheredherinthepast,
nowitmadeforanawkwardstateofthings.

BeforeGibsonwastheOmega,shefiguredhehadtobenearthetopofthe

dominancechain,thoughhe’dalwayssethimselfapart.Everyone,includingher,
thoughtitwasbecausehewastheonewhotattooedovertheirscarsandbrands.
Now,however,itcouldhavebeeninstinctualsinceOmegaswereoutsidethe
rolesofdominance.Theyweretheoneswhocaredforallemotionswithina
Pack.Andsincetheywerelivinginclosequarterswithbearsandcats,itcould
bethatonedayhewouldcarefortheiremotionalwell-being,aswell.

Oliverwasmuchthesamewithhisabilitytoseethefuture.Withhis

visions,hewasabletoprotectthebears—andthereforethecatsandwolves.
Thoughsheknewittookatollonhimwitheachnewsightbeforeunseen.
Becauseofhisrole,however,hewasalsoontheoutsidelookingin.

Mandysighed,tracingherfingersoverthetightstitchinghergrandmother

haddoneyearsagowhenshe’dmadetheblanket.Theotherwomanhadbeena
maternaldominant,strong,capable,andyetnurturing.

Somedays,Mandyfeltlikenoneofthosethingsandyetallofthematthe

sametime.

“Mandy?Isthisagoodtime?Icancomebackifyouwant,”Arielsaidas

shewalkedintoMandy’sroom.

Mandyturnedandsmiledathernewfriend.Shedidn’thavemanybecause

ofwhereshewasinthePack.Itwashardforthetrulydominanttobecasual
withherwhentheirwolvesurgedthemtoprotectatallcosts.Whileshedidher
besttoallowherownwolftosoothe,usuallyitbecametoomuchofapushand
pullwiththewaytheirwolvesshouldact,ratherthanhowthehumanhalvesof
themcould.

Arielwasdifferent.ThoughshewasmatedtotheAlphaanddecently

dominantinherownright,shehadn’tbeenbornawolf.Becauseshe’dhadso
manyyearsofbeinghuman,theinstinctualwaysomewolvesreactedaround
Mandydidn’tseemtohappentoher.Ofcourse,thatwasn’ttheonlyreason
Mandylikedtheotherwoman,andbecauseofthat,she’dfoundherselfafriend.

“I’mreadynow.Doyouwanttositatthetableandgettowork?”sheasked.

“Iknowwecouldbedoingthisatyourplace,butIfiguredit’snicetogetoutof
theAlphadeneveryonceinawhile.”

ArielrolledhereyesandtuggedMandycloseforahug.“Yeah,sometimesI

needabreakfromthestrengthoftheirwolves.Isweareverydominantwolfnot
onpatrolisinmylivingroomatthemoment.”Hereyesclouded.“AndGibson
isoverthererightnow.”Shepaused,herteethbitingintoherlip.

Mandy’swolfpushedforwardeversoslightly—asaggressiveassheever

got.SheputherhandonAriel’sarmanddidherbesttosoothe.

“Ishedoinganybetter?”shetriedtosoundcasual,butArielsawthrough

herwords.

“Youshouldtellhimhowyoufeel,Mandy,”herfriendandAlpha

whispered.

Mandyshookherhead.“Ithinkhehasenoughfeelingstodealwithatthe

moment.”

Arielwinced.“I’veneverseenanyonesoafraidtotouchanotherperson,

Mandy.Wecan’tgetnearhim,andyeteverytimewegoaway,hewhimpers.”
Shepaused,herwolfinhergaze.“Gibsondoesn’twhimper.Ever.”

Mandy’seyesfilled,andshedidherbesttoblinkthetearsaway.“No,he

doesn’t.He’ssomuchstrongerthanhegiveshimselfcreditforandyet…”

“Andyethewon’tleanonanyone,”Arielfinishedforher.
“IsColethere?”sheasked,speakingoftheFelineTrackerthathadbecome

friendswithGibson.

“Yes,”Arielsaidwithasigh.“Holdenishappyatleasthe’sthere.Therest?

Notsomuch.Okay,soSorenisfinewithit,butIthinkthat’smostlybecause
he’smatedtoacatandourBeta.Buttheotherdominantwolves?Mostofthem
don’twantacatinourbusiness.”

“Whichisstupidbecausewe’reallinthistogethersoeverythingisour

business.”Mandyshookherhead.“Isthereanythingwecando?”

Arielblewoutabreath.“Idon’tknow,butIdon’tthinkallofthose

dominantwolvesnearhimishelping.They’retryingtofigureoutwhoattacked
himandwhyhe’ssuddenlytheOmegaandit’salltoomuch.”

“HewasalwaystheOmega,”Mandysaidsoftly.“Hiswolfjustwasn’tready

beforethis.Andmaybetheattackputitalloutintheopen.”

ArielmetMandy’sgaze.“Iagreewithyou,butnoteveryonedoes.It’sso

weirdforthemrightnowandnothingIdoseemstohelp.”Shepaused.“Ithink
youneedtogotohim,Mandy.”

Mandyshookherhead,herheartinherthroatevenasherwolfperked.“I

can’t.”

“Hemightbewhatyouneed.Youarewhatheneeds.”
Mandyclosedhereyesandcountedtoten,tryingtofindherpathonce

more.Itusedtobeeasierwhenitwasonlyonemanonhermind,butnowthat
thereweretwo,itwasmuchharder.Itwasn’tthatbeinginaménagewithinthe
denwouldbetaboo,itwasthatshewasn’tthekindofshiftermostthought
wouldbeinarelationshiplikethat.Ofcourse,shecouldn’tfindthestrengthto
eventalktothem,soitwasn’tasifanythingwasgoingtocomeofit.

“Let’sgettoworkonourplans,”Mandysaidsoftly.“ThatmuchIcando.”
Arielsighed.“Ifthat’swhatyouwant.Butifyoueverwanttogotohim,I’ll

gowithyou.Hemightneedasubmissivewolftocalmhim,Mandy.ButIcan
findanotherwolf—”

“No,”Mandyinterrupted.Hercheeksheated.“I’llgotohimifheneedsit.I

don’twantanotherwolfaroundhim.”

Ariel’seyesfilledwithtriumph,andMandywantedtokickherself.“Good.

Nowlet’sgettowork.”

Theywenttothetableandrolledouttheirplans.Twenty-fiveyearsago

whenshifterswereforcedbehindwallsandbranded,they’ddoneittoprotect
thosewhocouldn’tfightforthemselves.

ThoselikeMandy.
Andyet,sheknewthoselikeherwerestrongerthantheythoughttheywere.
Nowthattheirpeoplewereonthevergeofarebellion,itwasn’tamatterof

iftheywouldgetout,butwhen.Andwhenthathappened,theyneededtomake
suretheywereready.Childrenandthosewhocouldn’tfightneededtobe
protected.

Shewasn’tsurewhattheworldlookedlikeoutsidethesewalls.She’dbeen

bornintocaptivity,andthewaytheylivednowwastheonlywayshe’dever
known.Butoneday,shewouldbreathefreshairandnotfearforherlifenearthe
wallsthatwereherhome.Thatdaywouldbesoon,shethought.Becauseofthe
workthoseinpositionsofpowerweredoing,aswellasthoseontheoutside.
TheUnseen,theshifterswhohadhiddeninsteadofbeingcaptured,weredoing
theirbesttoprotecttheirownpeople.Butinsodoing,thingswerechangingfor
everyone.

Andwhenthingsbroke,whenthewaytheylivedchanged,Mandywouldbe

oneoftheonestoprotectthosewhocouldn’tprotectthemselves.Shemightbe

submissive,andherfirstinstinctmaynotbetofighttoothandclaw,butshe
wouldshowtheothersshewasstrongerthantheythought.Shewouldalsomake
surethoseinthelineoffireknewtheywereneeded,knewtheyhadsomeoneto
leanonwhenthetimecame.

Thatwasherjob,andshedidn’ttakeitlightly.
SosheandArielwouldmakeplansforthoseintheircareanddotheirbest

tomakesuretheirpeoplewouldbeabletobreathefreelyoncemore.Whilethe
othershiftersinthecompoundwouldlaythegroundworkanddotheactual
fighting,thereweremorethingstoaccomplishthanthat.That’swheresheand
Arielcamein.

Hourslater,herbrainhurtandherbackached,buttheyhadsomesemblance

ofaplan.Onethatcouldgoupinflamesinaninstant,however,sotheywould
makebackupsfortheirbackupsandincludeinsightsfrompeoplewithmore
knowledgeoftheoutsideworldthanshehad.

“I’mgoingbacktomyplacetoseehowHoldenandGibsonareholding

up,”Arielsaidoncetheyweredonefortheday.“Doyouneedanything?Wantto
come?”

Mandyshookherhead.“No,I’mfine.Imightgotothedencentertohelp

outthereandgrababitetoeat.”

Arielfrowned.“Idon’tthinkit’sagoodideatogooutalonerightnow.We

don’tknowwhoattackedGibsonyet.”

Mandysighed.Sheshouldn’tbesurprisedthatArielwasbeing

overprotective,butshewas.

“Shewon’tbealone,”herbestfriendandsometimespaininthebutt,Theo,

saidashewalkedoutofthetrees,Holdenbyhisside.

“YoureallythinkI’mgoingtoletmymatewalkaroundalonerightnow?”

Holdenasked.HebroughtArielcloseandkissedherhard.

Mandyblushedanddidherbestnottostare,butshecouldn’thelpit.What

woulditbeliketohavesomeoneholdherlikethat?Toknowthat,nomatter
what,theywerehers?

Theowrappedhisarmaroundhershoulderandshestiffened.Shetriedto

hideit,buthesawit.Hesighedbutdidn’tremovehisarm.“Wewereheading
overtoseeifyouguyswerehungry.Goodtiming.”Hesoundedcasual,butshe
knewhewasanythingbut.

Hewantedherashismate,butherwolfdidn’twantthesamething.
Itwassomethingthey’dhadtodealwithsinceshe’dcomeofage,andyet

sheknewthatifshedidn’tdosomethingaboutit,herwolfmightjustgiveupon
whomtheytrulywantedandgiveintoTheo.

Andthatwouldbreakher,justalittle.

NotthatTheowasn’tanamazingwolfwhocaredforher,buthewasher

bestfriend.Nothermate.Andthefactthatheknewthatbrokehim,too.

Itjustwasn’tfairthatthetwoshewanteddidn’tseemtoseeher.They

weren’tforheratall.

Andthiswaswhyshedidn’tmate.
“I’mactuallygoingtoseemymatehome,”Holdensaid,hishandfirmlyon

Ariel’sbutt.Itwasawonderhelethismateoutofbed.

“We’llgogetfood,then,”Theosaid.“Seeyou.”
Mandysighedasshewavedgoodbyetotheothers.“Youcouldhaveasked,

youknow.”

Theolookeddownather,afrownonhisfaceaswellasagenerallookof

confusion.“Whatdoyoumean?”

Sheheldbackanothersigh.Hejustdidn’tgetit.Hewasjustsodominant

andpushy,evenwhenhedidn’tthinkhewasbeingpushy.Henevermeant
anythingbadbyit,buthealsocouldn’thelpit.Iftheyweretrulymates,hiswolf
wouldn’tautomaticallypushherintoalittleboxofhelplessness,buthedidn’t
seeitthatway.

Andthat’swhytheywouldnevermate,evenifherwolftriedtogivein

eventually.

Mandywantedbetterforherself.
Evenifitbrokeherbestfriend’sheart.
“Let’sjustheadthatway,”shesaid,ignoringhisquestion.Hewouldn’t

understandanyway.Hewasonlyayearolderthanher,andbecauseoftheway
hiswolfwasranked,hewasn’tasincontrolastheothermalesintheden.
Meaning,hehonestlycouldn’thelphimselfwhenhedidhiscavemanroutine.

Thatdidn’tmeanshewasgoingstandforiteveryday.Itjusttookheralittle

whiletogaintheconfidencetospeakhermind.

Heputhisarmaroundhershouldersoncemoreandtheymadetheirwayto

thedencenter.BecauseofthewaytheSAUhadgroupedthem,shifterswere
forcedtoliverelativelyclosetooneanother.Butinsteadofinfightinganddaily
challengesthatwouldendinpainanddeath,they’dcreatedadentheycouldlive
inforthetimebeing.Withinthedencenter,therewerelargemeetingplacesfor
variousgroupsofshifters,plusfoodstorageandotherplacesthatallowedthem
tosurvivethelongwintermonths.

Andsincesomeofthematernalslovedtocookforlargegroupsofpeople,

therewereacoupleofcafé-likeplaceswereeveryonecouldgrababitetoeat
withouthavingtocookthemselves.ItworkedforMandysinceshetendedto
burnthingsifshetriedtoohard.

Theywerealmosttothebuildingwhenthefamiliarscentofbearandman

hithernose.Herwolfbrushedather,tryingtogetalookatthemantheywanted.
Theo’sarmtightenedaroundhershoulders,andsheknewhiswolfhadcaught
herreaction.Damnshiftersandtheirheightenedsenses.

Olivercameoutofagroupoftrees,alone,hisheaddownashewalkedback

towardhishome.Shewantedtogotohim,tobenearhim,ifonlyforamoment,
butOliverdidn’tevenlookather,andTheo’sarmfeltlikeabandaroundher,
keepingherclose.

Thenasifinsweetmercy,Oliverlookedupather.Hefinallylooked.
Shemethisgaze,theblueofhiseyesstarkintheirneedandpain—intheir

knowing.Mandyinhaled,theintensityofhisbeingalmosttoomuchforher,
thoughherwolfwantedtogetcloser,toseehim,tobewithhim.

Theobegantopullherawaybeforeshecouldevensayaword,whenOliver

staggered.Withoutasecondthought,shepulledfromherbestfriendandranto
thebear’sside.

Shepressedherbodytohis,keepinghimupright.“Oliver?Doyouneedto

sitdown?”

Helookeddownather,confused,andputhishandonhershoulder.This

time,shedidn’twanttopullawaylikeshehadwithTheo.Instead,herwolfslid
upclosetothesurface,needinghistouch,cravingit.

Theystoodthere,oneofherhandsonhischest,theotheronhisback,and

heleanedonher.Shedidn’tevencomeuptohisshoulders,andyetsheknewshe
washelpingatleastalittle.

“Thankyou,”Oliversaidsoftly,hisvoiceadeeprasp.“Itripped.”
Shetastedthelie,butsheletitgo.Oh,hemighthavetripped,butthat

wasn’ttheextentofit.SheknewbeingtheForeseermeantthateachvisiontook
alittlemoreoutoftheperson.Shewasn’tsurehowhehandledseeingpartsof
thefuture,neverknowingifwhathesawwouldcometopass.Yethedidhis
best,evenifhecuthimselfofffromeveryone.Sherarelysawhimwithintheden
centersurroundedbypeople.Itwasalwaysonlyintimeslikethesewhilethey
passedoneanother.Alwaysbeingnear,butnevertooclose.

Onlynow,shehadherhandsonhim.Shewasprettyclose,allright.
“Everythingokay?”Theoaskedashecameclose.Shecouldfeeltheheatof

himbehindher,butunlikewithOliver,herwolfdidn’tpressher.Ifanything,her
wolfwenttowardOliverevenmore.

OliverlookedoverheratTheoandfrowned.Hepulledawayfromherand

sighed.“I’mfinenow.Thankyou.”

Theopulledhertowardhimthen,andshewantedtoclawathim,butthat

wasn’tinherwolf’snature.WhenOliverdidn’treachforher,sheletTheopull
herawayfully.Damnherwolf.Damnitall.

Ofcourse,assoonasshethoughtthat,anotherscentcameuponthemand

shewantedtocurse.Awolf.

Gibsonlookedlikehe’dbeenthroughhell.Darkcirclesunderhiseyesmade

hisskinstandoutinstarkcontrasttothedarkofhishair.Helookedlikehe’dlost
weightinthedayshehadn’tseenhim.

Heglancedbetweenthethreeofthem—Oliver,her,andTheo,andfrowned

justasOliverhad.WhenhisgazesettledontheterritorialwayTheoheldher,
shetriedtopullaway,butTheowastoostrong.

GibsonwentuptoOliver’ssideandlookedattheothermanintensely.

“Let’sgetyouhome,bigguy.”

“You’renotlookingsostrongyourselfrightnow,wolf,”Olivergrumbled.
“Thenit’lltakebothofus,”Gibsonsaidsimply.HeturnedtoMandy.“I’ve

gotthis.YoushouldgowithTheo.Don’twantadominantwolfallriledup.”

Sheblinkedathim,annoyedandhurt.HewastheOmeganow.Howcould

henotfeelwhatshefelt?Howcouldhenotknowthatshedidn’twantTheo,that
shewantedthemenbeforeher?Ofcourse,sheknewthathecouldn’tpullthe
differentemotionsbetweensomanypeopleapartyet,butthatdidn’tmatter.

Herwolfwantedhim,wantedOliver,andyettheypushedhertowardTheo.
Shewatchedthemenwalkawaywithoutanotherword,herheartbreaking.

Sheneededtotellthem,neededtoshowthemwhoshewasandfindthecourage.
Becausethiswaskillingher.

Theohuggedherclose,andshefinallypulledaway.Itwaseasierwhenthere

weren’tothersaround;whenhewasn’tholdingastightlybecausehiswolfdidn’t
havetofightfordominance.

“Whatwasthat?”heasked,genuineconfusiononhisface.
“I’mnotyourmate,Theo,”sheblurted.Hiseyeswidened.“Stoptreating

melikeIcan’tbenexttoothermen.”

“But…Ithought…”Theo’svoicetrailedoff,andshewantedtokickherself

forbeingsodirect.

“Gotothedencenter,”shesaidafteramoment.“Ineedaminuteto

myself.”

Theostudiedherface.“I’llwalkyouback.”
Sheopenedhermouthtospeak,butheshookhishead.
“It’snotsafealonerightnow,”hesaid,hisvoicestern.
“Theo…”
“Notnow,Mandy.”Hesighed.“Notnow.”
Mandysighedherself,andinawkwardsilence,walkedbesideTheoasthey

wentbacktoherplace.She’dchangedthings,perhapsbrokenwhosheandTheo
weretogether,butshewasn’tsureshe’dhavedoneitanotherway.

Herwolfdidn’twantTheothewayhiswolfwantedher.Itwasn’tfairto

eitherofthem,andyetshewasafraidshe’dwreckedtheonefriendshipthathad
kepthersanewithinthesedenwalls.

WhenTheoleftheraloneatherplace,sheshutthedoorbehindhimand

sanktothefloor.She’dneverlikedwhenshecouldn’tfindthecouragetodo
whatshehadtodoinordertosurviveandbreathe.She’dgonetoOliver’sside
whenshemightnothavebefore,andthatwasatleastastepintheright
direction.

AsforhurtingTheo’sfeelings,shewouldmendthatbecausethatwaswho

shewas.Butshewouldmakesureheknewwhatsheneededinordertobeher.

Shejusthopedshehadn’tdamagedwhattheyhadirrevocablyalready.
AsforGibsonandOliver,perhapsitwastimeforhertoshowthemwhat

beingasubmissivewolfmeantinthegrandschemeofthings.

Shewouldn’tgiveup,wouldn’twalkaway.Butthatmeantshehadtogo

aboutthingsalittledifferentlythanshewouldifshewereadominantwolf.She
wouldn’tbargeinanddemandforthemtotellhereverything,toshowherwhat
sheneeded.

Butshe’dfindawaytomakesomethinghappen.
BecauseherPackwasinastateofchange,andMandywasabouttochange

rightalongwithit.

Chapter3

Deathclawedathim,diggingitstalonsintohisbackandsoul.Olivertried

tofightoffthedarkcapedsoldieroffatebutknewthatifhedidn’tfindaway
outofthedepthsofhisownsubconscious,hewouldlose.

Olivershookhimselfwithinthedreamthatwasnodreambutfoundhimself

trapped.Hesighedandtookalookaroundathissurroundings,knowingthis
couldbeimportantoncehewokeup.

Talltreesblockedthemoonlightfromhittingthesoftgroundbelowhisbare

feet.Heletoutabreath.Sohewasintheden’ssmall,forestedarea,devoidof
homes.Thiswaswherehispeoplewouldgoonhuntswithinthedenwallsto
allowtheirbeaststofeelthemoonandnature.Thoughinthisvision,themoon
wouldn’thelp,anditwouldhavetobeOliveralonewhogothimselfoutofit.

Becausewhateverhappenedtohimwithinthevision,alsohappenedtohis

bodyoutsidethescopeofthisdreamthatwasn’tadream.Thatwaswhywith
eachvision,eachglimpseintothefuture,heknewhewasonestepcloserto
death.

Whileothersthoughtitwasmerelytheweightofthevisionstakingtheirtoll

thattiredhimandtookfromhim,thatwasn’tallofit.Helivedthedeathshesaw,
livedthepainandtorment.

Andifheweren’tasstrongashewas—oratleastasstrongasheoncewas

—he’dhavediedlongago.

ThatwaswhyitwasthebearthatheldthemantleofForeseer.Ursines

possessedthestrengthtoholdoffdeathforaslongaspossible.Thewolvesheld
theOmega,fortheyweretheonesclosesttotheirbeastsandhearts,ableto
comprehendeveryemotionandtraceofempathy.Thecatswerethewilyones,
theoneswhoheldthemselvesclosesttothevest,sotheyheldtheShaman,the
magicwielder.

Oliverwasthefatebringer,Gibsonthefatesoother,andtheunknown

ShamanoftheFelines,thefatechanger.Together,theywouldonedaybeableto
bringpurehealthanddepthwithinthePack.Withouteachfacet,thewaythe
bondsofthosetheyled,thosetheyfollowedwouldneverbewhole.

Ofcourse,Oliverhadbeenalonefartoolongwithhisduties,andtheyhad

takentheirtoll.MaybenowthatGibsonhadfoundhistruecallingthingswould
change,buthewasn’tsosure.Thewolfwastoofargonedownhisownpathof

whathethoughthewouldbe,andOlivercouldn’tholdthemantleforever.

Andtheydidn’thavetheirShamantocompletethecircle.
Agrowlsoundedwithinhisvisionandheturnedtowardit,knowinghe

neededtogethisheadoutofmusingsofwhatthefuturecouldbringandintothis
future.

Thevisiondarkened,andhedidhisbesttofocus.Thingsweren’talways

easytounderstandwithinthefoggydarknessthatwashismindduringanew
scene.

Heblinkedashisnephews,AnyaandCole’scubs,LucasandOwen,ran

throughtheclearing,theirpanickedgrowlshittinghisgutlikealeadhammer.
Herantowardthem,butthetreesspreadoutaroundhim,blockinghimfromthe
littleboys.Colejumpedoutofatreethen,bloodcoatinghisfurashefoughtoff
adarkenemy.

Olivercouldn’tseewhoitwas,onlythatitwasn’thuman.Whoeverwould

puthisfamilyindangerwasashifter,andthatputOliveronedge.Hisbody
shiftedintohisbear,hishumprising,hisjawunhingingasheroared.

HewenttoCole’sside,tryingtohelp,butcouldn’treachhim,thedarkness

overtakinghimoncemore.

Oliverblinked,andinsteadofColeandthecubsinfrontofhim,twowolves

fought,backtoback.Orrather,onewolfbattledandtheotherlimpedbehind
whiletheytriedtokeepthefightingwolf’sbacksafefromwhoeverattacked
them.

Oliverinhaledandstaggeredonfourpaws.Mandywashurt,andeven

thoughshewasasubmissivewolf,shewasdoingherbesttoprotectGibson.The
malewolf,Gibson,foughtwithhisheart,butitwasn’tenoughagainstthe
onslaughtofsomanyoftheirenemies.

Oliverrantowardthem,desperatetosavethem,butitwastoolate.

Somethingpiercedhisside,afierypainarchingoverhischestandthroughhis
body.Heroaredagain,andthistime,itendedonascream.

Hewokeupinhisbed,aloneandsweaty,thescentofGibsonandMandy

coatinghisskin.

Heletoutashakybreathandswallowedthebileinhisthroat.Whycouldhe

scentthosetwoasiftheyhadbeenhereinsteadofjustinhisvision?He’dnever
hadthathappenbefore.Infact,hewasn’tsurehe’deverhadsuchaclearvision
ofshiftersthatwerenotbearbefore.

Hisbearneededair,andsodidhe.
Oliverstrippedoffhissheetsandsighed.He’dneedtowashthemagain

sincehe’dsweatedthroughthelot.Thathadbeenhappeningmoreandmore
oftenlately.Atleastthebrightsidethistimewasthathewouldn’thavetoface

Anya’sworriedstaresanymore.Nowthatshe’dmovedintoCole’splacewith
theboys,Oliverwasalonetohidehisshameandtheevidenceofhisdeclining
health.

Itwashardenoughknowinghewasdyinginch-by-inch,vision-by-vision,

withouthavingtobreakhissister’sheartintheprocess.

Hequicklyputhissheetsandpajamabottomsintheancientwashing

machinehesharedwithafewothershifters.Thoughhelivedalone,hedidhis
besttosharewhathehad.Itwasn’teasywhentheSAUkeptmovingthem
aroundonawhim,butOliverwouldn’tletothersbeinconveniencedbecausehe
neededmore…thingsthanothersbecauseofhisroleinthePack.

Insteadofgoingoutsiderightaway,hejumpedintheshowerandsetthe

spraytocold.He’dwantanothershowerlater,andhemightaswellwashoffthe
sweatandnotwastethemeagerhotwaterhehad.

Hequicklysoapedup,doinghisbesttopushthevisionsfromhisbrainjust

forthemoment.Ofcourse,itwasneveraseasyasthat,andhecouldn’tget
thoughtsofGibsonandMandyoutofhishead.Despitethefrigidwater
temperature,hiscockhardenedatthethoughtofthem.

Hisbearwantedthemboth,andfrankly,sodidtheman.Ifheweren’tsucha

badbet,hemighthavedonesomethingaboutit.Withhowfewshiftersthere
werewithinthedenwalls,eveniftheywereintightquarters,itwasn’t
uncommonfortriadstodevelop.Hell,ithadn’tbeenthatuncommontwenty-five
yearsagowhentheylivedinsecretamidthehumanpopulation.

Andthoughitwouldn’tmakeothersbataneyeatthesight,heknewhe

couldn’thavebothofthem.Mandywassosweet,soinnocent,andfromwhat
he’dseen,inthesightsofanotherwolf.Theo.

AndGibson…Gibsonwasn’tforhim.Evenbeforehe’dbecometheOmega,

hewastooremote,tooself-sacrificingtobewithaForeseer.Thewolfneededto
bewithsomeonewhowaswholesincehegavesomuchofhimself.

Andthatwasn’tOliver.
Hesighed,buthiscockdidn’tseemtopayattention.Andbecauseofthat,he

grippedhimself,usingsoaptomakelatherashesqueezedthebase.Itwouldn’t
bewrongifhethoughtofthemwhiledoingthis…aslongastheydidn’tknow.
Peoplefantasizedaboutotherswhilegettingthemselvesoffallthetime.

Andifthishadbeenthefirsttimehe’ddoneit,hemighthavebelievedthat.

YetOliverknewhe’dcrossedthatlineweeksago.Sonow,ashepumpedhisfist
androckedhiships,hewoulddowhathehadtodo,whatheneededtodo,and
livewiththeconsequences.

Hesqueezedhimselfagain,hispaceincreasingasheimaginedMandyon

herkneesinfrontofhim,takinghimintohermouth.SherodeGibson’sface,her

eyeswideandfilledwithpassion.HeimaginedGibsonfistinghimselfashe
lickedtheirlover,andOlivergroaned,comingagainsttheshowerwall.Hisbody
shook,butthistimeforawholedifferentreasonandheturnedoffthewater,a
littleembarrassedwithhimself.

He’dgoneoffalittlefastforhistastes,butheknewitwasonlytakingthe

edgeoffatthispoint.ThenexttimehefacedeitherMandyorGibson,hewould
havetotrytoclearhismindofwhattheylookedlikewhentheycamewithhim.
Notthatheactuallyknewthat,buthe’dimagineditenoughthathecouldatleast
picturewhathethoughtthey’dlooklikeinthethroesofpassion.

Therewassomethingclearlywrongwithhimthathecouldcomesosoon

afteravisionofdeathanddamning.

He’dsurvivedthevision,however,andthathadtocountforsomething.And

ifjustthethoughtofthosetwocouldbringhimsomeformof…life…thenhe’d
takeit.

Buttherewassomethingwrongwithhimnonetheless.
HedressedquicklyinapairofoldjeansandaT-shirtthathadseenbetter

days.Itwasn’tasifhewouldbeseeinganyonetoday.Noonecametohimfor
help.Theydidn’twanttoknowifhe’dseentheirdeaths.Ofcourse,itwasn’t
alwaysthatclear.He’dseendeathsthathadplayedoutjustashe’dseenthem,
butmostofthetime,itwasmoreofanomen,awarningofwhatcouldhappen.
Hedidhisbesttowarnwhomhecould,butsometimes,thingslikeoldage
couldn’tbestopped.

Andsometimes,thevisionswereliketheywerelastnight,wheretheydidn’t

trulymakesense.Hedidn’tknowifColewouldbefightingadarkentityone
day.Hedidn’tknowifGibsonandMandywouldbealonewhentheyfoughtoff
theirattackers.Hejustknewthatchangewascomingforthemall.

Andhehadtofigureoutwhattodoaboutthat.
Withasigh,hepaddedouttohisporch,annoyedthathehadn’tmade

himselfcoffee,andsankdowntotheoldwoodensteps.Hisheadhurt,andhe
knewheneededadoseofcaffeinetomakeitthroughtheday.Itwasbarely
dawn,thefirstlightjustpeekingoverthetalltreessurroundinghishome.Ifhe
listenedcarefully,hecouldhearthesoundsofAnyaandColewakingupforthe
dayandthecubssnoringintheirbeds.Ofcourse,sinceheknewhissisterand
newbrother-in-lawalittletoowell,heblockedouttheirvoices—Colewasa
little…loudinthemornings.Therewerejustsomethingshedidn’tneedto
know.Thatwasanotherreasonwhyhe’dbeenhappywithAnyamovingout,
evenifshewasonlyalittleacrosstheway.

Hisotherneighbor,however,well,he’dlistentohimalldayifhecould.
Asifhe’dconjuredhimfromthinair,Gibsonslidthroughthetrees,two

cupsofcoffeeinhishands.Hishairwasdisheveled,long,andhanginginhis
face.He’dputonawhiteT-shirt,butOliverwasprettysureitwasinsideout.
Theothermanhadalsoputonjeans,buttheywereridingsolowthateitherthe
wolfhadlostevenmoreweight,orhehadn’tbuttonedthem.

Oliverdidhisbesttonotswallowhistongueatthesight.
“Ididn’tscentcoffeefromyourplacesoIbroughtyousome,”Gibson

growled.“IneedcaffeineifI’mgoingtobeupatthisungodlyhour.”Hehanded
overacupandOlivernodded.“Idon’tknowhowyoulikeyourcoffee,so
black’sgoingtohavetodo.”

HesatdownnexttoOliverandsighed.
“Black’sfine,”Oliversaidsoftly.“Black’sjustfine.”Hepaused.“Thank

you.”

“You’rewelcome.”Theysatthereinsilence,drinkingtheircoffeeand

watchingthemorningcome.

Hisbearsettleddown,enjoyingthewayGibsonwassoclose.Theyweren’t

touching,buttheywereseatedcloseenoughthathecouldfeeltheheatradiating
offtheotherman.Olivertookadeepbreathandknewitwasamistake.The
Omega’srichscentwashedoverhimandhehadtoholdbackagroan.

Insteadofdoingsomethinglikeactingonhisinstincts,heranahand

throughhiswethairandgrimaced.Heneededtoatleastbrushthemasswhenit
wasatthislength.Sinceitwentpasthisshoulders,heusuallyhaditbackina
ponytail,buthe’dsleptroughly,andhadshoweredwithoutbotheringtowashit
becausehe’djustneededthewatersluicingdownhisskin.Nowhehadatangled
messthatmatchedhisroughbeardthathadgrownpasthischin.

Heprobablylookedlikeahomelesspersonwhoneededahotmeal.No

wonderGibsonhadshownupwithcoffee.

“Ifeltyou,youknow,”Gibsonsaidfinally,andOliversetdownhisnow

emptycoffeecup.

“Whatdoyoumean?”heaskedroughly.
Gibsonsetdownhiscup,aswell.“Ifeltyourpain,theangstofyourdream.

Orwasitavision?”Heshookhishead,hishairbrushingthetopsofhis
shoulders.“Idon’tknowexactlyhow,butIfeltit.”HelookedintoOliver’sface.
“I’mnotsupposedtofeelabear,amI?Ormaybewe’reallonePacknowthat
we’resocloseandformingbondswithintheden.”Hepaused.“ButOliver,Ifelt
it.Ifthat’swhatyoufeelineachvision,thenIdon’tknowhowyoucanmakeit
througheachday.”Hisbodyshuddered.“Thatwas…itwasalot.”

Oliversat,stunned.Noonehadeverfeltevenaninklingofwhatitmeantto

behim,toexperienceavision.He’dnevermetanotherForeseer.Unlikethoseof
hispast,hehadn’tbeentrainedalongsidethosewhoheldhisabilities.Instead,he

hadtofeelhiswayaroundhisroleinthePack—muchlikeGibsonwouldhave
todonow.

“Ididn’tknowyoucoulddothat.”
GibsonmetOliver’sgaze.“Ididn’tknowIcouldeither.”Heswallowed

hard,andOliverwatchedthewayhisthroatworked,tryingnottofeellikea
lech.Thefactthathewasayearyoungerthantheothermandidn’tmatter.“I’m
stillgettingthehangofthis.It’sonlybeenafewdays,andit’snotlikeIknow
whatI’mdoing,butI’mtrying.Ican’tfigureoutwhichemotiongoestowhich
personyetunlessI’malonewiththem.AndIcanatleastblockthosefaraway
fromme.”Hesighed.“Thankfully,Idon’tlivebyalotofpeople.”

“JusttheTrackerandtheForeseer,whoneedtobealoneforreasonsoftheir

own.”HeandColelivedneareachotherontheedgeofthedenbecauseoftheir
roleswithintheirPacks.Gibsonhadbeentherefirst,however,becauseOliver
figuredhefeltresponsibleformarkingeachmemberofthePackaroundtheir
brand,andneedingtobealonewasaresultofthatresponsibility.

“WhatIfeltwasn’tCole,”Gibsonsaidsoftly.“Idon’tknowhowIknow

that,Ijustknow.”Hestoodthen,runningahandthroughhishair.“I’m
apparentlygoingtobeabletohealnotonlyemotionalwoundsbutphysicalones
aswelleventually.ButIhavenoideawhatthehellI’mdoing.”

Oliverleanedbackagainstthestairs.“Welcometotheclub.”
GibsonsighedandmetOliver’sgaze.“Doyouneedtotalkaboutwhatyou

saw?”

Olivershookhishead.“Notnow.”
“Okay,then.”
Therewasanawkwardsilenceasthetwostaredatoneanother.Oliver

didn’tknowwhyGibsonhadcome,otherthanthathe’dfelthehadto.Buthad
thatbeenbecausehewastheOmega…orforanothermorepersonalreason?

Oliveropenedhismouthtospeakasawarmandsweetscentfilledhisnose.

HeturnedasMandycamethroughthesamegroupingoftreesGibsonhad
earlier,herhairinamessybunonthetopofherheadandafrownonherface.

OliverscrambledtohisfeetevenasGibsonrantowardher.
“What’swrong?”Gibsonasked,takingherinhisarms.
WhileOliverhadfeltjealousywhenhe’dseenTheoholdher,seeingGibson

withhisarmsaroundhergavehimacompletelydifferent—andperhaps
welcome—feeling.

MandywrappedherarmsaroundGibson’swaistandsighed.Whenshe

lookedoveratOliver,sheheldoutahand,andhewentstraighttoher.Whenhis
handtouchedhers,hisbearrelaxed,surprisinghim.

He’dknownMandywasasubmissivewolf,buthe’dneverfeltthefull

effectofthatuntiljustnow.Evenwhenhe’dleanedonheracoupleofdays
before,ithadn’tbeenthesamebecausehisbearhadjustgottenoutofavision
andTheohadbeentoonearforhimtothinkreasonably.

“Ihadanightmare,”shesaidwithalaugh.Shepulledawaythen,butkept

herhandinOliver’swhiletakingGibson’swithherother.“Itsoundssillynow
but…”shetrailedoff.“ItwasaboutthetwoofyouandIneededtobehere.I
don’tknowwhy,butIneededto.I’veneverhadanightmarelikethatandyetI
knewitwasimportantthatIdid.”

Oliverfrowned.Wasitjustacoincidencethatthefirsttimehehadavision

aboutthetwoofthem,Gibsonhadfelttheemotionaltugbetweenthemand
Mandyhadhadanightmarethatbroughthertotheirsides?Hebelievedinfate
andthefactthathecouldchangeitifeventsoccurredintherightway,butasfor
somethinglikethis…hewasn’tsure.Yethecouldn’tdenythefactthatthethree
ofthemwerealone,holdingoneanotherasiftheyhadalwaysdonesointhe
past.Somethinghadshifted.

FromthewayGibsonandMandylookedateachotherandhim,they’dfelt

thatshift,aswell.Theyweren’thumans;theywereshifters.Thesubtlenuances
tohowtheyreactedtooneanotherwouldn’tgounnoticed.Andoncetheymade
adecisionaboutcertainthings…thingsheknewthattheyneededtodiscuss,
thingswouldforeverbealtered.

Heletoutabreath.Hewasgettingaheadofhimself.Firstthingsfirst.
“Comeinside,”hesaidtobothofthem.“I’llmakecoffee.”Helookedat

Gibson.“Morecoffee.AndIthinkIhavesomeformoffoodsomewherethatwe
canscroungeup.ThenwecantalkaboutMandy’snightmare,thefactthat
Gibsoncamehereandwhy…andotherthings.”

Mandysqueezedhishand.“Ithink…IthinkI’dlikethat.”
Gibsonlookedbetweenthem.“Yeah,thatwouldbeagoodidea.”
HeletgoofMandy’shandandfeltthelossimmediately.
Stopgettingaheadofyourself,Oliver.
Hemadehiswayintohishome,GibsonandMandyrightbehindhim.Itwas

strange,havingthembothinhishouserightafterthinkingaboutthetwoofthem
likehehad.Ablushslashedhischeeksashethoughtofexactlywhathe’ddone
withtheirimagesinhismind,andheturnedawayfromtheircuriousglances.He
wentaboutstartingapotofcoffeewhilesearchingthroughhiscabinets.

HeletoutasighoftriumphashespottedthecontainerofmuffinsAnyahad

putintherethedaybefore.Thankfully,shekepthimfed,andnowhewouldbe
abletofeedthesetwo,aswell.

Hesetthemuffinsonthesmall,beaten-uptableinhiskitchenasMandyand

Gibsoneachtookachair.

Hesatdownaswell,theawkwardnessofthesituationsettlingoverhisskin.

“So…”

“So…”Gibsonrepeated.
Mandyletoutabreathandrolledbackhershoulders.“So…yeah.Ihada

nightmare.Idon’tknowwhatitwasactually.Itwasdark,andtherewas
growling,anditscaredme.SoIcamehere.”Sheblushed.“Idon’tknowwhyI
camehereinsteadofgoingtoArielorTheo,butIdid.”

AtthesoundofTheo’sname,Gibsonletoutagrowl,surprisingthethreeof

them.

“Theo’sjustmyfriend,”Mandysaidsoftly.“That’sallheeverwas.”
Gibsonblinked.“Ithoughthewasgoingtobeyourmate.”
Sheshookherhead,andOliverwatchedGibson’sshouldersrelax.“He

wantedmore,butIneverwouldhavematedhim.”Shescrunchedhernose.
“Well,Imighthavelateronifmywolffinallygavein,butshewanted…wants
someoneelse.”Shesighed.“Iwantedsomeoneelse.Stilldo.”

Oliverfroze,asdidGibson.Thesoundofthecoffeepercolatingfilledthe

silenceandtheywaitedforMandytofinish.

“Thisisn’teasyyouknow,”Mandygrumbled.“I’mnotusedtobeingso

openandforward,andyoutwosittingthereallgrowlyandintimidatingisn’t
helping.”

Oliversmiledsoftlyatthat.“We’renotgrowlingrightnow.”
SheraisedabrowandpointedatGibson.“Hegrowled.”
Theothermanhelduphishands.“Yeah,I’mawolf.Idothat.He’sabear,

hetendstogrumbleandhuffmorethangrowl.”

Oliversnorted.“True.Anddon’tforgettheroaring.”
Mandysmiledashehopedshewouldandappearedtorelaxsomewhat.

“Anyway,I’mgoingtobeanidiotandsaysomethingIprobablyshouldn’t.But
youknowwhat?We’relivinginatimewherethingsareallupintheair,andI
mightaswelljustgoforit.Becausewaitingisn’thelpinganyone,andI’mkind
offreakingmyselfoutoverthewholething.”

Shepaused,metbothoftheirgazes.“Mywolfwantsyouboth.There.Isaid

it.”

Oliverstudiedherface,inaweofthestrengththatlaywithinher.Shewasa

submissivewolf,onewhosoothedandstayedinthebackground.Forherto
comeoutandsaywhatshehadmeantthatshe’dtrulyneededto…italsomeant
thatshewasmuchstrongerthananyonerealized.

Itmadehisbearcomeclosertothesurface,andthemanseeherforwhoshe

was.

Awomanheneeded.

Awomanhewanted.
Butthingsweren’taseasyasthat,andtheothersneededtoknowthat.“I’m

notlongforthisworld,Mandy.I’mtheForeseer.Youknowthattakesatoll.”

Mandy’schinrose.“That’swhyyouneedsomeoneyoucanleanon.And

I’mnotsayingweshouldbematesrightnow.It’snotasfastasthat.Butmaybe
wecanseeifthatcanbeourpath.Isawthewayyoutwolookedatmejustnow,
andthewayyoutwolookedatoneanother.I’mnotcrazy.”

“It’snotaseasyasleaningonsomeone,”hesaidsoftly,awareGibson

hadn’tsaidathing.“Witheachvision,Ilosepartofmyself.I’mdying,Mandy.”

Mandy’seyesfilledbutsheshookherhead.“Weallare.AndI’mnotgoing

toletyoudiewithoutafight.AndneitherwillAnyaoranyonewhoknowsyou.”
SheturnedtoGibson.“Andyou?You’vebeensilent.IfI’mjustkiddingmyself,
letmeknowsoIcangohomeandhide.Okay?”

Oliverreachedoutandgrippedherhand,hatingthatshelookedlikehe’d

hurther.

“I’mnewatthiswholeOmegathing,”Gibsonsaidsoftly.“I’mtryingto

navigatethefactthatyoubothhavesomuch…hope…andfearwithinyou.And
it’smixingwithmine.SoIdon’tknowwhattothink.”Hepaused.“Youknow
someonetriedtokillme,right?Itmightnotbesafeforthetwoofyoutobenear
me.”

Olivergrowledatthat.“We’reallindanger,andthey’regoingtofindout

whohurtyou.”

“Didyouseethatinavision?”Gibsonasked,curious.
“No,myvisionsdon’tworklikethat.”
“Thenwillyoutellushowtheywork?”Mandyasked.“Letushelp?”She

winced.“Letmehelp,atleast.”ShelookedatGibson.“Letmehelpyou,too.It’s
whatIdo.It’swhatIwanttodo.Andyes,mywolfwantsyou,butthewomanin
mewantstogettoknowthebothofyou.AndI’mtiredofbeingonthe
sidelines.”Sheswallowedhard.“Whatdoyousay?Doyouthinkyoucantakea
chanceonasubmissivewolfwhotendstoblurtthingsoutatthewrongtime?”

Thecoffeemachinebeeped,butOliverignoredit.Thiswaswhathewanted,

whathe’ddreamtofwhenhewasallowedtodreamasamanratherthanthe
Foreseer.Ifhedidthis,hemighthurtthembothintheprocess.Butsomething
waspushinghimforward,whetheritwasfateorjusthisownwill,hedidn’t
know.

Buthecouldtakethischance.
Itwastheonlyonehehad.
Gibsonwasthefirsttospeak.“Idon’tknowwhat’scoming.Ijustknow

somethingis.”Heranahandthroughhishair.“ButIcan…Icantakethat

chance.”Helookedateachofthem.“Iwantto.”

“AsdoI,”Oliveradded.“Iwanttoseeifwecandothis.”
Andwiththat,somethingclickedintoplacewithinhim.
Hedidn’tknowwhatwasnext,butheknewhemightnotbealonewhenit

happened.Hemightbreakhimselfintheprocessoffiguringoutwhatwasgoing
onbetweenthethreeofthem,buthesworetohimselfthathewouldn’tbreakthe
othertwo.

He’dalwaysseendeath.Neverhisown,buthe’dneverseentruehope

either.

Maybe,justmaybe,thiscouldbeit.

Chapter4

Gibsonpinchedhimself,wonderinghowtheheckhe’dendeduphere.He’d

wokenupfromarestlesssleepbecausehe’dfeltOliver’svision.Hewasn’tsure
howbeinganOmegawassupposetoworkfully,buthewouldhavethoughtthe
factthatOliverwasabearwouldlimitthewayGibsoncouldgothroughthe
emotionsandvividnessofthevision.

Asitwas,hestillwasn’tsurewhathewassupposedtodowiththese

newfoundpowers.OthersinthePackseemedtothinkhewouldbetheirsavior;
theonewhowouldbeabletobringanewhealthtotheirpeople.Hedidn’tthink
ofhimselfthatway,andhewasworriedthathe’dfail.

That’swhathedid.
Hefailedattryingtobringasenseofownershipandpridetoabrandput

therebythosewho’denslavedthem.Hefailedattryingtofindawaytofitin
withhispeople.AndhewasfailingatfiguringoutwhattodowithMandyand
Oliver.

Somehow,he’dendedupatOliver’stablenexttothetwopeoplehewanted

butshouldn’thave.Andyettheywantedhimjustasmuch.

He’dhavepinchedhimselfagaintomakesurehewasawake,butfromthe

wayMandywaslookingathim,hefiguredheshouldprobablysaysomething
ratherthansittingherelikeanidiot.

Theywantedtobewithhim.Withhim.Thelonerwolf,whogrumbledmore

thanhespoke.He’dhavethoughtOliverwouldwanttobewithanotherbearto
helphimwithhisburden,andMandy…well,he’dthoughtMandywaswith
Theo.

Apparently,he’dbeenwrongonallaccounts.
Andnowheretheywere,calmlydiscussingformingapartnership.Of

course,they’dcarefullynotmentionedthewordmating.Asifoncetheydid,
thingswouldgettooserious.

“Gibson?”Mandyasked,hervoicesoft.Helovedthatvoice,thewayit

wrappedaroundhimandhiswolf.Healwaysfeltlikehewasbeingpettedwhen
shespokedirectlytohim—notthatshedidthatoften.Butwhenshedid?He
buriedhimselfinit,rollingaroundlikeapupinfreshlycutgrass.

Shereachedoutandputherhandonhisfist.Hehadn’tevenrealizedhe’d

putbothhandsonthetable,asifhe’dneededtogripsomethinginordertostay

centered,groundedinreality.Hisbrainhurt,hisheartjustasmuch,butforsome
reason,itwasn’tasbadasithadbeenthepastfewdays.Sincehe’dfirstfound
outthathewastheOmega,he’dhadtowadethroughemotionafteremotion,
sometimesfallingtohiskneeswhenitbecametoomuch.Overtime,heknew
he’dbeabletofindeachindividualthreadandworkwithit,eithertakingthe
feelingintohimselfifitwastoomuchfortheothershifter,orusingittomake
suretheywerehealthy.Oneday,hewouldevenbeabletohealphysicalwounds,
butfromthewayheweakenedwithjusttheonslaughtofemotions,hewaspretty
surethatwouldbeyearsoff,ifever.

Andyet…andyethe’dknownexactlywhatOliverwasfeelingduringhis

vision.He’dalsoknownitwasOliverandnotanotherthatmighthavebeennear.

Andashefocused,hecouldalsofeelthenervousness,theexcitement,and

therawhungerofMandy.Hewonderedforamomentifitwasbecauseher
emotionsmirroredhisown,aswellasOliver’s.

“Gibson,”Mandysaidagain,squeezinghishand.“What’swrong?”
Heswallowedhardandblinkedawaythetorrentofhisthoughts.“I’m

okay.”Hepaused,tastingthelie.“OratleastIwillbe.It’sweirdrightnow.”

Shewinced,andhequicklyturnedhishandovertoholdhersinafirmgrip.
“I’mnotsayingbeingherewithyouandOliverisweird,thoughinreality,it

kindofissincewe’vedonesowellavoidingoneanother.”Oliversnorted,and
Mandygavehimasmallsmile.Gibsonrelaxedsomewhat.“We’renotavoiding
eachothernow,though.Andbecauseofthat,ormaybeinspiteofit,Ican
actuallyrelaxforthefirsttimeindays.”

“Whatdoyoumean?”Oliverasked.
Gibsonmettheotherman’sgazeevenasheranhisthumboverMandy’s

hand.Hefelthershiver,andheknewhehadtostopsoonorhe’dtakethemall
toofartooquickly.Thoughsincetheywereshifters,therewasn’treallyachance
tobetooquick.Oncethewolf,bear,orcatdecided,themanfollowed.Ready
andwilling.

“Withthetwoofyouhere,Icanactuallyunravelwhoseemotioniswhose.

It’snotasoverwhelming.Icanbreatheagain.”Hehadn’tknownhowmuch
beinganOmegahadbeenaffectinghimuntilhesatbetweenthesetwoatthis
scarredwoodentable.Whatwoulditfeelliketobewiththemfully,toknowthat
theywerehisandhisalone?

Heswallowedhard,knowingheneededtogivethemspacebeforehedid

somethingstupidlikebendthemoverthetableinquestion.

“Really?”Mandyasked.“Isthereanythingwecandotohelp?Iknowithas

tobealotallatonce.”

“Plus,westilldon’tknowwhoattackedyou,”Oliversaid,histonedark.

“There’ssomethinggoingon.Icanfeelit.”

GibsonsqueezedMandy’shandasherwolfbrushedupagainsthis.Heliked

thefeeling.“Ifeelit,too.There’sanundercurrentIcan’tplace.”

Mandysighed.“IthoughttheleadersofSAUgoingundergroundbut

leavingtheirguardsinplacewouldbeenoughofanundercurrent.Betweenthat
andthethreePackslearningtolivetogetherasone,theamountoftensionshould
beenough.Butifwhatyou’resayingittrue,ifwhatHoldenscentedwhenyou
werehurtistrue,thenwehavemoreproblemsthanjusthumans.”

Gibson’sjawclenched.“Itwasashifter.”He’dknownthatofcourse,had

scentedsomethingnothuman,butit’dhappenedtoofastforhimtofullygauge
whatkindofshifter.

Olivernodded.“Thoughwedon’tknowwho.Theydidsomethingtotheir

scent.”

“Sowehavehumansafterus,keepingusincages,andnowinfighting

withinourown,”Mandysaidslowly.“Idon’tlikeit.Ifeellikewe’rerightonthe
edgeofsomanythings,andwithonebreathwecouldfall,changingitall.”

“WehavestrongAlphasandBetas,aswellasshifterswhocantakecareof

theirown,”Gibsonsaid,moretohimselfthanthem.“Itrustthoseinpowermore
thanIthoughtI’dtrustanything,andthat’ssayingsomething.”

Olivernodded.“Iagree.Whateverisgoingonisn’thappeningwiththosein

theupperhierarchy.”

Mandyfrowned.“It’snotwiththesubmissiveseither.I’veneverseenusso

healthy.NowthatHoldenandSorenaremated,thingsaresettling.AndIknow
it’salottoputonyourshoulders,Gibson,butwithyounowastheOmega,it’s
almostcomplete.”

“IhopeIcandosomethingtohelpatleast,”Gibsonadded.“Butyou’re

right,thisfeelslikeit’ssomeonewe’remissing,someoneinthecenterofthe
Packthatmightfeelignored.”

OliverreachedoutandgrippedGibson’sotherhand.Hesuckedinabreath,

hiswolfcontentforthefirsttimeinhismemory.Hepushedthataside,though,
knowinghisPackneededhimtothinkaboutwhathadhappened,insteadofwhat
couldhappenbetweenthethreeofthem.

“Ithink…IthinkweneedtolookatthePackasasingleunit,insteadof

three.Therearethreesectionsnowforcedtoliveasone.”Olivertiltedhishead.
“Ithinkthismightbesomethingwehaven’tthoughtof.”

“Avision?”Mandyasked.
“Notthistime,”Oliveranswered.“Asenseofknowing.”
“We’llbeonalert,”Gibsonsaid.“Weallwillbe.Andwe’llfigureitout.

Becausewe’retooclosetotheendoftheSAUforustofallapartfromwithin.”

Hepaused.“Andwhilewe’redoingthat,we’regoingtotakeachance.”Hemet
theirgazes.“Andseewhatwecanhavebetweenthethreeofus,becausemy
wolfknowswhatyou’refeeling,atleastpartofit,andIdon’tthinkIcankeepto
myselfanymore.”

Mandynarrowedhereyes.“BetweenOliver’svisionsandyouremotional

seeking,I’matadisadvantagehere.”

Oliverstoodthenandwalkedaroundthetabletocupherface.“No,you

neverwillbe.Becauseyou’rethecenter.You’retheonewhocamehere,who
openeduptousfirst.You’retheonewithtruebravery.Neverforgetthat.”And
ashefinished,heloweredhismouthtohers.Gibsonstoodup,achingforthose
infrontofhim,hiswolfsodamnpleasedattheturnofevents.

Oliverfinishedthekiss,andbeforeMandycouldgetherbearings,Gibson

slidhispalmoverhercheekandkissedhersoundly.Shetastedofsweetnessand
thefuture.Hewantedtoholdher,bewithher,haveher,andyetheknewthis
wasjustthebeginning.Thiswaswhattheywerefightingfor,whattheyhad
soughttoprotectallthoseyearsago.Andnow,insteadofbeingontheoutside
lookingin,hewasapartofthis.Partofthem.

Hepulledaway,leavingMandybreathlessaswellashimself.
“Okay,then,”shewhispered,herlipsswollenandhereyeswide.“Okay.”
“We’renotfinishedyet,”GibsonsaidandturnedtoOliver.Thebigbear

titledhishead.Oliverwasagoodthreeinchesorsotallerthanhim,buthedidn’t
care.HeleanedoverMandy,grippedthebackofOliver’shead,andbroughthim
inforakissofhisown.

Theotherman’slipsweredifferent,morefirmandsupple.Theirkisswas

harsher,aclashofdominanceandteeth.HenippedatOliver’sbottomlipbefore
lickingthestingawayanddeepeningthekiss.Whenhepulledback,thetwoof
themfacedoffandOlivergrinned.

“Thisisgoingtobefun,”Oliversaidsoftly.Theybothlookeddownat

Mandy,whoseeyeswereevenwider,hermouthopen.

“Thatwassofreakinghot,”Mandysaidwithagrin.“Weneedtodothat

again.Often.”

Gibsonsmiledfullythen,awarehehadn’tdonethatinfartoolong.“Yeah,

wedo.Butrightnow,IneedtogotoHolden’s.Ihaveameeting.”

Mandynodded,andOliverslidhishandoverGibson’sshoulder.
“I’llbeback,though,”Gibsonsaidquickly.“Imean,ifthat’sokay.”
Oliversqueezed.“It’sokay.Infact,Ithinkyouneedto.We’renotdone

talkingaboutthethreeofusyet.Norarewefinisheddiscussingwhatledyou
here.”

Gibsonsobered.“I’llcomebackwhenIcan.”HelookedatMandy.“Are

youstayinghere?”

Sheshookherhead,bitingherlip.“Ineedtogohomeandchangeanddoa

fewthingsforthematernals.”ShelookedoveratOliver.“ButIcanbebackfor
lunch.Willthatdo?”

Oliversmiledsoftlyatherandcuppedherface.“Yes,thatwilldo.”He

lookedup.“Besafetoday.”

Gibsonnoddedbeforeturningandheadingoutofthehouse.Ifhedidn’tgo

now,hewasafraidhewouldn’tleaveatall.Hiswolfrodehim,andyetheknew
itwasn’tjusthisbeast.Hewantedthembothasamanalso,andheknewhe
wouldhavethemsoon.Therewasnodenyingthat.Notanymore.

He’dpushedhimselfawayfromanythingthatmightbringhimcomfort,

mightbringhimpleasureforsolong,andnowthathe’dhadatasteofwhathe
couldhave,heknewhecouldn’tletgo.

Notnow.Maybenotever.

HerantowardhisAlpha’shouse,awarehewasn’tfullydressednor

showered,buthewasn’tinthemoodforniceties.Hewantedtogetbackto
OliverandMandy.Thefactthattheyweretheonesattheforefrontofhismind
evenwitheverythingelsegoingoninhislifespokevolumes.

WhenhegottoHoldenandAriel’s,itwasSorenhesawontheporch.The

BetaofthePackstoodthere,hishandscrossedoverhischestandhisbrows
raised.

“Isitme,ordoIscentabearandacertainprettywolfonyouthis

morning?”

Gibsonshowedoffhisteethasifhewereinwolfformbaringfang.“None

ofyourbusiness,catlover.”

Sorengrinnedthen.“Trueenough.”Heliftedhisarmandinhaled.“Yeah,I

smelllikemyfeistymate.Notabadthingatall.Butyou?Yousurpriseme.”

Gibsongrowled.“Whatofit?Youhaveaproblemwithmychoices.”
Sorenhelduphishands,palmsout,thegrinleavinghisfacequickly.“Notat

all,Gibson.I’mhappyforyou,eventhoughIdon’tseeamatingmarksoitmust
beearlyinyourdance.I’monlysayingyousurprisemebecauseyou’veheld
yourselfapartforsolong,andnowthatyou’restartingtocomebacktous,
you’regoingfulltilt.”Sorensmiledbroadly.“Ilikeit.”

Gibsonshookhishead.Thisdamnwolfwaslikeacatsometimes.Itmade

sense,consideringthemanhadmatedaFelineofhisown.“Areyoudonepoking
atmenow?Holdenwantedtoseeme.”

Sorensteppedoutoftheway.“Comeonin.Hesummonedme,aswell.”
“Idon’tsummon,”HoldenbitoutasGibsonandSorenmadetheirwayinto

thelivingroom.“Iask.”

Arielsnortedandpattedhermate’schest.Theystoodinthecenterofthe

livingroom,hertinyformlookingsofragileagainstHolden’s.Gibsonwondered
howthepetiteMandywouldlookbetweenhimandOliver,andhadtoquickly
getthatthoughtoutofhismindbeforehedidsomethingstupidlikegetahard-
oninhisAlpha’shome.

“Yousummon,baby,butit’sokay,”Arielsaidwithawink.“It’sgoodtosee

youupandabout,Gibson.”

Gibsonopenedhismouthtosaysomething,butstaggeredbackasawaveof

intenseemotionhithimlikeawall.Excitement,fear,love,adoration,
nervousness,andreliefspreadoverhim,andhehitthegroundhard,hishead
slammingagainstthewoodenfloor.

SorenreachedforhimandputhishandonGibson’schest.“Whatisit?”
Gibsonsqueezedhiseyesshut.“Too…much…”Hegasped.He’dforgotten

foramomentthathewastheOmega.Apparently,whatevercalmingeffect
MandyandOliverhadoverhimhadwornoffandnowhecouldfeeleverything.

Hecouldn’tuntanglethewebmadefromtheotherthreeintheroom,and

theirfearandworryoverwhelmedhim.

“Shit,helookedfinejustasecondago,”Holdengrowled.“Soren,get

MandyandOliver.Icanscentthemonhim.Ifhewascalmafterleavingthem,
theymightbeabletohelp.”

“Onit,”Sorensaid,hisvoiceandscentfadingasheleft.
Ariel’ssmallhandtouchedGibson’sforehead,andhisbodyshook.“What

canwedo?”sheasked,tearsinhervoice.

“Idon’tknow,”Holdenbitout.“Butyou’restrongerthanthis,Gibson.You

hearme?You’regoingtogetthroughthis,andyou’regoingtobefucking
amazing.BecauseIwillnotletyouleavethisworldbecauseofwhatwefeel.
Yougetme?You’restuckwithus.”

“Yes,Alpha,”Gibsongrunted,tryingtosmile.Hecouldn’tthough,hishead

hurtandhisbodyfeltheavy.Heinhaleddeeply,tryingtocatchhisbreath,and
whenhedidthat,aburstofnewemotionslammedintohimandhefelthisbody
goinglax.Butevenasitdid,hefoundanew…tanglethatforcedhiseyesopen.
“Congratulations,”hemurmured.

Ariel’seyeswidened.“What?”
“Icanfeel…”hisvoicetrailedoff,hisbodyunabletogomuchlonger.
“Shit,”Holdencursed.“You’refeelingthenewlifewithinher,aren’tyou?

That’swhyyou’redoingthis.Becauseyoufiguredoutshe’spregnant.”

“Oh,Gibson,”Arielsaidsoftly.“I’msosorry.”
Gibsonwasabouttopassout,butheusedthelastofhisenergytogripher

hand.“Noneed,”herasped.“I’llgetusedtoit.Congrats,Mom.”

Shesmiledathim,andthatwasthelasthesawbeforehepassedout,the

intensityoftheemotionstoomuchforhim.

Hecametowithhisheadcradledinasoftlapthatsmelledofsweetnessand

submissivewolf.Thescentofbearandpromisecamefromhisside,and
Gibson’swolfimmediatelyrelaxed.

“Well,thatsettlesit,”Holdensaidwithagrowl,andGibsonopenedhis

eyes.

HisheadrestedinMandy’slapassheranherfingersslowlythroughhis

hair.Oliversatonthehardwoodfloornexttohim,hislegscrossed.Thebear
frownedathim,thoughthereliefinhiseyescalmedGibsonalittle.

HoldenstoodatGibson’sfeet,Arielathisside.HecouldscentSoreninthe

roombuthedidn’tfeelliketurningtoseetheotherman.

“Whatsettleswhat?”Gibsoncroaked.
Oliverheldoutamugofwater.“Drinkthis.”
WiththehelpofOliverandMandy,hegulpeddownthewatergreedily,his

parchedthroateasing.

“Whatsettleswhat?”herepeated,hisvoicelessscratchythistime.
“Theycalmyou,”Holdenansweredfinally.“Youstoppedscreamingand

wokeupassoonastheywerenearyou.”

OlivergrippedGibson’sfreehand.“Don’tscareuslikethatagain.”
“That’srichcomingfromamanwhopassesoutwitheveryvision.”
“Stopit,”Mandysaidsoftly,hereyesdowncast.Withsomanydominantsin

theroom,thishadtobehardforher.“Please.”

Hereachedupandcuppedherfaceabovehim.“I’msorry,sweetness.”
“Ifwehelpyou,maybeyouandIcanhelpOliver,”shewhispered,though

everyoneintheroomwouldbeabletoclearlyhearhersincetheywereall
shifters.

“Maybe,”hesaidjustassoftly.
“Ithinkthethreeofyouneedtospendmoretimetogether,”Holdensaid

intothesilence.“Maybeyou’llbeabletogaincontrolofyourabilities.Andif
youcan’t,well,I’mprettysurethethreeofyouwanttobetogetheranyway.”

“Youcan’torderanyonetomate,Holden,”Arielchided.“Buthe’ssortof

right,youknow.Ifyouguysfindyourownpath,youshouldbeabletohelpone
another.AndthenmaybethePackintime.”

GibsonlookedupatMandyandthenatOliver.“Whatdoyousay?Wantto

trytofigurethisout?”

Olivergrunted.“Ithoughtwealreadydecidedthat.”
MandytracedGibson’sjawlinewithherfinger.“We’rehere,allthreeofus.

We’regoingtofindourway.Andifwehelpcentereachother,thenit’sasignin
thepluscolumn.”

Gibsonsighed,knowingheshouldgetupfromthefloor,buthecouldn’t.

Notyet,notwithMandysoclose.

IfsheandOliverfoundawaytohelphimnavigatetheturbulentwatersthat

camewithbeinganOmega,thenhe’dtakethemtothemoonandback.Butthat
wasn’ttheonlyreasonthethreeofthemwantedtobeneareachother,andthey
knewit.

Thingswerechangingrapidly,anditwasallGibsoncoulddotokeepup.

Withthedangerslurkingoutsidethedenwallsandnowfromwithin,he’dtake
thegoodwiththebad.

Becauseitwasallhehadleft.

Chapter5

Mandyranherhandsoverherarms,suddenlyverycold.Somethingwas

coming;shecouldfeelitdeepdowntoherbones.Therewasachangeintheair,
andherwolfcouldsenseit.Thefactthatshe’dleftGibsonandOlivertotheir
owndevicesbecausethey’dneededsleepaftertheeventsofthedaywasonly
partofit.

Hermindstillwhirledfromtheirconversationearlierthatmorning.The

wholethingwaslikeanoutofbodyexperience,andyetsheknewithadbeen
heratthattable,herwithGibson’sheadinherlapwhenhe’dbeeninpain.And
thatkiss?Thosekisses?She’djustaboutmeltedtothefloor,herbodyapileof
mushthankstothosetwoverydominantmenandthewaythey’dtakencontrol
ofherandthekiss.

She’dwantedGibsonforaslongasshe’dbeenabletowantamaninthat

fashion.Andshe’dwantedOliverfromthemomentshe’dfirstlaideyesonhim.
Thatshe’dwantedbothhadn’tfazedher,thoughtheideathatshewouldmakea
movetowardthemwasthethingthathadbeenfarfetched.Itdidn’tseemrealthat
theywouldwanther,aswell.

Inonlyamatterofhours,they’dsomehowopeneduptooneanotherand

foundaconnectionshe’dneverthoughtpossible.Theywantedherlikeshe
wantedthem,oratleastwantedtoseewhattheycouldhave.Itmayhavebeen
thedesperationtalking,theideathattheirliveswereindangerattheedgeofthis
newworld,theedgeofawarthatwasbeingfoughtaroundthem,butshewould
livewiththat.Theyweregoingtotry.Andyetitwasonlythebeginning.

“Mandy?”
SheturnedatthesoundofTheo’svoice,hershouldersautomaticallytensing

asshedidso.Thatdidn’tusuallyhappenaroundhim,andthefactthatitdidhurt
likenothingelse.Shehadn’tseenhimsincehe’ddroppedheroffatherplace
whenshe’dtoldhimshedidn’twanttobehismate.She’dmissedhim,of
course,butthespacehadbeenneeded.Andthenwitheverythinggoingonwith
OliverandGibson,she’dpushedTheotothebackofhermind.Itmightmake
herahorriblefriend,butshe’donlybeenabletodealwithoneimportantthingat
atime.

Hestood,framedbyherfrontdoor,hishandsstuffedinhispocketsandhis

browfurrowed.Justafewdaysbefore,shewouldhavegonetohimandhugged

himingreeting.Hiswolffeltsolostandconfusedthatitonlymadeherwolf
wanttocomfort.Thatwaswhatshedid,howshelived,howshebreathed.The
factthatshecouldn’tdothatbecauseshe’dbrokensomethingbetweenthem
ached.

Butitwasn’tafewdaysago,andthingshadshiftedbetweenthem.She

hadn’twantedtoloseTheointheprocessoffindingherself,offindingafuture
whereshecouldbewholeandsurvive,perhapsthrivein,butitseemedthat
choicemightbeoutofherhands.

Shehopedtheywerebothstrongenoughtostayfriends.Becausewhileshe

wantedOliverandGibsoninherlife,itwasTheowhohadbeenthereforher
whenshe’dhadnoone.

Mandyshouldn’thavetomakeachoice,andyetthingswereneverasthey

wereindreams.

“Hi,”shesaidfinally.Awkwardnesssettledbetweenthemandsheshifted

fromfoottofoot.Ifshe’dbeeninwolfform,hertailwouldhavebeenfirmly
tuckedbetweenherlegs.

“I’msorryforwalkingoutlikeIdid,”hesaidfinallybeforeclosingthedoor

behindhim.Heletoutabreath,hisjawset,butthesadnessinhiseyeswasa
markonhersoul.

“I’msorryyoufeltlikeyouhadtowalkaway.”Thatwasn’tatrueapology

andsheknewit.Onlyshedidn’tfeellikesheshouldapologizeforfeelingwhat
shedid.

Shemovedtowardhimthen,keepingherhandsclosetoherbodysoshe

didn’taccidentallytouchhim.Theywerewolves,tactilecreaturesandusedto
touch,yetsheknewshecouldn’treachforhimthen,evenforahug,without
givinghimthewrongimpression.

Theomusthaveseenherindecision.Hesnorted.“Ineveraskedyou,you

know.”

Shetiltedherhead.“What?”
“Ineveraskedyouifwecouldbemates.Ijustassumed.AndIguessthat

makesanassoutofme,huh?”Hesaiditdryly,butshefelttheheatbehindthe
words.Shewasn’tsureifhewasangrywithherorhimself,buteitherway,this
wasn’twhattheyusedtohaveanditworriedher.

“Theo…”
Heshookhishead.“No,it’sonme.Igetit.Ijustthought…”Hesighed.“I

thoughtwewouldmakeitthroughallofthis,thiswar,thisuprising…Together,
youknow?ButIguessIwaswrong.”

“Idon’twanttoloseyou,Theo.”
Hegaveherasadsmile.“Youneverreallyhadme,itseems.”

Annoyancefilledher.“Stopit.Whatiswrongwithyou?Wewerefriends.

Bestfriends.AndyetnowthatI’mfinallyhonestwithmyself,you’regoingtobe
likethis?Yourwolfdoesn’twantme,Theo.Youjustthoughtyoudidbecause
youdidn’thaveanyoneelse.You’llfindyourmate.Ipromise.”

Hiseyesnarrowed.“LikeyoufoundOliverandGibson?”Atherpause,he

shookhishead.“Youcan’thidethingslikethatinadenthissmall.Ican’tsay
I’mhappyforyou,notyet,andthatmakesmeanasshole.Butaslongasyou’re
safe,that’sallthatmatters.”

Mandysighed.“Matesaren’tjustsupposedtoprotecteachother.There’s

moretoit.”

“And,apparently,wedidn’thavethat.”Hehelduphishands.“Ididn’tcome

heretofight.OnlytosayIneedsomespace.”

Shepressedherlipstogether.
“Igetthatthatmakesmeanidiot.Anunfairone.ButIneedsomespaceto

thinkaboutwhatIwantandwhatIthoughtIwantedforthatmatter.Youhave
OliverandGibsonnow.You’llbebusy.”

Thatwasalowblow,andsheraisedherchin,notmeetinghiseyes.Herwolf

wouldn’tlether,anditgalledherthattheotherhalfofherselfworkedagainst
her.Maybeifshe’dbeenadominantwolf,she’dhavebeenabletonavigatethe
muddywatersofwhosheandTheowerewithouthurtingeitherofthem,butthat
wasn’tthecaseandshewouldhavetolearntodeal.

“Ifthat’swhatyoufeellikeyouneedtodo.Butrememberthis,Theo.

We’vebeenbestfriendssincewecouldcrawl.Ifyou’regoingtothrowthatall
awaybecauseyou’renotgettingwhatyouwant,thenmaybeyouneedtothink
abouttherelationshipsinyourlife.”Shepressedherlipstogetheroncemore,
forcingherselfnottosayanythingmorebecauseshewouldn’tbeabletotakeit
back.

Hestudiedherfacealongmomentbeforesighing.“Iwantyouhappy,

Mandy.That’sallIeverwanted.”

Sheblinkedupathim.“IthinkIcanbehappythisway,forwhatit’sworth.”
Theogaveheraslightnod.“I’ll…I’llbebacklater,Iguess.Juststaysafe,

okay?Westilldon’tknowwhathappenedtoGibson,andtheSAUguardsare
beingsuspiciouslyquietsincethehigher-upsdisappeared.Something’soff,andI
don’tlikeit.”

Somethingwasoffaboutalotofthings,andno,Mandydidn’tlikeiteither.
“I’llstaysafe,”shepromised.Athislook,sheshrugged.“I’lltryto.Isthat

morehonest?”

Hegaveheratightnodbeforeturningawayandleavingherhome.She

swallowedhard,herhandsshakingathersides.Shehatedconfrontation,andyet

sheseemedtobedongalotofthatrecently.Mandyranherhandsoverherface,
knowingsheneededtogetbacktoworkorshe’dgocrazy.OliverandGibson
wouldbeovereventually,andwhileshewasalonenow,shewouldn’tbefor
long.Becauseofthewaythebearsandcatshadbeenforcedintotheden,she
nowhadthreeroommates,allsubmissivefemalewolveswhowereonshiftsin
thedencenter.

OliverandGibsonweretheimportantonesandhadhomesoftheirown.

Andsheneededtokickherself.I’mimportant,too,shetoldherselfoncemore.
Shewas.Andthosewhodidn’tseethat,didn’tunderstandthat,weretheones
lacking.

However,exploringarelationshipwithtwomenwouldprobablybeeasierat

theirplacesratherthanhers.Shemightbealoneforthemoment,butshe
wouldn’tbeforlong.

Shemadeherselfacupoftea,usingsomeoftheblendthatSorenhadsnuck

intotheden,andwasabouttogettoworkwhensomeoneknockedonthedoor.
Sheturnedtowardthesoundandinhaled,asmallsmileplayingonherlipsafter
shecaughtthescentofthewolfandbearwhofilledherdreams.

Sheleftherteacoolingonhershabbydiningroomtablenexttoher

notebooksandmadeherwaytothefrontdoortoletthemin.Itwasn’tlostonher
thatTheohadwalkedinwithoutknocking,andyetthesetwowerecautious,
respectfulofherspace.Theohadearnedtherighttocomeinwhenhefeltlikeit
longago,andyetshehadafeelingthatmightchangenow.Ithurt,butshewould
learntodeal.Itwaswhatshealwaysdid.

AsforGibsonandOliver,thewaytheyknockedonherdoorratherthan

makingthemselvesathomewouldchange,aswell.Everythinginherlife
seemedtobechanging,emotionslongsinceburiedmakingtheirwaytothetip
ofherfingers,toherheart,toherentirebeing.

Whensheopenedthedoor,shehadtokeepherselffromsuckinginabreath.

Itwasn’tfairthatthesetwoweresogood-looking.Oliverhadpulledhischestnut
hairbackinaband,buthisbeardtouchedthetopofhischest.Gibson’sdark
brownhairbrushedthetopsofhisshouldersandcoveredhiseyesabituntilhe
brusheditback.Theactionsentshiversthroughhersincehisbicepsbunched
justrightwiththemovement.Hehadmorescruffthanbeard,andshelovedthe
lookofthemboth.Ifthisworkedout,shewouldbeoneluckywolf.

“Hi,”shebreathedandwantedtoshakeherself.Shecoulddobetterthan

that.“Wanttocomein?Ithoughtyoutwowereresting.”

Olivertiltedhisheadtostudyher,andGibsonranahandoverhisheart.

“Whathappenedwhenweweregone?”thebearasked.

“You’rehurting,”Gibsonaddedsoftly.

Well,crud.Apparently,beingwiththeOmegaandaveryobservantForeseer

meantshe’dhavetobecarefulwitheveryemotion.Somethingsweremeantto
beherownuntilshecouldworkthroughthem.

“I’llbeokay,”shesaidandputupbothofherhands.“Let’sjustleaveitat

thatfornow.IneedtoworkthroughafewthingsandthenIcantalkaboutit.”

“Ifthat’swhatyouwant,”Oliversaid,hisvoicelow.
Gibsonshiftedfromfoottofoot.“Yeah,sorryaboutthat.I’mstillgetting

usedtoallofthesethings.Idon’tknowhowI’msupposedtohelppeople
eventuallywhenrightnowitfeelslikeallI’mdoingisintruding.”

Mandysighed.“We’llfindabalance.Now,doyouwanttocomein?Ordo

youplantooccupymyporchuntilmyroommatescomehome.”

Oliver’seyesflared.“Iforgetyouhaveroommatessometimes.”
“Itcan’tbehelped,”shesaidsimply.
“ThatmuchIknow,”Gibsonsaidafteramoment.“We’reactuallyhereto

takeyoutothedencenter.Holdenwantsameeting.”

“Whydidn’tIhearaboutit?”sheasked.“AndwhywouldIneedtogo

unlessit’sfortheentireden.Idon’tusuallyattendhigh-rankingmeetingslike
that.”

“It’sformostoftheden,”Gibsonanswered.“Andwe’reheretoaskyouto

go,hencewhyyou’rejusthearingaboutitnow.Itwasn’taplannedthing.And
sinceI’mgoing,well,theywantyouthere,aswell.”Hepaused.“Actually,I
thinkyoumighthavebeeninvitedanyway.You’remorethanyouthinkyouare,
Mandy.”

Shestudiedhisfaceandnodded.“Okay,then.Letmeputonsomeshoes.”

Shewasn’tsurewhathadgottenintoherrecently,butshedidn’tlikethatshe
continuallydoubtedherself.ShewasproudofherplaceinthePack.Shewas
neededandaccepted.Yetassoonasshethoughtofherselfnexttothese
invaluablemen,shekeptputtingherselfdown.

Thatneededtostop,andyetshewasn’tsurehowconsideringshedidn’t

knowwhyshekeptdoingitinthefirstplace.

Whenshesteppedoutontotheporchwiththem,Oliverstoppedherby

cuppingherface.“Whatisit?”sheasked.

“Youarefarmoreimportanttous,tothePack,toyourselfthanyougive

yourselfcreditfor,”thebigbearwhispered.“Iwishyouwouldseethat.”

Gibsongrippedherhipfrombehindandleanedforward,hislipsnearher

ear,thewarmthofhisbreathsendingshiversdownherspine.“Weseeyou,
Mandy.Wealwayshave.Wemighthavestayedawayforourownreasons,butit
wasneverbecauseyouweren’tworthy.You’remorethanallofus.You’rethe
glue,thereasonourbeastscanbreathe.Youmightnotgotowarroomsandfight

inthebattlesthatleaveusbloody,butthatdoesn’tmeanyou’repushedtothe
sidelines.Justrememberthat,okay?”

Tearsfilledhereyesandshenodded.Oliverloweredhisheadthen,brushing

hislipsagainsthers,once,twice.“Good,”hewhispered.

Hepulledaway,andGibsoncuppedherjawandtiltedherheadtowardhis,

capturingherlipswithakissofhisown.“We’llkeepsayingthingsalongthose
linesuntilyoustarttobelieveit.”

Shesniffed,annoyedwithherselfforgettingsoemotional.“Iusedto,”she

saidhonestly.

“Andthenthingsshifted,”Oliversaid.“It’sshiftingforallofus,butwe’ll

getthroughittogether.That’swhywe’rehere,afterall.”

“Nowlet’sheadtothedencenterbeforeHoldenandtheotherAlphasget

annoyed.”

“TheotherAlphaswillbethere?”sheaskedthenwinced.“Well,duh,since

OliverisgoingandhisAlphaisn’tHolden.”

Gibsonsmiledsoftlyandtookherhand.Olivertooktheother,andthey

starteddownthepathtowardthedencenter.“It’sconfusingwiththethree
Alphaswhohavetoworkasone.Andwithallofusmatingeachother,bear,cat,
andwolf,italtersthepolitics.”

“Whatdoesthatmean?”sheasked,fearslowlyfillingher.“Iremember

someoftheelderstellingmethatbeforetheVeronaVirushit,thePackswould
matewithoneanotherandthenthecoupleortriadwouldchoosewhichPackto
alignthemselveswith.Butyou’reanOmega,andOliver’stheForeseer,it’snot
likethetwoofyoucanswitch.”

Theybothsqueezedherhands,butshecouldn’trelaxherwolf.
“TherehavebeentimeswhenmatesarefromdifferentPacksandremain

thatwayforreasonsoftheirown,”Oliveranswered.“Wearenotthefirsttodeal
withthis.IfIremembercorrectly,therewasonceabear,cat,wolftriad.”He
smiledatthat.“Thepoliticsinthatwouldhavebeenfarmorecomplexthanwhat
we’redealingwith.”

Sherelaxedsomewhat,butnotenough.“Ifyousayso.”
“Ido,”Oliversaid.
Sheopenedhermouthtospeak,butstoppedasthescentofdeathhither.
“Shit,”GibsonhissedandpulledMandybehindhim.Shedidn’tstophim

sinceshewasn’tafighter,butitgalledherthatshecouldn’thelpagainst
whateverwascoming.

“Whatisit?”shewhispered.“Whoisit?”
Olivermovedforwardandliftedafallenbranch,lettingoutacurseofhis

ownwhenherevealedthesourceofthescent.

MandypeeredaroundGibsonandletoutagasp.“Oh,God,it’sClaire.”
ClairehadoncebeenwithHolden,theirAlpha,butneverasamate.That

hadn’tsatwellwiththefemalewolf,andshe’ddoneallshecouldtogainthe
powerneededtobeworthyofHolden.Yetthat’snotwhatthemalewolfhad
wantedatall.Instead,he’dfallenforahuman-turned-wolf,andhadmatedAriel
soonafterthey’dmet.Clairehadn’ttakenitwellatall—anunderstatementtobe
sure.She’dendeduptellingtheSAUhowArielhadcometobepartofthePack,
startingtheseriesofeventsthathadledtotheinternalwartheywereinthe
middleofnow.

Humanshadn’tknownhowshiftersweremadeuntilClairehadspilledthe

truth.Shehadn’tthoughtbeyondherneeds,andhadendangeredthemall.
Insteadofthinkingshifterswereonlyborn,notmade,humansnowhadanother
reasontotakeshifters,tostudythem.Theyhadeventriedtomakeshiftersof
theirownusingkidnappedPackmembers,andwhenthathadn’tworked,they’d
gonesofarastotakeAnya’stwobearcubs.

TheSAUwasnowcrumblingfromwithinbecausetheirmanicexperiments

hadfailed,butcountlessliveshadbeenlostintheprocess.TheUnseenwere
workingontheirownpathtofreethemselvesfromsecrecyandliberatethose
withbrandsandcollarsfromtheirownfate,butitwasn’teasy.Andfrankly,
Mandydidn’tevenknowallofit.

Clairehadn’tbeensentencedtodeathbyArielbecausetheAlpha’smatehad

wantedClairetoseeallthepainshe’dcaused.Yetitseemeddeathhadfoundher
nonetheless.

“WeneedtofindHolden,”Gibsonmuttered.
“Noneed,”Holdensaidfrombehindthem.
MandyturnedatthesoundofherAlpha’svoiceandloweredhereyes.
“Ican’tscentanythingonthebody,”Oliversaidsuddenly.“Howcanthat

be?IonlyscentdeathandClaire.”

Colecameoutoftheshadowsthen,thefelineTrackerandtheshifterwith

thebestsenseofsmellintheden.Hecrouchedoverthebodyandinhaled,letting
outacurseofhisown.“You’reright,Oliver.Thescentofwhoeverdidthisis
muted,muchlikeitwaswhenGibsongothurt.”Henarrowedhiseyes.
“Someoneisplayinggames.”

MandygrippedGibson’shandatthememoryofhisinjury.Shelookedupat

himandwantedtocurseherself.“Weneedtogetyououtofhere,”she
whispered.

“I’mfine,”hebitout,hisfacepale.Thereweretoomanypeoplefeeling

intensely.Hehadtobeinpain,buthewouldn’tleave,notyet.Damnwolf.

“Youknowwhatelseismissing?”Oliversaid,hisvoicelow.“Wherearethe

SAUguards?Theyweren’thereforGibson,andtheyaremysteriouslyabsent
now.ThescentmightbeofshifteronClaireandGibsonbefore,suremuted,but
shifternonetheless.YettheSAUisn’there.”

Mandynarrowedhereyes.“IftheSAUisgoingthroughissuesoftheirown,

itmightmeantheyhaven’tnoticed,”shesaidandloweredherheadasalleyes
turnedtoher.

“You’reright,littlewolf,”Holdensaid,hisvoicelowbutanythingbutcalm.

“Itseemswe’reinthecenteroftwostorms.”

Andwhatwouldhappenwhenthestormsfullycollided?Mandywasn’tsure

shewantedtoknow.

Chapter6

Oliverrestedhisheadinhishands;hisforearmssteadyonhisthighsashe

satinhislargeoakchair.Hisbodyachedfromlackofsleep,andfrankly,lackof
release,andyethecouldn’tthinkaboutthatnow.Whatheshouldbedoingis
tryingtofigureoutwhatthehellwaswrongwithhisvisionsandwhyhe
couldn’tseebeyondthemistytendrilsofdeathandintowhatwouldactually
cometobe.

Hehadn’tseenGibson’sinjury.
Hehadn’tseenClaire’sdeath.
Andhesureashellhadn’tseenGibsonandMandyinhislife.
Hecouldstillseethewide,vacanteyesofClaireasshestaredblanklyatthe

sky;herbodycoldandcoveredincutsandbruises.Therewasn’tasingleclaw
markonher,worryinghimmorethanitshould.Ifashifterhadbeenangry
enoughwithClaireforwhatshe’ddonetothedenorforanotherreason,he
wouldhavethoughtthey’dhaveusedclawsandteethtokillher.

Instead,someonehadusedaknifetoslowlybleedawayherlife.Hemight

nothavelikedClaire,northedecisionsshe’dmadeintheheatofthemoment,
butshehadn’tdeservedtodiethewayshehad.ThefactthatHolden,Soren,and
Gibsonhadn’tfeltherdiealongPackbondstoldOliverthattherewassomething
goingonfarbeyondagrudgeagainstawomanwhohadmadeaterriblemistake.

Yes,itcouldhavebeentheSAUthathadtakenherlifeandevenhurt

Gibson,yetOliverwasn’tsure.Thatwouldn’texplainthehiddenseveredbonds
andshifterscentonthebody.Thefactthatitwasamutedscentsonoonecould
tellwhatkindofshifteritwas,letalonewhoitwas,meantthiswentfardeeper
thanaguardwithaknife.

Onlyhecouldn’tfigureitout,andhisbodyhurtfromvisionaftervision.

Visionsthatdidn’tseemtobehelpinganyone.Alltheydidwastakealittlebit
moreoutofhimandkeephimupatnight.

Usually,hecouldn’tseethedeathsofthoseheloved,thoseinhisfamily.

He’dneverseenAnyaorthecubsfullyinhisdreamsbefore.Yes,whenthecubs
hadbeenkidnappedhe’dknownsomethingwaswrong,butitwasmoreofwhat
wouldhavehappenedafterthathadbroughtonthevisionsoffearanddeath.
Thefactthathe’dseenthecubsclearasdayinavisionalongwithColeworried
him.

Addinthefactthathe’dthenseenGibsonandMandy,andhejustwasn’t

sureanymore.

“Ifyoukeepthinkingsohard,you’regoingtobreaksomething,”Gibson

saidsoftlyasheslowlymadehiswayintotheroom.

Oliverlookedupattheothermanandheldbackacurse.“Youlooklike

hell.”

“Ifeellikehell,”thewolfsaidsimply.
“Itoldhimtogotosleep,buthewon’tlistentome,”Mandysaidasshe

walkedinwithtwomugsoftea.“Theseareforyouandme,Oliver.Gibsonwill
getsomeafterhesleepsofftheweightofemotionshejustfelt.”

Despitethegravityofthesituation,hesmiled.“Shetoldyou.”
Gibsonletoutalittlegrowl.“Fine,Iwasgoingtoheadtomyplaceanyway.

Ineedtohideawayforabitandjustsleepitoff.”Helookedbetweenthem.
“Stayhere,willyou?”heaskedMandy.“Just…betogether,orIdon’tknow…
Youguysneedtimealonetoseewhoyouareasacouple.”Oliver’sbrowsrose.
“We’lleachhavetimeascouplesandthenlateras…well,asatriad,butIthink
thetwoofyoushouldatleasttalkorsomething.”Heranahandoverhisface.
“AndnowthatI’vemuckedthatupbecauseI’mtootiredtothink,I’mheaded
over.”

“Areyousureyou’reokaywalkingbyyourself?”Oliverasked,awarethat

Mandyhadgonequietbesidehim.

“I’llbeokay,”Gibsonanswered.HeleanedforwardandkissedMandy

softly,thenOliver.Oliver’sbearstretchedatthesensation,lovingthetasteof
thiswolf.“Just…be,okay?”

Heleftthemthen,hishandsinhispocketsbutaresolveabouthimthat

Oliverliked.

“Didhejusttellustohavesex?”MandyblurtedonceGibsonwasoutof

earshot.

Oliverlaughedthen,hiswholebodyshaking.Hereachedoutandgripped

herhand,pullingherclose.Thankfully,she’dalreadysetdowntheteaorthat
wouldhaveburned.Whenshetumbledintohislap,hekissedhertemple,
relievedshelaughedwithhim.

“Yeah,Ithinkhedid.”
Mandyblushed,hercheekspinkandvery,veryalluring.“Iassumedwe’d

uh…youknow,betweenthethreeofusfirst.”

“Wecanwaittodothat,”Oliversaid,hisvoiceserious.“OryouandGibson

canfindeachotherfirst.”Hepaused.“Idon’tknowifit’savisionorjustwhatI
feel,butIthinkithastobeyouwithoneofusfirst.NotjustmeandGibson.
You’retheglue,”herepeatedfrombefore.

“Yousaythat,andyetIdon’tknowifIquitebelieveit.”Sheranahand

throughhisbeard,andhedidhisbesttomemorizeeveryplaneofherface,every
scar,everybitofherthatmadeherMandy.

Herwolfmightcravethemannearher,butthatdidn’tmeanthehumanfully

knewhim.Yes,shemightwanthimasawomanwantedaman,butsheneeded
toknowhim,neededtoseehowshefitagainsthim—literallyandfiguratively.

Heslidhishandupherthightorestonherhipandstareddownather.

“Gibsonispartofthis,yet,withouthim,Idon’tthinkourbeastswouldbeas…
intentastheyare.ButthesamecouldbesaidofmeIwouldthink.Butwithout
you?Withoutyou,therewouldn’tbeaglimmer.Yourinnerstrengthiswhat
broughtushere,andIknowwithoutyou,I’dstillbesittinginmyroom,trying
nottopassoutfromtheweightonmyshoulders.AndGibson?Well,Idon’t
thinkhe’dhavebeenoverhereatallwithoutyou.”

Shesquirmedinhislapandheletoutasoftgroan.Shefroze,andheknew

shefelthiserectionunderherbutt,causinghertoblush.Heknewshewasn’ta
virginasthedenwastoosmallforsecrets,buthedidn’twanttothinkofherpast
experiences.Hejustwantedtothinkofher.

Mandyswallowedhardandlickedherlips.Oliver’sgazefelltothemotion

andhestaredonceagain.Sheliftedherhandslightlytocuphisfaceratherthan
hisbeardandtiltedherhead.Thelinebetweenherbrowsdeepened,andhe
wantedtosmoothitout.Sheonlydidthatwhenshewasthinkinghardabout
something.

AndshealwaysseemedtobethinkinghardaroundhimandGibson.
“Youcan’tblameyourselfforwhathappened,”shewhispered.Hehadn’t

expectedhertosaythat,andfromthewayMandyblinked,shehadn’texpected
tosayiteither.“Clairediedbecausesomeonewantedherdead,orshewasinthe
wrongplaceatthewrongtime.Itwasn’tyourfaultyoudidn’tseeit.You’reso
hardonyourself,Oliver.Youcan’tcontrolwhenavisioncomestoyou,andyou
can’tcontrolhowdeepyougointhevisionitself.It’snotyourfault,”she
repeated.

Oliverlookedoverherthen,butkepthishandsonherhipandlowerback.

“I’vealwaystriedtocontrolthem,youknow.MaybebeforetheVeronaVirushit
thingsweredifferent,butiftheywere,Idon’tremember.Iwasn’tthatoldwhen
wewentintothecompounds,andeventhoughIknewIwouldonedaybethe
Foreseerforthebears,Iwasn’tas…entrenchedinthevisionsasIamnow.But
nomatterwhatI’vedonesince,Ican’tcontrolthem.Ican’tseethoseIlove…or
Iusuallycan’t.”

Helookeddownagainandsheblinkedathim.“Whatdoyoumean?”
Heletoutasighandrestedhisheadonthetopofhers.Shewrappedher

armsaroundhismiddle.Itwasasifsheknewheneededthecomfort,evenifhe
didn’twanttoaskforit.Herwolfbrushedupagainsthisbear,apparently
knowinghisbeastneededtouch,aswell.

“I’veneverbeenabletogetclearreadingsofAnyaorthecubs.Orevenmy

parentsbeforethen.Ialsocan’tseemyself,thoughI’mtheonelivingthevisions
atthetime.Butrecently,thingshavebeenalloutoforder.”Hepausedabeat.
“I’veseenthecubs,butnotattheirdeath.I’veseenCole.”Hesighed.“I’veseen
youandGibson.”

Hecouldfeelherpulsequicken.Hewantedtoknowwhatshewasthinking.

Heshouldn’thavementionedherandGibson,buthehadn’tbeenabletohelp
himself.He’dneededhertoknowthathe’dnotonlydreamtabouther,butthat
heshouldn’thavebecauseshewasclosetohiminawayhehadn’tthought
possible.Inthespanofmeremoments,meremonths,he’dstartedtofallforhis
twowolves.Tohumans,thatmightseemfast,buthewasn’thuman.Thoughit
didscarethehelloutofhim.

“Idon’tknowwhatanyofitmeans,”Oliversaidsoftly.“Ineverdo,though

Imuddlemywaythroughit.”

Shepulledbackthensohecouldseeherface.“Iwouldn’tcallthat

muddling.You’vesavedpeople,Oliver.Andwitheachvisionyoufalldeeper
intothehellyoulivethrougheveryday.Iknowit’stakingpartofyouaway
everytimeyoudoit,andithurtsmetothinkofit.Sodon’tcallitmuddling.You
dosomuch,andyetyounevertakeanythingfromit,neverlettheworldknow
thatyoutried.”

“I’mnotusedtopeopletryingtotakecareofme,”hesaidsoftly.“No,that’s

alie.Anya’sbeentakingcareofmesincewewerechildrenbecauseofmyso-
calledgifts.Andyet…yetitfeelsdifferentwithyou.She’striedtokeepme
alive,andyetwithyou—andGibson—IfeellikeIwanttolive.”Hecuppedher
faceandstareddownintothosebigeyesofhers.“Howdoyoudothistome,
littlewolf?Howcanyoureachmewhennooneelsecan?”

Hetracedhercheekwithhisthumbandshelickedherlips.Hewantedtodo

thesame,wantedtocapturehermouthandtakeitashisown.Hewantedtofeel
herbodyagainsthis,seehowwellshefitbelowhim,overhim,nearhim.

Andbecausetheywerehere,alone,together,fullofpromise…hewould.
Oliverloweredhismouthtohers,andshegaspedsoftlybeforeyieldingto

him.Hekeptonehandonherface,theotherfirmlyonherhip,keepingherin
place.Hiscockachedbeneathherbutt,buthedidn’trock,didn’tpushhertoo
far,tooquickly.Hewasabigman,abigbear,andMandywassosmall,so
fragile.

ThoughhewantedGibsonthere,wantedGibsonwithhim,withMandy,

withthemboth,heknewrightthen,thiswasaboutOliverandMandy.They
werethreepartsofawhole,threeseparaterelationshipsthatentwinedtobecome
one.

Andfornow,forthismomentofpurepassion,thiswasOliverandMandy’s

time.

Heexploredhermouth,learninghertasteandeachmoanshemadewhenhe

wentdeeper,whenhegentlybitherlips.Whenhepulledback,theywereboth
breathless,andshesquirmedonceagainonhislap.

“Iwantyou,littlewolf,”hewhispered.“Willyouhaveme?”
Shelookedintohiseyesandsmiledsoftly.“I’malreadyyours,Oliver.

Didn’tyouknowthat?”

Hestoodthenandliftedherintohisarms.Sheletoutasqueakandwrapped

herlegsaroundhiswaist.Heslidonehandunderherbutttokeephersteadyand
usedtheothertogripthebackofherhead,bringinghismouthdownoverhers
oncemore.Hekissedherhard,harderthanbefore,neededherasclosetohimas
possible.

“Icoulddrownonyourtaste.Dieahappyman,”hegrowledroughlyagainst

hermouth.

Sheranherhandsthroughhishair,pullingoutthebandasshedidso.“Keep

tasting.”Shebitintohislowerlip,andhegrowled.“Tasteeverything.”

Hegrinnedthen.Seemshislittlesubmissivewolfwasn’tallthatsubmissive

witheverything.Perfect.Hecouldn’twaitforGibsontofindout,aswell.Just
theimageofthetwoofthemmakingsureMandycameoverandoveragainsent
himtotheedge,sohetookadeepbreathandcarriedthewomanhisbearwanted
ashistothebedroom.

Whenhelaidherdownontheedgeofthemattress,hecouldn’thelpbut

smile.“Youlooklikeyou’reGoldilocksinmybed.”

Sherolledhereyes.“Myhairisn’tblonde.”
Heslidhishanduphercalfslowly.“Withyourhairsplayedaroundyour

headlikethatinabedthat’sbigenoughforabear,Idon’tcareaboutthecolor.I
wanttotasteyou,Mandy.I’mgoingtolickyouup,eatyouout,andmakeyou
comeonmytonguebeforeItakeyou.”

Mandyshivered.“Okay.”
Helaughedthen,charmedbyhersimpleanswer.“Okay,then.”Helowered

himselfoverher,takinghermouthagainwhilerunninghishandsoverherbody.
Helovedthefeelofher,allsoftnessandcurves.Shewasn’tawarrior,yetheld
thestrengthofherwolfunderthesoftnessofherskin.

Whenhepulledawaytoworkonthebuttonofherjeans,shebitintoherlip

andraisedherhips.Hegrinnedandslowlypulledherpantsdownherlegs,

tossingthemtotheside.Herlegswereshapelyandwouldfitnicelyaroundhis
hipsashedroveintoher.

“Beautiful,”hewhisperedandcuppedherboldly.
Shegasped,andhegrinned,intentonhispurpose.Shestillworehertopand

panties,butlaidoutbeforehim,heknewshewashis.Hebentoverherandslid
hishandsunderthesidesofherpantiesbeforepullingthemdown.Again,she
liftedherhipstohelp,andhecouldn’thelpbutsighattheperfectioninfrontof
him.

Andshewashis.
Beforeshecouldputherkneestogethertocoverherself,heloweredhisface

andlicked.Shebuckedtowardhim,callingouthisname.Helickedagain,her
tastesweetonhistongue.Heputonehandoverherstomachtokeephersteady
asheexploredher,lickingandsuckingwhilemakingsuretopayextraattention
toherclit.

“Oliver,”shegaspedandheincreasedthepace,slidingonefingerintoher.

Sheclampedaroundhim,tight,tight,wetandhot.Whenheaddedasecond
fingerandgentlybitdownonherclit,shecameagainsthim,herbodyshaking.

Heletherridethepleasurebeforepullingbackandstrippingoffhisclothes

inahurry.Whenhewascompletelynaked,hepulledhertoherfeet,allowing
hertostillleanagainstthebed,andkissedheragain,theurgencyridinghim
makinghimshake.

“Ineedyou,”herasped.“Ineedallofyou.”
“Youhaveit,”shegaspedassheraisedherhands.Heslidhershirtoffand

hadherbraonthegroundnexttoherpantiesbeforeshecouldblink.Herbreasts
weretheperfectsizeforhislargehandsandhehadtohavetheminhismouth.
Helickedonenipple,thentheother,gentlypluckingthemwithhisfingersand
cuppingherbreastsashedid.

“Oliver,”shemoaned,herhandtanglinginhishair.Hehummedagainsther

nipple,andshepressedherbodyagainsthis,herhandonhisdick.

Hegroaned.“Ifyoutouchmerightnow,I’mgoingtocome.”
“Yougottotasteme,whycan’tItasteyou?”
Hepulledawayandcuppedherface.“Nexttime,”hepromised.“Nexttime.

Ineedyounow.”

Withthat,heturnedheraroundandpressedherbacktohisfront,hiscock

slidingagainstthetopofherass.Whenhebentherovertheedgeofthebed,she
fistedherhandsinthebedspreadashegrippedherhipstightly.Hebentoverher
andkissedthebackofherneckthenlickeddownherspine.Withonehand,he
fingeredheragain,makingsureshewasreadyforhim,andwiththeother,
positionedhimselfatherentrance.

“Readyforme,littlewolf?”
“I’vebeenready,”shesaid,hervoicerough.
“Good.”Hepushedintoherthenandtheybothmoaned.Shewassosmall,

sotight,butshe’dtakehim.Hisbearwantedtogoharder,gofaster,butforthis
firsttime,hejustwantedtofeelher.Hecouldwaitthatlong.

“Oliver,”shemoaned.“Now.Takeme.Icanhandleit.Ineedyou.”
“Idon’twanttohurtyou.”
“I’mawolf,bearofmine.Icantakeit.Nowtakeme.”Shepushed

backwards,takingtherestofhim,andhegrowledbeforepullingbackand
slammingbackintoher.Theybothgroaned,andhecontinuedthepace,thrusting
inandoutofheruntiltheywerebothsweat-slickandontheedge.Beforehe
couldcome,hepulledoutandflippedherover.Heputhishandsunderherbutt
andliftedhersosherestedontheedgeofthebed.Shereachedbetweenthem
andgrippedhiscock,movinghimsohecouldfillheragain.Hepushedintoher
oncemore,andsherockedherhips,meetinghimthrustforthrust.

Whenhisballstightened,heknewhewasclose.“Touchyourself,”he

ordered.“Comeforme.”

Sheslidherhandoverherbellyanddidashetoldher,hereyesnever

leavinghis.Whenhereyesdarkened,herbodybowing,hecamewithher,
crushinghismouthtohersandcatchingherscreamofpleasure.

Hisbearroared,andhefeltherwolfslideagainsthim,connectingthemina

wayhe’dneverthoughtpossible.

Hestoodwithherinhisarms,naked,sweaty,sated,andhers.
Nomatterthefuture,nomatterwhathisvisionsshowedhim,thiswaswhat

hewouldrememberuntiltheendofhisdays.Thefeelofthiswomaninhis
arms…andinhissoul.

Hejustprayedthiswouldn’tbethelasttimehefeltit.

Chapter7

Gibsonwashorny.Therewasn’tanotherwordforit.Hewasfinallyhealed

fromeverythingthathadhithimrecently,andbecausehe’ddonehisbesttostay
secluded¸hehadn’thadtodealwithtoomanyemotions.

Yettherewasonethinghecouldn’tchangeonhisown.
Oh,hemighthavebeenabletoruboneofftotakecareoftheitch,oratleast

partofit,buthehadn’twantedto,notwithOliverandMandyrightthere.

Ofcourse,thetwoofthemhadalreadybeenwithoneanothersotheyat

leastknewwhattheotherfeltlike.Gibson,however,hadnoclue.Itmighthave
beenhisownfaultbecausehe’dwantedtomakesureOliverhadbeentakencare
ofduringhistimeofneed,andheknewMandywouldbeperfectforit,butit
didn’tmakehisdickanylesshard.

Andthefactthathewasthinkingabouthisdickandnotthathehadto

controlthisnewgiftofhis,orthatClairewasdead,oraboutwhohurthiminthe
firstplace,oraboutthefacttheSAUguardshadremainedasilentpresence,told
himheneededtogethisprioritiesstraight.

Noteverythingwasaboutgettingoff.
Butsometimesitsureashellfeltlikeit.
Hesighedandranahandthroughhishair.Heprobablyshouldgetitcut,but

Mandyhadcommentedthatshelikeditsohekeptit.Theyweren’tevenmated,
andhewasalreadydoingthingsforhertomakeherhappy.Ifhe’dbeenan
asshole,hemighthaveresentedherforit.Buthewasn’t,andhejustwantedto
makesureshestayedhappy.

Itwasn’teasywhentheworldwasgoingtohellaroundthem,anditwasn’t

asifthey’dstartedoffinagreatplacetobeginwith.

Withasigh,hegotupfromhiskitchentableandputhiscoldcoffeeinthe

sink.Hehadn’trememberedtodrinkitwhenit’dbeenhotsincehe’dbeentrying
tountangleafewthreadsofemotions,andnowhewastired,grumpy,andin
needofcaffeine.Coldcaffeinewouldhavetodo.Hepulledoutanoff-brand
sodafromtherefrigeratorandpoppedthetop.Thehumansdidn’tletthemhave
brandnamethingssinceitwasjustonemorewayforthemtoflaunttheirpower,
sooff-brandhadtodo.Sometimes,theysnuckinthegoodstuff,buthedidn’t
haveanyatthemoment.

Thatmorning,hewassupposedtoworkonathighpieceforafellowwolf,

buttheothermanhadcancelled,tellingGibsoninapologetictonesthatasthe
newOmega,heprobablyneededrest.

Itgratedonhimthattheothermanhadbeenright,buthedidhisbestto

ignoreit.Hehadn’tdoneatattoosincebecomingtheOmega,andhewasafraid
hewouldn’tbeabletoatall.Itwasbadenoughhecouldfeeltension,hurt,and
angerfromotherswhenhewalkedpastthem.Whatwouldhappenwhenhewas
theoneinflictingpainfromtheneedleofatattoomachine?Hewasn’tsurehe
wouldbeabletohandleit,andbecauseofthat,heknewhe’dhavetotakea
breakfromtheonethingthathadcenteredhimwithinthePack.

Ofcourse,henowhadthisnewconnection,buthedidn’tknowwhattodo

withit.Nordidheknowifhe’dbeabletofullycontrolit.Forallheknew,he’d
breakalongtheway,orworse,breaksomeonehecaredaboutbecausehedidn’t
knowhowtohandlethisso-calledgift.

Ifhe’dbeenbornwiththepowerorhadknownaboutitgrowinguplike

otherOmegasinthepasthad,itwouldbeonething.Butthishadbeendropped
inhislapatapointinhislifewhenhehadn’tbeenreadyforit.

HehadbarelybeenreadyforMandyandOliver.Letalonetheabilityto

handletheemotionalandphysicalhealthofanentirePackandtwomorethat
wereslowlyjoiningtheirs.

“Knockknock,”Mandysaidfrombehindhim.Heturnedatthesoundofher

voice,hiswolfpushingagainsthimforevenaglimpseofher.

Hesmileddespitetheweightonhischestatthesightofher.Hercheeks

wereflushed,herhairinwildwavesaroundherhead,andhethoughtshe’d
neverlookedsexier.Shesmelledofthatdelectablesweetnessthatwashers,
wrappedinthewarmthandstrengththatwasOliver.

Gibsonwantedhisscentmixedwiththetwo.
Andhewouldmakethathappen.
Soon.
Heprowledtowardherlikehewasadamncatinsteadofawolfandcupped

herface,liftingherchinsohecouldlookdownintothoseeyesofhersheloved.

“Goodmorning,”heraspedbeforetakinghermouthwithhis.Sheleaned

intohim,herbreastspressingintohischest.

“Goodmorning,”shebreathedbeforeleaningbacktofanherface.“Iswear,

betweenyouandOliverI’mgoingtoneedanapatsomepointsoIcancatch
up.”

Gibsongrinned.“Yeah?Wetoomuchforyou,arewe?”
Sherolledhereyes.“Nottoomuch.Justenough.ThoughsometimesIguess

itfeelsliketoomuch.Andthenatthosetimes,Iguessitwillbeuptoyouand
Oliverto…play.”

Gibsonlickedhislipsatthethought.“Itdoeshelpthatthere’salways

someonewaitinginthewingsincaseweneedtotapout.”

Shesnortedandhuggedhimaroundhiswaist.“Yes,becauseit’sjustlikea

cagematch.”Shesighedintohimandinhaled.“Yousmell…happy.”

Helaughed.“Oh,really?HowcanIsmellhappy?”
Shewrinkledhernose,andheleaneddowntokissit.Funny,hewasstill

hornyashell,likehe’dbeenbefore,butinsteadoftheangstandworrythathad
comewithit,hefelt…relieved.Mandyhaddonethattohimbyjustbeingnear.
Hedidn’tknowwhatthatmeant,orrather,hedidn’twanttothinktoohardabout
whatthatmeant,buthe’dtakeitasitwas.Fornow.

“Idon’tknow.It’snotlikeyouwiththewholeactuallyfeelingemotions

things,butwhenIcamein,mywolfperkedupbecauseyoursdid.Iguessthat’s
whatImean.”

Helookeddownather,hisheartinthisthroat.Thatshe’dcaughtthatwith

onelooktoldhimhehadn’tbeenhidinghowhefeltaboutherwellatall.Why
hefelttheneedtohideanythingfromherwasbeyondhimthough.Maybeitwas
becausetheyweremovingawfullyfastfortwowolveswhohaddonetheirbest
tostayoutofeachother’swayinthepast.

“Youdomakemehappy,”hesaidsoftly.Heranhisthumboverherjawand

swallowedhard.Ifhedidn’tslowdown,he’dtakeheragainstthewall,andhe
neededtobreathefirst.Shedeservedmorethanaruttogethimoff.“Iwasjust
goingtohaveasoda.Youwantone?”

Shetiltedherheadasshestudiedhisface.“Icouldusesomethingtodrink.

Aren’tyougoingtoaskwhyI’mhereandOliverisn’t?”

Heblinkedandclearedhisthroat.“IguessIwasjustsohappytoseeyouI

forgottheusualthingslikenotbeingaselfishasshole.”

Sherolledhereyes.“Well,youbeinghappytoseemeisonething,but

you’renotaselfishasshole,notwiththatkiss.AsforwhyI’mhere,Ihaveafew
thingstodoworkwise,butIbroughtitwithme.”Shepointedtothesatchelhe’d
failedtonoticethatsheworeacrossherbody.“OliverisplayingUncleBigBad
Bearwiththecubstoday.Theymissedhimapparently,andhewantedtomake
sureyouandIhadsometimealonetogether.IfI’mnotmistaken,he’splanning
onmakingsurethetwoofyouhavetimetospendtogetheralone,aswell.And
thenthethreeofus.”Hereyescrossed.“It’salotofrelationshipswhenyouput
itallouttherelikethat.”

Heshookhishead,asmilespreadingoverhisface.“Yeah,butwe’llfinda

waytomakeitwork.Andhonestly,itonlyseemslikealot,Ithink,because
OliverandIusuallydoourbesttostayonthefringes.”

Shenoddedasheledhertothekitchenandgotherasodaofherown.

“Yeah,andwhileImightknowalotofpeople,Itendtostaybymyself.Too
manydominantshiftersatonceandmywolfneedsatimeout.”

Hetookasipofhisdrink.“Igetthat.Well,atleastIsortofdo.I’venever

likedbeingaroundalotofpeople,eventhoughIusuallyhaveoneortwoinmy
shopdaily.Idon’tknowifit’smywolforjustmethatmakesthathappen,
though.IknowOliverneedstobeonhisownalotbecauseofthewhole
Foreseerthing,butIdon’tknowwhatitfeelsliketohaveawolfinsidethat’snot
evenalittledominant.”

Shesmiledthen,hereyesbrightening.“AndIdon’tknowwhatitfeelslike

nottobesubmissive.Mywolf,muchlikemeIguess,needstocomfort,too
soothe.It’snotthatI’mweak,butmore…adifferentkindofwolfIguess.”

Gibsonfrowned.“Ineverthoughtyouwereweak.Ittakesacertainkindof

strengthtoaidthedominantswhentheycan’thelpthemselves.Whothoughtyou
wereweak?”Hiswolfrose,needingtoknow,aswell.Atendrilofsensationslid
overhim,andheknewitwasMandy.Hecouldn’ttellwhatemotionitwas
exactly,butitfeltalittlelikeshame.Hedidn’tunderstandituntilshespoke
next.

Shebitherlip.“Therewereafew,butClairehonestlywastheworst.”She

letoutasigh,andGibsonsetdownhiscansohecouldbringherclose.“Once
HoldenmatedArielandeverythinghappenedwiththeSAU,thingswere
different,butIwasalwayscarefularoundher.AndIhatethatI’mevensaying
thisbecauseshe’sgoneandcan’tspeakforherself.Someoneendedherlife,and
wehavenoideawhoitwas.YetasmallpartofmeisrelievedIwillneverfeel
trappedandscaredbecauseofheragain.Shewasn’tagoodperson,butshe
didn’tdeservetodielikethat.”

Gibsonkissedhertempleandheldhertohischest.Shesnuggledclose,and

herestedhischinonthetopofherhead.

“No,shedidn’tdeservetodielikeshedid,andwewillfindoutwhodidit.

Justlikewe’llfindoutwhohurtmeandwhytheSAUissosilentrightnow.As
forhowshemadeyoufeel…Herdyingdoesn’tchangethat.Itdoesn’tmakeyou
abadpersonforrememberingwhatshedidtoyou.”Hiswolfpushedathim,
wantingtoavengeher,buttherewasnothingtoavenge.Notyetanyway.

“Ifeellikethingshavebeenupintheairyetchangingsoquicklyeversince

HoldenfoundArielinthewoods,”Mandysaidafteramoment.“It’sstrangeto
thinkhowthingsmightchangeagain.”

Heranhishanddownherside.“Iknow,”hesaidsoftly.“IneverthoughtI’d

behere,betheOmega.”Abeatofsilence.“Bewithyou.”

Shemovedawayfromhimthen,andhefeltapangofdisappointmentuntil

shestoodonhertiptoesandreacheduptokisshisjaw.“Makelovetome,

Gibson.Makemeyoursintruth.”

Heslidhishandsdownherarmsandgrippedherfingers.“Youwantthat

now?Youwantmeonyou,overyou,inyou?”

“I’vewanteditforalongtime,”sheanswered.“Thewaytheworldis

changingisn’tgoingtostopthat.IwantyouasIwantOliver,thougheachwayis
unique.”

Henodded.“Sameforme.”
Shesmiledthen.“WhenyoutakeOliver,doyouthinkIcanbeinthe

room?”sheblushed,andGibsonlaughed.

“Youwanttowatchmetakehim?Andhowdoyouknowit’llbemetaking

him?”

“I’msureyou’lltaketurns,”shesaiddryly.“ButIthinkourbigbearneeds

torelaxeveryonceinawhile,andyoucandothatforhim.”

Heloweredhishead,hislipsabreathfromhers.“Ithinkwebothcan.”And

withthat,hetookhermouth,relishinghertaste,hertouch.Heliftedherintohis
armsandturnedsohecouldsitheronthekitchentable,thankfulitwassturdier
thantheoneinherhome.Hepulledawayandtuggedatthebottomofhershirt.
“Ineedthisoff.”

Hereyeswidened.“Here?Inthekitchen?”
Gibsongrinnedthen.“Hell,yeah.Thekitchenistheperfectplacetoeat.”

Andwiththat,hetookoffhershirt,moaningwhenherealizedshewasn’t
wearingabra.“DamnIloveyourbreasts.”

Shecuppedthemherself,ablushrisingonherskin.“Oliverbrokethehook

onmybralastnightandI,uh…haven’tbeenhometofixityet.”

Hepulledherhandsawayandcuppedherbreasts,usinghisthumband

forefingertoplaywithhernipples.“Inoticedyouwerewearingthesameclothes
aslastnight.You’readirtylittlewolf,aren’tyou?”

Shelickedherlips.“You’redirtier.”
Hechuckledroughly.“Yeah,Iam.”Heloweredhisheadandtookanipple

intohismouth,sucked.Shearchedtowardhim,puttingherhandonthebackof
hishead.Hepulledaway.“Handsontheedgeofthetable,Mandy.”

“What?”sheasked,hereyeswide.
“Hands.On.The.Table.”Hegrowledouteachword.“Ifyoutouchmenow,

I’lllosecontrol.”

“SoyoucantouchmebutIcan’ttouchyou?”sheaskedevenassheputher

handsontheedgeofthetableashe’dordered.

“Yep.”Hebeganworkingonherpants,slowlyslidingthem,alongwithher

panties,downherlegs.Soon,shewasnakedbeforehim.Sexy,curvy,andhotas
hell.

“Thatdoesn’tsoundfair,”shesaid,thoughitwasmoreofagaspashewent

tohiskneesinfrontofher.

“You’llhavetopunishmelaterforit,”hegrowled.Thenhelickedher,

nibblingandbitinguntiltheywerebothpanting.Shehadherlegswrapped
aroundhisneck,andhecouldn’thelpbuthuminsatisfactionathertaste.As
soonashedid,shestiffenedbeforecoming,herbodyarchingoverthetable.

Butshe’dkeptherhandsontheedge.
Hequicklystoodupandstrippedoutofhisclothes.Hewasrock-hard,and

soclosehemightendupcomingbeforeheevenhadher.Heknewhehadto
slowitdown,hadtorememberthatthiswasonlythefirstchanceatabeginning.

Gibsonkissedherhard,wrappingherhairaroundhisfist.“Mine,”he

growled.“Mine.”

“Yours,”shepromised,hereyesdark.“Yours.Always.”
Hewasn’tsurehecouldhandletheideaofalways,oratleasthehadn’t

been.Now,hecouldn’thelpbutthinkit.

Passion,heat,andthescariestthingofall—love—filledhim,andhewasn’t

sureifitwashisorMandy’s.Hiswolftookeverythingin,theemotionsmixing
andtanglinguntiltheybecamealmostone.Thatitselfwasanewkindofalmost
bond,anewkindoffeelingaltogether.

He’dhavetoworkthroughthatandfindabalance,butfornow,hecould

onlystopandstareatthewomanbeforehim.

“You’reeverything,”hewhispered.“Everything.”
Sheshookherhead.“Justonethirdofawhole,”shesaidsoftly.“Now

please,getinmebeforeIhavetotakecareofthingsmyself.”

Hesnortedandcuppedherbreastfirmly.“Goingtotakecharge,areyou?”
Shearchedintohisgrasp,hernipplehardagainsthispalm.“Ifyouwon’t.”
Hepinchedhernippleandshegasped.“Wench.”
“Heathen.”
“Littlewolf.”
“Mywolf.”
Helikedthesoundofthat.Hekissedheragain,usingonehandtoguide

himselftoher.Ashepressedin,hemethergaze,theirbreathsquickeningashe
filledherslowly,ohsoslowly.

Whenheseatedhimselftothehilt,hepaused,sweatslidingdownhisback.

Shewassowarm,sowet,andabsoluteperfection.

“I’venever…”heclearedhisthroat.“I’veneverfeltanythinglikethis.”
Tearssliddownhercheeksasshenodded.“Gibson.”
Hekissedherashemoved,theirbodiesmovingasone.Shewrappedher

legsaroundhiswaist,pullinghimcloser,andhegrippedherhipsohecouldgo

asdeepaspossible.Andwhenshecame,herbodytighteningaroundhis,he
followedher,fillingher,markingherashisowninthatway.

Onedaysoon,whenitwasthethreeofthem,theywouldmarkeachother.

Therewasnootheroptionnow.He’dfallen.Fast.Hard.Andineveryway
possible.

Thiswolfandthebearwhowasclosehadlaidclaimtohisheart,hisbody,

andhisfuture.

Itdidn’ttakeanOmegatoknowtheothersfeltthesame.Justasitdidn’t

takeaForeseertoknowthatastheworldcrumbledaroundthem,spunonan
unsteadyaxis,theywouldhavetofightforwhattheywanted.

Becausethiswasonlyareprieveinthedarkness.
Somethingwascoming.
Anditwascomingsoon.

Chapter8

Thedreamcamequickly.Oliverbracedhimselffortheonslaught,yetdid

hisbesttoremembereverydetail,everyounceofpain.Thedarknessslammed
intohim,anever-presententitythattoldhimthatwhathappenednextwasn’t
goingtobeeasy,wasn’tgoingtobepretty.

Heletoutabreath,focusingonwhatmattered—thevision.
Theywerestandinginagroupoftrees,thoughhecouldn’ttellifitwas

nightordaybecausethebranchesmadeacanopy,onlylettinginsomelight.If
he’dbeenawakeintruth,he’dhavefeltthesun’swarmthorperhapsthemoon’s
pull,butfornow,heonlyknewthatwhathappenedwouldbeinthissmallpatch
offorest.

Growlssoundedinfrontofhim,andhemovedforward.Fromthemurky

darkness,twofiguresemerged,thistimenotinwolfform.GibsonandMandy
stoodback-to-back,cutscoveringtheirbody.Alarge,jaggedgashmarked
Gibson’storso.BloodseepedthroughGibson’sshirtandrandownhispantsto
mixwiththedirtontheground.TheOmegawaspale,hisbodyshuttingdown
fromthemortalwound.

Mandyclawedatherattacker,adarkshadowhecouldn’tquiteplace,her

facescrunchedevenashereyesfilledwithfear.

Oliverthrewhisheadbackandroared.Thehumponthebackofhisneck

grewashebegantoshiftintohisgrizzlyform.Theneedtosavethem,evenina
dreamthatwasnodream,tookover,andheputallsenseofrealityoutofhis
mind.

Hewouldnotallowthesetwotodie.
Notwhenhe’djustfoundthem.
HetackledthedarkshadowinfrontofGibsonasthemalewolffelltohis

knees,hiseyeswideandvacant.Mandyturnedtowardthem,screamingtheir
lover’snameasGibsonhittheground.Oliverreachedoutwithalargepawto
bringherclose,butcouldn’tgettoherintime.Instead,ashadowjumpedonto
herbackandclawedherneck.Bloodpouredfromthegash,andshereachedup
tostaunchtheflow.

Butitwouldn’tbeenough.
Itneverwas.
Olivercoveredtheirbodieswithhisown,swipingattheshadowsbutnever

makingcontact.Heclawed,bit,androared;yetnothingworked.Theshadows
usedtheirfangsandclawstoattackhisbody,diggingthroughhisfurdownto
theflesh.

Hisbloodcoveredthegroundbelowhim,andheknewthiswouldbethe

end.

Thiswashowhewoulddie.
Andifhedidn’tmovefromthevision,hemightdieforreal,aswell.

Becausesometimes,whateverhappenedinthevision,alsohappenedtohis
unconsciousbody.

Hecouldn’tlethislifeendlikethis,couldn’tletGibsonandMandydieat

thehandsoftheunknown.

Oliverpulledaway,hisbodyshaking,hisvisiongoinggray.Asheclosed

hiseyes,hisbreathgrowingragged,anotherwolfemergedfromthedarkness,his
eyesintent.

Theo.
ButwhatwouldTheobedoinghere?
TheogrowledoverMandy’sbody,andOliveropenedhismouthtoroar

back,butthedarknesstookhimagain.

Hewokeupinapoolofhisownsweat,hissheetstangledaroundhiships

andchest,heavingashefoughttocatchhisbreath.Withalurch,heturnedonhis
frontandemptiedthecontentsofhisstomachintotheemptytrashcanhekept
nearhisbedforsituationsjustlikethis.

Oncehecouldbreatheagain,Oliverstoodonshakylegsandwenttoclean

uphismessandtosshissheetsinthewasher.Ashegotintheshower,hestood
underthespray,leaningononehandagainstthewallsohecouldfigureoutwhat
hewasgoingtodowiththisnewvision.

JustbecauseTheohadshownupinthedreamrightwhentheshadowshad

disappeareddidn’tmeanhehadanythingtodowithGibsonandMandy’sdeaths.
Infact,itcouldhavebeensomethingcompletelydifferent,yetOlivercouldn’t
shakethatTheohadsomethingtodowithwhatwouldcome.

Andpossiblywithwhathadalreadyhappened.
Theowasn’thappywithMandyforchoosingOliverandGibsonoverhim,

butthatdidn’tmeanhewouldberesponsiblefortheirdeaths.Infact,Theohad
spentmostofhislifemakingsureMandywassafeandsecure,evenwithinthe
wallsoftheirconfinement.ButGibsonhadbeenattacked—evenifithadbeen
beforeMandyhadcometothemboth.PerhapsTheohadknownbeforeeven
OliverdidofMandy’schoice.AndClaire…ClairehadhurtMandy.

Heknewhewasreachingatthispoint,buthedidn’tknowwhatelseto

think.Theohadbeenpartofhisvision,andthisparticulardreamhadfeltmore

realthananythingelsehe’ddreamtbefore.

Somethingwascoming,heknewthat,andperhapsTheowouldbepartofit.
WhatmadethiswholethingworsewasthatOlivershouldn’thavehada

visionlikethatatall.Somethingwaswrongwithhim,hisvisions,hispowers.
Heshouldn’thavevisionsofthoseclosesttohim,thoseheloved.Because,damn
it,helovedGibsonandMandy.Hemaynothavehadtheminhislifeforlong,
buttheywerehis.Soheshouldn’thavehadavisionaboutthem.

AndnoForeseerhehadeverheardofhaddreamtoftheirowndeath.
Thatjustdidn’thappen.
Whateverwasoff,hewouldfindawaytofixit,butheknewitwouldn’tbe

easy.Hesighedoncemoreandturnedoffthewaterbeforegettingouttodry
himself.He’dpromisedhe’dmeetGibsonandMandyinthedencenterfor
breakfast,andheknewhewasalreadyrunninglate.

Hedidn’tsleepmuchthankstothevisions,butapparently,hisbodyhad

decidedthatadreamwherehehaddiedwouldbetheonethatkepthim
unconsciousforfarlongerthanusual.

Oliverdressedquicklyandlefthishome,makinghiswaytowardtheden

centerandhopinghewasn’ttoolatetomeetupwithGibsonandMandy.As
soonashefoundhiswaytothepath,hisbodyrelaxed.Theirscentsreachedhim,
circlingaroundhisbodybeforefinallysettlingintohisskinasiftheyhadalways
beenthereandwouldalwaysbe.

GibsonandMandywalkedtowardhim,hand-in-hand.Mandy’ssmile

brightenedwhenshecaughtsightofhim,andGibsongavehimalittlesmirk.

Thesetwowerehis,therewasnoquestion.He’dhadMandy,andwould

haveherinhislifeagain,andsoonhewouldhaveGibson.Andafterthat…it
wouldbethethree.Theywouldfindawaytomaketheirworldwork,makewhat
theyneeded,themasone,work.

Hejustprayedhewouldhaveenoughtimetofindthatpath.
OliveropenedhisarmsasMandywalkedtowardhimandburrowedclose.

“IthoughtIwasmeetingyouthere.”Hekissedthetopofherhead,inhalingher
scentashedid.

Gibsonwalkedtohissideandkissedhislipssoftly.Oliver’sbearrearedup,

needingmore,buthepushedhimback.Fornow.

Thewolfsmiledathim.“Wefiguredwe’dpickyouupinstead,”Gibson

said.“Thisway,wemakesureyouactuallyshowupontime.”

MandysnortedandpulledbacksoshecouldpushatGibson.“That’snot

true.”ShelookedupatOliverandbattedhereyelashescoyly.“Iwantedtowalk
together.”Shepaused.“Andmaybemakesureyouweren’trunninglate,but
that’sbecauseI’madork.Adorkwithaschedule,though.”

Oliverchuckledandkissedherthen,needinghertaste.Shemoanedbeneath

himandhegrinnedashepulledaway.“AsI’mrunningabitlate,Ithankyou.”
Hisstomachrumbled.“Andapparently,sodoesmystomach.”

“Let’sgetyoufed,bigboy,”Gibsonsaidwithalaugh.
“Bigboyisright,”Mandywhisperedunderherbreathandblushedbeet-red.

“I,uh…didn’tmeantosaythatoutloud.”

Olivergrinnedwide.“I’mnotcomplaining.”Hegrippedherhipasthey

walked,alightnesscomingoverhim,shatteringthedarknessthathadovercome
himinthedream.Withthesetwo,hecouldbreathe,couldthink.Thiswaswhat
he’dbeenmissingallthistime,andhewasdamngladheatleasthadthistime
withthem.

Hecursedinwardly.
Hewouldchangehisvision.
Hewouldsavethemall.
Nomatterwhat.
Agrowlsoundedbehindthem,andGibsonturned,shovingMandybetween

himandOliver.ThehairsonthebackofOliver’sneckstoodonendandhelet
hisbearcomeforward.

Thoughitwasdaylightandhecouldseethroughthetopsofthetrees,he

knewthispartofthepath,knewthesetrees.

He’ddreamtthembefore.
Fourlionsprowledthroughthewoodedarea,onemaleandthreefemales.

Themale’sblackmanebillowedinthewind,hisbodysleekmuscle.Thethree
femalessurroundinghimhadtheirheadsdownlow,readyforattack.

“Whatthehell?”Gibsonspat.“Cats?”Ashewasbestfriendswithacat,it

madesensetoOliverthatGibsonwasjustasconfusedashewas.

ButasOliverinhaled,hecaughtthe…lackofscentthathadbeenonGibson

aftertheattack,thesamelackofscentthathadcoveredClaire’sbody.

BeforeOlivercouldcontemplatetheramificationsandthinkaboutwhy

thesecatswoulddosuchathing,theleadfemalepounced.Gibsonrolledoutof
theway,butnotbeforesheclawedthewolfrightthroughhisstomach.

Oliverhadseenthatwoundbefore.
Thiswouldnothappenexactlylikeinhisdream.
Oliverroaredandswipedatanotherfemale,theclosestshiftertohim.“Get

help!”hecalledtoMandy.

“Ican’t!”shecalledback.
Heriskedaglanceoverhisshoulderassherolledtothegroundtogetoutof

thewayofthethirdfemale.Themalelionstoodwherehewas,watchingthe

womenfight,butOliverdidn’ttakehiseyesoffhimfully.Heknewhowlions
fought,andthismalewouldn’tstandbackforlong.

Hewaswaitingforanopening.
Oliverpushedatthefemalelioninfrontofhim,rakinghisclawsdownher

side.Hewasbigger,stronger,andwouldwininafightwhenitwasshifter
againstshifter.Buthewasinhumanform,andcouldn’tstripdowntochange
withoutbearingaweakside.Healsocouldn’tfocuscompletelybecauseMandy
wasfightingsomeonemuchlargerandstrongerthatshewaswhileGibsonwas
bleedingoutnexttohim,stillfighting.

Andyetthemalelioncontinuedtowatch.
Waiting.
Oliverduckedabitethatwouldhaveseveredanarteryonhislegand

slammedthefemaleliontotheground.Gibsonwaswinningagainsthisenemy,
butifhedidn’tgetsomeonetotakecareofhiswoundsoon,itwouldbetoolate.

Mandywasfightinghardaswell,butshewouldn’tlastlong.Shewasn’ta

fighter,andthoughshewastrained,heropponentwasbetter.

Oliverturnedtohelp,thenhitthegroundhard,afierypainradiatingdown

hisbackasthemalelionpounced,clawingandbitingOliver’sflesh.Heroared
andturned,throwingtheliontotheground.Heheardasickeningpopasthelion
brokebones,butthebastardcamebackathim.

Mandyscreamedasthelionjumpedonher,andOliverturnedhisattention

toher.

Mistake.
ThemalelionandthefemaleoneOliverhadfoughtatfirstattackedhimas

heturnedtowardMandy’sscream.

“Mandy!”hecalledout,buthewasafraiditwouldbetoolate.
Justasheropponentpinnedhertothegroundandopenedhisjawstobite

Mandy’sneck,agreywolfboundedoutofthetrees,throwinghisbodyintothe
lions.Mandyrolledtoherfeetandclawedatthelion,aswell.

Heknewthatwolf,knewthatscent.
Theo.
Hell,thankGodhe’dbeenwrongabouthisdream.
Heturnedhisattentionbacktothetwobigcatsinfrontofhim,hisrageat

fullpeak.Howdaretheselionsattackhismates?Heroared,hishumprisingon
hisback.Hisclawsslashedout,andhegrippedthefemalebyherneckand
squeezed.Sherasped,clawingathisarmasheshookher,slammingherdownto
thegroundbeforepickingherupandslammingheragain.

Hedidittwicemorebeforehewassureshewasdeadandthenthrewher

bodytowardthetrees.Theresoundingthumpmighthavesickenedhimifthese

catshadn’tthreatenedhismates.

Gibsoncametohisside,bloodyandpale,hisopponentdeadwhereshelay.

“There’ssomethingoffaboutthem,”hegroaned.“Icanfeelit.”Heputhisfist
overhisheart.“It’snotover.”

Themalelionprowledtowardhim,andGibsonandOliverriskedaglance

atMandy,whofoughtthelastfemalelion.Theolaybloodyonthegroundin
wolfformbesideher,andOlivercursed.Hemovedtowardhertohelpwhenshe
bent,usinghershouldertohitthecatinthegutbeforerollingtotheground.She
kickedout,takingtheliondownbythelegsandthenmovedoncemoretopin
theshiftertotheground.

“Don’tyoudarefuckwithmymates,”Mandygrowledout.
Oliverblinked.Well,then.Hewenttoherside,makingsurethelion

couldn’tmove.Theshifterhadpassedout,buthedidn’ttrustit.Heturnedthen
tomakesureGibsonwasokaysincethemalelionwasstillaliveandbreathing,
butheshouldn’thavebeenworried.

HoldenandtheotherAlphasburstthroughthetrees,theirclawsout.“What

thehellhappened?”

Jonah,theFelineAlphanarrowedhiseyesatthecarnage.“Xavior,shift.”

ThepowerinhisvoiceslidoverOliver’sskinandhealmostbowedhishead.He
didn’tknowJonah,butdamn,thatcatwasAlphaforareason.

Otherscameoutfromthetreestohelp,pinningtheotherliondownso

OlivercouldtakeMandyintohisarmsandmaketheirwayovertoGibson.

Theoletoutabreathbesidethem,andshewenttoherkneesatthenow

proneTheoandGibsonattheirfeet.Oliverfelltohisassatherside,tiredand
confusedashell.Withsomanyothersaroundthem,theyweresafeforthetime
being,buthehadtomakesurehismateswerereallyokay.

“Theo?”shewhispered.Sheranherhandsthroughhisfur,andOliverdidn’t

feelanyjealousy.Thiswasherbestfriend,andhehadsavedherlife.Oliver
wouldalwaysbegrateful.“Heneedsahealer.”

Assoonasshesaidit,theirdoctorcameforward,lookedbetweenTheoand

Gibson,andshookhishead.“Damn,”hemumbledandwenttoworkonTheo’s
sidewhereOlivercouldseeribbonesstickingout.

Hell,itwasworsethanhe’dthought.
ThebearmediccameforwardandstartedtoworkonGibson,andOliver

wasgrateful.They’dfoughtasonePack,notthree,andnowtheywouldhealas
one,aswell.Atleast,hehoped.

“Explainyourself,Xavior,”Jonahhissed.
“Fuckyou,”Xavior,thenownakedmalelionhissed.

“Theyattackedusonthepath,”Oliveransweredforhim.“Idon’tknow

why,buttheyalsohavethesamemutedscentthatwasonGibsonandClaire.At
leasttheydid,Icanscentthemnow.”Henarrowedhiseyes.“Idon’tknow
what’sgoingon,butsomethingisoffaboutthiswholething.”

Xaviorspittowardhim,andJonahletoutmorepower.Themalelionfell

facedownontheground.Cowering.Shaking.

“Answer,”Jonahordered.
“Weshouldhavebeeninpower,shouldhavebeentheAlphas,”Xavior

finallyanswered,risinguponhiskneesonceagain.“Thelionsarethekings,and
yetweletthetigersruleourPacks?It’sanabomination.”

Oliverblinkedattheadmission.Adominancechallenge?Allofthisfora

backwardswayofmakingaplayfortheAlphaposition?Ofthethreetypesof
shifters,itwasthecatsthathadadifferentwayofchoosingwhowasAlpha.
Withwolves,sincetheyweremostlyalltimberwolves,theAlphawasthe
strongest.Withbears,itwasalwaysgrizzliesbecausetheywerethemost
powerfulunlesstheywerefarupnorthnearthepolars.Butcatshadmultiple
species,andthatmeanteachPackhadtohaveacat-on-catbattletofindout
whichkindwouldbetherulingfamily.Oliverhonestlydidn’tknowhowthat
battlehadbeenfought,buthethoughtCora’sfamily,thetigerfamily,wasthe
strongestbyfar.

AndfromthewaythelionmaleinfrontofJonahcowered,hehadn’tbeen

wrong.

“Allofthis?Forachangeinrule?”Jonahshookhishead,disgustonhis

face.“Youcouldneverbeatmeinafairfight,soyouwhat?Attackedthe
ForeseerandOmegatoproveapoint?”

Xaviorraisedhischinbutkepthisgazedown.OliverhuggedMandyclose

asthedoctorsworkedonGibsonandTheobesidethem.

“Answerme,”Jonahordered.
“IfwetookoutthepowersoftheotherPacks,wewouldhavebeenableto

rule.Theywouldhaveblamedyouandtakenyouout.”

Thatdidn’tmakeanysense,andfromthewayJonah’sbrowsrose,he

agreedwithOliver.

“HurttheotherPacksandhurtme?Istillwouldhavetakenyoudown.”
“No,youwouldn’thave,”Xaviorspat.“Notwhenwehadthepowerofthe

Shamanafterwekilledher.”

Oliverfroze.“You…youkilledyourShaman?Iwasn’tawareyouhadone.”

TheShamanwasthecat’sthirdinpower,likeOliverandGibsonweretotheir
Packs.TokillaShaman…thatwasadeathsentence.

Awaytobesenttothefarthestofhells.

Shamansheldpower,magic,buttheywereweak.Innocent.
“Wedidn’thaveone,”Jonahsaidsoftly,horrorinhisvoice.“Notyet…”
“Shewasn’tofageyet,”Xaviorsaidwithashrug.
Oliver’sstomachturnedasMandygaspedinhishold.Hefelttheheatofher

tearsonhischestandheknewshemournedforthelittlegirlwhohaddied
becauseofthegreedofonemanandhisfollowers.

“Who?”Jonahasked,hisvoicepurerage.
“TheoneyouthoughttheSAUtook,”hespat.“Justliketheytakesomany

ofoursandwedonothingaboutit.Onlyitwasn’tthem.Itwasus.We’re
strongerthantheSAU.Andwe’restrongerthanyou.Wesiphonedherpowers
andusedthemtobringouttheOmegasowecouldkillhim,andthenwemessed
withthevisionsoftheForeseer.Yousee,wewerethepower.Notyou.We
deservetobeAlphas.Andthatbitchwolf,Claire,wekilledher,too.Sheshould
havediedlongagowhensheoutedustothehumans,butyouweren’tstrong
enoughtodoit.Wetookcontrolbecauseyoucouldn’t.”

JonahturnedtosomeonebehindOliverandgaveaslightnod.Oliverturned

andbroughtMandy’sfacetohischestastheFelineBetasnappedtheneckofthe
lionfemalewhohadattackedMandy.

“Youbrokeourlaws,”Jonahbegan,andOliverturnedhisattentionbackto

theAlpha.“Youkilledachild.YouattackedthoseoutsideourPack.Youkilleda
womantoseeifyoucould.You…youarenotours.Youarenothing.”He
smashedhisfistintoXavior’scheek,andthelionhittheground,unconscious.
TheAlphaletoutalongsigh.“Hisdeathisn’tmine,”hesaidsoftly.“Butofthe
child’sparentsiftheysochoose.Iftheycan’t,Iwilltaketheirburden.I’msorry
fortheactionsofmyPack.”

OliverstoodonshakylegsandgrippedMandy’shand.Gibson,now

somewhathealedsincehewasashifterandbandagedstoodwiththem,gripping
Oliver’sotherhand.

“It’sover,”Oliversaidintothesilence.“Wecan’tletthisruinwhatwewere

becoming,whatwe’vebecome.Thefutureisunclear,butwemuststandasone,
standtogetherifwearetofindourfreedom.”

“Itisn’tlostonmethattheSAUhasn’tcomeintothecompoundtoseewhy

we’refighting,”Gibsonadded.“Somethingiscomingandwehavetobreak
throughourpaststoensurewehaveafuture.”

MandysqueezedOliver’shand.“We’rePack.Allofus.Iknowthey

attackedus,butyoudidn’t.Youhavenothingtobesorryfor.”

Andwiththat,thethreeAlphasofthePacks,Holdenofthewolves,Jonahof

thecats,andAndrewofthebearsbowedtheirheadsatthethreeofthem.

Mandyshook,nodoubtexhaustedfromthefightandbeinginthepresense

ofsomanyAlphas.Gibsonalsoshook,andOliverknewhehadtogethismate
home.HenoddedbacktotheAlphasandsqueezedhismates’handsbefore
leadingthemdownthepath,backtohishouse.

Theyhadfoughttheirenemiesandhadfoundthetruereasonbehindhis

dreams…atleastforthemoment.Heprayedthiswouldbethelastofitwithin
hisPack.Hispeople,allshifters,weren’tsupposedtofightwithinthePacks
now,notwithsomuchontheline.TheirtrueenemywastheSAU.

Hejustprayedtheywouldbestrongenoughtodowhatneededtobedonein

theend.

Butfornow,hehadGibsonandMandy.
Theyweresafe.
Andtheywerehis.
Thathadtobeenough.
Anditwouldbe.
Fornow.

Epilogue

Mandybitherlip,tryingnottomakeasoundasshewatchedthemgoatit.

Buthowcouldshestaysilentastheysweatedinfrontofher,moanedinfrontof
her,didthatinfrontofher.

GibsonhadOliverbentoverthebed,slowlymakinglovetohimand

makingsuretheirbearwascomforted,loved,andohsosated.WhenGibson
lookedoveratherinthechairandwinked,shelickedherlipsandwinkedback.
HesmiledthenandloweredhisbodyoverOliver’s,hisfangsoutashemarked
himashisown.

Olivergrowledsoftly,hisheadthrownbackinecstasy.WhenGibsonmoved

away,OliverstoodandfistedhishandinGibson’shair.Hecrushedhismouthto
hisbeforebitingintotheirwolf’sshouldertomarkhimashisown.

Mandyletoutamoan.
Hermenturnedtowardher,intentintheirgazes.Whentheyheldouttheir

armstoher,shestoodupandwalkedslowlytowardthem.

Theymadelove—soft,sweet,andperfect.Everythingshe’dalways

imaginedinamating.Andwhentheymarkedher,sheknewshewasadored,
caredfor,andtreasuredforever.

Andwhentheyflippedheroverontoherbellyandwentharder,sheknew

they’dfoundherstrength.She’dfoughtforherselfonthebattlefield,thoughit
hadpainedher,andyetthesemenwouldalwayscherishher,hereandoutinthe
world.

Afteralongshowerwheretheyexploredoneanothersomemore,they

dressedanddecidedtowalkaroundtheperimeterofthecompoundforGibson’s
shiftbeforetheymetwithArielandHolden.Inthetwoshortdayssincethe
attack,theyhadfullyhealed,andthePackswerelearninghowtorelyonone
anotheroncemore.Theowashealedaswell,thoughhe’dbeenhurtfarmore
thananyofthem.Fromhisactofsacrificealone,she’dknownhe’dalwaysbe
thereforher,evenifitwasn’tashe’dthoughtitwouldbe.

Shehadherbestfriendbackandtwomatessheknewshe’dcherishforthe

restofherdays.

TheywerestrongerbecausetheyhadthehealthofwhotheywereasPack

andwouldbeabletofindapeacewithineachotherwhenitcametimetoend
thisbattle,thiswar.

Whenitbecametimetobefree.
Thoughshewasn’tsurethebattleswouldbefoughtwithinthecompound

walls.TheSAUhadremainedsilentfollowingtheaftermathofthekidnappings
anddeathsontheirwatch.TheUnseenweredoingsomuchworkforherpeople,
yetshe’dnevermetoneofthem.

Thingswereabouttochange,andshehadafeelingitwouldn’tbejust

becauseofthosewithinthesewalls.

ShestoodbetweenOliverandGibsonastheypausedforamomentatthe

gatesthatlockedthemin.Theyweresotall,metalandwirecreatingacagethat
toldhershewasn’tworththegroundshestoodon.

Butonceagain,thatwouldchange.
Holden,Ariel,andsomeoftheotherPackmemberswalkeddownthepath

towardthegates.Mandyfrowned.

“DidImisssomething?”sheaskedhermen,wholookeddownatherand

shooktheirheads.

“NotthatIknowof,”Gibsonsaidsoftlyandrubbedhischest.Shewasn’t

sureifitwasbecauseofthescarthelionhadgivenhim,orthefactthatthere
weresomanypeoplearoundhimandhewasstillgettingthehangofhisnew
powers.Eitherway,sheleanedintohim,herwolfbrushingagainsthis.

Heloweredhisarmslowly.
“Good,you’rehere,”Holdensaidwhenhecametotheirsides.“Igotanote

fromtheSAUtapedtomydoorthismorning,tellingmetobehere.”

Mandy’seyeswidened.
“Andyoudidn’tscentthem?”Oliverasked.
Holdengrowled.“Noonedidsincetheytookthetrailtheyalwaysdo.

Despitethattheyhaven’tbeenhereinaweek,itstillreeksofthem.”

“Whatdoyouthinkishappening?”sheasked,hereyesdowncast.Shemight

beabletofightforherlife,butshewasstillasubmissivewolf,afterall.

“Idon’tknow.”
JustasHoldenanswered,thegatesbegantocreak.Mandyfroze,herhand

slidingintoGibson’ssincehewascloserthanOliver.Thelargemetalgatesthat
hadonlyopenedinthepastiftherewasafulllegionofguardsontheotherside
slidapart.

Onlytherewasn’tanyonethere.
“It’satrap,”Gibsonsaidsoftly.“Ithastobe.”
“Whatdoesthismean?”sheasked.
“Aretheylettingusout?”Arielasked,leaningintohermate.
“Idon’tknow,”Holdensaidsoftly.“Idon’tknow.”
Justthen,fourguardscameforward,yettheyweren’twearingorcarrying

guns.Instead,theyhadtheirhandsupandtheireyesdowncast.

Holden,Jonah,andAndrewwalkedforwardasone,threeAlphaswithone

thingontheirminds—theirPacks.

“Whatisgoingon?”Holdenasked,hisvoicelow.ButMandynoticedhe

wasverycarefulnottobefullwolf.Restraintinfrontofthehumans.

Thesmallestguardsteppedforward,hisgazestilldown.“Ourbossesare

gone.Wedon’tknowwhat’sgoingon,butthere’samovement.”Hepaused.
“Youcancomeandgo.ButstayhereincasetheleadersoftheSAUcomeback.
Butfornow…”hetrailedoff.“Idon’tthinkyoushouldbeforcedtostayinside.”

Withthat,MandyleanedintoGibson.She’dneveroncesteppedoutsidethe

gates,neverseentheworldwithouttheveilofbeingtrapped.

TheAlphasspoketotheguards,butwhateverwasbeingsaid,shecouldn’t

hearthem.Itwasalltoomuchforher.Shewasafraidtohope.

Weretheyfree?
Couldtheybe?
“Gibson,”avoicewhisperedfrombehindthem.
Sheturned,andGibsonletoutacursebeforepullingherbehindhim.Oliver

wenttoherside,andthethreeofthemslowlymovedawayfromthelargegroup
ofshiftersdiscussingtheirfuturesandtowardaman—awolf—shehadnever
metbefore.

Heworenocollar.
Borenobrand.

ButhewasAlpha.

HewasUnseen.
“Sinclair,”Gibsongrowled.“Whatthehellareyoudoinghere,andwhyare

youinsidethecompound.”

Sinclairraisedhischin.“ThingsarehappeningmuchfasterthanIthought.I

don’tknowifthisistheonlycompoundbeingfreed,butbecareful,it’snotover
yet.NotbyfarfortheSAU.”

“Soyoucameheretowarnus?”Oliverasked.
“Whoareyou?”Mandyaskedsoftly.
“I’mSinclair,littlewolf,”Sinclairsaidinalowvoice,hiseyesbright.“The

AlphaoftheUnseennearhere.AndIneedyourhelp.”Helookedbetweenthe
three.“AnyhelpIcanget.”

ShesqueezedGibson’shand,alittlefearslidingthroughher.Ifthiswolf

neededhelpdespitethepowerhesoclearlyheld,somethingwaswrong.Andit
couldn’tbethatmuchofacoincidencethattheSAUjusthappenedtosomehow
letthemoutofthecompoundswithoutafight.

Therewasanundercurrenthereshedidn’tunderstand,butshewouldbe

damnedifthatremainedthecaseforever.

Becausethesewerehermates,thiswasherPack,andifthisAlphaneeded

help,theywouldfindawaytohelphim.

Andthenthey’dfindtheirfuture.
Herpain,herneedshadbeenburiedforfartoolong.Thiswashertimenow.

HerPack’stime.

TheywerePack.
Theywerebranded,butnotforgotten.
Andmaybe,justmaybe,theywerefree.

Shadowed

Prologue

Noteventhemostvigilantguardnoticedthewolfasheslidthroughthe

thickeningshadows.Still,Sinclairwascarefultoavoidthepoolsofmorning
sunlightthatfilteredthroughthewoodedareathatwasthickwithpinesand
moss.

Approachingfromtheoppositedirection,theblackwolfwithawhitestripe

downhismuzzlewasbeingequallycareful.Bymutualconsent,theyhaltedin
thedeepestpartofthetrees.

TimesweredangerousforthevariousPacks.Andabouttobecomeeven

moreso.

Therewasablurofmagicasbothwolvesshiftedintotheirhumanforms.
“You’retemptingfatebybeinghere,”HoldenCarter,theAlphaofthelocal

Packwarned.

Sinclair’slipstwisted.HewasAlphaoftheUnseenPack.Thehandfulof

shifterswhodaredthethreatofdeathtoremainhiddenfromthehumans.

“I’vebeentemptingfatemyentirelife.”
Holdengaveashortlaugh.“Whatdoyouwant?”
“Ijustcametogiveyouaheads-up.”
Theairprickledwithheat.Holden’spowerwasatangibleforce.
“MoretroublewiththeSAU?”
“They’regrowingdesperate.”Sinclairnoddedtowardthenearbycompound

thathadoncebeenaprison.Onlydaysago,anyonetryingtoleavewouldhave
beenshotonsight.“Everyrightyou’vemanagedtoearnforourpeoplehas
threatenedtheirholdoverus.”

Holden’seyeswentwolf.“We’renotstoppingnow,”hegrowled.
“Iknowthat,”Sinclairsaid,holdingtheman’sburningglare.“Andsodoes

theSAU.”

IttookamomentbeforeHoldenrealizedwhathemeant.“You’reexpecting

abacklash?”

Sinclairshuddered.“Onanepicscale.WhichiswhyIintendtostrikefirst.”
Holdenstilled.Heclearlyhadn’tbeenexpectingSinclairtomoveso

quickly.

“Whatareyouplanning?”heasked.
Sinclairallowedaslow,satisfiedsmiletocurvehislips.“Complete

exposure.”

Holdengaveasmallnod.“Youhavetheevidence?”
“Enoughtomakethemsweat.”
“When?”
Sinclair’sfiercesenseofanticipationbrieflydimmed.Therewasalooseend

thathadtobetiedupbeforehewouldallowanythingtohappen.

“AssoonasImakesuremycontactsaresafe,”hesaid.
Holdenfoldedhisarmsoverhischest.“Whatcanwedo?”
“Braceyourselves.”

Chapter1

Finishedwithhisself-imposedtaskofwarningthePackcompoundsofthe

impendingthreatofoutrightwar,Sinclairatlastreturnedtohislairthatwas
hiddendeepinthemountainsnearBoulder.

Remaininginhiswolfform,hesqueezedthroughasmallcrevicebetween

twomassiverocksandenteredtheareaprotectedbyacircleoftoweringhills.
Hehalted,absorbingtherichscentofearthandevergreensandcrispwaterthat
flowedthroughthenearbystream.Adeeperbreathfilledhissenseswiththesoft
muskoftheshiftersthatlivedinthePack.

Home.
Withapleasedgrowl,heallowedhismagictoflowthroughhisveins.A

shudderofecstasyshookhisbody,powershimmeringaroundhimasheshifted
intohishumanform.

Onceagainhewasadark-hairedmanwithicyblueeyes.
Bypassingthehomesthatwerebuiltamongthetrees,heenteredhislairthat

washiddeninashallowcavenearthestream.Quickly,hepulledonjeansanda
T-shirtbeforeheheadeddirectlytoacabinthatwastwicethesizeoftheothers.

Thereweresolarpanelsontheroofaswellasalargegeneratorattheback.

SincetheUnseenhadtoremainoff-the-grid,they’dimprovisedbybuildingtheir
owngrid.AndRiosneededthemajorityoftheelectricitytheyproducedtokeep
hiscomputersystemupandrunning.

RiosnotonlyusedthetechnologytokeepsurveillanceontheirPack,buthe

alsomonitoredtheshiftercompoundsfromaroundtheworld.Plus,he’dhacked
intothenetworkofthelocalSAUtokeeptrackoftheirmovements.

Thejaguarwasagodwhenitcametocomputers.
Infact,theonlyonewhomightbebetterthanRioswasMiraReese.
Hisgoodmoodinstantlyvanished.
MirawasahumanfemalewhoworkedfortheCDCinFortCollins.Over

thepasttwoyears,he’dmadeithismissiontoseduceher.Notphysically.Orat
least,notyet.No.It’dbeenanemotionalseduction,usingtheshycomputer
expert’svulnerablefeelingsforhimtoconvincehertobecomeaspyforthe
shifters.

He’ddeliberatelyputherindanger,andnowshewasoutoftouch.
Duringhisgruelingjourneyfromcompoundtocompound,he’dtriedto

ignorethefactthathehadn’tbeenabletocontactthefemale.Itwastheonlyway
tocompletehisdutywithoutgoingnuts.Now,heunleashedhisironcontroland
allowedthefullimpactofhisconcernforMiratoslamintohim.

HewasanAlphaofanoutlawPackthathadinfiltratedtheSAU.Hewason

thevergeofriskingopenwarwiththehumans.Therewasnodoubtthathewas
accustomedtocarryingtheweightoftheworldonhisshoulders.

ButthisworryforMira…
Itburnedlikeacidinthepitofhisstomach.
Withoutbotheringtoknock,heshovedthedoorofthecabinopenand

steppedinside.

Rioswasalreadyonhisfeet.Therewasnowaytosneakuponashifter.

Especiallynottheedgyjaguarwhowasaddictedtocoffeeandsoccer.

Thetall,slendermalewithdarkhairclippedclose,blackeyes,andrich,

goldenbrownskinleftthebankofcomputersthatwerelinedagainstapaneled
walltostrollforward.

Acrosstheroomweremorecomputersandvariousmonitors,andstacksof

serversthatfilledtheairwithalowhum.

“Welcomeback,amigo,”theyoungermalesaid.
“HaveyouheardfromMira?”Sinclairdemandedinclippedtones.
Adarkbrowarched,goldeneyesglowingwithawryhumor.
“Hey,Rios.Goodtoseeyou.AndthanksforholdingdownthefortwhileI

wasgone,”RiosmockedSinclair’slackofmanners.

NotthatSinclairgaveashit.Hewasn’tAlphabecauseofhisgoodlooksand

charmingpersonality.

HewasAlphabecausehewasaruthlesspredatorthatpreferredtokillfirst

andaskquestionslater.

Henarrowedhiseyesinwarning.“Well?”
“Notaword.”
“Damn.”
Riosstudiedhimwithasearchinggaze.“It’sjustbeenacoupleofweeks

sinceyoulastsawher,”hepointedout.“What’sgotyousowoundup?”

Sinclairabruptlymovedtostandatthewindowthatofferedaperfectview

ofthewaterfall.Itwasn’tthebeautyofnature,however,thathadhimturning
awayfromhisfriend.Nope.Itwashisneedtohidehisfierceemotions.

“She’sbeentakingtoomanyriskslately,”hesaid,tryingtokeephisvoice

even.Thelasttimehe’dmetwithMira,she’ddoneherbesttodismissher
concerns,buthe’dknownthatshewasworried.Hell,he’dbeenworriedwhen
sheconfessedthatshe’dorderedcomputersfromNovo-Auctionthatcontained
harddrivesthathadsurvivedthepurge.Itwasexactlythesortofthingthat

wouldattracttheattentionoftheSAU.Frustration,andsomethingfarmore
dangerousboiledthroughhim.“I’mafraidshe’sattractedtheattentionofour
enemies.”

“Fine,”Riosconceded.“I’llgocheckonher.”
“No.Youstayhere.”Sinclairturned.“I’llgo.”
Riosscowled,foldinghisarmsoverhischest.DressedinaDenverBroncos

sweatshirtandapairofloosesweatpants,heshouldhavelookedlikeatypical
computergeek.Butnoonecouldmissthelethalpowerthatsmolderedinhis
goldeneyesandcrackledintheairaroundhisleanbody.

“Youjustgotback,”hesaid.
WearinesswrappedaroundSinclairlikeashroud.He’dbarelysleptinthe

pasttwoweeks.ButtherewasnowayinhellhewasstayingherewhenMira
mightneedhim.

“I’mawareofthat,”heforcedhimselftoretort.“IpromiseI’llshowerand

changebeforeIheadout.”

Riosrefusedtobedistracted.“That’snotwhatImeant.”
Sinclairheavedasigh.“Justspititout,Rios.”
Riostookastepforward.“You’retheAlpha.”
“And?”
“Andifthisfemale’sbeencompromisedthenyoucan’triskexposing

yourself,”Riossaid,theairpricklingwiththeheatoftheyoungermale’sinner
cat.“Notuntilwe’vedoneourGrandReveal.”

Sinclairblinked.“GrandReveal?”
Riosgaveawaveofhishands.“Everyturningpointinhistoryhasaname,”

heexplained.“D-Day.RemembertheAlamo.Letthemeatcake.”

“Hmm.”Sinclairhadtoadmitthatthenextfewdayspromisedtobecome

thestuffwrittenintextbooks.Buthewasn’tfondofthetitle.Agrandreveal
soundedmorelikesomethingthathappenedinastripclub.“Imighthavetore-
thinkourhistoryprogram.”

RiosmovedtograbSinclair’sshoulder.“Yourplaceishere,Sinclair,”he

saidinlowtones.“Letsomeoneelsetakecareofthefemale.”

Sinclair’shandsclenched,theneedtofindMirabecominganoverwhelming

compulsion.

“Ican’tdothat.”
“Why?”
Thatwasthequestion,wasn’tit?
Overthepastcoupleofmonths,he’dbecomeincreasingly…awareofMira.

Thedelicatescentofherskin.Therebelliouscorkscrewcurlsthatshetriedto
keeptamedinabraid.Thepaleskinthatheachedtolickfromheadtotoe.

Still,hehadn’trealizedjusthowdeeplyshe’dmanagedtodigbeneathhis

skinuntilhiscallstoherhadgoneunanswered.

Suddenly,she’dgonefromatoolinhisplottosavehispeople,toavitalpart

ofhisexistence.

Howorwhy,orwhatittrulymeant,wasn’tsomethinghewasgoingto

consider.

Notuntilhewassureshewassafe.
“Iwasthereasonsheagreedtohelpus,”hesaid.“Ifshe’sintrouble,it’smy

fault.”

Ofcourse,thedamnedjaguarwasn’tsatisfied.Apartofthereasonhewas

second-in-commandwasthefactthathewascapableofsensinghidden
emotions.

Whichwaswhyhespentsomuchtimealonewithhiscomputers.
“You’realeader,”Riossaid.“Youcan’tberesponsibleforthedecisions

madebyallofyourfollowers.”

Apartofhimunderstoodthelogic.HehadahundredshiftersinhisPack,

plusevenmorealliesthatwerehiddenamongstthehumanstoactashisspies.

EachofthemacceptedthatbeingapartoftheUnseen’ssecretplotto

destroytheSAUwouldputthemindanger.

“Miraisn’tafollower.”Hetriedtoexplaintheunexplainable.“She’sa

human,notamemberofourPack.Hell,she’snotevenabelieverofourcause.”

Rioscontinuedtostudyhimwiththatassessinggaze.“I’massumingyou

didn’tforceher,”Riosdrawled.

“Nottechnically.”
Riosliftedhisbrows.“Isthereanon-technicalwaytoforcesomeone?”
Sinclairswallowedagrowl.Whyhadhenevernoticedjusthowannoying

hiscompanioncouldbe?

“IusedherattractiontometocoerceherintousingherpositionattheCDC

togettheintelweneeded,”headmitted.

“Hey,mymottoisuseitorloseit,”Riossaid.
Sinclairrolledhiseyes.Thehandsomejaguardidn’thavetoworryabout

losingit.He’dbeenbreakingfemaleheartsforyears.

“Itookadvantageofher,”Sinclairsaidingrimtones.
“Andnowyoufeelguilty?”
Hefeltalotofstuff.Mostofitatangleofemotionshewasn’tpreparedto

sharewithanyone.

“Yeah,Ifeelguilty,”hesaid.
Rios’steasingexpressionsettledintosomberlinesashishandtightenedon

Sinclair’sshoulder.

“Igetthat,amigo.Butifsomethinghappenedtoyou-”
“Thenyouwouldtakemyplace,”Sinclairinterrupted.“Butnothingisgoing

tohappen.I’mgoingtofindMiraandbringherhere.Endofstory.”

Withacurse,Riosacceptedtheinevitable.Takingastepback,hesquared

hisshoulders.HemightarguewithSinclairwhenhethoughttheoldermalewas
wrong,butheneverforgotwhowastheAlpha.

Sinclair’swordwaslaw.
“HowcanIhelp?”heasked.
“We’reontheclock,”Sinclairsaid.He,betterthananyone,understoodthat

theyhadlimitedtimetoturnpublicopinionintheirdirectionbeforetheSAU
decidedthatgenocidewastheonlywaytocontroltheanimalstheybothfeared
andhated.“Iwantyoutocollectalltheintelwehaveandstreamlineitintoone
cohesivedocument.”

Riosnodded,alreadydistractedasheconsideredthevastamountofwork

waitingforhim.

“Okay.Isthatall?”
Sinclairbracedhimself.HeknewhisnextrequestwasgoingtoigniteRios’s

veryshortfuse.

“ThenIwantyoutoworkwithBreesoshefullyunderstandsthetimeline,

aswellastheevidencethatwehavetobackupourclaims.”

GoldeneyessmolderedwiththepowerofhiscatasRios’sbreathhissed

betweenhisteeth—almostasifhe’dbeenpunchedinthestomach.

“Youcan’tbeserious.”
Sinclairshrugged.He’dneveraskedwhat’dhappenedbetweenhistop

lieutenantandthefemalewolfwhopassedherselfoffasahumanandworkedas
anewscasterataDenvertelevisionstation.

Hejustknewthatwhenthetwowereinthesameroom,theairprickledwith

aheatthatindicatedadesirefornaked,sweatysex…ormurder.

Unfortunately,Sinclairdidn’thaveachoicebuttoforcethetwotowork

together.

“She’sourPRpointperson,andtheonlyonewithaccesstothemedia,”he

said,hisvoicewarningthathewasn’tofferingasuggestion.Itwasanorder.
Period.“Whoelsewouldwetrusttodoour…”Hegrimacedashetriedto
rememberRios’snamefortheupcomingbattle.“GrandReveal?”

“Fine,”theyoungermansaid.
“Thisisimportant,Rios,”hewarned.“She’sgoingtostandbeforemillions

ofpeopleanddenouncetheSAU.Shehastobefullypreparedtoanswerany
question.Gotit?”

Riosdippedhishead,abeadofsweattrailingdownhischeekasSinclair’s

powerthunderedthroughtheair.

“Gotit.”

Chapter2

Lessthantwohourslater,Sinclairwasdrivinghispickupthroughthestreets

ofFortCollins.Likemostcities,thetownwasaweirdcombinationof
abandonedhomes,burnedbusinesses,andtinypocketsofcivilizationthat
struggledtoremainimpervioustothedestructionaroundthem.

Slowing,heturnedintothelittlecul-de-sacthathadsixsmallhomestucked

behindwhitepicketfences.HepulledintoMira’sdriveway,turningoffthe
engineashestudiedhissurroundings.

HehalfexpectedMiratopeekoutthewindow,orevenopenherfrontdoor

toseewhowasvisiting.Whennothinghappened,heclimbedoutofthetruck
andmadeaquicksweeparoundthesmallbrickhousewithwhiteshuttersanda
narrowporchcompletewithaswing.

Nothinglookedoutofplace,butSinclair’sinnerwolfwasonfullalertashe

enteredthegaragetofindhercar.TherewasnoscentofMirainside.Which
meantthatshewasoutwithfriendswho’dpickedherup.Or…

Hegaveasharpshakeofhisheadashemovedtobreakthelockonthedoor

leadingintoherhouse.Hecouldn’tlethisseethingfeardistracthim.Notwhen
hewasincreasinglyconvincedthatMirawasintrouble.

Hewouldn’tdoheranydamnedgoodifhewalkedintoatrap.
Enteringthekitchen,henoticedthelackofdishes.Eventhecoffeepotwas

empty.Silently,hemovedpastthetablethatwaslocatednearthebackdoor,asif
Mirapreferredtolookoutsidewhileshewaseating.

Anoddpangtuggedathisheart.Hecamefromalarge,noisyPack,who

oftenatetogetherinthecommunalcenteroftheden.ThethoughtofMiraseated
aloneatthetablecutthroughhimlikeaknife.

Ignoringhisstrangereaction,Sinclairmovedintothelivingroom,thehair

onthebackofhisnaperisingattheunmistakablescentofMira’sblood.Ared
mistoffurythreatenedtocloudhisbrain,andahowllockedinhisthroat.

Mirahadbeenhurt.
Someone—ormanymanysomeones—wasgoingtopay.
Ittookseveralminutestoregaincommandofhiscomposure.Then,fiercely

reassuringhimselfthattherewasn’tenoughbloodtohavebeenfromagrievous
wound,heheadedintothebedroomthatcarriedthelightfloralscentthat
belongeddistinctlytoMira.

Hewassearchingforanyhintofwhomighthavetakenher,alongwith

assuringhimselfshewasn’tsharingherintimatespacewithanothermale,when
hecaughtthesoundofthefrontdoorbeingpushedopen.

Intheblinkofaneye,hewasbackinthelivingroom,movingacrossthe

hardwoodfloorwithblindingspeed.Justasquickly,hewasgraspingtheintruder
bythearmsandliftingheroffherfeettopinheragainstthewall.

“Whoareyou?”hedemanded.
Thegentlyroundedfaceofahumanwomaninhermid-thirtiesflushedwith

fear,herbrowneyesthatmatchedhershorthairgoingwideasshegazeddownat
hisferalexpression.

“TanyaWade,”shemanagedtostutter.“I’mMira’sneighbor.”
Heallowedhissensestosearchforotherintruders.Whenhefoundnothing,

hereturnedhisfocustothewomanwholookedlikeshewasabouttofaint.

“I’mgoingtoreleaseyou,butmakeanoiseorgoforaweaponandyou’ll

regretit,”hewarned.“Understand?”

Shegaveacautiousnod.“Yes.”
Slowly,heloweredherbacktoherfeet,waitinguntilhewassureherknees

wouldholdherweightbeforehereleasedherandsteppedback.

“Where’sMira?”
Thewomanmadeavisibleefforttostiffenherspine,alookofgenuine

concerndarkeninghereyes.

“Idon’tknow.”Sheheldupherhandasalowgrowlrumbledinhisthroat.

“Truthfully.Ihaven’tseenherforalmosttwoweeks.”

Sinclairbelievedher.Humansmightbecapableoflyingwiththeirmouths,

buttheirscentalwaysgavethemaway.Thiswomanwasdeeplyfrightened.Not
justforherselfbecauseofhim,butforMira.

“Didshetellyouwhereshewasgoing?”heasked.
“No.”Sheshookherhead.“Twoweeksago,shecameovertoleave

Sinclair-”

“Who?”Sinclairinterrupted.
“Sinclair.Hercat,”Tanyaexplained.
Sinclairremainedbaffled.“WhySinclair?”
“Shesaidthecatremindedherofastubborn,ill-temperedmansheknew,”

shesaidinimpatienttones,hereyesnarrowing.“Areyouwiththepolice
department?”

Sinclairhidhissmile,treasuringtheknowledgethathislittlecomputernerd

hadaquirkysenseofhumor.Itwasyetanotherpieceofthecomplexpuzzlethat
wasMiraReese.

“No.I’mafriend,”heassuredthewoman.

“Oh.”Tanyabitherbottomlip.“IcalledandreportedMiramissing,but

theysaidsheprobablymetsomemanandtookoff.”Herlipsflattened.“Idiots.”

Sinclairsentaglancearoundthewornbutcomfortablefurnitureandshelves

ofbooksalongonewall.Therewouldbenowaytotellthatanythinghad
happened.Notunlessapersonhadtheheightenedsensesofashiftertosmellthe
driedblood.

“Howcanyoubesurethatwasn’twhathappened?”hequestioned.
Tanyadidn’thesitate.“Hercarisinthegarage,andnoneofherclothesare

missing,”sheexplainedwithsimplelogic.“Besides,evenifshe’dbeenswept
offherfeetbysomesecretRomeo,shewouldhaveneverlefthercatbehind.”

Sinclairfeltaflareofhope.Thiswomanwasclearlyintelligent,aswellas

observant.

Itwaspossibleshehadnoticedsomethingthatwouldgivehimthecluehe

neededtotrackMiradown.

“Tellmeexactlywhathappened.”
Tanyatookasecondtogatherherthoughts,asifsheunderstoodjusthow

importantitwastogiveSinclairthefactsasclearlyandthoroughlyaspossible.

“Miracamebyearlyoneevening.Ithinkitwasthirteenormaybefourteen

daysago,”shesaid.“Shesaidthatshewasmeetingafriendoutoftown,and
askedifIcouldwatchSinclairforthenight.”Sheshivered,wrappingherarms
aroundherwaist.“Whenshedidn’tcometopickhimupthenextmorning,I
usedthekeyshegavemetocomeinandcheckonher.Iwaitedanotherday
beforeIcalledthecops.”

SinclairassumedthemeetingMirahadbeentalkingabouthadbeenwith

himatthemotel.Hisstomachclenched.Heshouldhaveinsistedthenthatshe
travelwithhimbacktoBoulder.Instead,he’dignoredhisuneaseandallowed
hertoreturntoherhomeandherdamnedcat.Oh,he’dcovertlyfollowedherto
makesureshe’dmadeittothishouse,butthenhe’ddrivenaway.

Whyhadn’thetossedheroverhisshoulderandtakenhertohislairwhere

shebelonged?

“Shehasn’tcalledortriedtocontactyou?”heasked.
“No.”Tanyablinkedawaysuddentears.“AndI’mreallyworried.”
“Me,too,”hebluntlyadmitted.“DidyounoticeanythingthenightthatMira

disappeared?”

Thewomanwrinkledhernoseasshegaveashakeofherhead.“Notreally.”
Sinclair’swolfpressedbeneathhisskin,elongatinghisfangsandmaking

hiseyesglow.Thankfully,thehousewasshadowedenoughtohidehisreaction.

“Anything,”hesaid,keepinghisfacepartiallyturned.“Nomatterhow

meaninglessitmighthaveseemed.”

Tanyagaveanod,thankfullyunawarethatshewasstandinginthepresence

ofashifter.

“Idon’tknowifithelps,butthenightthatsheleft,Ihappenedtoglanceout

thewindowandIthoughtIsawhercargoingintothegarage,”shesaid.“ThenI
sawadarktruckdrivedownthestreetsuperslow.”

Sinclairfeltapangofdisappointment.Hewas,nodoubt,theoneshe’dseen

drivingthetruck.

“Anythingelse?”
Shehunchedashoulder.“Abouttenminuteslater,Isawavanparkedin

frontofmyhouse.”

Ah.Nowtheyweregettingsomewhere.“Didithavealogo?”
Herbrowfurrowedasshetriedtorecallwhatshe’dseen.“Yeah,asamatter

offactitdid.Itlookedlikethreewhitebullets.”Shegrimaced.“Ormaybeitwas
rockets.”

Sinclairtriedtoimaginethelogo,somethingteasingattheedgeofhismind.
Threerockets.
He’dseenitbefore.Butwhere?
“Missiles,”heabruptlybreathed,adrenalineexplodingthroughhim.
“DoyouknowwhotookMira?”Tanyaasked.
“I’mabouttofindout,”hesaid,alreadycalculatinghowlongitwouldtake

himtodrivetotheSAUmilitarybasejustacrosstheborderinWyoming.

Tanyaliftedahandtowipeatearthatwastricklingdownhercheek.
“How?”
“Ihavemyways,”hepromised.“TakecareofSinclair.Mira’sgoingtowant

him.”

“Bringherhome,”Tanyasaidinawhisper.“Please.”
Agrimsmiletouchedhislips.“Youhavemyword.”

Chapter3

MiraReesetappedonthekeyboard,doingherbesttoignorethetwolarge

menwholeanedoverher.

It’dbeenthesamethingforthepasttwoweeks.
Shewouldbetakenfromthesmallroomintheoldbarrackswhereshewas

lockedeachnightandbroughttotheheadquartersoftheSAUAirForceBase.

Whenshe’darrivedheretwoweeksago,she’dbeenterrified.Thesoldiers

who’dburstintoherhouseandsmackedherhardenoughtocauseabloodynose
hadthreatenedendlesstortureifshedidn’tgivethemtheinformationthatthey
wanted.

Thankfully,she’dhadthedrivetothelocalSAUbuildingtopickupthe

Director,andthenanotherhourdrivenorthtoconsiderherlimitedoptions.By
thetimethey’dreachedthebase,she’dmanagedtoconvincethebastardsthat
shewasontheirside.AndthathersearchforinformationontheVeronaClinic,
andwho’dactuallybeenresponsibleforthevirus,hadbeenanecessarypartof
herjobwiththeCDC.

Ofcourse,theyhadn’tagreedtolethergo.
Instead,they’ddemandedthatshecontinuehersearchforthedoctor

beneaththeirwatchfuleyes.Mirahadn’tminded.Iftheywereanxiousto
discoverthedoctor,thatmeanthersuspicionthatDr.Lowmanwassomehow
connectedtotheoriginaloutbreakwasright.

ItalsogavehertheopportunitytousetheSAU’spowerfulnetwork.
Duringthenearcollapseofsocietywhenthevirushadsweptaroundthe

world,theinternethadbeenseverelylimited.Thegovernmentclaimedthatthey
didn’thavethemanpowertodevotetorepairingunnecessaryinfrastructure.
Mira,however,suspectedthattheywereintentonlimitingtheamountof
informationthatcouldbeshared.

Afterall,therewasnothingmoredangerousthanthetruth.
Clickingtoanewscreen,Mirawrinkledhernoseatthehotbreaththat

puffedagainstthebackofherneckasGeorgeMarkham,theheadoftheDenver
divisionoftheSAU,releasedanimpatientcurse.Alarge,ex-militarymanwith
short,iron-grayhairandalargebodythatwastrendingtowardflab,he’dbeen
thefirstonetointerrogateherattheSAUheadquarters.

Itwasthesecondman,however,who’dtakentheleadsincethey’darrived

attheairbase.ChiefMasterSergeantDonaldsonworethecrispuniformofa
manstillinservice.Hisheadwasshaved,andhisleanfacedeeplytannedasif
hespentagreatdealoftimeoutside.Sheguessedhisagetobeinhismid-fifties,
andwhilehetechnicallyappearedtobebeneathMarkhaminrank,hewas
clearlyincharge.

“Well?”Markhamdemandedforthehundredthtimeinthepasttwohours.
Miradidn’tbothertoglancearound.Shewasn’tfoolishenoughto

underestimatehercaptors.Theywouldsliceherthroatwithoutasecondthought.
Butshewasconvincedthatsheonlyhadafewhoursuntilshecouldmakeher
escape.

“I’mclose,”shepromised.
“Yousaidthatthreedaysago,”Markhamsnapped.
Shehad,ofcourse.She’dbeenplayingadangerousgame.Onethatcould

endindisasterifshecouldn’tkeepthemendistractedwhilesheconcludedher
hiddensearch.

“Ittakestimetobreakthroughsomanylayersofsecurity,”shesmoothly

lied.“WhichiswhyI’msoconvincedthattheApateClinicmustbehiding
somethingimportant.”Shedeliberatelypaused.“Orsomeoneimportant.”

“LikeyouwereconvincedthattheMorganHospitalhadaDr.Lowmanon

theirstaff,”Markhamsnapped.“AndthatScotlandResearchfacilityhadthe
originalnotesfromtheVeronaClinic.”

Miraheavedasigh,reachinguptobrushastraycurlfromhercheek.Over

thepasttwoweeks,she’dbeenatthemercyofthebase’scommissary,which
meantthatshedidn’thaveherusualtoiletries.Now,herhairwasamassof
corkscrewcurlsthattumbleddownherback,andapairofgreenfatigues
coveredhercurvaceousbody.

“Iwarnedyouwhenyoufirst-”Shebitbacktheword‘kidnapped.’Shewas

doingherbesttomakethemenbelieveshewasthereofherownfreewill.
“Insistedonmejoiningyouhere,thatIonlyhadafewthreadsthatIwastrying
tofollow.”

Markhamabruptlystraightenedandsteppedback.“We’vewastedtoomuch

timeonthisshit.”

Mira’sheartmissedabeat.Herbiggestdangerwasthemomentthesemen

decidedshewasnolongerofuse.Whenthathappened,shedidn’tdoubtfora
secondthattheywouldkillher.

Thankfully,Donaldsonwasn’tpreparedtoquit.
“IfDr.Lowmanisstilloutthere,wehavetofindhim,”Donaldsonsaidin

clippedtones.“Ordoyouwanttowakeuptodiscoverhisfaceplasteredonthe
TVstations?”

“He’shadtwenty-fiveyearstoexposeus,”Markhamgroused,unawarethat

hewasgivingawayvitalinformationtoMira.“Whywouldhedoitnow?”

“Don’tbeanidiot,”Donaldsonsnapped.“Webothknowtheanimalshave

becomeemboldenedoverthepastfewmonths.Plus,thatdamnedtigerhad
evidenceofourcover-up,”hesaid,referringtoJonahWilder,theAlphaofthe
GoldenPack.He’drecentlyrevealedevidencethatthey’dtracedtheoriginal
outbreakoftheVeronaVirustoahumanlab.Andthatthereweresuspicionsthat
adefensecontractorwasattemptingtocreateaweaponizedformoftheEbola
virus.“Ifhedecidestosharehisinformation,thenthegooddoctormightbe
afraidofchangingpublicopinion.Itwouldbeinhisbestinteresttocomeoutas
awhistle-blowerratherthanoneofthecreatorsofaworldwideplague.”

Markhammadeasoundofimpatience.“Haveyouconsideredthepossibility

thathe’sdead?”

“UntilIknowforsure,I’mnothaltingoursearch,”Donaldsonwarned.
Outofthecornerofhereye,MirawatchedasMarkhampuffedouthischest.

Thetwomenwereinvolvedinaconstantpowerstruggle.Goodnewsforher.
Theirneedtoconstantlytryandoutblusteroneanothermeantthatshecoulduse
theirdistractiontoaccomplishhersecretgoals.

“Ihaveadivisiontorun,youknow,”Markhamsaid,deliberatelyreminding

theothermanofhisposition.

Donaldson’sbeefyhandlandedontheglossydeskwhereMirawas

working.

“Weallhaveourownjobs,”hesnapped.
“Yeah,butmineistomakesuretheanimalsremaininthecageswebuiltfor

them,”Markhamremindedhiscompanion.“Somethingthat’sgrowingmore
difficulteveryday.”

Miragrimaced.Oneday,shewasafraidtheyweregoingtoactuallypullout

theirdicksandmeasurethem.

“ThengobacktoBoulderandletmedealwiththis,”Donaldsonoffered.
Markhamgaveahumorlesslaugh.“Idon’tthinkso.”
“Youdon’ttrustme?”Donaldsondemanded.
“Idon’ttrustanyone,”Markhamassuredhim.
“Fine.I’mgoingtogetsomedinner.”Donaldsoncrossedthecarpetedfloor

oftheofficethatwasdesignedformaximumintimidation.Big,woodenfurniture
filledthespace,includingadeskthatwasbiggerthanMira’sbed.Towering
shelvescrammedwithpicturesofexplosionsinmid-air,silosfilledwith
missiles,andDonaldsonstandinginhisflightsuitnexttoajet.Therewerealsoa
dozenphotosofshiftersbeingheldinthecompoundsaroundtheworld.Adark
tributetoamanwhovaluedwar.“Youcanjoinmeorstayhere,”hesaid.

Markhamreleasedaharshsigh.“I’mcoming.”
ThemenhadreachedthedoorwhenDonaldsonglancedoverhisshoulderto

stabMirawithawarningglare.

“You.”
Sheconjuredanexpressionoffauxinnocence.“Yes?”
“Don’tleavethiscomputeruntilyou’vebreachedthesecurity,”he

commanded.

“Whatever,”shesaidinsullentones.
Waitinguntilshecouldcatchsightofthemoutofthewindowwalkingalong

thenarrowpathwaytothenearbymess-hall,Miraswiftlyhackedintothe
securitycamerasthatwereplacedaroundtheroom.Afewtapsonthekeyboard
andshehadthemonloop.Onlyacarefulinspectionwouldrevealthatitwasa
five-minutefeedthatplayedoverandoveragain.

Againshetappedonthekeyboard,thistimepullingupthebackground

searchshe’dbeenrunningforthepasttwoweeks.

Whenshe’dloggedonearlier,she’dnoticedatinybellatthecornerofthe

screen.Thatwashernotificationthatshe’dhadahitwithherwebcrawler.

Asenseofelationrushedthroughher.
Yes.
She,atlast,hadwhatsheneeded.
Anameandanaddress.
Leaningforward,sheblockedouteverythingbutsortingthroughfilesasfast

aspossible.Bankaccounts,apartmentleases,employmentrecords,birth
certificates…

Lostintheworldofdata,shemissedthesoftsoundofapproaching

footsteps.Itwasn’tuntilahandwasplacedoverhermouththatsherealizedshe
wasnolongeralone.

“Ssh,”afamiliarvoicewhisperedinherearashisfingersstifledherscream.
Reachingup,shegraspedtheintruder’swrist,tugginghishandfromherlips

assheturnedherheadtomeethisice-bluegaze.

“Sinclair?”Sheblinkedinconfusion,castingaglancearoundtheofficeto

ensuretheywerealone.Forahorrifiedsecond,she’dbeenworriedhe’dbeen
takencaptive.Whenitwasobvioustheywerealone,shereturnedherattention
tohislean,impossiblyhandsomeface.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”

Adarkbrowquirked.“Iwouldthinkthat’sobvious.I’mheretorescueyou.”
AsfarasMirawasconcerned,therewasnothingobviousaboutit.
She’dknownfromthefirstnightthatSinclairapproachedherataparty

givenbythelocalCDCofficewheresheworkedthathewasoutofherleague.It
wasn’tjusthislean,handsomefaceorthedark,satinyhairthatbrushedhis

broadshoulders.Itwasn’teventherock-hardbodybeneathhiscasualjeansand
t-shirt.Ithadbeenthemasculinepowerthatsmolderedinhispaleblueeyes,and
theairofarrogantsensualitythatheworewithconfidentease.

Hard.Lethal.Gorgeous.
Thiswasamalewhocouldgetanywomanhewanted.Andheknewit.
Sowhywouldheseekoutashy,sociallyawkwardcomputergeekand

spendtheentirenightflirtingwithher?

Theanswerwas…hewantedsomethingfromher.
It’dtakenamonthofcasualdinners,andtheoccasionalmoviebeforehe’d,

atlast,confessedthathewasawolf.Andanothermonthbeforehe’daskedher
touseherpositionatherofficetodiscoverinformationthatwouldprovethatthe
shiftershadn’tstartedthevirus.Thattheyhad,infact,usedtheirbloodto
developthevaccinethathadsavedtheworld.

Still,evenknowingthathewasusingher,Mirahadbeenhelplessagainsthis

potentcharm.

Shetoldherselfthat,eventually,Sinclairwouldseeherasmorethana

meanstoanend.Afterall,she’dprovenherloyaltyanddevotion,andshowna
dedicationtohiscausethatnootherwomancouldmatch.

Itwasn’tuntilshe’dbeencapturedandforcedtoconsiderherimminent

deaththatsherealizedthatshe’dbeenwastingherlifeoverthepastcoupleof
years.Wasshereallysodesperateformaleattentionthatshewouldsettlefora
relationshipwhereshehadnothingtoofferbutherjobandhercomputerskills?

Shedeservedmorethanamanwhowaswillingtoseduceherforhisown

gain.

Butatthesametime,theconcreteevidencethattheSAUhadbeencovering

uptheirowninvolvementintheVeronaVirusandlayingtheblameonthe
shiftershadhardenedherdeterminationtobringthemtojustice.

Shedidn’tknowwhatthefuturemightholdforher,butshedidknowthat

shecouldn’tlivewithherselfifshedidn’tdoeverythinginherpowertoexpose
thetruth.

“Youneedtogobeforetheguardscometoreturnmetothebarracks,”she

hissedinlowtones.

Heignoredherwarning,hishandsskimmingoverhersoftcurvesashe

studiedherwithagrimexpression.

“Areyouokay?Didthebastardshurtyou?”hedemanded.
“No,”shesaid,wellawarethathisconcernwasbasedonthefearthathe’d

losthisbestchanceofgettingtheinformationheneeded.

Hemovedtocrouchbesideherchair,hisbrowssnappingtogetherashe

reachedouttogentlytouchthebruiseonhercheek.

“I’llkillthemfordaringtoputtheirfilthyhandsonyou,”hesnarled.
Mirashivered,theheatofhisfingerssearingherskinwithpleasurethat

she’dswornshewouldn’tallowherselftofeelagain.

Shejerkedherheadback,knockingasidehishand.“I’mfine.”
Hiseyesnarrowedinsurprise.Itwasthefirsttimeshehadn’tmelted

beneathoneofhisintimatecaresses.Slowlystraightening,hegavea
condemningglancearoundtheoffice.

“Revengewillhavetowaituntilyou’reoutofhere.”
“Sinclair,listentome,”shesaid.“Ican’tgo.”
Hestilled,hisgazereturningtoherpaleface.“Didtheythreatenyou?”A

lowgrowlrumbledinhischest.“Trustme,Icankeepyousafe.”

Shelickedherlips.Christ.Hewassosexywhenhewasbeingallprotective

and…

Sheabruptlysquashedtherenegadethought.
No,no,no.
ShewasoverSinclair,AlphaoftheUnseenPack.
Wasn’tshe?
“It’snotthat-”
“Weneedtogo,”heinterruptedherwords,steppingbackashewaitedfor

hertoobeyhiscommand.

Sheshookherhead.“I’mstaying.”
“What?”
“I’mstaying.”
Hiseyesglowedwiththepowerofhiswolf,asuddenheatpricklingthrough

theair.

“You’reworkingwiththem.”
Theurgetocowerbeneaththephysicalimpactofhisdominancewas

overwhelming.Mirawasn’tashifter,butshewasfairlycertainshe’dbea
submissiveifshewere.Itwasonlywithgreateffortthatsheforcedherselfto
meethisfierceglare.

“Notexactly,”shemumbled.
“Thenexactlywhatareyoudoing?”hesneered.
Shestiffened.“Don’tusethattoneofvoicewithme.”
Hefoldedhisarmsoverhischest,emphasizingthehardmusclesthatmoved

withfluideasebeneathhist-shirt.

“It’sthetoneIusewhenI’mtalkingtopeoplewho’vebetrayedme.”
Shescowled.Howcouldhebelieveforaminutethatshewasa

backstabber?She’driskedherjob,evenherlife,tohelphimandhispeople.

Didn’theknowheratall?

“Ihaven’tbetrayedyou,”sherasped,unabletohideherpainathis

accusation.

Hegrimacedasifalreadyregrettinghishastywords.
“Thenwhyareyouworkingwiththeenemy?”heasked,histone

deliberatelysoftened.

Shecontinuedtoglareathim.Okay.Hewasgorgeous.Andsexy.Andhe

hadthatwholeanimalmagnetismthinggoingon.Butthatdidn’tgivehimthe
righttoactlikeanass.

“Becauseit’stheonlywaytohavefullaccesstotheirprivatenetwork,”she

grudginglyexplained.

“Forwhat?”
Shehunchedhershoulder.“TolookforDr.Lowman.”
Henoddedtowardthecomputeronthedesk.“That’swhatyou’redoing?”
“Yes.”
Hisgazedartedbacktoherface,hisjawtight.“Whywastherebloodin

yourlivingroom?”

Mirawascaughtoffguardbytheabruptquestion.He’dbeeninherhome?
“WhenIcamehomeafterwemet,theyforcedtheirwaythroughthefront

door.”

Arichmuskthreadedthroughtheair,Sinclair’slipspullingbacktoreveal

hiselongatedfangs.

“Theyhityou.”
Shegaveaslownod,surprisedbyhisintenseresponse.Shedidn’tknow

muchaboutshifters,butSinclairhadalwayspossessedarigidcommandoverhis
animal.Hehadto,whilehewas‘passing’asahuman.

Itwasstartlingtoseehimlosecontrol.
“Yes.”
Suckinginadeepbreath,hercompanionvisiblyforcedbackhiswolf.
“Tellmewhathappened.”
AshiverracedthroughMira.Itwasn’tfear.Shewisheditwas.Thatwould

befarlessdangerousthanthefemininefascinationthatshewastryingtodeny.

“AsIsaid,theyforcedtheirwayintothehouse,”shesaid.
“Didtheysaywhy?”
Shewrinkledhernose.“TheytrackedthecomputersIpurchasedfrom

Novo-Auction.”

“Dammit,”hesnarled.“Iknewyouweretakingtoomanyrisks.”
Mirarolledhereyes.Didallmenhaveacompulsiontopointoutwhenthey

wereright?

“Howelsewerewesupposedtodiscoverthetruth?”sheasked.

Hewavedasideherperfectlylogicalquestion.
“Whathappenednext?”
“TheyforcedmeintoavanandtookmetotheSAUbuildinginDenver.”
“Shit.”Astrangeexpressionrippledoverhisstarkfeatures.“Thatwasyour

scent.”

“What?”
“InMarkham’soffice,”heexplained.
“Yes.Wewenttherefirst,andthentheybroughtmehere,”shecontinued.

“TheyintendedtotorturemeintoconfessingwhatIknewaboutDr.Lowman
andhisconnectiontothevirus,butIconvincedthemthatIhadbeenpaidbymy
bosstomakesuretherewasnodocumentationtoprovethattheCDChadbeen
warnedthattheformulatheywereworkingonattheVeronaClinicwasadanger
tothepublic.”

Hisfuryblazedhotasthesunbeforeitwastemperedbyanexpressionof

pride.

“Clever.”
Warmthspreadthroughher,evenassheloweredherlashestohideherlook

ofvulnerablepleasureathisseemingappreciation.

“And,thankfully,mybossisinDCsotheyhaven’tbeenabletospeakwith

him,”sheforcedherselftocontinue.

“Sowhathappenedaftertheybroughtyouhere?”
“TheygrilledmeonwhatinformationI’dmanagedtofind.”Sheshrugged.

“ItoldthemaboutthefragmentIfoundonthecomputerthatI’dtracedtoDr.
Lowman.That’swhentheydecidedtokeepmeheretocontinuethesearch.”

Hereleasedhisbreathonalonghiss.“Youwereluckytheywanted

informationmorethantheywantedtokillyou.”

Mirautteredacurse.Intheblinkofaneye,shewentfrompreeningbeneath

hisapprovaltobeingannoyedwithhisassumptionitwasluckthathadsaved
her.

Sheglancedup,meetinghisaccusinggaze.“Itwasn’tjustluck,”shedenied.

“Ihappentohaveafewskills.”

Hislipsflattenedasifhewantedtocontinuehischastisement.Then,

watchinghereyesnarrowwithsilentwarning,heconcededdefeat.

“I’veneverdoubtedyourskills,sweetheart,”heassuredher.“Butnowit’s

timetogo.”

Sheswallowedaresignedsighassherealizedthey’djusttalkedinacircle.
“I’mnotleaving,”sherepeated.“I’mtooclosetofindingthedoctor.”
“Dammit,Mira,”hesaid.“Yourluckisn’tgoingtolastforever.”
“AllIneedisafewmorehours…”

HerwordstrailedawayasSinclairmovedwithquicksilverspeedtopeerout

thewindow.

“Someone’scoming,”hewarned,clearlypossessingfarmoreacutesenses

thanMira.“Time’sup,sweetheart.”

“Crap.”Tuggingoutthememorystickthatshe’dplacedinthecomputer

whenshestartedhersearch,shequicklyreleasedthevirusshe’dpre-loadedfor
thisprecisemoment.She’dmanagedtocatchsightofdatabeingscrambled
beforestronghandsweregrabbingheraroundherwaistandshewasbeing
hauledoutofherchairandtossedoverSinclair’sshoulder.

Arrogantwolf.

Chapter4

Rioshadcaughtthescentofwolfbeforetheknocklandedonhisdoor.
Notjustanywolf.
Nope.Thisonewasunique.Anintoxicatingmuskthatwaslacedwithwarm

womanandsexualpromise.

Notthatshe’deverfulfilledthatpromise.Atleast,notwithhim.
Andthefactthatshe’dnotonlyturneddownhisnumerousadvancesbuthad

alsodonesoinawaythatwasmeanttowoundhispridehadleftalastinginjury.

Unfortunately,hisseethingangerdidnothingtomutehisinstantreactionas

hepulledopenthedoortorevealthetall,slenderfemalewithsleek,tawnyhair
andvividblueeyes.

Thesightofheraloofbeautyruffledthefurofhiscat,evenasitmadethe

maninstantlyhardwithfrustrateddesire.

Leaningagainstthedoorjamb,hefoldedhisarmsoverhischest.
“Hello,Bree.”
Shegaveacoolnodofherhead,lookingprofessionalinherblackpencil

skirtandsheerwhiteblouse.NodoubtshewasreturningfromDenverwhereshe
workedasanewscaster.

Rios,ontheotherhand,waswearingnothingmorethanapairofyogapants

thathunglooselyonhiships.Itwasn’tadeliberateattempttomakeherdrool
overhishalf-nakedbody,buthewouldn’tobjectifithappened.

“Rios.”Shewaitedforhimtomoveaside,herlipsthinningwhenhe

remainedfirmlyinplace.“MayIcomein?”

“AsIrecall,yousworehellwouldfreezeoverbeforeyouwillinglyentered

mylair,”hedrawled.

Anoddexpressionrippledoverherelegantfeatures.Itwasthereandgone

soswiftlythatRioscouldn’tdeciphertheemotion.

“Fine.”Shedeliberatelytookastepback.“Wecandothisinthecommunity

centerifyouprefer.”

“I’mnottheonewhohasastickupmyass,”hecountered.
Thistime,hehadnotroubledecipheringheremotion.Rawanger.
“Look,cat,I’mherebecauseSinclairaskedmetoworkwithyou,butif

you’regoingtobeadickaboutit,thenI’llfindsomeoneelsetohelp.”

Sheturnedtoleave.Riosgrimaced,reachingouttograspherarm.

“Wait.”
Shestiffenedbeneathhistouch.Revulsion?Anger?
Suppresseddesire?
Impossibletoknowforsure.
Slowly,sheturnedherheadtomeethissteadygaze.“Yes?”
“Comein.”Hislipstwisted.“I’lltrynottobeadick.”
“Let’shopeyoudon’tstrainanythingmakingtheeffort.”
Bam.Hertartresponsemadehiscockrock-hard.
Itwascrazy.He’dseducedcountlesswomen.He’devenoccasionallybeen

rejected,althoughthatwasthankfullyrare.Butnoneofthemhaddisturbedhim
likethisbeautifulwolf.

Waitingforhertostepintohislair,Riosclosedthedoorbehindherandhit

theoverheadlights.Theywerebothcapableofseeinginthedark,butheneeded
afirmreminderthatthiswasn’tanighttoeasehiscat’shungerforthisfemale.

“Haveaseat.”Hewavedahandtowardtheleathersectionalthatwassetin

frontofthelarge-screenTV.

Shehoverednearthedoorasifhopinghewouldhandherafileandsend

heronherway.

“I-”
“Thisisgoingtotakeawhile,”hesmoothlyinterruptedherprotest.
Herlipstightened,butwitharegalliftofherchin,shemovedtoperchon

theedgeofthesofa.

ApurrrumbledinRios’schestashewatchedtheelegantswayofherass.

Damn.Ifhecouldgethishandsonthatfinepieceofrealestate…

Mutteringunderhisbreath,Riosswungonhisheelandmovedtothebank

ofcomputers.Hecouldn’thidehisscentofarousal,buthecouldcontrolhis
traitorouscock.

“Iwasn’tsurewhatexactlyyouneededsoIprintedoffalltheinfowehave

sofar,”hesaid,grabbingthetallstackoffilesbeforeheturnedandmadehis
waybacktositonthesofanexttoBree.

Hereyeswidenedashestartedtospreadthefilesonthelowcoffeetable.
“Allofthat?”
“Alotofitistheadditionalinformationthathelpsestablishtimelines,as

wellasthenecessarydocumentstoverifythetruthofouraccusations,”he
assuredher,doinghisbesttoignorethemuskyscentthatwasteasingathis
senses.

Sinclairwasright.Thiswasimportant.
Themostimportant—andmostdangerous—thingthey’deverdoneinthe

historyoftheUnseenPack.

Andthiswomanwasthekeytoswayingthehumansintoacceptingthey

werespeakingthetruth,orcondemningthemalltodeath.

“Okay,”shesaid,herexpressionsomber.Breewasclearlyawareofthe

lethalexpectationsbeingplacedonherslendershoulders.

“Wheredoyouwanttostart?”heasked.
“Atthebeginning,”shesaidfirmly.
“Igotyoucovered.”Riosgrabbedthetopfileandplaceditinher

outstretchedhand.“WeknowthatthefirstcaseoftheviruswasreportedinApril
1986inahospitalinRome.”

“Yes.Eventhehumansagreeonthat,”shesaid,flickingopenthefolderto

studythemedicalreportsinside.“What’sthis?”

“Theoriginalhospitalreportonthatpatient.”
Shesenthimastartledglance.“Howdidyougetthis?”
“Therearen’tmanythingsIcan’tgetifIwantthembadlyenough,”hesaid

inlowtones,unabletoresisttheurgetoreachupandbrushthebackofhis
fingersagainsthercheek.

Anunexpectedblushhadstainedherivoryskinbeforesheduckedherhead

tostudythefilewithafierceconcentration.

Rios’scatstilled,hishuntinginstinctsonfullalert.Well,well.Hispretty

wolfwasn’tcompletelyindifferenttohim,afterall.

Sheclearedherthroat,pointingamanicuredfingeratanotationinthe

medicalreport.

“Itsaysherethatthepatientclaimedhe’drecentlyreceivedaflushotatthe

VeronaClinic.”

Hedroppedhishand.First,they’dwork.Then…
Hiscatpurredinanticipation.
“Theclinicdeniedit,ofcourse,”hesaid.
Sheflippedtotheendofthefile.“Dowehaveanycorroboratingevidence?”
Hepointedtowardastackoffilesonthetable.“Wehavestoriesfromahalf-

dozenotherpatientswhomadethesameclaim,”heassuredher.“Plus,theAlpha
oftheGoldenPackhasevidencethattheclinicwasactuallytestingastrainof
Ebolathattheyintendedtoweaponize.”

Sheshuddered.Shiftershadplentyoffaults.Theywerehot-tempered,

territorial,andenjoyedtheoccasionalbrawl.Butwhentheyfought,itwaswith
teethandclaws.Theydidn’tinventhideousweaponsthatweremeanttodestroy
hugeswathsofthepopulation.

“Whydidn’ttheofficialsinvestigate?”
Riosnodded,wellawareshewasaskingthequestionsthatsheexpectedto

receivewhentheycameoutoftheshadowstorenouncetheSAU.

“Atfirst,theyweresearchingforthecorporationthatwasfundingthe

research,”hesaid.“Theycouldclosetheclinic,butunlesstheyknewwho’d
actuallypaidtohavethevirusreleasedintotheworld,theycouldn’tbesurethat
itwouldn’thappenagain.Thenthevirusbecameapandemic,andeverything
wenttohell.Itwasn’tuntilthevaccinewascreatedtohaltthespreadofthe
plaguethattheytriedtodiscoverwhathadactuallyhappened.Bythen,mostof
theproofhadbeendestroyed.”

Reachingintothepocketofhergloriouslytightskirt,shepulledoutarazor-

thinphoneandstartedtakingnotes.

“Dowehaveanyinformationonwhowasbehindthedestructionof

evidence?”

Riosreachedforanotherfile.Thisonesentablastoffurythroughhim.
“That’swhenColonelRanneymadehisfirstappearance,”hesaid,handing

herthemanilafolder.

Herbrowsdrewtogetherassheflippedthroughthepapers.“Theheadofthe

SAU?”

“Hewasn’tatthetime.”Riosleanedtotheside,pullingouttheglossy

pamphletthatshowedalarge,silver-hairedmanwholookedlikesomeone’s
kindlygrandfather.RioshaddevotedmonthstodoingresearchontheColonel,
discoveringthatbehindhistoothysmileandpracticedcharmwasacold-hearted
bastardwhowouldsellhisownmotherifhethoughthecouldmakeaprofit.
“Beforetheoutbreak,hewasactuallytheownerofBellumInternational.”

Shetookthepamphletfromhisfingers.“What’sthat?”
“Adefensecontractor,”Riosexplained.“Hestartedasaglorifiedgunrunner

beforegoinglegit.Overtheyears,heprovidedavarietyofweaponstowhatever
armywaswillingtopayhisexorbitantfees.”

Breedroppedthepamphletintothefile,wipingherfingersonherskirt.Rios

didn’tblameher.JustthethoughtofwhatRanneyrepresentedwasenoughto
makehimfeelsoiled.

“Whatdidhehavetodowiththeclinic?”
Riosreleasedagrowloffrustration.“Ihaven’tbeenabletotrackdowna

connection,buthe’stheonewhowassuddenlyinchargeoftheinvestigation.”

Breemadeaquicknoteonherphone.“Hedidthecover-up.”
“Yep.Andhewasveryclever.”Riosgraspedtheremainingpileoffolders.

“Hedidn’tgiveoneexplanationandletitgo.”

Shefrowned.“Whatdidhedo?”
“Heleakedonestoryafteranother.”Rioscurledhislipswithdisgust.“He

saidtheshiftershadtaintedtheflushots.”Hetossedafolderonthetable.“He
saidthatitwastheshifters’bitethatcausedtheplague.”Anotherfilehitthe

table.“Hesaiditwashumanswhowerecreatingmutantanimalstotakeoverthe
world.”Hedroppedtheremainingfiles.Sofar,he’dmanagedtodiscoverovera
dozenstoriesRanneyhadstrategicallyleakedovertheyears.

“Whysomany?”
“Becauseagoodinvestigatorcouldhavefollowedonerumortoproveor

disprovethetruthofit,”Riosexplained.“It’smuchmoredifficulttopindown
theoriesthatareconstantlychanging.”

Sheglancedtowardthetablecoveredwithfilesbeforereturninghergazeto

studyhistightlyclenchedjaw.Shehadonherprofessional‘anchorface,’which
meantitwasimpossibletoreadherexpression.Butthescaldingheatofher
angerwasatangibleforce.

“Especiallywhenitwaseasiertoblameitontheanimalsandlockusin

cages,”shegrowled.

Hegaveagrimnod.“Exactly.”
Herwolfglowedinhereyes,herbeautysoluminous,Riosabruptlyforgot

howtobreathe.

“IhopeverymuchtomeetColonelRanney,”shesaidinfiercetones.

“Preferablyaloneinadarkalley.”

Heleanedforward,savoringtherawheatofheranimal.
“IfyouintendtosinkyourteethintotheColonel,you’regoingtohaveto

getinline,querida,”hesaid,hisgazeloweringtothedeliciouscurveofherlips.

ShemighthavetowaittobiteRanney,butifshewantedtosinkherfangs

intosomething,hewasready,willing,andabletoofferheranoutletforher
frustration.

****

SinclairpulledhistruckintoashabbymoteljustacrosstheColoradostate

border.

They’dbarelyspokenduringtheforty-minutedrive.Mirabecauseshewas

clearlypissedathim.Andhim…

Well,hedidn’tknowexactlywhathefelt.
FuryattheSAUfordaringtokidnapher.PrideinMirafortakingasituation

thatwouldhaveterrifiedmostpeopleandturningittoheradvantage.Lustthat
poundedthroughhisbody,despitethefactthatthetimecouldn’tbeless
appropriate.

Andanuncertaintythathadhiswolfrestlesslypacingbeneathhisskin.

Hewasn’tsureexactlywhathadhappenedtoMiraduringthepasttwo

weeks,butshewasn’tthesameshy,submissivefemalehe’dthoughtheknewso
well.

Instead,shewasdefiantandsurprisinglydeterminedtokeephimata

distance.

Why?
Hadhercaptorsmanagedtoconvinceherthatshifterscouldn’tbetrusted?

Hegaveasharpshakeofhishead.No.Thatcouldn’tbeit.Mirawastoo
intelligenttobeswayedbytheblusteringidiots.

Besides,shewasstilltryingtohelpthemtrackdownDr.Lowman.Even

demandingthatshestayandcontinuehercomputersearcheventhoughitputher
atrisk.

Sowhatthehellwasgoingon?
Unabletobearthestrangebarrierbetweenthemanylonger,hedecidedto

stopforthenight.

Itwouldnotonlygivethemtheopportunitytocleartheairbetweenthem,

butitwouldalsoallowthemtoremainhiddenfromtheSAUsoldiersthatwere
nodoubtbeingspreadthroughouttheareatosearchforMira.

Parkingthetruckbehindadumpster,hewrinkledhisnose.Hyper-senses

couldbeapainintheasssometimes.

Mirapulledherselfoutofherdarkthoughts,turningtostabhimwitha

confusedfrown.

“Whatareyoudoing?”
“They’llbesearchingforyou,”hesaid,unbucklinghisseatbelt.“Weneed

tolaylowforafewhours.”

Herconfusiondeepenedassheallowedhergazetoskimovertheone-story

brickstructurethatwasbuiltinanLshape.Theroofwasmadefroma
corrugatedmetalthatwasstartingtorust,andhalfthewindowswereboarded
over.Itwassad,anddingy,andontheedgeofcompletecollapse.

“Here?”shedemandedwithashudder.
“It’sthesortofplacewherepeopledon’tpayattentiontowho’scomingand

going,”heassuredher,notmentioningthatitwasalsorunbyoneoftheUnseen.
Itwasusedliketheold-timeUndergroundRailroad.Thefirststepintheroadto
helpingshiftersontherundisappearfromthosehuntingthem.Thereweresome
secretsthathecouldn’tshareuntilshewasacommittedpartofhisPack.He
shovedopenthedoorofthetruck.“I’llgetusaroom.”

“Wait.”Sheglancedbackathim.“Ineedacomputer.”
Withouthesitation,hereachedoverthebackoftheseattothenarrow

storagearea.Grabbinghisbackpack,hepulledoutasmalltabletandhandeditto

her.“Willthisdo?”

Shenodded,reachingforitwithadistractedexpression.“Yeah,thanks.”
Sinclairscowled.Overthepasteighteenmonths,he’dcometoexpect

Mira’scompleteandunwaveringattentionwhentheyweretogether.Hell,he’d
simplytakenitforgranted.Nowthatitwasbeingsnatchedaway,hewasn’ta
happywolf.

Infact,hehadasuddenurgetobitesomething.
Orsomeone.
Really,reallyhard.
Glaringatherdown-benthead,hehittheautomaticlockandslammedshut

hisdoor.

Seriously,shewasstompingonhislastnerve.
Joggingacrossthedesertedparkinglot,Sinclairenteredtheoffice,ignoring

thegrizzlyshifterwhostudiedhimwithblatantcuriosityashecheckedthem
intooneoftheprivaterooms.

“Anyspecialneeds?”themaledemanded,lookingasbigandshaggyinhis

humanformashedidasabear.

Sinclairhandedoverawadofcashashetookthekeythemalehadtossed

onthechippedFormicacounter.

“Privacy,”hesaidinclippedtones.
Thebearshrugged.“Thatcomesstandardwiththeroom.”
Sinclairnodded,pausinglongenoughtoofferawarning.“There’sa

potentialarmyofSAUsearchingforus,”hesaid.“Youmightwanttoclosefor
thenight.Infact,itwouldprobablybebestifyoudecidedtotakeashort
vacation.”

Thebearnarrowedhisgaze,takinginSinclair’sgrimexpressionbefore

givinganodofhishead.

“IhaveasisterinCasper.Ithinkit’stimeforavisit.”
“Goodidea.”
Sinclairlefttheoffice,pausingtosweepasearchinggazeoverthedarklot.

Whenhewascertaintherewerenoeyeswatchinghim,hereturnedtothetruck.
Movingtothepassengerside,hehittheremotekeytounlockthedoor.

Hepulleditopen,leaningoverMiratograbhisbackpack.
“Followme.”
Claspingthetablet,shecrawledoutofthetruckandfellintostepbeside

him.

“Hasanyoneevertoldyouthatyou’rebossy?”shesaid.
“Daily,”heassuredher,movingtowardtheendofthehotelthatwasspray-

paintedwithgraffiti.Usingthekey,heunlockedaheavysteeldoorthatwas

dentedinseveralplaces,asifsomeonehadtakenasledgehammertoit.“It’smy
job.”

Shesnorted.“You’renotmyAlpha.”
Hiswolfinstantlyhowledatherrejection.Asfarashisanimalwas

concerned,thiswomanwasalreadyhistoprotect.

Andmore…
Oncesheacceptedthatshebelongedtohim.
“Hmm.”Heleaneddownuntiltheywerenosetonose.“Whoareyoutrying

toconvince,sweetheart?Meoryourself?”

Shesuckedinastartledbreath,hereyeswide.“Sinclair.”
Unabletoresisttemptation,hesoftlybrushedhismouthoverherpartedlips.

Instantheatdetonatedthroughhim.

Christ.Shetastedsosweet.Gloriousfemaleenticementwrappedina

lusciousbodythathisfingerstwitchedtoexplore.

Itwastheveryforceofhishungerthathadhimliftinghisheadtostudyher

withabroodinggaze.

Whenhefinallysatedhisdesire,itwasn’tgoingtobeinanastyparkinglot

wheretheSAUmightmakeanappearanceatanyminute.

“Anargumentforlater,”hesaid,gentlypushingherintothedarkroom.
“There’snotgoingtobeanargument,”shestubbornlydeniedtheinevitable.
Notbotheringtocontinueafighthefullyintendedtowin,Sinclairstepped

throughthedoor,carefullypullingitshutbeforeheturnedonthedimoverhead
light.Fromoutside,noonewouldknowanyonewasintheroom.

Notsurprisingly,Miragaveatinygaspassheactuallytookintheir

surroundings.

Unliketheoutsideofthemotel,theinsidewasscrupulouslyclean.There

wasasturdyoakdresseragainstonewallwithaTVmountedonthepaneling.
Therewasalsoadeskandchairinonecornerwithasmallleathersofa.Andin
thecenteroftheroomwasaking-sizebedwithahand-stitchedquilttooffera
feelingofhome.

Acrosstheroom,anotherdooropenedtoawhite-tiledbathroom.
Itwasn’tfancy,butitwasbuilttoprovideaplaceofcomfortandsafetyfor

thoseinneed.

“Wow,Iwasn’texpectingthis,”shebreathed,movingtoplacethetableton

thedesk.“Howlongdoyouthinkweneedtostayhere?”

Sinclairprowledtowardher,notwillingtogiveherthespaceshewasso

obviouslyseeking.

“AreyouinahurrytogettoourPack?”
“I’mnotgoingtoyourPack,”shesaid,herwordsandtoneadeliberate

challenge.“I’mgoingtotheTheGreatPlainsHomeofTranquility.”

Heblinkedinconfusion.“Where?”
“TheGreatPlainsHomeofTranquility,”sherepeated,reachinguptorun

herhandsthroughherhair.Sinclairswallowedagroan.He’dwantedtorubhis
faceinthosefantasticcorkscrewcurlsforweeks.“It’snearOmaha,Nebraska,”
sheclarified.

Sinclairleashedhisrenegadethoughts.Later,he’drubhisfaceinherhair,

andagainstthecurveofherthroat,anddownthelushcurvestotheintoxicating
secretsbetweenherlegs.

Fornow,heneededtoconcentrateonherstubbornrefusaltotraveltothe

protectionofhisPack.

“Whydoyouwanttogothere?”hedemanded.
“ItoldyouthatIwasrunningtracestolocateDr.Lowman,”shereminded

him.

Hesuckedinastartledbreath.He’dassumedthatshe’dbeenchasing

anothervagueclue.Oneofpotentiallythousands.Butsomethinginher
expressionmadehimtensewithanunexpectedsenseofanticipation.

Dr.LowmanwasthekeytoprovingthattheSAUwasresponsibleforthe

VeronaVirus.Withhimstandingattheirside,noonecoulddenythatitwasthe
shifterswho’dbeenthesaviorsofmankind,nottheirdestruction.

“Youfoundhim?”herasped.
Sheheldupaslenderhand,clearlyunwillingtocommitonewayorthe

other.

“Perhaps.”
Reachingout,hegraspedthetabletoffthedesk,studyingthesprawling

brickbuildingthatlookedasifitwerebuiltinthemiddleofnowhere.

“Thisisthesearchyouwererunningbeforeweleft?”
“Tryingto,yes,”shesaidindrytones,nothavingtopointoutthathehad

beentheonetointerruptherefforts.

NotthatSinclairwasgoingtoapologize.
AsdesperateashewastogethishandsonLowman,hewasn’tabouttoput

thisfemaleatanyfurtherrisk.

She’ddoneherpart.
Hehissedashewasstruckbyasuddenfear.“Ifitwasonthecomputer,then

theSAUhasthedoctor’slocation,aswell.”

“No.”Anunexpectedsmilecurvedherlips.“Atleast,notunlessthey

managetorepairthedamagetotheirsystem.”

Hestudiedherupturnedface.“Whatdamage?”
“Ileftbehindavirus,”shetoldhim.“Itwilldestroywhateverinformation

wasonthecomputer,aswellasanyothersattachedtothesamenetwork.”

Hegaveaslowshakeofhishead.Whenhe’dfirstmetMira,ithadbeen

easytodismissherasbeingamousygeekwhomeltedintothebackground.
Now,heunderstoodthatbeneathhershynaturewereagenerousheartandan
unshakeableloyalty.Twoqualitiesthathevaluedaboveallothers.

Oh,andshewassmart.
Andsexy.Lusciouslysexy.
“Remindmetoneverunderestimateyou,”hesaidwithgenuinesincerity.
Sheshrugged.“Mostpeopledo.”
Henoddedtowardthetablet.“Tellmewhatthisplacehastodowiththe

doctor.”

“AfterIwascaptured…”Herwordstrailedawayashislowgrowlfilledthe

air.Then,clearingherthroat,shecontinued.“TheydemandedthatIdothe
majorityofmysearcheswhiletheycouldwatch,soIcreatedasearchwithDr.
Lowman’snameandthenhackedintovariousclinicsandhospitalstocheckifhe
wasontheirstaff.”

Sinclair’sbrowsdrewtogetherinconfusion.“Youweren’treallysearching

forhim?”

“Notlikethat.”Sheshrugged.“Amanwho’sgoneintohidingdoesn’tuse

hisrealname.Orcontinueinhissameprofession.”

Ah.Hiscleverbeauty.
“True.”
“Sointhebackground,IwasrunningsearchesforPatriciaCarpenterand

JessicaMedlen.”

Hetiltedhisheadtotheside.“Whoarethey?”
“Dr.Lowman’smotherandhiswife,”shesaid.“Ifoundtheirmaiden

names.”

“Amazing,”hebreathed.
Ablushcreptbeneathherskin,onlyaddingtohercharm.
AsanAlpha,Sinclaircouldhavehadanynumberofwomen.Andnotjust

becausehispowerwasanaphrodisiactomanyshifters.Buthe’dalwaysbeena
loner,hisfocusneverwaveringfromhisdutytohispeople.

Nodoubtapsychiatristwouldsayhispasthadinjuredhimsoseverelyhe

wasincapableofformingintimatebonds.

Butnowhewasconsideringthepleasureofhavingacompanionwhocould

beathisside.

Onewhowouldnotonlyprovideawarmbodyinhisbed,butalsoa

complexmindthatcouldofferlogicalargumentswhenshethoughthewas
wrong,andthesameloyaldedicationtohispeoplethathedemandedofhimself.

“Notreally,”shesaid,tryingtodisguiseherflusteredreactiontohisblatant

admiration.“It’slogicalthattheywouldreverttotheirpreviousnames.That
way,theycouldstayhiddenfromthosesearchingforconnectionstoDr.
Lowman,whiletheirfamilycouldstillcontactthem.”

“Didyoulocatethem?”
Shenodded.“YesterdayIgotahitonhiswife,Jessica.”
Thesenseofhopereturnedatherlowwords.“Whatsortofhit?”
“AnaddressinOmaha.”
“Ifyouknewwhereshewas,thenwhydidyouinsistonstayingatthe

base?”hedemanded,stillaggravatedbythethoughtofhertakingsuchan
outrageousgamblewithherlife.

“Becauseherapartmentcontractshowsthatshelivesalone.”
“Thatdoesn’tmeanthatherhusbandisn’tthere.”
“No,butitseemsstrangetoriskgettingtossedfromherapartmentwhenshe

couldhaveputdownafakenameforherhusband,”shesaid.“Sothismorning,I
ranatraceonherplaceofemployment.”

“Wheredoesshework?”
Shepointedtowardthetablet.“She’sanurseattheGreatPlainsHomeof

Tranquility.”

Hestudiedthebrickbuilding.Onceagain,hewasstruckbyhowisolatedit

was.

“Itsoundslikeaspa,”hesaid.
“Nope.It’samentalinstitution,”Miracorrected.“Andheremploymentfiles

revealthatherbrotherisapatientthere.”

Heliftedhisgazetomeethereyesthathaddarkenedwithexcitement.
“Doyouthinkthebrotherhasinformation?”
Shesmiled.“JessicaMedlendoesn’thaveabrother.”

Chapter5

GeorgeMarkhamwatchedasDonaldsonpacedtheofficethatwasas

pretentiousasitwasoversized.Hehadatheoryaboutmenwhohadbigoffices.
Itwastocompensateforalackofgenuineballs.

Somethingheneverhadtoworryabout.
Whichwaswhyhewasleaningagainsttheedgeofthedeskashis

companionwasred-facedandtwitchy.Hehadconfidencethey’dfindthe
missingcomputerbitch.Andiftheydidn’t…

Well,hewasgoingblametheentirefiascoontheColonel.
Hewastheonewho’dinsistedthattheybringMiraReesetothisbase

insteadofstayingattheSAUheadquartersinBoulder.Andhe’dassured
Markhamthatthesecuritysystemwasimpenetrable.

Ayoungmaninastarcheduniformsteppedthroughtheopendoorway,

snappingasaluteasDonaldsonturnedtoglareathim.

“Well?”theColoneldemanded.
Theyoungsoldierpaled.Clearly,hewastheretoofferbadnews.
“Wedidacompletesweepofthebase.Sheisn’there.”
Donaldsonclenchedhishands.“Didyoucheckthesilos?”
“Yes,sir.Eventheabandonedones.”
Markhamrolledhiseyes.Whywouldthewomansneakoutoftheofficeand

thenhideinoneofthemissilesilos?

“Whataboutthesecuritytapes?”Donaldsonpressed.
Whenthey’dreturnedtotheofficeafteralong,tooleisurelydinner,itwas

todiscoverthatMiraReesewasmissing,andthecomputersystemcompletely
shutdown.Nothingtheydidcouldretrievetheinformationfromtheharddrive.

Infact,eachtimetheytried,theyonlycausedmoredamage.
“Whateverhappenedtothecomputersalsoaffectedthecameras,”the

youngermansaid.

Donaldson’sbreathhissedbetweenhisteeth.“Sothey’reworthless?”
Themanlostanothershadeofcolor,andhisgazelowered.“Yes,sir.”
Therewasatensepause,asifDonaldsonweretryingtorestrainhisurgeto

smashthepoorsoldierintheface.

“Getthedogs,”heatlastsnapped.“Iwantfourseparatesearchparties.”He

liftedhishandtopointtowardeachcorneroftheoffice.“North.South.East.

West.”

Thesoldiergaveanod,eagertobeawayfromhisfuriouscommander.
“I’llgetitarrangedatonce.”
“Don’tcomebackwithouther,”Donaldsonwarnedindarktones.
Thesoldiersaluted,backingoutoftheroomandclosingthedoorwitha

firmsnap.Markham’slipstwitchedasheheardthesoundoffootstepsscurrying
downthehall.

MarkhammightnotbeintimidatedbyDonaldson’sbluster,butobviously,

theColonel’ssmallarmywaseasilybullied.

“Dammit.”Donaldsonwhirledonhisheel,slamminghisfistintotheopen

palmofhisotherhand.“Ifshe’swithoneoftheanimals,we’llneverfindher.”

Markhamstiffened.He’djustassumedthatMirahaddiscoveredwhatever

shewaslookingforontheSAU’sprivatenetworkanddonehervanishingact.

Nowhestudiedhiscompanionwithadeepfrown.
“Whatmakesyouthinkshedidn’tdothisonherown?”
TheColonelflashedapatronizingsmilethatmadeMarkhamwanttopull

theGlockhehadstrappedtohisankle.Then,thepompousfoolstrolledacross
theofficetoopenthewindow.

“Iassumethatshedestroyedthecomputersandsecuritysystem,she’sthe

expert,afterall,”hedrawled.“Butthere’snowayshedidthis.”

ReluctantlyMarkhamcrossedtostudythegougesthathadbeendugintothe

windowsill.

Clawmarks.
Bitingbackacurse,Markhamforcedhimselftoturnbacktostudythe

office.Shit.Heshouldhavedoneamorethoroughinspectionoftheofficethe
minutehe’drealizedthatthecomputerwomanwasgone.

NowhehadtoactasifDonaldsonhadn’tmanagedtooutwithim.
“There’snosignthatshewasforcedtoleave,”hesaid.
“No,”Donaldsonagreed,slammingthewindowshut.“IwouldsayMira

Reesehasbeenplayingusforfools.She’sobviouslyworkingwiththeshifters.
Theywantedtheuseofourcomputers,sosheletherselfbetaken.”Hepacedto
thecenteroftheover-priced,hand-wovenrug.“Whichmeansshegotwhatshe
wantedandcalledinoneoftheanimalstogetherout.”

Markhamscowled.Howcouldanyonechooseoneofthosefreaksoverher

ownpeople?He’dheardthatsomehumanseventooktheanimalsaslovers.

Sick.
Ofcourse,ifshedidhavealover…
Markhamabruptlyreachedintohispockettopullouthisphone,tappingthe

passwordontothescreen.

“Ineverdidtrusther,”hesaid.
Donaldsonpivotedonhisheel,hislipstwistedinahumorlesssmile.
“That’snotwhatyouweresayinglessthananhourago.”
Markhamhelduphisphone.“Doyouneedproof?”
Donaldsonfoldedhisarmsoverhischest.“Astonishmewithyour

brilliance.”

MarkhamonceagainthoughtlonginglyofhisGlock.AttheDivision

headquarters,hewastreatedwithrespectthatborderedonreverence.His
companion,however,wasroughlyonthesamelevelashewaswhenitcameto
theSAUhierarchy.WhichmeantMarkhamcouldn’tdemandthedeferenceheso
richlydeserved.

Dammit.
“Afterwebroughtthewomanhere,IcalledasecurityteaminFortCollins

toinstallacameraincasesomeonedecidedtocomesearchingforher,”hesaid,
thoroughlyenjoyingDonaldson’sbriefspurtofannoyancebeforehewas
smoothinghisexpression.

“Canyouaccessthetapes?”
“Ofcourse.”Withafewtapsonthescreen,Markhamwasrewindingthe

images.“Yourtechnologymightbeeasilycompromised,butmineisfarmore
dependable.”

Donaldsonsaidafoulcurse.“Jesus,you’reannoying.”
Markhamdidn’tbothertohidehissatisfiedsmile,quicklyskimminguntil

hewasatthebeginningofthetape.Thecamerahadbeenhiddeninatreeinthe
frontyard,givingaperfectviewofthehouse,alongwiththedriveway.

Hepausedasawomanappearedfromthebrickhousenextdoor,holdinga

cat.

“Theneighbor,”hesaidasthewomanusedakeytoenterthehouseand

thenlefttenminuteslater.

“Doubtfulthatshe’stheanimalthathelpedMiraescapefromhere,”

Donaldsonsaid.

Markhamagreed.Awomandidn’triskherlifeforaneighbor,nomatter

howfriendlytheymightbe.

Shediditforsomeonewhosatisfiedherinbed.
Hefast-forwarded,abruptlyslowingtheimagesasatruckpulledintothe

driveway,andanunknownmanclimbedout.

“There.”
“Damn,wecan’tseehisface,”Donaldsonsaid.“Canyouzoominonthe

licenseplate?”

Markhamscowled,oddlyconvincedthattherewassomethingfamiliarabout

thesetoftheman’sshoulders,andthewayhemoved.Butunlessheturned,it
wouldbeimpossibleforhimtoplacewhomitmightbe.

Dismissingtheoddsensationthathemightbeacquaintedwiththestranger,

hehaltedthevideo.Then,sweepinghisfingeroverthescreen,hemanagedto
enlargetheimage.

“Gotit.I’llsendthistomydivision.”Takingascreenshotofthelicense

plate,hequicklyhaditemailedtohisheadofsecurity.“Theycanstartasearch
forthetruckaswellascontactthecopstoputoutaBOLO.”

Onceagainputinthepositionoffollower,notleader,Donaldsonsquared

hisshoulders.

“Okay.”Hisexpressionwascondescending.“It’sadecentbackupplanifmy

mendon’tfindherfirst.”

Markhamreleasedasharplaugh.“Acceptdefeat,Donaldson,”heurgedthe

olderman.“Youandyoursoldiersletthewomanslipfrombeneathyournoses.
Nowitwillbeuptometosaveyourass.”Hepocketedhisphone,aslysmile
tuggingathislips.“Let’shopeColonelRanneydoesn’tlearnofyourslip-up
beforewecangetherback.”

Donaldsonjerkedattheunmistakablewarning.Noonewantedtobeonthe

wrongsideoftheSAU’sfounder.Notunlesstheywantedtoendupinan
unmarkedgrave.

“Bastard,”themilitarymanhissed.

****

MirawasdoingherbesttoignoreSinclair’sbroodinggaze.Thiswasn’tthe

firsttimethey’dbeeninasmallmotelroomtogether.

Thiswasn’teventheworstmotelroom.Inanefforttoavoiddetection,

Sinclairhadoftensetupmeetingsinplacesthatwerebarelyfitforbedbugs.This
roomwasatleastcleanwithcomfortablefurniture.

Includingasoft,invitingbed.
Shegaveasharpshakeofherhead.Nothinghaschanged,shefiercely

remindedherself.

Okay,Sinclairhadactuallygonetotheeffortoftrackingherdown.And

he’dbeenpossessivelyprotectiveashe’dcarriedherawayfromtheairbase.

Butshewouldbeafooltoletherselfthinkthiswasanythingmorethana

desiretoguardavaluableasset.

“SonowyouunderstandwhyIneedtogettotheGreatPlainsHomeof

Tranquility.”

Hisexpressionwasguarded.“Iunderstandthatsomeoneneedstogo.But

notyou.”

Shestiffened.“Youdon’ttrustme?”
Someephemeralemotionflaredthroughtheice-blueofhiseyes.“Withmy

life.”

Thewordsraspedagainstthewoundhe’dinflictedwhenhe’dbelievedshe

couldhavebetrayedhim.

“Youwerequickenoughtoaccusemeofworkingwiththeenemy.”
Hegrimaced.“I’msorry,Mira.Moresorrythanyoucouldpossibly

imagine,”hebreathed.

Miraabruptlyturnedaway.Therewassomethingunnervingabouttheraw

regretthatsoftenedhisfeatures.

“Itdoesn’tmatter,”shesaid.
“Itdoes.”Hemoveduntilhewasstandinginfrontofher.Then,whenshe

kepthergazelowered,hegentlycuppedherchininhishandandtiltedbackher
head.“Lookatme,sweetheart.”Hepatientlywaiteduntilshegrudginglylifted
hereyestomeethissteadygaze.“Ididn’tmeantohurtyou.Iwouldnever.”

Herlipstwisted.“Iknowwhatyoumeanttodo.”
Hearchedadarkbrow.“Really?”
“Ofcourse.Imightbenaive,butI’mnotstupid,”sheassuredhim.“I

alwaysknewthatyouwereusingme.”

Histhumblightlytracedthecurveofherlowerlip.“Thenyouknowmore

thanIdo,”hesaid.

SparksofexcitementracedthroughMira,hismeretouchenoughtomake

herheartraceandherpalmssweat.

Hewasjustsofreakinggorgeous.Andsexy.
Andmale.
Ruthlessly,deliciouslymale.
Withaneffort,sheforcedherselftonottomeltintoawillingpuddleathis

feet.

“Areyoutryingtosaythatyoudidn’tseekmeoutbecauseofmyposition

withtheCDC?”

Hepaused,nodoubtcarefullyconsideringhiswords.Althoughshedidn’t

knowwhyhewouldbother.Shesensedtheirrelationship—no,it’dneverbeena
relationship—orwhateveritwas,wasabouttocometoanend.

Therewasnoneedtotreatherasifhecaredaboutherfeelings.
“Thatwasmyinitialreason,butwebothknowthatmyinterestbecamefar

morepersonal.”

“Don’t,”sherasped.“Please,don’tlie.”
Hescowled.“I’mnot.”
“You’veneverseenmeasanythingmorethanatoolinyourplansfor

revenge.”

Heshookhisheadindenialofheraccusation.
“Mira,ifyouwerejustatool,thenwhydidImeetwithyousooften?”he

demanded.“Icouldhaveaskedforyourhelpandwaitedforyoutocontactme.”

Angersizzledthroughher.Whycouldn’thejustadmitthetruth?
“YouwerewellawarethereasonIwasassistingyouwasbecauseIwashalf

inlovewithyou,”shesnapped.“Youhadtokeepmeinfatuated,oryoutookthe
chanceofmedecidingitwasn’tworththerisktohelpyou.”

Hisfingersbrushedalongthetightlineofherjaw.“Onlyhalfinlove?”he

teased.

Shejerkedbackherhead.Dammit.Itwasn’tfairthathismeretouchwas

enoughtomakeherbodyclenchwithanachinghunger.

“Thisisn’tfunny,”shesaidbetweengrittedteeth.
Hereleasedadeepsigh,slowlyloweringhishand.“No.It’sironic.”
Shetiltedherchin.“What’sironicaboutit?”
“IthoughtIwasfoolingyou,whenIwasreallyfoolingmyself.”
Mirafrowned,studyinghimwithawarygaze.“Isthatsupposedtomake

sense?”

“Notreally.”Hescrubbedhishandsoverhisfacebeforehenoddedtoward

thenearbybed.“Canwesit?”Hewaitedforhertomove.Whenshestubbornly
refusedtobudge,heatlastpulledoutthePword.“Please,Mira.”

“Fine,”shesaid,spinningonherheeltocrosstheshortdistancesoshe

couldperchontheedgeofthemattress.

Hewasswiftlymovingtosettlenexttoher,theheatofhislegpressing

againstherthigh.

“Thankyou,”hesaid,reachingtograbherhand.
“Sinclair,”sheprotested,makingahalf-heartedattempttofreeherselffrom

hisgrip.

Notsurprisingly,hetightenedhishold.Stubbornwolf.
“You’reright.Ididseekyououtbecauseofyourcomputerskills,and

becauseyouworkedfortheCDC,”hesaid,hisvoicelowandhusky.

Perfectlydesignedtomakeawomanthinkofdarknightsandhotsex.
“Areyoutryingtomakemefeelbetter?”shecomplained,inwardly

chastisingherself.Whenthehellwasshegoingtogetoverherpatheticyearning
forthisman?“Ifso,yousuckatit.”

“I’mnotfinished.Butyou’reright,Idosuckatit.”Heliftedherhandto

pressherknucklesagainsthislips.“I’mnotusedtoexplainingmyself.”

Breathe,Mira,justbreathe.
“Becauseyou’reanAlpha?”Thankfully,herwordsdidn’tcomeoutasa

croak.

Anotherlingeringkisslandedonherknucklesbeforehewasloweringher

handtohislap,hisexpressionsomber.

“BecauseIspentalmosttenyearsofmylifelockedinacagethesizeofa

dogkennel.”

IttookMiraafullminutetoacceptthatthestarkwordsweren’tsome

horriblejoke.

Finally,hereyeswidened,herstomachclenchingwithasicksenseof

disbelief.

“TheSAU?”
Heshookhishead.“Myneighbor.”
“Why?”
Hiseyesdarkened,andMirasuddenlyrealizedshewascatchingaglimpse

ofthewoundedwolfdeepinsidehim.

“MyparentssuspectedthatthecontainmentcenterstheSAUwerecreating

forthesupposedsafetyoftheshifterswouldeventuallybecomeprisons,”his
voicewaslacedwithsadness.“Unfortunately,beforetheycouldorganizeasafe
placeforustodisappear,thesoldierswereknockingatourdoor.”

Itwasanall-too-familiarstory.AlthoughMirahadbeenamerebabewhen

theVeronaVirushadsweptaroundtheworld,she’dheardrumorsofthemass
roundupsofshiftersandeventheviolentclashesthathadledtothousandsof
unnecessarydeaths.

“Howoldwereyou?”
“Five.”
Hermouthdroppedopen,herbrainstrugglingtotakeintheknowledgethat

anyonecouldbetwistedenoughtolockafive-year-oldchildinadog’skennel.

“Whathappened?”
Hisexpressionwastight,theairpricklingwiththepowerofhisinner

animal.

“Myparentsloweredmeoutabathroomwindowandtoldmetorun.Ihad

justgottenthroughthebackfencewhentheneighborcaughtme.”Sinclair’slips
twisted.“Hepromisedhewouldkeepmesafe.”

Shesqueezedhisfingers,instinctivelypressingclosertohisside.Sinclair

couldbeharsh,impatient,sexy,andoccasionallycharming.Buthecarriedwith
himanairofaloofness.Asifnothingcouldtrulyreachhim.

Nowshewasbeginningtounderstandthereasonhesorigidlyprotected

himselffromtheworld.

“Whatdidhedotoyou?”shesaid,urginghimtocontinuehisstory.As

awfulasitwas,itexplainedsomuchaboutthiscomplicatedmale.

“Heusedmeasanewsourceofincome.”
Theairwassqueezedfromherlungs.“Income?”
“Hewouldtakemetoundergroundpartieswherepeoplewouldpaytosee

meshiftintoawolf.”Hisvoicewaslacedwithbitterness.“Afterall,most
shifterswerebeinghiddenbehindthewallsofthecompounds.Itwasarare
opportunitytotreatonelikeacircusanimal.Anindulgencetheywerewillingto
payafortunetoenjoy.”

“God,”shebreathed,leaningcloseenoughtoinhaletherich,muskyscentof

hisskin.“I’msosorry.”

Hisfacehardened,hisexpressiongrim.“Isurvived.Andplanned.Iknewit

wasonlyamatteroftimebeforeImanagedtoescape.”

“Andyoudid,”shesaid.
“Onmyfifteenthbirthday.”Hislipscurled,revealinghisfangs.Mira

shivered.Notfromfear,althoughthiswasthefirsttimeshe’dseenhimlose
controlofhishumanform.Itwas,instead,arenegadethrillofwonderment.This
malewastrulyasurvivor.“Thebastardgotcarelesswhenheopenedthedoorto
thecage.Beforehecouldgetthemuzzleonme,Imanagedtogetoutandknock
himoffhisfeet.”

“Ihopeyoukilledhim,”shesaid.
ThedarknessthatwasshroudedaroundSinclairabruptlylightenedashe

smiledatherfiercewords.

“Sobloodthirsty.”Hisgazedroppedtolingeronherlips.“Ilikeit.”
Mirarolledhereyes.“Didyou?”shepressed.Sheneededtoknowthat

monsterwasn’toutintheworldhurtingothershifters.

Sinclairsnappedhisfangs.“Irippedouthisthroat.”
“Good,”shesaid.“HewasevenworsethantheSAU.Whatkindofsicko

tormentsachildtomakeaprofit?”

Hissmilefaded.“I’vestoppedunderestimatingthedepthsofhuman

depravity.”

Shegrimaced,butshecouldn’tacceptthatsuchevilexistedeverywhere.

Yeah.Shewasanincurableoptimist.Butsheneededtothinktherewasalso
goodintheworld.

“We’renotallbad,”shesaid.
“No.Youtaughtmethat.”Heonceagainliftedherhand,turningitoverso

hislipscouldtracethefineveinsbeneaththeskinofherinnerwrist.“Andnot
allshiftersaregood.”

Tinyshiversracedthroughher.Oh…yum.Whythehellhadn’thedonethis

monthsago?She’dbeendesperatetogethimnaked.

Itdidn’tmatterthathewasonlyusingher.Orthatshemighthateherself

onceitwasover.

She’djustwantedonenightofgloriouspassionbeforeshewasdropped

backintoherboringlife.

Nowitwasalltoolate.
“Whatdidyoudoonceyouescaped?”sheabruptlydemanded.
Heheldhergazeashecontinuedtostrokehislipsoverhersensitiveskin.
“Forawhile,IhidinthemostremotesectionsoftheRockyMountainsI

couldfind,”hesaid.“Ijustwantedtobealone.”

“Youdidn’tseekoutothershifters?”
Therewasanunnervingwatchfulnessinhisice-blueeyes.Wasitthewolf?

Ortheman.

Perhapsacombinationofboth.
“No,Iwashalfferal,andIspentmostofmytimeinmyanimalform,”he

admitted.“ThenonedayIcrossedpathswithanotherwolfshifterwhowasbeing
huntedbythelocalSAU.Itookherintomyhiddenliar.Ionlyintendedtoallow
hertostayuntilthedangerpassed,butsherefusedtogo.Evenworse,shehada
friendwhotrackedusdown.Thegrizzlyshifterwasjustasstubborn.”

Shebittheinsideofhercheek,refusingtorevealthatshewasjealousofthe

thoughtofhimsharinghislairwithanotherfemale.

Shedidn’thavetheright.She’dneverhadtheright,evenifshehopedthat

somedayshecouldconvincehimthatshecouldbemorethanjustameanstoan
end.

Shegaveasharpshakeofherhead.“ItwasthestartoftheUnseen?”
“Yes.”Hisshrugwasrueful.“IagreedtobecometheAlphaandtoputthe

membersofmyPackfirstinmylife.But,atheart,I’mstillaloner.”

I’mstillaloner…
Thewordsslicedthroughher.Itwas,ofcourse,whatshe’dalwaysknown

deepinside.Shejusthadn’twantedtoacceptit.

“Igetit,”shesaid,startingtorisefromthebed.“Ireallydo.”
Withoutwarning,heyankedherbackdown,hiseyesnarrowedwith

frustration.

“Mira,wouldyouletamanfinish?”

Chapter6

Sinclairknewthathewasn’twinninganybrowniepointswithMira.He

mightnothaveRios’ssmoothcharm,buthedidknowthatgrowlingatawoman
andyankingheraroundwasn’tthebestwaytoearnhergoodwill.

Butdammit,hewasbeyondfrustrated.
NotwithMira.Neverwithher.Butwithhisownawkwardinabilityto

expresshisemotions.

Whoknewitcouldbesohard?
“Excuseme?”shedemandedindangeroustones.
Hegrimaced.“I’mtryingtomakeapoint.”
“Thenmakeit,”shewarned.
Suckinginadeepbreath,hestudiedherdelicatefeatures,notmissingthe

warinessthatlingeredinherbeautifuleyes.Hehadn’tintendedtotellherabout
theyearshe’dspentasacircusfreak.Henevertalkedaboutthattimewith
anyone.Butforreasonshecouldn’texplain,he’dfeltanoverwhelmingneedto
sharethehorrorhe’dendured.Notforhersympathy,buttoensureshecould
acceptwhathe’ddonetosurvive.

Shehadtounderstandthatbothhisanimalandhumanhalvescouldbe

savagewhennecessary.

Thankfully,shehadn’tflinched.Infact,she’dbeensplendidlyprotective.
Unfortunately,hisrevelationshadlefthimfeelingoddlyvenerable.A

sensationthathefound…unnerving.

“MypastmeansthatIdon’thavethebestinterpersonalskills,”hestatedthe

obvious.“AndIhaveevenlessinsightintomyemotions.”

“You’reamale.”Sheshrugged.“Noneofyouhaveanyinsights.”
“Ouch.”Hepressedherhandtothecenterofhischest.“Adirecthit.”
Sheturnedherheadaway.Almostasifshethoughtshecouldhideherhurt

fromhim.Itwasobviousshehadalottolearnaboutshifters.

Hecouldsmellhereachandeveryemotion.
Atthemoment,herlusciousscentwasamixtureofspringflowers,burnt

toast,andalingeringfemininedesireshecouldn’tdisguise.

“Youreallydon’thavetosayanythingelse,”shesaid.
“Ido.”Heresistedtheurgetotugherintohislapandwraphertightlyinhis

arms.First,hehadtoundothedamagehe’dcaused.Onlythencouldshetrust

him.“Initially,myintentionwastoseekyououtandearnyourtrustsoyou
wouldhelpme,”headmitted,rubbinghisthumboverthetenderskinofherinner
wrist.Hefeltherheartskipabeatathislightcaress.Shewasstillarousedbyhis
touch.ThankGod.Itwastheonlyhopehehadthathecouldreachthroughthe
wallsshewastryingtobuildbetweenthem.“Butthatdoesn’texplainwhyI
spentmydaycheckingmyphonetoseeifyoucalled,”heconfessed.“OrwhyI
refusedtheofferofmyPackmatestomeetwithyou.FromtheminuteIcaught
sightofyou,Iknewthatnooneelsewasgettingnearyou.”Heliftedherhandto
nuzzlehislipsagainstherfingers.“Youaremine.”

Thatbroughtherheadbackaround,hereyeswide.“Yours?”
Hedidn’thesitate.“Yes.Mine.”Heplacedherfingersagainsthischeek.“It

justtookthethoughtoflosingyoutogetitthroughmythickskull.”

Hereyesdarkenedwithpleasure.AgrowlrumbleddeepinSinclair’schest.

Hiswomanlikedthefeelofhisroughwhiskersthatstubbledhisjaw.Good.He
plannedtorubthemoverhernakedskinashekissedapathfromherlushlipsto
thetipsofhertoes.

“I’llagreewiththethickskullpart.”
Heturnedhishead,pressinghislipstothecenterofherpalm.
“Letmeconvinceyou,”hepleadedinsofttones.
Heheardherbreathcatchinherthroatandthesuddenleapofherheart.
Butevenasshestartedtoswaytowardhim,sheabruptlyshovedherselfto

herfeet.

“I’mgoingtotakeashower.”
Hiswolfgrowled,strugglingtobreakfree.Theanimaldidn’tunderstandthe

needtoletthisfemalehavethespaceshedemanded.Itwantedtotumbleheron
thebedandseduceawaythewarinessinhereyes.

Instead,heforcedateasingsmiletohislips.
“Doyouneedhelp?”
“IthinkIcanmanage,”shesaidindrytones,headingintothesmall

bathroom.

Groaningasheheardthesoundoffabricbrushingoverherskinbefore

hittingthetiledfloor,Sinclairforcedhimselftocrosstheroomtograbthephone
setonthedresser.Itwasdirectlyconnectedtothefrontoffice.

Pressingthezerobutton,hegrimlykepthisthoughtsfromstrayingtowarda

nakedMiraassheturnedontheshowerandsteppedbeneaththewater.

Thoselusciouscurveswouldbeslick,hervibrantcurlsspiralingdownher

back…

Oh,hell.Hiscocktwitched.
Thankfully,heheardagrowledgreetingasthegrizzlyansweredSinclair’s

call.

“Hey,beforeyoutakeoff,couldyoudropbyasetofwomen’sclothing,I’m

guessingsizetwelve,anddinner?”Sinclairrequested,waitingfortheman’s
agreement.Then,beforethegrizzlycouldhangup,hecontinued.“Oh,andmake
surethere’ssomethingsweetfordessert.Thanks.”

Asmiletouchedhislipsashereplacedtheold-fashionedreceiver.
He’dlovedthefewtimesthey’dmanagedtoeatamealtogether.Mira

wouldalwaysrefuseanydessert,butshewouldeagerlysavorthebiteshewould
shareofhisown.He’dwantedtotellherthathelovedhersoftcurves.Hewasa
shifter,notahumanwhovaluedonlysurfacebeauty.Tohim,shewasperfect.

Nowhenolongerhadtohidehistrueemotions.
Hefullyintendedtomakesurethatshethoroughlyenjoyedherlife.

Especiallythedecadentparts.

Thesoundofsplashingwaterfilledtheroom,alongwiththemuskyscentof

warm,femaleskin.Sinclairpacedfromoneendofthemainroomtotheother,
relievedwhentherewasaknockatthedoor.

Sinclairwaiteduntilhewascertainthegrizzlywasgone.Itwasn’tthathe

didn’ttrusttheshifter.Hesimplydidn’twantanymaletocatchthescentof
Mira’snakedbody.

Unreasonable?
Maybe.Butthat’sthewayitwas.
Atlast,hepulledopenthedoortocollectthebagofclothingandtheboxof

pizzafromanearbytake-outjoint,aswellasasmalllavacake.Perfect.

He’djustplacedthefoodonthedeskandpulleditnexttothebedwhen

Miracameoutofthebathroom.Awarenesswaslikeapunchtohisgutashis
gazeskimmeddownherbodythatwascoveredbyarobe.Theterrycloth
materialstoppedmid-thigh,revealingtheelegantlineofherlegs,anddippedat
thenecklinetoofferaglimpseofhersoft,enticingbreasts.

Suddenly,hishungerhadnothingtodowithpizza.
“Youstillhaven’tsaidhowlongweneedtostay…”Herwordstrailedaway

asshecaughtsightofthefood.“Wheredidthiscomefrom?”

Hemovedtowardher,usingherdistractiontolightlygraspherarmand

steerhertowardthebed.

“Theownerofthemotelbroughtfoodandcleanclothes.Ithoughtyou

mightbetiredofyouruniform.”

Ashuddershookherbody.“Youhavenoidea.”
“Butfirst,dinner,”hesaid,pressingherontotheedgeofthemattressbefore

hewassettlingnexttoher.Then,hepulledthedeskevencloserandplaceda
largesliceofpizzainfrontofher.

Sheconsumedtheslicewithobvioushunger,andbeforeshewasfinished,

Sinclairhadanotheroneinfrontofher.Hefeltafiercesatisfactioninknowing
hewastendingtoherneeds.

Thiswaswhathe’dbeenplacedinthisworldtodo.
Protectandcherishthisfemale.
Polishingoffherthirdslice,MiraatlastglancedtowardSinclair.
“Iwasaskinghowlongweneedtowaithere.”
Placingthelavacakebetweenthem,Sinclairscoopedupalargebiteof

gooeygoodness.

“Weshouldstayatleastafewhours,”hesaid,pressingthespoontoher

mouth.

Sheabsentlyacceptedthebite,completelyunawarejusthowsexyitwas

whensheusedhertonguetowipethechocolateoffherlips.

Sinclair,however,wasacutely,painfullyaware.
“Okay,”sheconceded,understandingthedangerofstumblingacrossthe

SAUsoldiersthatwerenodoubtsearchingforthem.

Continuingtofeedhersmallbitesofthecake,Sinclairstudiedherdelicate

features.

“Youknow,we’vespentalotoftimetogether,butyourarelyspeakofyour

family,”hesaid.

Sheshrugged.“Ihadaboringchildhood.”
Sinclairnarrowedhisgaze.Ifheweren’tashifter,hewouldneverhave

noticedtheslighttensingofherbody.

ClearlyherrelationshipwithherfamilywasasourceofanxietyforMira.
“DoyourparentsliveinFortCollins?”hepressed,needingtoknowwhat

wastroublingher.

Hehadeveryintentionofprotectingher.Frombothphysicaldangersand

emotionalones.Noonewasallowedtohurtthisfemale.

Noone.
“No,”shesaid.“IwasraisedinMinnesota.”
“Ah.”Hislipstwitched.“Afarmgirl.”
Shegrimaced.“Yeah.”
“Yourparentsmustbeveryproudofallyou’veaccomplished,”hesaid,

carefullywatchingthehardeningofherexpression.

“Notreally.”Shereacheduptobrushadampcurlfromhercheek.“They

neverunderstoodmyloveforcomputers.Andtheycertainlydidn’twantme
leavinghometotakeajobsofaraway.”

Sinclairarchedabrow.Thisfemalewasstrong,intelligent,well-educated

andsuccessful.Whatelsecouldparentsdesireintheirdaughter?

“Whynot?”hedemanded.
Sheshookherheadatthelastbite,onceagaindrivingSinclairnutsasshe

lickedherlipsclean.

“TheythoughtIshouldfollowinthefootstepsofmyoldersisterandmarry

anicelocalboyandstartproducingafamily.”

AlowgrowlrumbledinSinclair’schest.Notonlyangeratherfamilyfor

makingherfeel‘less’becauseofherchoices,butalsoatthemerethoughtof
someothermaletryingtoclaimher.

MiraReesebelongedtohim.
Period.
“Theywereidiots,”hesnarled.“AndsowasI.”
Hisconfessionoffaultappearedtocatchheroffguard.Sheblinked.And

thenblinkedagain.

“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”
“Theydidn’tvalueyouastheyshouldhave,”hesaidinroughtones.
Shewasinstantlyonthedefensive.“Theylovedme.”
“Idon’tdoubtthat,buttheyshouldhavebeensupportiveofyourdecisionto

seekyourowncareerandindependence,”heinsisted.“Youhaveatruegiftwith
computers.”

“It’swhatI’vealwayswantedtodo,”sheagreed.
“JustasIshouldhavehonoredyourtenderheart,”hecontinued,refusingto

ignorehisownculpabilityinallowingthisexquisitefemaletobelieveshewas
anythinglessthanperfect.“It’sapreciousgift.”

“Sinclair,”shebreathed,alovelyflushstaininghercheeks.
Leaningforwardwiththeintentionofclaimingherlipsinakissof

frustratedhunger,Sinclairabruptlyhalted.Therewasnomissingthedark
shadowsbeneathhereyes.Sheclearlywasatthepointofutterexhaustion.

Withamutteredcurse,hepulledback.“Youshouldgetsomerest.”
Miranervouslyglancedtowardthebed,clearlyjudgingthewidth.
“I’mnottired,”shesaid,asifdeterminingtherewasn’tenoughspaceto

avoidbeingpressedagainsthimiftheysharedthemattress.

Hesquashedtheimageofholdinghertightinhisarmsassheslept.No

pouncingonhisprettyfemaleuntilshewasready.

“Sweetheart,youcan’tfoolashifter.Icanscentyourweariness,”heassured

her,grabbingthedesktomoveitbacktothecorner.

Heheardhercrawlacrossthemattress,thenthesoftsoundofthesheets

beingpulledback.

“Whataboutyou?”shedemanded.
Waitinguntilhewassureshewascoveredbytheblankets,heslowlyturned

tomeetherguardedgaze.

“Whataboutme?”
“Areyougoingtorest?”
Heliftedashoulder.“I’llkeepwatch,weshouldbesafe,butIdon’tintend

totakeanychances.”

Therewasalongpausebeforeherfaceabruptlypaled.“Oh.Ofcourse.”
Hescowled,wonderingwhatthehellhadputthatlookofhurtinhereyes.

Then,suddenly,herealizedshethoughtthathedidn’twanttosharethebedwith
her.

Heclenchedhishands.Okay.Screwthewhole‘nopouncing’thing.
Withonelongleap,hewasonthebed,crouchedoverherrigidbody.
“Whatareyoudoing?”shebreathed,hereyeswidewithshock.
Heleaneddownuntiltheywerenosetonose.“Youwerebusyassumingthat

I’mstandingguardbecauseIdon’twanttosharethebedwithyou,”hegrowled.

Shepressedherlipstogether.“It’snotreallyasecretyoudon’tfindme

physicallyattractive.I-”

Herwordswerecutoffashekissedher.Justlikethat.
Pressinghismouthagainstherplushlips,hemoanedathersweettaste.It

wasintoxicating.Addictive.

Hegraspedtheheadboard,hisclawsdiggingintothesturdywoodashe

battledbacktheurgetoconsumeher.

“Sinclair,”shesaid,herhandsliftingtopressagainsthischest.
“Shutup,”hegrowled.
Shestiffenedinoutrage.“Whatdidyousay?”
Sinclairwasinnomoodtobackdown.Shecouldaccusehimofmany

things.Buttoimplythathewasn’tdesperatetohaveherashisloverwas
ridiculous.

“Shut.”Anotherfiercekiss.“Up.”
Shegrabbedhist-shirt,tiltingbackherheadtoglareathim.
“Youdorealizewheremykneeis,don’tyou?”
Hechuckled,notparticularlyworrieddespitethefactthatherkneewasonly

inchesfromhiscock.

Infact,heboldlygrabbedherhand,tuggingitdowntopressitagainsthis

raginghard-on.

“There,”hebreathed.“DoesthatfeellikeIdon’tfindyouphysically

attractive?”

Thetantalizingscentofherarousalfilledtheair.Still,shestubbornly

refusedtobelievetheobviousevidenceofhisdesire.

“Youbarelykissedmeinallthetimewe’veknowneachother,”she

accused.

“Christ,Mira,itwasbadenoughtoknowthatIwasallowingyoutoput

yourselfindanger-”

“Youdidn’tallowmetodoanything,”shesharplyinterruptedhim.

“EverythingIdidwasmychoice.”

“Okay,”heconceded.“Itwasbadenoughtoknowyouwereindanger

withouttakingadvantageofyou.”

Herexpressionremainedwary.“Hmm.”
Dippinghisheaddown,heplantedalineofkissesalongthelengthofher

jaw.

“Butmygoodbehaviorisabouttocometoanend,”hewarned,allowinghis

fangstolengthensohecouldscrapethemdownthearchofherneck.

Sheshivered,herhipsinstinctivelyliftingtopressagainstthehardlengthof

hiscock.

“Itis?”shesaid,herfingersdiggingintohischest.
“Mm.”Henuzzledhislipsagainstherpulsethatpoundedatthebaseofher

throat.“Oncewe’veexposedtheSAUandreturnedtoourlair,Iintendtodevote
mynightstoexploringeverylushcurve.”Hemoveddowntoexplorethesatin
swellofherupperbreasts.“Oh,sweetheart.You’resobeautiful,”herasped,not
daringtoparttherobetofullyexposehersoftcurves.

Therewouldbenostoppinghisurgentneedtoclaimher.
“No,”shesaid,shakingherhead.
“Yes,”hehissed,liftinghisheadtoglareatherstubbornexpression.“I

adoreeverythingaboutyou.”

“I’mtooplump,”sheprotested.“Andmyhairisalwaysamess.”
Hereachedtothreadhisfingersthroughherthickmane.
“I’vebeenfantasizingaboutburyingmyfaceinthesecurlsforever.Ilove

them,”herasped,hishandskimmingdownherthroattothebountifulswellof
herbreast.“Andthisbody.”Hisfingerssqueezed,feelingthepebbledhardness
ofhernippleeventhroughthethickterryclothmaterial.“Thisexquisitetribute
tofeminineperfection…”

Shereleasedherbreathonasoftsigh.“Sinclair…”
Claimingherlipsinadeepkiss,hesharedallthepent-uphungerhe

harboredforthisfemale.Instantly,hermouthparted,invitinginthethrustofhis
tongueasherarmswrappedaroundhisneck.

Hell.
Shewassosweet.Soft.Edible.
Withaharshgroan,Sinclairforcedhimselfoffthebed,staringdownather

flushedfacewithabroodinggaze.

“Rest,sweetheart,”hecommandedingentletones.“I’llkeepyousafe.”

Chapter7

Rioswasn’tsurewhat’dpromptedhismidnightrun.
He’dbeensiftingthroughtheavalancheoftextsandemailsthatwereflying

betweenthemembersoftheSAUwhenhisjaguardecidedthatit’dhadenough.
Itwantedtobesurroundedbynature.

Leavinghiscabin,heshiftedintohisanimalformandheadedacrossthe

boundariesofthelair.Hissleekbodymovedwithliquideaseoverthefallenpine
needlesandmossyground,dartingthroughthetreesasheheadedupthe
mountain.

Silencesurroundedhim,theblackskyspeckledwithshimmeringstars.He

lovedthisplace.Itwasthehomehe’dneverthoughttofind.

Still,itwasn’tuntilhe’dcaughttherichmuskofwolfthatherealizedwhat

haddrawnhimoutofhishome.

Bree.
Withalowroar,hewasonthehunt,followingherscentuntilhecaught

sightofherrunningjustaheadofhim.

Admirationsizzledthroughhim.Shewasgorgeouswithhersilveryfurand

blackmarkings.Adangerouspredatorthatwasmorethanamatchforhiscat.

Theyrantogetherfornearlyanhour,atlastcomingtoamutualhaltata

largeoutcroppingthatoverlookedadeepvalley.Together,theyshiftedbackto
theirhumanformsandperchedonalargeboulder.

Theywereshifters,nakednesswasasnaturaltothemasbeingintheir

animalforms,butitwasgoingtobeverydifficultforhimtobethiscloseto
Breewithherarmorofprofessionalclothing.Shewasincrediblysexy.
Distractinglybeautiful.Utterlystunning.

Tiltinghisheadtotheside,heforcedhimselftokeephisgazeonherface

andstudiedhertenseprofile,abletosensethatshewasn’tjustouttoenjoythe
night.

“Troublesleeping?”heasked.
Hergazeremainedonthedistantlightsbelowthem.“Ihavealotonmy

mind.”

“AreyouworriedaboutexposingtheSAU?”heasked.
Shegaveasmallshakeofherhead.“I’mworriedaboutthebacklash.”
“You’llbeprotected,”heassuredher,reachingouttocoverthehandshe’d

placedontherockbetweenthem.“Iswear.”

“I’mnotworriedformyself,”shehurriedlycorrected.“I’mworriedforour

people.”

Riosgrimaced.TheSAUwasalreadypreparingtopunishtheshiftersfor

theirdeterminationtoleavethecompounds.Theywouldgoballisticwhenthe
wordgotoutthattheyweregoingtoexposethetruthoftheVeronaVirus.

“Yeah,soamI,”headmitted,keepinghishandoverhers.Hecravedthe

touchofanotheronthisnight.No.Itwasn’tjustatouch.ItwasBree’stouchthat
hecraved.So,sodangerous,butsincehe’dseenherwalkintohislair,heknew
thathe’dbeenasblindasSinclairhadbeen.“Butthisistherightthingtodo.”

Sheturnedtomeethissteadygaze.“Iagree.IjusthopeIdon’tscrewup

the…”Shepaused,tryingtorememberwhatRioshadinsistedthemonumental
eventbecalled.“GrandReveal.”

Riosgrimaced.Damn.They’dplacedahugeburdenonthiswoman’s

slendershoulders.Itwasnowondershewasfeelingthestrain.

“Ihavefaithinyou,”hesaid,givingherfingersaslightsqueeze.“Haveyou

setatimefortheannouncement?”

“Notofficially.”
Hegaveacuriousliftofhisbrow.He’dspentmostofhislifedealingwith

computers,notpeople.HehadnoideahowthewholePRthingworked.

“Whynot?”
Shereachedtohookherhairbehindherear.Themoonlightshimmeredover

thetawnystrands.

“Mostpeopleignorepressconferencesunlessit’sacelebrityorapolitician

caughtwithhispantsdown,”sheexplained.

“Orwithherskirtlifted,”hepointedoutindrytones.Shehadarealchipon

hershoulderwhenitcametomenandsex.

Sheshrugged.“Fairenough.”
“Sowhatareyourplans?”
“I’vereachedouttomyvariouscontactsoverthepastcoupleofweeksand

hintedthatI’mfollowinganexplosivestorythat’sgoingtoshaketheworld,”she
revealed.

“And?”
Sheallowedafaintsmiletotouchherlips.“AndthenIstoppedtalking,”

shetoldhim.“AnythingIcouldhavesaidcan’tcomparetothewhispersthat
havestartedcirculating.Aseachhourpasses,andIremainoutofsight,people
becomemoreandmorecurious.Onceitreachesfeverpitch,I’llschedulethe
pressconference.”

Henodded,trustingshewouldrecognizetheperfectmomenttocreate

maximumimpact.

“Forbetterorworse,it’snevergoingtobethesame,”hesaid.
“No,itwillneverbethesame,”sheagreedinsofttones.
Apeacefulsilenceshroudedthem.Likethecalmbeforethestorm.Forlong

minutes,Riossimplyenjoyedthebriskbreezeanddistantchirpofcrickets.
Then,heturnedontherock,plaguedbyasuddenneedtoknowwhatthefuture
mighthold.

“Ifourpeoplearegivenfreedom,willyouleavethePack?”heabruptly

demanded.

“Perhaps,”shesaid.“I’dliketosearchformyparents.”
Hefeltaflickerofsurprise.“Youdon’tknowwheretheyare?”
“No.”Herfeatureshardenedwitharememberedpain.“Iwasvisitingmy

cousinswhentheywerecaughtinaroundupbytheSAU.”

“Therewasnorecordoftheirdetainment?”TheSAUwassmartenoughto

knowthattherewouldbeafewfellowhumansthatwouldbesqueamishabout
theuniversalroundups,sotheymadeitallseemverylegaland‘bythebook.’

Therewereofficialrecordsthatincludedthename,dateofbirth,and

physicalcharacteristicofeachdetainee.

“IknowtheywereoriginallysenttoDC,”shesaid,hervoicecarefully

strippedofemotion.“Butthecontainmentcenterwascloseddown.Ican’tfinda
listingofwhichpermanentcompoundtheyweresentto.”

Withoutwarning,Rios’scatwassnarling,evenashishumansidewas

leashingtheurgetograbherbyhershouldersandgiveherashake.

“Bree,”hesaidinlowtones.
Shestilled,easilysensinghisburstofannoyance.“What?”
“Whydidn’tyoucometome?”
Shefrownedinconfusion.“Forwhat?”
“Youknowfullwellthatthere’snothingandnooneIcan’tfind,”herasped,

dismissingfromhismindSinclair’sneedtousetheprettyMiraforhissearch.
TherewasnowaytogetaccesstotheCDCfileswithoutdirectaccesstotheir
computers.“Ifyourparentsweremissing,allyouhadtodowastellme,andI
wouldhavefoundthem.”

Sheduckedherhead.“Ithinkapartofmewasafraid.”
“Ofme?”
“No,ofcoursenot,”shesaid.“Iwasafraidofdiscoveringthattheyhad

beenkilled.”

Hisoutrageeased.Ah.Heunderstoodthatsortoffear.Slowly,heinched

closertoherslenderbody.Anunspokenofferofcomfort.

“Whywouldyouthinkthat?”heasked.

Shebitherlip,unconsciouslyswayingtowardhim.“Iwasveryyoung,butI

rememberenoughtoknowmyparentswouldn’thavesubmittedeasilytobeing
collaredandbranded.”

Halfafraidhemightfrightenheraway,heliftedhishand,brushingitover

hercheek.

“Surelyit’sbettertoknowonewayoranother?”
Herexpressionbecamewary,butthankfully,shedidn’tpullawayfromhis

lighttouch.

“ItwasbetternottoknowwhenIdidn’tdarerisktryingtogoinsearchof

them,”sheclarified.“Ineededtohangontothebelieftheywereoutthere
waitingforme.”

“Butifwe’retrulyfreed…”Heallowedhiswordstotrailaway,unwillingto

imagineafuturewherethiswomanwasnolongerapartofit.

“It’stimetosearchforthem.”
Hisfingersmovedtocupherchin,hisbrowsfurrowed.“WhatifIsaidI

didn’twantyoutogo?”

Withahiss,shewasknockingawayhishand,adarkcolorstainingher

prominentcheekbones.

“Iwouldsayyou’verepeatedthesamewordstoahundredotherfemales.”
Riossnarledinfrustration.Evenknowinghedeservedherlackoffaith,it

annoyedthehelloutofhim.

“WhyareyoucertainthatI’mnotbeingsincere?”
“Umm,letmethink.”Shepretendedtoconsiderbeforeofferingahumorless

smile.“BecauseI’vewatchedyouleapfrombedtobedsinceyoujoinedthe
Pack.”

Hisclawsslicedthroughthetipsofhisfingers,diggingintothegranite.
Hedidn’tbotherarguing.He’ddevotedalotofenergytopursuingvarious

femalesovertheyears.Whynot?Hewasacatthatthoroughlyenjoyedthe
hunt.

“Notyours,”hesaidwithawrysmile.Breehadnotonlyrefusedhis

attemptsatseduction,butshe’dalsoactedasifhe’djustcrawledfromthegutter.

Sheshrugged.“I’mnotinterestedinbecomingsomemale’safterthought.”
Riosscowled.Hemightnotbeasaint,buthewouldnever,evertreathis

loverswithanythinglessthancompleterespect.

“I’veenjoyedthefemaleswhowantedtosharetheirtimewithme-”
“Theysharedmorethantheirtime,”sheinterruptedwithahumorlesssmile.
“Itwasamutualdesiretoplay,”heinsisted.
Thesharptangofherangerassaultedhisnose.“Goodforyou,”she

snapped.“I’mnotinterested.”

“Hmm,”hesaid.Ifshewasn’tinterested,thenwhydidthementionofhis

otherloversruffleherfur?Quiteliterally.

Sheglaredathim,herexpressiondeliberatelywipedofemotion.
“What?”
Heallowedateasingsmiletotouchhislips.“Areyousure?”heasked,his

voicelowasheleanedtowardher,suckinginadeepbreathofherspicyscent.“I
cansmellalie.”

Withafluidleap,shewasofftherockandheadedbackdownthemountain.
“I’mgoingtobed,”shesaid.
Withalowgrowl,hewatchedthesexywayherhipsswayedandtheperfect

curveofherdelectablebacksidebeforehehoppedofftherockinpursuit.“Ifyou
insist,”hesaid.

“Alone,”shesnapped.Thenwithaswirlofmagic,shewasabruptlyshifting

backtoherwolfform.

Itwastheperfectwaytobringanendtotheconversation.
Comingtoahalt,Riosplantedhishandsonhishipsashewatchedthe

hauntinglybeautifulwolfslidethroughthetrees.

“Bree,”hecalledout,loudenoughthatshecouldn’tmisshiswords.“This

time,I’mnotplaying.”

****

Sinclairhadexpectedthenighttopassinextremediscomfort.Afterall,no

malewantedtobearousedtothepointofpain,withnoreliefinsight.

Buthesoonforgothisfrustrateddesire.
Sure,hewantedtobenakedwithMirainthebed.Buttherewassomething

oddlysatisfyinginstandingguardasshefellintoadeep,restfulsleep.

Standingnearthewindow,hisgazelingeredonthepurelineofherprofile

andtheriotouscurlsthatspreadacrossthepillow.

Shelookedyoungerasleep.Andpeaceful.
Whenshewasawake,therewasahumming,vibrantenergy;thatwasabsent

atthemoment.

RelishingtherareopportunitytowatchMirawithoutfearofrevealingmore

thanhewanted,Sinclairwasbarelyawareofthehourspassing.Infact,itwasn’t
untilhecaughtthesmellofapproachinghumansthatheturnedhisattentionto
thewindow.

Peekingthroughtheedgeofthecurtain,hewatchedassixsoldiersentered

theparkinglotonfoot,twoofthemwithdogsonleashes.

TheywereclearlyfollowingMira’sscent.Withafrown,Sinclairreached

outwithhismindtogivethedogsasharp‘push’intheoppositedirection.
Instantly,theywerehowlingandtuggingattheleashes,leadingthesoldiers
awayfromthemotel.

Hismentalpoweroverthemwouldn’tlastmorethanafewminutes,butit

wouldbelongenoughtoensurethemenbelievedthatthetrailledinthe
oppositedirection.

TherewasarustlefromthebedbeforethesoftsoundofMira’svoice

floatedontheair.

“Sinclair?”
“I’mhere.”
Smoothingthecurtainbackinplace,Sinclairmovedtheshortdistanceto

thebed.Then,kickingoffhisshoes,heremovedhisshirtandjeansbefore
pullingbackthecoversandstretchingonthemattress.Mirarolledtowardhim,
hereyeswideintheshadowedroom.

“IsittheSAU?”shewhispered.
“Yes.”
Sheshivered,herheartpoundingloudenoughforSinclairtopickupthe

rapidbeat.“They’regoingtofindus?”

“No.”Withcarenottostartleher,hegentlytuggedherintohisarms,

pressinghislipstothetopofherhead.“Trustme,”hesaid.

Hertensioneased,herheadtiltingbacktostudyhimwithafaiththatmade

hisheartswellwithfiercerelief.Thank,God.Therewasapartdeepinsidehim
thathadworriedhewastoolate.

“Whatdidyoudo?”sheasked.
Hegaveintotheimpulsethat’dtormentedhimfromthefirsttimehe’d

caughtsightofherandplungedhisfingersintothespiralmassofcurls.

“Iconvincedthedogstomovealong,”hesaid.
“How?”
Hehesitatedbeforeadmittingthetruth.“Icantouchtheirminds.”
Herbrowslifted,buttherewasnohintofdisgustonherface.Instead,her

expressionwasoneofcuriosity.

“Youcanspeaktelepathicallywithdogs?”
“It’snotreallyspeaking,”heexplained.“It’smoreamentalwarningtoleave

orbeeaten.”

“Impressive,”shesaid.
Awickedsmiletuggedathislips.“It’stheleastofmyskills.”
Sherolledhereyesathisarrogance.“Seriously?”

Lustscorchedthroughhisbody,makinghiswolfpressbeneathhisskinwith

ahungerthatrefusedtobedenied.Bothmanandanimalwereanxioustoclaim
thiswoman.

Holdinghergaze,heslidhishandsdownherbackandthenaroundher

waisttotugatthebeltthatheldherrobetogether.

“Sinclair,”hervoicewasalowraspashepartedthethickmaterialand

allowedhishandstocupthefullnessofherbreasts.

“Yes,Mira?”
Atinygroanofpleasurewaswrenchedfromherthroatashisthumbs

brushedoverthenipplesalreadybeadedinanticipation.

Still,shestruggledtoresistthedesirethatwasatangibleforce,drawing

themtogether.

“Doyouthinkthey’llcomeback?”
“No.”Heangledhisheaddownandtuggedanipplebetweenhislipssohe

couldsuckherwithenoughforcetomakeherreleaseanexplosivesighofbliss.

“Then…”Anothergroanescapedherpartedlipsasshetriedtospeak.“Then

weshouldgo.”

Withanimpatientmotion,heyankedofftherobe,hishandsskimming

downhernakedbodywithagentlereverence.

“Notyet.”
“Whynot?”shesaid,hervoiceincreasinglydistractedashesuckledher

rosynipples.“Yousaidthedogswouldn’tcomeback.”

Sinclairliftedhimselftoshuckoffhisboxersbeforehepressedherflaton

herback.Then,tuggingherlegsapart,hemovedtokneelbetweenherknees.

“Theywon’t,butwedon’tknowwherethesoldiershavesearchedorwhere

they’regoingnext.There’snopointintakingtheriskofstumblingintothemby
accident.”

Chapter8

Mirastruggledtobreathe.Nestledinthesoftmattress,shegloriedinthe

manwhowaspoisedaboveherlikesomesortofpaganconqueror.

God,hewasglorious.
Thehard,sculptedbody.Thethick,blackhairthatbrushedhisbroad

shoulders.Thechiseledfeatures.Andthepaleblueeyesthatheldthepowerof
hiswolf.

Sheshouldnodoubtbepissed.
She’ddecidedherpatheticobsessionwasdone.Shewasgoingtoforgetthis

manandmoveon.

Sowhywasn’tshetellinghimtogetthehelloffher?
Perhapsitwasbecausesheknewthatshe’dspendtherestofherlife

wonderingwhatitmighthavebeenliketobeSinclair’slover.Evenifitwasonly
foronenight.

Orperhapsitwasbecauseitwasincreasinglydifficulttorememberthat

Sinclairwasonlyusingher.

Eitherway,shefounditimpossibletodemandthathegetoutofthebedand

coverthathard,sexybodywithsomeclothes.

“Andthat’stheonlyreason?”sheaskedinhuskytones.
Therewasanoddglowtohiseyesashiswolfstudiedherwithanedgy

need.

“Itwas.”Heatblastedthroughtheairasheplantedhishandsoneitherside

ofhershouldersandbentforward.“NowIcanthinkofamuchbetterreason.”

Shesuckedinaharshbreath,herbackarchingoffthemattressasheused

thetipofhistonguetocirclehernipple.

“Areyoutryingtodistractme?”
Hechuckled,continuingtotormenthersensitiveflesh.“Isitworking?”
“I…Ican’tthinkwhenyou’redoingthat.”
“Good.”
Therewasanintoxicatingscentofmuskintheairashesuckedhernipple

betweenhislips,usinghistongueandteethtodriveherinsanewithpleasure.

“Ithoughtyouweregoingtowait?”shesaid.
“Doyouwantmetowait?”Liftinghishead,hestudiedherwitheyesthat

heldacombinationofneedandvulnerability.“Mira?Tellmewhatyouwant.”

ThelastofMira’sresistancewascrushedbeneaththesightofhisaching

need.Thiswasnopersuasivepretense.Orfakecharm.

Hetrulydesiredher.
Hecouldn’tfakethat.
Unabletoresisttemptation,shereacheddowntowrapherfingersaround

hiserection.Hiscockwasthickandlong.Perfectlycreatedtopleaseawoman.

Hehissedinpleasureassheexploreddowntohisheavytesticlesbefore

slowlyglidingbackuptofindthebroadtipthatalreadyhadabeadofhisseed.

Heshuddered,thesoundofmaterialrippingashisclawsslicedthroughthe

sheets.Astonishingly,thestarkevidencethathewasn’tentirelyhumandidn’t
repelher.Justtheopposite.Sinclairwasareflectionofhisinnerwolf.

Astrongleader.Aruthlessprotector.Asexy,loyallover.
Mira’sfingerstightenedonhiscock.
Hegazeddirectlyintohereyes.“Youdidn’ttellmewhatyouwant.”
Sheheldhisgaze,knowingthatitwasn’taboutdominance,butaneedto

trulyknowthatshewaswillinglyofferingherselftohim.

“You.”Shegavehiscockaslow,deliberatepump.“Iwantyou.”
Hislipscurvedintoasmileofutterjoy.“Sayitagain.”
“Iwantyou,”sheobeyedwithouthesitation,takingsmugpleasureinthe

tremorsthatshookhishard,malebody.

Shedidn’thavemuchexperience.Notonlybecausemostmenpreferred

skinnywomenwhounderstoodtherulesofflirtations,butbecauseshewas
devotedtohercareer.

ButSinclairmadeherfeelasifshewerethemostbeautiful,mostdesirable

womanintheworld.

Itwasstrangelyempowering.
Herthoughtsshatteredashisfingersmovedtotracehernakedcurves.
“ThankGod,”hesaid,theraspofhisbreathfillingtheair.“Iwasterrified

thatI’druinedourfuturetogether.”

Withoutwarning,hishandsgrippedherhips,tuggingherlegsfartherapart

sohecouldsettlebetweenthem.Tinyjoltsofblissspearedthroughherashis
thickcockwaspressedagainstheralreadydampflesh.

“Idon’twanttodiscussthefuture,”shemoaned.
Hiseyesblazedwithsheermalepossession.“Youbelongtome,Mira.”
Sheforcedherselftonotlookawayfromhisicybluegaze.
He’dcompletelyconsumeherifshedidn’tholdherground.
“Fortonight,”shewhispered.
Hishandsmovedtocupherbreasts,hiswolfwatchingherwarily.
“Forever,”hepressed,hisfingersteasinghernipplesuntilshecouldbarely

thinkstraight.

Good.Lord.
“Fortonight.”Sherefusedtogiveintohisdemands.
“Stubbornfemale.”Hisvoicewasthickwithneed.“Atleast,saymyname.”
“Sinclair.”
Hesmiledwithapproval.“MyMira.Areyouready?”
Reachingup,shegraspedhisshoulders,herlipspartinginblatantinvitation.

Withagrowlofapproval,Sinclairloweredhishead,capturinghermouthina
kissofruthlesshunger.

Sheshuddered,rubbingagainsthisharderectionasshefelthisfangs

lengthen.

“Yes.”Hegraspedherhips,rubbinghiscockagainstherasheplantedkisses

alongthecurveofherthroat.“Shit.I’vewantedthisforsolong.”

Herfingersdugintohisshoulders,notentirelyconvinced.“Please,

Sinclair-”

“IwantedyoufromtheminuteIcaughtsightofyou,”hefiercely

interruptedherprotest.“Don’teverdoubtthat.”

Amoanwaswrenchedfromherthroatasheallowedhislipstotravelover

thecurveofherbreast,pausingtopleasurehernipplebeforehewasskimming
hislipsdownthesoftskinofherbelly.

Hereyessqueezedshutasasizzlingpleasureracedthroughher.
“Idon’twanttotalknow.”
Hisusedhisfangstoscrapeherskin.“HowamIgoingtoknowwhatyou

likeifwedon’ttalk?”heteased.

“Ilikethat,”shewhispered.
“Andthis?”heasked,onceagainusinghisfangstolightlytracetheswellof

herhip.

Herbackarchedindelight.“Yes.”
Hescooteddownthemattress,hishandsslidingbeneathherthighs.“Ilove

yourscent.”

Ablushstainedhercheeks,butbeforeshecouldspeak,he’dloweredhis

headtolickthroughthedampnessbetweenherlegs.

“Sinclair.”Hisnamewaswrenchedfromherlips.
Hechuckled,continuingtolapandnipuntilherfingersdugintohis

shoulders.

“Iloveeverythingaboutyou.Yourstunningintelligence.Yourloyalty.Your

courage.”

Shetrembled;hissoftwordsassexyashisskillfultouch.
Barelyrememberingtobreathe,sheshookashistonguestrokedthehighly

sensitiveflesh.Reachingdown,shespearedherfingersinthethicksatinofhis
hair.

Oh,thiswasdecadent.Gloriouslydecadent.
Histonguedippedinsideher,thrustinginandoutuntilherhipswerelifting

inaneedformore.

Graspingherhipstoholdherstill,Sinclairfoundherclit,gentlysuckingas

theexquisitepressurebegantobuild.

“Wildflowers,”herasped.“Andspringtime.Myfavoriteseason.”
Notentirelysurewhathewastalkingabout,Miragaveatugonhishair.
“Sinclair,I’mclose,”shegasped.
“Yes,”hesaid,liftinghimselfsohecouldpositionthetipofhiscockather

entrance.

Mirafeltasifshewereonfire.
She’dheardaboutnightsofwild,animalsex,butshe’dneverdreamedshe

wouldexperiencesomethingsorawandprimal.

No,she’dalwaysbeenthesorttoplayitsafe.Tochoosealoverwhowasas

boringasshewas.

Butnottonight.
Tonight,shewasgoingtodrowninthelustthatthreatenedtooverwhelm

her.

Asifsensingthatshewastumblingoutofcontrol,Sinclairstudiedherwith

alookthatmadeherheartskipabeat.

Itwasagazethatspokeofneedanddesireand…sheermaleownership.
Framingherfaceinhishands,heleaneddowntokissherwithaching

sweetness.Mirasighed.She’ddevotedendlesshourstofantasizingaboutthis
manandhiskisses.Tonight,sheintendedtosavorthereality.

Herhandsexploredthefluidmusclesofhischest.Hisskinwaswarm,

silken.Asmallcoatingofhairarrowedbetweenhisnipplesdowntheflatplane
ofhisstomach.

Likealightcoatingoffur.
Withatinymoan,shegaveintothetemptationtoliftherselfoffthe

mattresstospreadkissesoverhisfacebeforelickingherwaydownthestrong
columnofhisthroat.

“Ilikethetasteofyou,too,Sinclair,”shewhisperedasshecontinuedto

teasehimwithtinynipsofherteeth.

“Shit,Mira,”hegrowled,hisfingersplungingintoherhairasheshuddered

withpleasure.“You’regoingtosendmeovertheedge.”

SuchanAlpha.
“You’renottheonlyonewhodreamedofthisnight,”shewhispered,

movingsteadilylower.

“I...damn,woman.”
Shechuckled.“Saymyname,”sheteasinglycommanded.
“Mira,”heraspedasshereachedtheripplingmusclesofhislowerstomach.

“Mybeautiful,sexyMira.”

Shegaveathroatychuckle,deliberatelyrubbingherbreastsagainsthis

tightlyclenchedbodyasshekissedherwaydowntotheheadofhismassive
erection.Theygaspedinunisonassparksexplodedbetweenthematthefriction
oftheirnakedskin.Heavensabove.Hadanythingeverfeltsogood?

Tryingnottobecomedistractedbyherowndesire,shetookhiscock

betweenherlips.

Hisgrowlofpleasureechoedthroughthestillair,hiswolfglowinginhis

paleeyes.Emboldenedbyhisobviousdelight,shestrokedhertongueoverthe
verytip,savoringhismuskytaste.Delicious.Wideningherlips,shesuckedhim
deeperintohermouth.

Sinclair’sfingerstightenedinhercurls,hisbreathraspingthroughhis

clenchedteethasshetookhertimetoexploreeverymajesticinchofhim.She
evenscrapedherteethdownthethrobbingshaft,recallinghispleasureinusing
hisfangsagainstherskin.Shewasinstantlyrewardedasahelplessgroanof
blisslefthim.Chuckling,sheallowedthetipofhertonguetotraceathickvein
backuptothehead.

“Oh…shit,”hebreathedasshetookhimdeepenoughtofeelthetipofhim

atthebackofherthroat.“Enoughplaying.”

Withdizzyingspeed,MirafeltSinclairgraspherupperarms,pressingher

flatagainstthemattressashestudiedherwitheyesgoneentirelywolf.

Aflareofintoxicatinganticipationshudderedthroughher.
She’dneverhadamaleregardherwithsuchabsolute,uncomplicateddesire.

Theknowledgethatshe’dmanagedtostirhislusttoafeverpitchmadeher
nervestinglewithcombustibleeagerness.

“Youdon’tliketoplay?”sheteased.“Iwasjustgettingstarted.”
Graspingherhips,heallowedthehardtipofhiscocktopressagainstthe

dampheatbetweenherlegs.

Shegroaned,thesensationofhiswidetipslippingjustinsideherbody

nearlymakingherorgasm.Still,hedidn’tshovehimselfhome.Instead,his
fingerstightenedonherhips,andhegazeddownatherwitheyesthatblazed
withrawhunger.

“Nexttime,youcanplayallyouwant,”hesaidinroughtones.“Buttonight,

Ineedtobedeepinsideyou,”herasped.“I’vewaitedsolong.”

Thewallthatshe’ddeterminedlytriedtobuildaroundherheartcrackedat

hislowwords.

Oh,hell.Shewasintrouble.
“Sinclair.”
“MyMira,”hesaid,swoopingdowntobrandhermouthwithakissof

white-hotdesire.

Herlipsparted.Hetastedofher,andaspicytangthatsheknewinstinctively

washiswolf.

Therealizationsetoffathrillingburstofexcitement.
Thislethalpredatorcouldripoutherthroatwithoutbreakingasweat,but

thefingersthatwereskimmingupherwaistweredelicatelyskillful.Asifhe
wereafraidhemightaccidentallybruiseher.

Notthathistendernesslessenedthefierceurgencyofhispassion.
Sweepingapathofkissesoverherface,henippedatthelobeofherear

beforehestrokedhistonguedownthelengthofherarchedneck.Mira’snails
dugintohisshouldersashetuggedherupthemattress,catchingthetendertipof
anipplebetweenhisteeth.

Mira’sbreathwassqueezedfromherlungs,herheadtiltedbackatthe

incessantheatblastingthroughher.Heturnedhisattentiontotheotherbreast,
deliberatelyurgingherdesiretoanedgethatmadehernearlyscreamwith
frustration.

Okay.Enoughwasenough.Sheneededtogethiminsideher.
Right.This.Second.
Asifsensingshe’dreachedthelimitofherpatience,Sinclairreleaseda

harshbreathandslowlypenetratedherwithoneslowthrust.

Mirasqueezedhereyesshut.Hishardlengthwasstretchinghertothelimit,

butitwassplendid.Thesweetestburn.

“Areyouokay?”heasked,speakingdirectlyinherear.
“Oh,yes,”shebreathed.
Recognizinghewasafraidhemighthurther,Miradeliberatelyspreadher

legswider,allowinghimtosinkevendeeperintoherbody.Hehissedin
approval,rewardinghersilentpleaformorebypullingbackhishipsandthen
shovingthemforwardwithasmooththrust.

“Yes,”shesaid,archingherbackashestartedaslow,steadypace.
Placingherhandsonhischest,sheallowedherfingerstorestabovehis

rapidlypoundingheart.Again,shewasdumbstruck,amazedattheknowledge
thatshecouldinspiresuchanintensedesireinthismale.

Hewassomagnificent.Sointenselysexy.
Catchinghergaze,hecontinuedtopumpintoherbody.
“Saymyname,”hepanted.

“Sinclair,”shewhispered,wrappingherlegsaroundhishipstomeetthe

quickeningpaceofhisthrusts.

Hesnarledinhelplesspleasure,makingMirasmilewithsmugsatisfaction.
Inthismoment,thispowerfulwolfbelongedtoher.
Completelyandutterly.
Refusingtodwellonwhatitwouldmeantowalkawayfromhim,she

concentratedontheexquisitesensationspiralingthroughher.Oh,shewasclose.
Soclose.Hersoftgroansfilledtheairasherbodybowedbeneaththestrengthof
herimpendingorgasm.

Sinclairtightenedhisgrip,hisfaceburiedinthecurveofherneck.Then,

stilldrivingintoheratafuriouspace,hereachedbetweenthemandstrummed
histhumboverherclitwithjusttherightpressure.Ascreamwaswrenchedfrom
herlipsasshewascatapultedintoashatteringclimax.

Quiveringinecstasy,sheconvulsedaroundhim.Twothrustslater,hecried

outwiththeviolentpleasureofhisownrelease.

Chapter9

Sinclairhadneverthoughtthathecouldfindparadise.Notinthisworld.
Afterall,hislifehadbeenoneofstarksurvival.Firstwiththebastardwho’d

heldhimcaptive.Thenhidingaloneinthemountains.Andeventually,protecting
hisPack.

Heunderstoodduty,andloyalty,andsacrifice.
He’dneverunderstoodhappiness.
Notuntilhe’dheldMirainhisarms,andfelthersoftbodymeltbeneath

him.

Itwasn’tthesex.Hislipstwitched.Okay,thesexhadbeenmind-blowing.

Butwhatwasmakinghimfeelasifhewereoneofthosemenwhowalked
aroundwithbig,loopysmilesontheirfaceswastheunshakeableknowledgethat
he’dfoundhismate.

Thisgloriousfemalewasmeanttobehis.Utterlyandcompletely.
Now,allhehadtodowasconvinceherthatshebelongedwithhim.
Ataskthatshouldhavebeensimple.She’dalreadyadmittedthatshewas

halfinlovewithhim.Andtherewasnodoubtthattheysharedanexplosive
physicalattraction.Butshe’dobviouslydecidedthatheintendedtouseand
abandonher.

Itwasgoingtotakeadedicatedefforttoconvinceherthathewasnever,

everlettinghergo.

Undernormalcircumstances,hewouldn’thavemindedherhesitation.His

wolflovedthethoughtofwooinghisfemaleuntilshewasreadytocommit.
Matinggameswereajoytohispeople.

Buttheseweren’tnormalcircumstances,andhisanimalwasrestlessatthe

thoughtofbeingpartedfromMirabeforehe’dmanagedtofullyclaimher.

Acceptingthattherewasnothinghecoulddotoforcehertoadmitthatthey

weremeanttoshareeternitytogether,hetookaquickshowerbeforepullingon
hisclothes.HepausedlongenoughtosendatexttoRios,askingtheyounger
maletoprepareSinclair’sprivatelairforaguest,beforehewassilentlyslipping
outofthemotelroom.

Thesunwasjustcrestingthehorizonashecompletedaswiftsweeparound

thearea,makingsurenoneofthesoldiershadenoughsensetodoubleback.
Onlywhenhewascertainthattherewasnoonenear,didhemakeaquickrunto

anearbystripmalltopickupbreakfastbeforereturningtofindMirastilldeeply
asleep.

Perchingontheedgeofthemattress,hestudiedherpalefeaturesand

tumbledmassofcurlsthatwerespreadoverthepillows.Hewishedhecouldlet
hersleep.Hesensedthatshe’dbeennearexhaustionasshenestledinhisarms.

Buteventswerestartingtomoveataruthlessspeed,likeasnowballrolling

downhill.Theyhadtobeready.

Leaningdown,hebrushedasoftkissonhercheek.
“Hey,sweetheart,timetowakeup,”hesaid.
Herthicklashesslowlylifted,herarmsstretchingoverherhead.
“DoIsmellcoffee?”sheasked,archingherbackasshegaveanoisyyawn.
Hegrabbedthecupofcoffee,waitinguntilshe’dpushedherselfintoa

seatedposition,herbackpressedagainsttheheadboard.

“Twosugarsandonecream,”hetoldherashehandedherthecupand

reachedintoawhitepaperbag,pullingoutherbreakfast.“Plus,abagelwith
creamcheeseandsmokedsalmon.”

Hereyeswidenedasshesippedhercoffeebeforeacceptingthebagel.
“Howdidyouknow?”
Hislipstwisted.Hedidn’tblameherforherastonishment.
Notevenhehadrealizedjusthowavidlyhe’dtakennoteofhereverylike

anddislike.

Notuntilhe’dfinallyacceptedjusthowmuchshemeanttohim.
“Inoticed,”hesaidwithstarksimplicity.“JustasInoticedyou’retoopolite

tosayyoudon’tdrinkalcohol,andinsteadofrefusing,youdiscretelypouritinto
anearbybush,”hesaid.Thefirstnighthe’dapproachedherhadbeenataCDC
officeparty.Fromtheshadows,he’dwatchedasshe’dpolitelytakenoneglassof
champagneafteranother,onlytowandertowardtheedgeofthecountryclub
patioandtossitintotheneatlytrimmedhedge.He’dbeenfascinatedbyher
innatekindness.“Andthatyoubiteyourlowerlipwhenyou’redeepinthought,”
hecontinued,reachingouttobrushhisthumboverhermouth.Aflushinstantly
stainedhercheeks,hereyesdarkeningwitharousal.“Andthatyouhaveasecret
sweettooth.Andthatyoupreferyourflowersinthegardeninsteadofinavase.”
Hebentforward,replacinghisthumbwithhislips.Backandforth,hebrushed
theirmouthslightlytogether,hiscocktwitchingatthesparksofpleasurethat
shotthroughhim.“AndthatyoulikewhenIlickyour-”

“Sinclair,”shebreathedinflusteredprotest.
Hechuckled.Mirawasapassionatebutshylover.Hefullyintendedto

corruptheroncetheywereintheprivacyofhislair.

Untilthen…

Withagroan,heallowedhimselfonelastlingeringkiss,savoringthetaste

ofcoffeeandsweetfemaletemptation.

“Mm.”Hereluctantlyliftedhishead,hisfingersbrushingthroughher

tangledcurls.Very,verysoonheintendedtohaveherstraddlinghisnakedbody,
thosecurlsbrushinghischestashepumpeddeepintoher.Anothergroanwas
wrenchedfromhisthroat.Damn.Hehadtoputaleashonhisfantasies,orthey’d
nevergetoutofthemotelroom.“Unfortunately,we’llhavetocontinuethis
later,”hesaid.

Shetookahastysipofcoffee,pretendingherheartwasn’tracing,andher

bodywasn’theatingwithdesire.

“Ihaven’tagreedtocontinueanything,”shewarned.
Hiswolfgrowleddeepinsidehischest.Theanimaldidn’tcomprehendher

stubbornrefusaltoadmitwhatwasobvioustohim.

Hell,hishumanhalfdidn’tfullycomprehend.
“Youwill,”hesaid,refusingtoacceptanyotheroutcome.
Sherolledhereyes,herlipstwitching.“Arrogantass.”
“Wolf,”hecorrected.“Arrogantwolf.”
“Samething,”sheteased.
Rarehappinesssurgedthroughhimatthemeresightoftheshimmerinher

hazeleyes.Damn.Somehow,theneedtoensurethatthisfemalewasnotonly
safebutalsopleasedinhiscompanywasrapidlybecomingthepurposeofhis
existence.

Whichmeantthesoonerhefinishedhisdutytohispeople,thesoonerthey

couldconcentrateoneachother.

“Notevenclose,”heassuredherwithasmile.Then,risingtohisfeet,he

pointedatthebagel.“Eat.”

Obviouslyhungry,shedugintoherbreakfast,finishingthebagelandcoffee

beforesheheadedintothebathroomforashower.

Sinclairforcedhimselftoconcentrateoncleaningtheroom,eventakingher

oldclothingtotheincineratoratthebackofthemotel.Hewantedtomake
certainthattheydidn’tleaveanyevidenceoftheirbriefstay.

Plus,ifhedidn’tkeephimselfoccupied,therewasnothingthatwasgoingto

stophimfromjoiningMirabeneaththehotsprayofwater.

Twentyminuteslater,shecameoutofthebathroom.Shewaswearingthe

graysweatsthathadbeenleftbythegrizzlythenightbefore,andherhairhad
beentuggedintoatightbraid.

Shelookedliketheyoungfarmgirl,whohadnodoubtarrivedinFort

Collinswithwideeyesandabeliefshewasgoingtodogreatthings.

“DoyouthinktheSAUhasstoppedlookingforme?”sheasked,pullingon

hershoes.

“No.Whichiswhyyou’regoingtomylair,”heinformedher,crossing

towardthedoor.“Theywon’tbeabletofindyouthere.”

Expectinghertojoinhim,Sinclairfrownedassheplantedherfistsonher

hips.

“Whatdidyousay?”shedemanded.
“Youheardme.”
“Fine.”Shemoved,butnottowardthedoor.Instead,shecrossedtowardthe

deskandbeganpullingopendrawers.

“Whatareyoudoing?”
“I’mlookingforatelephonebook.”
“Why?”
“I’mcallingforataxi.”
Sinclairsuckedinastartledbreath.“Haveyoulostyourmind?”
Sheglaredathim,thesoft,teasingwomanwho’dgoneintotheshower

suddenlyreplacedwithastubborn,steely-eyedfemalewholookedreadytosock
himinthejaw.

“Obviously,Ihave,orIwouldneverhavesharedabedwithyou.”
Heresistedtheurgetopointoutthatshe’dsharedahellofalotmorethan

justabed.Hewasprettysureitwouldonlypissheroff.

Instead,hehelduphishands,hisexpressionsoftening.“Mira-”
“Don’tyoudarepatronizeme,”shesnapped,pullingamangledphonebook

outofthemiddledrawer.

Hesteppedforward.Shewasserious.Shewasactuallygoingtocallfora

taxi.

“I’mtryingtoprotectyou,”hesaid,notbotheringtodisguisehisfrustration.
“IfIwantyourprotection,I’llaskforit.”
Sinclairtrembled,battlingagainsthisinstincttotossheroverhisshoulder

andcarryhertohislair.

HecouldbeAlphatohispeople.Theyunderstoodtheirhierarchywithinthe

Pack.Butamatefellintoacompletelydifferentcategory.

Hecouldn’torderhertoobey.
Dammit.
“Whatdoyouwantfromme?”herasped.
Sheheldhisnarrowedglare.“Respect.”
Sinclairflinched.Whatwasshetalkingabout?He’dalwaysdeeplyadmired

her.Evenhe’dbeendenyinghisdeepeninginterestinherasafemale,he’d
alwaysheldherinthehighestesteem.

“Ofcourse,Irespectyou,”hesnapped,hisvoiceedgedwithoutrage.

Shetiltedherchin.“Thenstoptreatingmelikesomehelplessdamselin

distress.”

Hislipsflattened,hishandsclenchingathisside.“Thisisn’tagame,Mira.

Thesepeoplewillkillyou.”

“It’sneverbeenagame,”sheremindedhim.“I’veunderstoodfromthe

beginningthiswouldbedangerous.Thatdidn’tstopme.”

Shewasright,ofcourse.Fromthenighthe’dfirstapproachedher,he’dput

herindanger.

“Ishouldhavestoppedit,”hesaid.
Nobigsurprise,sherefusedtobackdown.Miracouldbekindandsweet

andastoundinglygenerous.

Butwhenshedecidedtodiginherheels,shehadthetemperamentofan

angrymule.

“EitherI’myourpartneryoutrusttobeatyourside,orI’maburdenthat

youneedtokeeptuckedinyourprivatelair,”shewarned.

Feelingthenoosetightenaroundhisneck,Sinclairmadeonelasteffortto

makeherconcedetohisurgingsthatshetraveltohislair.

“Thisismybattle,”heremindedher.“Theshiftersaretheoneswhohave

madeanenemyoftheSAU.”

Shearchedherbrows.“Ithoughtitwasourbattle.Wasn’tthatwhyyou

soughtmeoutinthefirstplace?Sowecouldworktogethertorevealthetruth?”

Hereleasedhisbreathwithaloudhiss.“Don’tuselogiconme.”
Tossingasidethetelephonebook,shemovedtostanddirectlyinfrontof

him.

“Ideservethis,Sinclair,”shesaidinsoft,butdeterminedtones.“Iwasthe

onetodiscovertheemailsthatledtoDr.Lowman.Andtheonetofindhis
possiblelocation.”

Hereachedtograspherupperarms,breathingdeeplyofherfloralscent.
“Ifsomethinghappenedtoyou…”
Shereacheduptolightlytouchhisfaceashiswordstrailedaway.He

couldn’tbeartothinkaboutaworldwithoutthiswomaninit.

“Youcan’tprotectmeeverysecondofeveryday,”shesaid.
Hismusclesclenched,adarkfearsettlinginthepitofhisgut.
“Yeah,butIdon’thavetodeliberatelytakeyouintothelineoffire.”
Herfingerstraileddowntheroughcurveofhisjaw.Hestillneededto

shave.NotthatMirahadseemedtomindtheraspofhiswhiskerswhenthey
wereinbed.

“There’snotgoingtobealineoffire.”Sheintrudedintohismuchmore

pleasantthoughts.“Nooneknowswherewe’regoing.”

Sinclairwasmomentarilycaughtbetweenhisfierceneedtotuckthisfemale

awayinasafelocation,andtheknowledgethatshewouldneverfullygive
herselftohimifhetriedstealherfreewill.

She’dmadeherpoint.She’dearnedthis.Andifshedecidedshewantedsee

hereffortsthroughtotheend,thenwhatrightdidhehavetotellherno?

Evenifhiswolfwasgoingnuts.
“I’mgoingtoregretthis,”hesaid,reachingintohispockettopullouthis

cellphone.

PunchinginRios’snumber,hewaitedforthejaguartoanswer.
“Hey,Rios,there’sbeenachangeofplans,”hegrudginglytoldhisfriend,

turningtopaceacrossthecarpet.“No.We’refine.Butwe’reheadingstraightto
Nebraska.Mira’scomingwithme.”HegrimacedatRios’spredictableresponse.
“Itdoesn’tseemtomatterifitssmartornot.”HecouldfeelMira’sgazeburning
aholeinhisback.Timetochangethesubject.“TellBreethatIwanthertostart
gettingthepressconferencearranged,butdon’tactuallystartituntilyouhear
fromme.Ihopetohavesomeproofthatwillensurenoonecandoubtwe’re
tellingthetruth.”

Riosagreed,clearlystrugglingtocontainhisverycat-likecuriosity.Hewas

smartenoughtosensethatSinclairwasn’tinthemoodtoexplainwhyhewas
allowinghissoon-to-bematetoputherselfindanger.

Replacingthephoneinhispocket,heturnedtomeetMira’swatchfulgaze.
“Didyousaysomethingaboutapressconference?”shedemanded.
“Yes.”Hemovedbacktowardthedoor.Nowthatshewasfirmlystuckin

themiddleofhisplans,therewasnoreasontokeepthemasecret.“Whileyou
wereattheairbase,ourpeoplestartedtoassertourindependence.We’ve
announcedthatwewillnolongerbeprisoners.”

Herlipsparted,astrangeexpressionripplingoverherlovelyface.
“IthoughtDonaldsonandMarkhamwerebecomingmoreandmoreon

edge,”shesaid.“IassumedthatitwasfrustrationbecauseIwasn’tfindingthe
doctor.”

HefeltasharpsurgeofsatisfactionatthethoughtofMarkhamsweating.
Thebastardhadtreatedhispeoplelikeanimals,notonlycagingthembut

alsoforcingthemtofightinpits.Andworse,he’dbeentryingtodiscoverhowto
createhisownshiftersbydoingunspeakablemedicaltestingonthem.

“They’relosingtheirholdovermypeople,”heexplained.“Whichmeans

thatthisisthemostdangeroustimeforallofus.Soon,theywilldecidetheonly
waytocontrolusisthroughdeath.”

Shegaspedinhorror.“No.”
Hisexpressionhardened.“Beforetheycanarrangeagenocide,weintendto

exposethetruth.”

Ashivershookherbody.“It’snowondertheyweresoanxioustofindthe

doctor.IfheknowswhathappenedintheVeronaClinic…”

Herwordstrailedawayastheysilentlyconsideredthestakesofwhatthey

weredoing.

IftheycouldfindDr.Lowmanandhavehimstandbeforethecamerasto

admitthatthehumanswereresponsibleforthevirus,thentheSAUwouldlose
allcredibility.Theywould,essentially,bedestroyed.

“Wehavetogettohimfirst,”herasped.
Withafirmnodofherhead,Mirawasmovingtopullopenthedoor.
“Let’sgo.”
Sinclairrolledhiseyesashefollowedbehindher.Thismorninghadn’tgone

atalllikehe’dbeenexpecting.Andhesensedthatthiswasonlythestart.

Afterall,hewasadominantwolf,andshewasasexy,sassy,stubborn

human.

WhatwasittheChinesesaid…mayyouliveininterestingtimes?
HehadafeelingthatlifewithMirawasalwaysgoingtobeinteresting.
“Thisiswhymenlosetheirhair,”hesaid.

****

Miradidn’ttrytobreaktheheavysilenceastheydrovedownthebackroads

atabreak-neckspeed.

SheunderstoodthatSinclairwasfightingagainsthisnaturalinstincts.Not

onlywasheashifter,buthewasalsoanAlpha.Whichmeanthehadan
overwhelmingneedtoprotectthepeopleheconsideredapartofhisPack.

Butsheknewthatshehadtostandherground.IfsheallowedSinclairto

believeheknewwhatwasbestforherandstartmakingunilateraldecisionsfor
herowngood,shewouldeventuallysnap.

Hehadtoacceptthatshewasanintelligentwoman,whowasperfectly

capableofchoosingwhereshewantedtogo,andhowshewantedtogetthere.

Ifhewantedasubmissivefemale,whowouldobeyhiseverycommand…

well,heneededtokeeplooking.

Notthatshewasn’tafraid.
SheknewbetterthananyonejustwhattheSAUwascapableof.Hell,she

stillhadthebruisestoproveit.Butshewasdeterminedtoseethisthroughtothe
end.

Aftereighteenmonthsofhard,sometimesterrifyingwork,shewouldnever

forgiveherselfifshehidinacavewhileSinclairfinishedtheirmission.

Itwasmid-afternoonwhenSinclairpulledintoalargeparkinglot.Halting

behindadumpster,theystudiedtheirsurroundings.

It’dbeenovertwentyminutessincethey’dlastseenanyhintofcivilization,

whichmadethelargebrickbuildinginfrontofthemmoremysterious.

Whywouldanyonechoosetoopenabusinessinthemiddleofnowhere?
Theobviousanswerwasthatthepeopleinsidethebuildingdidn’twantto

bebotheredbysociety.

Hergazemovedovertheflatroofandthetall,archedwindows.Shecould

seeahighhedgeatthebackofthestructurethatsheassumedenclosedthe
hospital’sprivategardens.Therewerealsobalconiesthatranthelengthofthe
frontofthebuildingwithflutedcolumns.

Theplacemighthavebeenbuiltintheboonies,butnoexpensehadbeen

spared.

Therewasalargesignneartheedgeofthemanicuredlawnatthefrontof

thebuildingthatwaspaintedwithgoldletters.

“GreatPlainsHomeofTranquility,”shereadaloud.“Ithinkthisisthe

place.”

Unbucklinghisseatbelt,Sinclairreachedtoshoveopenhisdoor.
“Iwantyoutostayhere,”hecommanded.
Ifshehadanysense,she’dlethimgo.Shecouldseethewolfinhiseyes,

whichmeantthathewasattheedgeofhispatience.

But,shecouldn’tlethimputhimselfindangerwhenshehadthemeansto

preventit.

“Icanhelp,”shesaid.
Heturnedinhisseat,reachingouttobrushthebackofhisfingersoverher

cheek.

“Youalreadyhave,sweetheart,”hesaid.“Nowletmetakecareofthis.”
Sheswallowedasigh.Itwasgoingtobeafight.Ashame.Butsheintended

tomakehimlistentoreason.

“Lookaround,Sinclair,”sheinsisted.
Hisbrowsdrewtogetherashisgazeskimmedoverthehalf-emptylotbefore

movingtowardthesprawlingbrickbuilding.

“Lookatwhat?”hedemanded.
“Thisisclearlyaprivateinstitute,”shesaid.
“And?”
“They’llhavestrictsecurity.”Shenoddedtowardtheheavydoubledoors.

“Youwon’tgetpastthefrontguard.”

Blueeyesflaredwithoffendedmalepride.“Youcan’tseriouslybe

suggestingthatIcanbestoppedbyonehumanguard?”

Shefeltasmallburstofannoyance.Didallmenhavethesameoversized

ego?

Yeesh.
“First.”Sheheldupafinger.“Youdon’tknowthatthere’sjustoneguard.”

Sheputupanotherfinger.“Andsecond,”shecontinued.“Ithoughtyouwere
tryingtoavoidattractingtheattentionoftheauthorities.”

Hescowled,refusingtoacknowledgethatshewasright.“Icansneakpast

anysecurity.”

Shegavealiftofhershoulder.“Okay,saythatyousneakpastsecurity.How

willyoufindtheroomyou’relookingfor?”

Therewasatensemomentashewaveredbetweenfollowingtheurgingsof

hisheart,oracceptingthelogicofherargument.

“Dammit,”heatlastsaid.“What’syourplan?”
“Ineedyourphone,”shesaid,holdingoutherhand.
“Why?”heasked,evenashepulledouthisphone.
“Doyoutrustme?”shedemanded,usingthesamewordsthathe’dusedthe

nightbefore.

Releasingaresignedsigh,heplacedthephoneinthepalmofherhand.
“IthoughtIwasgoodatmanipulatingpeople,”hesaidwithashakeofhis

head.“I’manamateurcomparedtoyou.”

Ignoringhisgrumbling,Mirausedhisinternettoconnecttoherprivate

cloud.Afewminuteslater,shewaspullingupthefileshe’dbeensearchingfor.

“Thisshouldgetuspastthefrontguard,”shesaid,turningthephonesohe

couldseetheI.D.badgethatfilledthescreen.“AndhopefullytoLowman’s
room.”

Heleanedforward,studyingtheofficiallyCDCdocumentwithafurrowed

brow.

“WhoisDr.RachelMiller?”hedemanded,readingthenamelistedbeneath

apictureofher.

“She’sme,”Mirasaid.
Hisgazeliftedtostudyherguardedexpression.“Idon’tunderstand.”
Sheclearedherthroat,suddenlyrealizingthatSinclairwasn’tgoingtobe

happywhensheconfessedwhyshe’dmadethebadge.

“WhenIwasrunningsearchesthroughtheCDCsystem,Ioccasionally

neededaclearancebeyondmypaygradesoIinventedanewemployeewhohad
thecredentialstoopenthemostsensitivefiles,”shesaid,keepinghervoicelight,
asifitwereacommonhabittocreateimaginaryemployees.“Unfortunately,we

bothknowanyinformationrelatedtotheVeronaVirusandtheshifters’blood
thatcreatedthevaccinehadalreadybeenpurgedfromthearchives.”

Hestiffened,hisnoseflaringashevisiblystruggledtomaintaincontrolof

histemper.

“Christ,Mira,”hesnarled.“Youweresupposedtoberunningbackground

searchesonanyconnectionbetweentheSAUandtheVeronaClinic.Ihadno
ideayouweretakingrisksthatcouldhavegottenyouthrowninjail.”Hiseyes
glowedwiththepowerofhisinneranimal.“Ordead.”

Shewasinstantlyonthedefensive.“Youaskedformyhelp.”
Hisgrowlrumbledthroughthetruck,makingtheseatsvibrate.
“Whenthisisallover,I’mlockingyouinmylair,”hesnapped.“Idon’tcare

howmuchyoubitch.”

Sheignoredhisthreat.Theybothknewhewasn’tgoingtolockheraway.

Although,shewouldn’tentirelymindspendingsomequalitytimealonewiththe
male…

Givingasharpshakeofherhead,Miraforcedherselftofocusonaplan.
UnlikeSinclair,shedidn’thavefangsandclawsthatcouldripamaninhalf.

SheneededherbrainpowerifshewasgoingtogetthemtoDr.Lowman’sroom.

“IcanusethisIDtogetusinsidewithoutsettingoffanyalarms,”she

assuredhercompanion.

Hisjawtightened.Heclearlywantedtotellherno.Itwasetchedonhisface

andshowedinthetensionofhisleanbody.

Thankfully,hewasstillcapableofrealizingthatshewasofferingthebest

chanceofthemaccomplishingtheirgoal.

“Shit,”hesaidinresignation.
Releasingasilentsighofrelief,shereachedouttolightlytouchhisarm.

Shewantedhimtoknowthatsheappreciatedhisfaithinher.

“Ineedsomethingtowear,”shetoldhim,knowingheneededtochannelhis

frustrationintosomesortofphysicalaction.

Hesuckedinaslow,deepbreath,clearlyhangingontohistemperbya

thread.

“What?”
Sheglancedtowardthebuilding.Thiswasaplacethatwouldputahigh

valueonprivacy.Shewouldhavetocomeinwiththebiggunsifsheintendedto
getpastthefrontdoor.

“Anicepantsuitoradress,”shesaid.“Oh.Andalabcoatifyoucanfind

one.”

Withoutwarning,heleanedacrosstheseattopressanaggravatedkiss

againstherpartedlips.

“Don’t.Move,”hecommanded.

Chapter10

IttookSinclairlessthanhalfanhourtoreturnwithablackpantsuitthat

huggedhercurvaceousbodytoperfection,alongwithalabcoatthathithermid-
thighandapairofsensibleheels.

Shedidn’taskwherehe’dfoundthem.Orhowhe’dknownherprecise

sizes,shesimplywiggledoutofhersweatsandintothenewclothing.

Then,slippingonherlabcoat,sheledSinclairacrosstheparkinglotand

intothefrontfoyerofthebuilding.Behindher,shecouldfeelthepulseof
Sinclair’spowerbeatingagainstherback.Itneverfailedtoamazeherthathe
couldpassashuman.She’donlybeeninhiscompanyforafewminuteswhen
she’dsuspectedthathewassomethingmore.

“Letmetalk,”shesaid,touchingherbraidtomakesurethestiffbreeze

hadn’tallowedanycurlstoescape.

Hisfingersbrusheddownherback,asmuchawarningasagestureof

comfort.

“Firstsignoftroubleandwe’reoutofhere,”hewarnedinalowvoice.“Got

it?”

Sheresistedtheurgetorollhereyes.“Yeah,Igotit.”
Enteringthesmallfoyer,Mirablinked.Whitewalls,whitetile,anda

chromedeskwhereauniformedguardwasseated.

Itwasblinding.
Movingforward,shepretendedtoignoretheguarduntilhescrambledfrom

thedesktostanddirectlyinherpath.

“Ifyou’reheretovisitapatient,youneedtomakeanappointment,”the

mansaid,puffingouthischestasiftodrawattentiontotheshinybadgeonhis
shirtpocket.“Nooneisallowedinwithoutadoctor’sapproval.”

Miraarchedabrow,allowinghergazetodismissivelyflickovertheman’s

pudgybodyandscuffedshoesbeforereturningtomeethispalegaze.

“I’mheretospeakwithapatient,butIcanassureyouthatIhavenoneedof

anappointment,”shesaid,holdingoutthephonetorevealherelectronicbadge.
“I’mDr.MillerwiththeCDC.”

Themanfrowned,glancingwarilytowardSinclairbeforereturninghis

attentiontoMira.

“Whatdoyouwant?”

“AsIsaid,Ineedtospeakwithapatient,”shesaid,hervoicesharpasshe

loweredherarm.

“Whichone?”
ShefeltSinclairlightlytouchherback.Asilentreminderthattheperson

theywerelookingforwasusingafakeidentity.Oratleasttheyhopeditwas
fake.

Otherwise,they’ddrivenaverylongwayfornothing.
“GeraldMedlen,”shesaid,usingthenamethatshe’dfoundduringher

searchforDr.Lowman’swife,Jessica.

Themanjerked,clearlycaughtoffguard.“That’simpossible.”
Sinclairreleasedalowgrowl,butMiratookasteptotheside,keeping

herselffirmlybetweenthetwomen.

“Why?”shedemanded.
Theguardfrowned,liftinghishandtorubthebackofhisneck.Clearlyhe

sensedthedangerpricklingintheair,evenifhedidn’trecognizethatitcame
fromSinclair.

“He’sinisolation.”
Isolation?Hmm.Clearlysomeonedidn’twantGeraldMedlentobe

botheredwithcasualvisitors.

“Idon’tcarewhereheis,”shecountered.“Iwassentheretospeakwith

him.”Sheliftedthephone,pretendingtopunchinaseriesofnumbers.“IfIneed
tomakeacalltotheSAU,Iwill.”

Theguard’sfacepaled.“TheSAU?”
Sheshrugged.“Theyaretheoneswhoaskedmetoconductthisinterview.”
Lickinghislips,theguardglancedoverhisshoulder,obviouslymorescared

oftheSAUthanhisbossatthehospital.

“Don’tcall,”hesaidatlast.“I’lltakeyoutotheward.”Grabbingawalkie-

talkie,heliftedittohismouth.“Jenson,takeoverforme,”heordered.Then,
withajerkymotion,heturnedtoleadthemacrossthetilefloor.“Followme.”

Insilence,theymovedtowardthedoor,pausingfortheguardtopuncha

combinationofbuttonsontheelectroniclockbeforetheyenteredthemainpart
ofthehospital.

Therewasanotherlobby,althoughthisonehadcomfortablesuedefurniture

andlargeplantstoaddahintofhominess.Thefrontdeskwasempty,butshe
couldhearthesoundofapproachingvoices.

Theguardthankfullyheadeddirectlytowardanotherdoor,thisoneleading

toastairwell.

Quicklymovingforward,shebreathedasilentsighofreliefasthedoorshut

behindthem.

Climbingthestairs,Sinclairremainedclosebehindher.Shesavoredtheheat

ofhisbodythatwrappedaroundher.Ithelpedtoeasethefearthatwasahard
knotinherbelly.She’dneverdoneanythingsodaringinherlife.

Itwasnerve-wracking.
“Ialwaysknewitwasamatteroftimebeforetheauthoritiesshowedup,”

theguardsaidasheledthemupyetanotherflightofstairs.

“Whydoyousaythat?”Miraasked,dependingonSinclairtokeepawatch

fordangerwhilesheconcentratedonpumpingtheircompanionforinformation.

Theguardglancedoverhisshoulder.“Theycansaythepatientisin

isolationbecausehesufferedfromsomesortofmentaltrauma,butweall
suspectthatit’ssomethingelse.”

Ah,good.Amanwholikedtogossip.
“Whatdoyoususpect?”
Heloweredhisvoice,notseemingtonoticethatitstillechoedthroughthe

stairwell.

“Thereturnofthevirus.”
“Doyouhaveanyevidence?”
“Wehavealotofcrazies,”theguardtoldher.“Mostofthemarelockedin

theeastwing.Whywouldn’tMedlenbewiththeotherloons?”

Shesquashedherinstinctivedistaste.Nowwasn’tthetimetoinformthe

manthathehadnobusinessworkinginaninstitutionthatcaredforthemost
vulnerablepeopleifhedidn’thaveanycompassion.

“Haveyoueverseenhim?”sheinsteaddemanded.
“No.Andthatjustprovesmypoint,”themansaid,beginningtohuffand

puffastheyreachedthefourthfloor.“Alltheotherpatientsaretakenoutonto
thegroundsduringtheday.Eventhosewhoareinwheelchairs.Allofthem
exceptMedlen.”

Reachingthetoplanding,theywereforcedtohaltastheguardpunchedin

anotherseriesofnumbersontheelectronicpad.Therewasaclickbeforethe
doorslidopen.

Theyenteredintoawaitingroomthathadfurniturethatwasmorefunctional

thanfashionable.Acrossthetiledfloorwasawallmadeoffrostedglasswitha
steeldoorinthemiddle.

“You’veneverseenhim?”sheaskedastheguardcametoahaltinthe

centerofthefloor.

“Notonce.”Themanshrugged.“AsfarasIknow,onlyhissisterevergoes

intohisroom.”

Sinclairmovedtostandatherside,hishandonherlowerback.
“Nooneelsehasvisitedhim?”hedemanded.

“NotthatIknowof,”theguardanswered.“’CourseI’veonlybeenhere

aboutfiveyears.”

MirasilentlycommendedJessica.Ifshewashidingherhusband,she’ddone

ahellofajob.Clearly,nooneknewanythingaboutthemysteriouspatient.

“DoyouknowhowlongMr.Medlenhasbeenhere?”shepressed.
“Oneoftheolderguardsoncetoldmethathe’dbeeninthatroomforat

leasttwentyyears.”Inchinghiswaybacktowardthedoortothestairwell,the
guardnoddedhisheadtowardthefarwall.“Themanisthroughthere.”

Mirasenthimastartledglance.“Aren’tyougoingtounlockthedoor?”
“Idon’thaveakey,”theguardsaid.“AsfarasIknow,onlyhissistercan

getin.”

“But…”Mira’swordstrailedawayastheguardpulledopenthedoorand

dartedaway.

Likearatleavingasinkingship.
Givingashakeofherhead,MiraturnedherattentiontoSinclair.
“Canyougetusin?”sheasked.
Hegaveaslownod,hisattentionfocusedonthedoorslammingbehindthe

retreatingguard.

“Ofcourse,”hesaid,hisvoicedistractedasheslowlyturnedhisheadto

meetMira’sgaze.“You’resurethere’snochancethatwemightbewrong?”

Shefrownedinconfusion.“Aboutwhat?”
“CouldthisreallybeapatientwiththevirusinsteadofDr.Lowman?”he

demanded.“AsmuchasIwanttoexposetheSAU,Iwon’triskanother
pandemictodoit.”

Shereachedouttolightlytouchhisarm.Shelovedthefactthathewas

concernedforthehumans.Afteralltheghastlythingsthey’ddonetotheshifters,
noonewouldblamehimforcondemningthemtohell.Butthatwasn’twhohe
was.

Sinclairwasawolfwithhonor.
“Ican’tbesureit’sDr.Lowman,butIcanbesureit’snotasickpatient,”

sheassuredhim.“TheCDChasbeenmonitoringthevirus,makingcertainthatit
didn’tmutatesothevaccinewasnolongereffective.Theydeterminedthatsince
itwasaman-madevirus,ithasburntitselfout.”

Sinclairgrimaced.“IhopetoGodthey’reright.”
Miragaveaslownod.She’dbeentooyoungtotrulyrememberthehorror,

buthertimeattheCDChadrevealedaninsightintothehorrifyingdeathand
chaosthathadsweptthroughouttheworld.

“Weallhopethey’reright,”shesaid.
Withfaithinherassurancesthatwarmedherheart,Sinclairmovedtothe

doorsetinthefrostedwallandgrabbedthehandle.

Heglancedoverhisshoulder.“Ready?”
“Yes.”
Withaquicktwistofhiswrist,theknobturned,snappingthelockwithan

easethatrevealedjusthowstrongSinclairwaseveninhishumanform.

Heshovedopenthedoor,steppingintotheroomevenashereachedbackin

asilentdemandforMiratostaywhereshewas.Resistingtheurgetorollher
eyes,sheremainedinthewaitingroomuntilhereturnedtogestureforhertojoin
him.

Movingthroughtheopendoorway,sheallowedhergazetomoveoverthe

longspacethatservedasbothalivingroomandbedroom.

Attheendclosesttothedoor,wasasmallsofaandchairwithacoffeetable.

Attheoppositeend,wereahospitalbedandadresserwithaTVontop.There
wasanotherdoorthatsheassumedledtoabathroom.

Itwouldhavebeendepressing,inaninstitutionalsortofway,ifitweren’t

forthebankofwindowsthatlinedthebackwall,offeringastunningviewofthe
gardens.

Bathedinthelateafternoonsunlight,amanstoodnexttothewindows.
Shortandslender,thestrangerhadathickmaneofsilverhairandasharply

definedprofile.Hisbackwasslightlyhumpedasifhewerecarryingagreat
weight.Atthemoment,hewasdressedinarobewithstripedpajamabottoms.

Mirahadasuspicionthathehadanentireclosetfilledwithrobesand

pajamabottoms.

Therewasnoneedforclothesifheneverleftthisroom.
Shesteppedtowardhim,Sinclairclosebyherside.“Dr.Lowman?”
Themandidn’tturn,buthisbodystiffened.Acertainsignthathersuspicion

hadbeenright.

Thiswasthemantheyweresearchingfor.
“Areyouheretokillme?”heaskedinlowtones.
Mirawascaughtoffguardbythequestion.“No,”shedenied.“Iswearwe

havenointentionofhurtingyou.”

“Ashame.”
Wonderingifthemanwasmentallyunstable,Mirasharedaglancewith

Sinclairbeforereturningherwarygazetothedoctor.

“Excuseme?”
Therewasalongpausebeforethemanfinallyspoke.
“Therearenightswhenitwouldbeeasiertoenditall.Unfortunately,Idon’t

havethecouragetodoitmyself.I’veneverhadcourage.”Theman’sthin
shouldershunchedevenfurther.“Plentyofbrains,butnocourage.”

Shesteppedforward,onlytohaveSinclairreachouttograbherarmandtug

herback.Clearly,hewasn’tconvincedthatthedoctorwasasfrailandhelpless
asheappeared.

“Whywouldyouwanttoenditall?”sheaskedinconfusion.
Shedidn’tknowwhatshe’dexpectedwhensheatlastconfrontedDr.

Lowman.Anger.Denial.Excuses.Butnotthisdeep,almosttangibleairof
regret.

“Toforget.”Slowly,heturned,revealinghisnarrowfacethatwasdeeply

lined,althoughhecouldn’tbemuchmorethanfiftyyearsold.“Doyouknow,
whenIclosemyeyesatnight,Icanhearthemscream.”

Mirashivered.Wasthereadarknessthatfilledtheroom?Orwasitjusther

overactiveimagination?

“Hearwhoscream?”sheasked,eventhoughsheknewtheanswer.
Lowmangaveasadshakeofhishead.“Thedead.”
Miragrimaced,strugglingnottothinkaboutthehorrificguiltthedoctor

wouldhavetolivewithifhewassomehowresponsibleforthemassdestruction
ofmankind.

Instead,shefocusedonkeepinghimtalking.Theyhadtogetanswers.The

sooner,thebetter.

“Areyoutalkingaboutthevirus?”
Hegaveaslownod,paininhispaleeyes.“Yes.”
“Howdidithappen?”sheasked,decidingtostartatthebeginning.
Thedoctorleanedagainstthewindows,hisfaceshadowed.“Iwashiredby

theVeronaClinicbecauseofmyworkwiththeEbolaviruswhileIwasfinishing
mydoctoralprogramatJohnHopkinsUniversity.”

“Youmusthavebeenveryyoung,”shesaid.
Hereleasedashort,humorlesslaugh.“Youngandidealistic.Ithoughtthe

intentionwastobroadenmyresearchtofindacure.”

Aportionoftheangershehadn’tevenrealizedshewasharboringtoward

thismanbegantoease.Wasitpossiblethathewasmoreavictimthantheevil
scientistshe’dbeenimagining?

“I’massumingthat’snotwhattheywanted?”sheasked.
“No.”Histhinbodywaswrackedbyavisibleshudder.“Onlymonthsafter

startingattheclinic,IwastoldmyresearchwasbeingfundedbyBellum
International.”

“Damn,”Sinclairabruptlybreathed.“That’stheconnectiontoRanney.”
Mirafrowned.WeretheytalkingaboutColonelRanney?Theheadofthe

SAU?

“Hedidn’twantacureforEbola,”thedoctorsaid,hispaleeyesshadowed

withdarkmemories.“Infact,hewantedtoturnitintoaweapon.”

Ah.Mirabelatedlyunderstoodtheconnection.She’dforgottenthatBellum

Internationalwasadefensecontractor.

“Whydidn’tyouquit?”Sinclairdemanded,clearlynotassympathetic

towardthedoctorasMira.

“Theythreatenedtoblackballme,”Lowmansaid.“TheysaidIwouldnever

workinresearchagain.”

“Andyourcareerwasmoreimportantthanthehumanrace?”Sinclair

snarled.

Thedoctorflinched,whetherfromguiltorfearwasimpossibletoguess.
“Itwasn’tlikethat,”hedeniedtheaccusation.“Theyassuredmethatitwas

goingtobelikenuclearweapons.”

Mirasuckedinasharpbreath.“What’sthatmean?”
Dr.Lowmanrestlesslypluckedatthebeltthatwaswrappedaroundhisrobe.

HeremindedMiraofanervousbird,constantlyonedge.

“Theypromisedthatitwasonlygoingtobeadeterrent,”hesaid,his

expressiondefensive.“Thatitwouldneveractuallybeused.”

HeatprickledthroughtheairasSinclairstruggledtocontainhiswolf.
“Butitwas,”hesnapped.
Thedoctortookaninstinctivestepbackward,hisfacepalingtoapasty

white.

“Godforgiveme.”
MirawrappedherfingersaroundSinclair’sarm,sensinghewasreaching

thelimitofhiscontrol.Andunlikeothermen,ifSinclairsnapped,itwasn’t
goingtobeafewangrywordsandmaybeapunchtotheface.Itwasgoingtobe
furandclawsandlethalfangs.

“Didtheyintendtodestroytheworld?”sheasked.
“No.”Thedoctorhesitatedasheconsideredhiswords.“Or,atleast,the

headoftheclinicdidn’tplanondoingmorethantryingtoseehowswiftlythe
subjectwasinfectedandifthelocalmedicalfacilitiescoulddetectthatitwasn’t
anaturalvirus.”

Herlipscurledindisgust.Howcouldanyonewhowasinchargeofaplace

thatwassupposedtopromotehealingactuallybepartofanexperimentthathad
nopurposebeyondspreadingdeath?

“Whywoulditmatterifthedoctorscoulddetermineifitwasmanmadeor

natural?”sheasked.

ItwasSinclairwhoanswered.“Ifyouwanttodiscreetlykillaworldleader,

orevendestabilizeanation,youwouldn’twantanyonecapableoftracingthe
deathbacktowhoeverorderedtheassassinations.”

“Oh,”shebreathed,shudderinginrevulsion.
Sinclair’seyesglowedasheglaredatthedoctor.“Sowhatwentwrong?”
Lowmangaveahelplessliftofhishands.“Thevirusspreadfarquickerthan

anyonecouldhavepredicted.Beforetheycouldcontainthedamage,it’dgrown
outofcontrol.”

AgrowlrumbledintheairasSinclaircurledhishandsintotightfists.
“Ranneymightnothaveintendedmassgenocide,buthewasswifttotake

advantage,”hesneered.

“Yes,”thedoctorbreathed,hisheadabruptlyjerkingtothesideasahidden

doorslidopen.

“Whoareyouandhowthehelldidyougetinhere?”avoiceslicedthrough

theairasawomansteppedintotheroom.

Chapter11

Sinclairwasfuriouswithhimself.
Howthehellhadhegottensodistractedthathe’dfailedtonoticethat

someonewasapproaching?Evenifitwasthroughsomesecretdoor?

Withaspeedthatnohumancouldmatch,Sinclairwasmovingacrossthe

longroomandcirclingthewomantoapproachherfrombehind.Then,wrapping
onearmaroundherupperbodytopinherarmstoherside,heslammedhishand
acrosshermouthtoensureshecouldn’tmakeasound.

“Sinclair,”Miracalledout.
Heignoredherprotest,alongwiththedoctor’spainedwhimper.Instead,he

concentratedonthewoman,whowasstanding,frozeninfear.

“Don’tmove,”hegrowledinherear.“Andkeepyourmouthshut.

Understand?”

Waitinguntilshe’dgivenahesitantnod,Sinclairquicklyfriskedher,

removinghercellphonealongwithasmall,blackpagerthatheshovedintohis
pocket.

“Please,”thedoctorpleaded.“Don’thurther.”
Slowlysteppingback,Sinclairstudiedherwithanarrowedgaze.Wearing

scrubsandawhitelabjacketwithanametagthatread‘Jessica,’hehadto
assumethatthiswasDr.Lowman’swife.

Shehaddarkhairthatwaspepperedwithgrayandcutinashort,no-

nonsensestyle.Shewasalmostasthinasherhusband,asifthey’dbothbeen
worntotheboneoverthepasttwenty-fiveyears.Notthathehadanysympathy
foreitherofthem.

Lowmanmayhavebeenyoung,buthe’dclearlypermittedhisambitionto

allowhimtoturnablindeyetotheloomingapocalypse.

Jessicalickedherlips,regardingSinclairwithdarkbrowneyes.
“You’reashifter,”shesaid,tryingtodisguiseherfearbehindafaçadeof

stoiccalm.

Hesnappedhisteethinherdirection,evenasMiramovedtostandathis

side,herhandrunningasoothingpathdownhisback.

“Sinclair,don’t,”shesaid.“She’sonlytryingtoprotectherhusband.”
Thewoman’sdarkeyeswidened.“Howdidyouknow?”
Continuingtostrokeherhandoverhistensemuscles,Mira’stouchanchored

him.Anecessarything.Hiswolfdidn’tcarethattheyneededinformation.Itjust
wantedtopunishthepeopleresponsibleforcausinghispeoplesuchacutepain.

“We’vebeentryingtoprovethattheshiftersareinnocentofcausingthe

VeronaVirus,”Miraexplained.“ThetrailledustoDr.Lowman.”

Cautiously,thewomancrossedtheroomtowrapanarmaroundher

husband’sshoulders.

“Hasn’thesufferedenough?”
“He’ssuffered?”Sinclairsnarledindisbelief,glancingaroundthe

comfortableroomwiththesunnyviewofthegardens.“Whataboutmypeople?
They’vebeencagedandbrandedandcollared.Everyday,they’rebrutalizedby
theircaptorswhiletheworldcondemnsthemasmonsterswhoshouldbe
destroyed.”

Theolderwomancaughtherlowerlipbetweenherteeth,tighteningher

holdonherhusband.

“It’snotourfault.”
“Youknewthetruth,”Sinclairsaid,refusingtoletthemoffthehook.They

mighthaveconvincedthemselvesthey’dbeenhelplessvictims,buthewasn’t
nearlysogenerous.“YouknewthatitwasColonelRanneyandtheVeronaClinic
thatcausedthepandemic,andyetyouremainedsilent,allowingmypeopleto
suffer.”

Lowmangroaned,leaningagainsthiswifeasifshewerehisonlystrength.
“Theywouldhavekilledhimifhe’dtriedtoexposethetruth,”Jessicatold

theminharshtones.“Howcouldthathavehelpedanyone?”

“Instead,hehidherelikeacoward,”Sinclairaccused.
Thefemaletiltedherchin,hereyesflashingwithanger.“Don’tyoudare

judgeus.”

“Jessica,he’sright,”Lowmanabruptlystiffenedhisspineasifrealizinghe

wascoweringbehindhiswife.“IalreadytoldyouIwasacoward.Mypresence
herejustconfirmsit.”

“That’snottrue,”Jessicaprotested,hergazeswervingfromSinclairtoher

husband,herexpressionsofteningwithconcern.“Hetriedtohelp.He’stheone
whoworkednightanddaytocreateavaccinetohaltthespreadofthevirus.And
hetriedtotellthetruthaboutColonelRanneyandBellumInternational.”

Sinclairmadeasoundofdisbelief.Hecouldn’timaginethespinelessdoctor

everriskinghisownpreciousneck.

“Triedtotellwhom?”
“TheCDC,”Lowmansaid.
“Oh,”Mirabreathed.“Theemailtoyourfather.”
IttookamomentforSinclairtorecallthattheirsearchforDr.Lowmanhad

startedwhenMirahaddiscoveredtheemailwrittentosomeoneintheCDC
warningofapotentialdisaster.

“Yes.”Lowmangaveanodofhishead.“Iwaswritingtohim,tryingto

warnhimthattherewassomethingwronggoingonattheclinic.”Hisfingers
toyedwithhisrobebelt,anairofnervousenergyhummingaroundhim.“Then,
whenIrealizedthey’dinfectedapatient,Itoldhimtoorganizeameetingwith
meandtheDirectorofHomelandSecurity.”

Sinclairarchedabrow.Maybethedoctorhadmoreofabackbonethanhe’d

firstsuspected.

“Whathappened?”hedemanded.
Withoutwarning,theman’seyesfilledwithtears.“Iarrivedjustintimeto

witnessRanney’spersonalhenchmenputtingabulletinmyfather’shead.”

Mirasuckedinastunnedbreath.Sinclairwasn’tnearlysoshocked.Hewas

acutelyawareofthedepthsthattheSAUwouldsinktohidetheirdirtysecrets.

“AndtheDirectorofHomelandSecurity?”hedemanded.
“Hewasalreadydead.”Thedoctor’sfacetwistedintoanexpressionof

profoundsadness.“Iturnedaroundandran.”

JessicaglaredatSinclair,presumablyangeredthattheywereforcedtorecall

thingsinthepastthey’dhopedtokeepburied.

“WhenIfoundhim,hewassufferingfromanervousbreakdown,”shesaid

inaccusingtones.“Hebarelyate,hecouldn’tsleep.Hewouldn’tevenspeak.All
hecouldtellmewasthattherewerementhatwerecomingtokillus.Ipackeda
fewbelongings,andwedisappeared.”

Sinclaircouldn’tdenyasmallflareofadmirationforJessica.Therewere

manywomenwhowouldhaveabandonedherhusbandsratherthangoonthe
run,alwaysknowingthattheywouldbekillediftheywerefoundbytheSAU.

Mirahadthesameloyalty.
Itwassomethingheneverintendedtotakeforgrantedagain.
“WasRanneyafraidyouweregoingtorevealthetruth?”heasked.
“Itwasmorethanthat,”thedoctortoldhim,turningawayfromhiswifeto

walktowardthehospitalbed.

“Gerald,no,”thewomanbreathed.
“Thetimehascome,Jessica,”hesaid,movinglikeamantwicehisageas

hebentoverandreachedbeneaththemattresstopulloutasmallobject.“The
truthneedstobetold,”hesaid,asmuchtohimselfastohiswife.

Sinclairremainedperfectlystillasthemanshuffledtowardhim.He

understoodthatthiswasanimportantmomentinhispeople’slives.

Perhapsthemostimportantmomentsincethevirushadexplodedthrough

thehumans.

“Whatisthis?”heaskedasthedoctorhandedhimasmallflashdrive.
“IrecordedtheconversationsbetweenRanneyandDr.Pallen,”Lowman

said.

Sinclairfrowned.“Dr.Pallen?”
Thedoctorsteppedback.“TheheadoftheVeronaClinic.”
“Whatsortofconversations?”heasked.
Themanshrugged.“Everything.”
“Everything?”
“Isetupahiddenrecordertocapturethesecretmeetingswherethey

discussedtheplanstoweaponizetheEbolavirus.Howtheypickedthepoor
patienttheywantedtoinfect.”Lowmangrimaced.“Andwhetherornottoaccept
theshiftersthatofferedtousetheirbloodtocreateavaccine.”

HopespreadthroughSinclairasheglanceddownattheblackdeviceinthe

palmofhishand.

“Thisisatapeofallofthem?”hedemanded.
“Notjustaudio.There’svideo,”thedoctorsaid,noddingtowardtheflash

drive.“That’swhatIwastakingtoHomelandSecurity.”

Sinclairreleasedasoftwhistle.God.Damn.ThiswaslikefindingtheHoly

Grail.

“SoRanneycan’tdenyhewasthemastermindbehindthevirus,”herasped,

alreadyimaginingtheimpactwhenBreeexposedtheprivateconversationsto
themedia.

“Exactly,”thedoctorsaid.“HeknowsthatIhavethem,andhe’llkillmeto

gethishandsonthem.”

Sinclairhelduphishand,holdingtheman’sgaze.“Iintendtosharethese

withtheworld,”hewarned.

Thedoctorgaveafirmnod.“Good,”hesaid,histonesurprisinglyfierce.

“It’spasttime.”

Jessicamadeasoundofdistress,herhandraisingtoherlips.
“But,Gerald,”shebreathed.“Thosetapesareyouronlyinsurance-”
Herwordswerebrokenoffasashrillsoundslicedthroughtheroom.Witha

wince,SinclairreachedintohispockettopulloutJessica’sbeeper.

“What’sthatsound?”hedemanded,tossingthedevicetowardher.Thething

wasabouttobusthiseardrums.

“Thealarmwastripped,”shesaid,catchingthebeeperandthankfully

shuttingitoff.

“Apatient?”hedemanded.
“No.”Herfacewaspale.“Anintruder.”
“Shit,”hegrowled.“Timetogo.”HoldingJessica’sgaze,henoddedtoward

thedoctor.Shewasthetypeofwomanwho’dkeptoneofthemostwantedmen
inAmericahiddenfromtheauthorities.Hewasconfidentthatshealwayshada
backupplan.“Doyouhaveawaytogethimsomeplacesafe?”

Thewomandidn’tdisappointhimassheefficientlymovedtothedresser,

shovingitasidetograbasuitcasethatwasalreadypacked.

“Yes.”
“Go,”Sinclaircommanded.
Thedoctorsenthimaworriedglance.“Whataboutyou?”
“Ihavetogetthesetapestomypeople,”hesaid,holdinguptheflashdrive.

“ButifIdon’tmakeit,thenitwillbeuptoyoutorevealthetruth.”

Themansquaredhisshoulders.“Iwon’tfailyou,”heswore.“Notagain.”
Jessicagraspedherhusband’sarm,tugginghimthroughthehiddendoor.
SinclairtookMira’sarm,pullingherbackoutthewaythey’dcomein.
“Let’sgetoutofhere.”

****

SinclairwasthankfulthatMiradidn’tprotestashehalfdrugheroutofthe

roomandbackintothestairwell.Sheclearlyunderstoodthatitwastoomuchof
acoincidencethatanintruderwouldbreakintothehospitaljustwhenthey’dat
lastfoundDr.Lowman.

IthadtobetheSAU.
Hedidn’tknowhowthey’dmanagedtofollowthem,butitcouldn’tbe

anyoneelse.Whichmeanttheyhadtogetoutoftherebeforethesoldierscould
getthemcornered.

Reachingthestairs,hehalted.Belowhim,hecouldhearthesoundsof

shouts.Nodoubtthesoldierswerespreadingthroughtheplace,causingmass
chaos.Butthatwasn’twhatcapturedhisattention.

Instead,itwasthedullthud,thud,thudthatwascomingfromoverheadthat

broughtagrimsmiletohislips.

Perfect.
Turningtotheside,heforcedopenthefireescapedoorthatledtotheroof.

Then,movingswiftlyacrosstheflatsurface,heurgedMiratocrouchbehindthe
largeairconditioningunit.

“Whatareyoudoing?”shedemanded.
“Here.”Hepressedtheflashdriveintoherhand.“Keepaholdofthisand

stayoutofsight.”

Shesenthimaworriedglance.“Sinclair?”
“We’reabouttohavecompany.”Hepointedtowardthehelicopterthatwas

swoopingtowardtheroof.“Stayhere.”

Turning,Sinclairpulledoffhisclothing.Thenwithasilenceonlyashifter

couldachieve,hemeltedintotheshadowsashecalledonthepowerofhisinner
animal.Sweetpainandecstasycombinedtogetherashisbodypoppedand
snappedintoplace.Withinseconds,themanwasgoneandinhisplacewasa
large,silverandblackwolfwithice-blueeyes.

Crouchedlowtotheground,Sinclairwatchedasthehelicopterlandedinthe

centeroftheroof.Therotorbladessentblastsofdustthroughtheair,butthey
slowlycametoahalt,andtwomencrawledoutofthecabin.

SinclaireasilyrecognizedDirectorMarkham.Afterall,he’dworkedforthe

manforyears.Andthemannexttohimattiredinfullmilitaryuniformhadtobe
ColonelDonaldson,who’dhelpedtokidnapMira.

“Itoldyouthatlicenseplatewouldleadustothebitch,”Markhamwas

sayingwithsmugsatisfaction.

“You’rejustluckythatthestatetroopercaughtsightofitandknewthey

weremostlikelyheadedtothisfacility,”Donaldsonsnappedastheybothheaded
towardthenearbydoor.

Sinclairswallowedagrowl.He,atleast,hadananswertohowthey’d

managedtotrackthem.

Dammit.Heshouldhavechangedvehicles.
“Itwasn’tluck.Itwasskill,”Markhamcorrectedhiscompanion.Hewasthe

sortofblowhardwhoalwayshadtohavethelastword.“Andtheforesighttobe
preparedforanyemergency.That’swhyIwasputinchargeofanSAU
division.”

Themanathissidewavedabeefyhand,clearlytiredoflisteningto

Markham’sbragging.

“HaveyoucontactedColonelRanney?”
“Yes.”Themenwalkedcloser,toostupidtosuspectthatdeathmightbe

hiddenonlyafewfeetaway.“Hesaidifthedoctorishere,hewantshimkilled
andthebodytodisappear.”

“What’shedoingwhilewe’recleaninguphismess?”Donaldsondemanded.
Markhamnarrowedhisgaze.“Careful.”
“Why?”Themilitarymanshruggedashoulder.“Areyougoingtotattleon

me?”

“He’stravelingtoDC,”Markhamrevealed,closeenoughnowforSinclair

tocatchthenastyscentofhischeapcologne.“He’smeetingwithCongresstoday
topressforevengreaterrestrictionsontheanimals.”

Sinclair’slipscurledback,revealinghislong,lethalfangs.
“Doeshethinkhe’sgoingtoconvincethem?”Donaldsonasked.
Markhamgavealoudburstoflaughter.“Itdoesn’tmatter.We’regoingto

dealwiththebastardsonewayoranother.”

Sinclair’swolfsnapped.
Withasnarloffury,hewasspringingforward,leapinghighenoughto

smashintothecenterofDonaldson’schest.Thelargemantoppledflatonhis
back,barelyhavingtimetorealizethedangerbeforeSinclair’steethwere
sinkingdeepintothefleshofhisneck.

HotbloodspilledintoSinclair’smouth,butheneverfaltered.Digginghis

clawsintotheman’schest,heusedthepowerfulmusclesofhisjawstoslices
throughfleshandtendons.Then,withajerkofhishead,herippedouttheman’s
throat.

Donaldsonwasdead.Butbehindhim,Markhamwasshoutinginfear.With

aswiftmotion,hewasturning.Atthesametime,theSAUdirectorwaspulling
hishandgunandsqueezingthetrigger.

Sinclairyelpedasthebullettorethroughhisshoulder,buthenever

hesitated.

Thishadtoend.Now.
Ignoringthewhite-hotpain,hechargedtowardtheman,hisjawsalready

parted.Markhamtookaimagain,butlikemosthumanswhodependedon
weapons,hisfearaffectedhisfocus.Thebulletflewwide,andbeforehecould
squeezeoffanotherround,SinclairwascirclingaroundtotakeouthisAchilles
withonesliceofhisfangs.

Markhamcriedoutinagony,fallingtohiskneesashisgundroppedfrom

hishand.

Sinclairwantedtoplay.He’dwatchedforyearsasthismantormentedhis

people.ButhewasacutelyawareofMira,whowashiddenonlyafewfeetaway.
Ifthesoldiersmanagedtomakeittotheroof,theycouldeasilyhurther.

Withalastpangofregretthathecouldn’tprotractthepain,Sinclaircircled

hisprey,holdingtheman’shorrifiedgazeashelungedtowardhisneck.

Chapter12

MiraremainedcrouchedbehindtheA/Cunit.Shedidn’tneedtowatchthe

slaughter.SheknewthatSinclaircouldeasilytakethetwomen.

Itdidn’tmatteriftheywerearmedornot.Oriftheyweretrainedincombat.
Awolfshifterwho’dwaitedtwenty-fiveyearsforrevengewasn’tanenemy

anyonewantedtoface.

Thereweregrowls,andscreams,andagurglingsoundthatmadehercringe

beforeashadowfelloverherandshelookeduptoseeSinclairstandingthere.

Instinctively,hergazeranoverhismussedhairandflushedface.Hiseyes

stillglowedwiththepowerofhiswolf,buthewasverymuchahumanagain.

Thenhereyesloweredandshecaughtsightofthebloodthatstainedhist-

shirtonhisrightshoulder.

“Oh,God,”shesurgedupright.“You’reinjured.”
Heshrugged,reachingtotakeherhand.“I’mfine,”heassuredher,tugging

herawayfromtheairconditioningunittowardthecenteroftheroof.

“You’rebleeding,”shebreathed,herhandreachinguptolightlytouchhis

upperchest.

“I’llheal,”heassuredher,leadingherawayfromthetwodeadmenwho

werestretchedatawkwardangles,theirthroatsclearlyrippedout.Yikes.“We
needtogetoutofhere,”hesaid.

Movingathisside,Mirawasdoingherbesttoignorethebloodydisplay

justafewfeetaway.Whichexplainedwhyshedidn’tnoticeexactlywhere
Sinclairwasleadingher.Notuntilhetriedtocoaxherintothecabinofthe
helicopter.

Instantly,sheduginherheels.Shemightbeslowlyregaininghertrustof

Sinclair,butnotwhenitcametoflyingtenthousandfeetintheair.

Shelikedherpilotstobehighlyqualifiedwithplentyofexperience,thank

youverymuch.

Asifsensinghersuddenfear,Sinclairsentheraquestioningglance.
“Mira?”
Shetookastepback,wavingahandtowardthechopper.“Youintendtofly

thatthing?”

“Ofcourse.”Hetiltedhishead,clearlyconfusedbyherreluctance.“It’sthe

fastestwaybacktoourlair.”

Itwouldbefaster,still…
“Doyouhavealicense?”shedemanded.
Heshrugged.“I’veseenitonTV,howhardcanitbe?”
Shepulledawayfromhisgrasp.Nowayinhellshewasgoingtoridewitha

manwho’dlearnedhowtoflyfromaTVshow.

“I’llwalkbeforeIgetinthatthing,”shesaid.
Hislipstwitched.“I’mkidding,sweetheart.Iwastrainedacoupleofyears

agotoflymilitaryhelicopters,”heassuredher.

Shefrowned.Whywouldhetraintoflyahelicopter?Thenshegaveafaint

shakeofherhead.Diditreallymatter?

Aslongashewascompetentandcouldhandlethedangerousmachine,she

wassatisfied.

Gingerly,sheclimbedintotheseat,allowingSinclairtostrapherinand

arrangethehelmetwithbuilt-inheadphonesonherhead.

Then,tryingtoremembertobreathe,shewatchedasSinclairclimbedin

besideher,puttingonhishelmetbeforestudyingtheinstrumentpanelsthat
lookedfartoocomplicated.Didhereallyknowwhattodowithallthosedials
andbuttons?

Asifreadinghermind,Sinclairsentherawickedgrinashestartedthe

engine.Overhead,thebladesbegantoturn,whirlingfasterandfaster.Then,as
theyliftedofffromtheroof,Miradesperatelysoughtsomethingtodistract
herselffromtheknowledgethattheywererapidlyrisingawayfromground.

Glancingaroundthesmallcabin,shecaughtsightofthesteelbriefcasethat

washalfshovedbeneathherseat.

Hmm.Itlookedlikesomethingimportant.
Withatug,shewasliftingitontoherlap,surprisedtodiscoverthatitwasn’t

locked.Shewasevenmoresurprisedwhensherealizedwhatwasinside.

“Yes,”shebreathed,excitementracingthroughher.
Capableofhearingherthroughtheheadset,Sinclairsentheracurious

glancebeforereturninghisattentiontothewide-openskyinfrontofthem.

“Whatisit?”hedemanded.
“Alaptop,”shesaid,quicklyopeningthecomputerandtypinginthe

passwordtoentertheSAU’sprivatenetwork.She’dstolenitduringhertimeat
theairbase,aswellastheabilitytohackthroughthevariousfirewallsthey’dput
inplacetotryandpreventanyonebutthetopofficialsfromgainingcontrolof
theworld’sinfrastructure.

“CanyouuseittosendBreethetape?”Sinclairasked.
Miraalreadyhadtheflashdriveinthecomputer,downloadingthelargefiles

directlyintotheSAUcloud.Shewantedtomakesurethatnoonecouldinterfere

withherplans.

“Oh,Icandobetterthanthat,”shepromised,excitementtinglingthrough

herasherfingersflewoverthekeyboards.

Sinclairwasadominantleader,andalethalpredator,butthiswashertalent.
Andshedidn’tneedfangsorclawstodrawbloodfromtheirenemy.
“Better?”Hisgazeremainedonthevariousinstruments,astheyswooped

throughtheair.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”

Shecontinuedtoopenthevariousportalsthatwouldallowhertotake

controlofthenewsmedia.

“ThislaptopisconnectedtotheSAUinternet,”shesaid.
“And?”heprompted.
“Andtheycantakecontrolofeverynetworkintheworld.”
“Christ.”Shefelthimstiffenhisshockbesideher.“Youmeanyoucanshow

thatvideooneveryTV?”

“Everysingleone.”Asmileofanticipationcurledtheedgesofhermouth.

“EventhoseattheCapitolBuildinginDC,”sheadded,recallingMarkham’s
statementthattheheadoftheSAU,ColonelRanney,wasgoingtospeakbefore
Congress.

SheheardtheraspofSinclair’sbreaththroughtheheadphonesasheturned

tosendheraglancefilledwithblatantawe.

“You.Are.Brilliant.”
Shehunchedashoulder,herfaceflamingwithacombinationof

embarrassmentandrawpleasureathisadmiration.

“It’snotthathard.”
“Brilliantandmodest,”hesaid.“IsitanywonderthatIloveyou?”
Mirajerked,hereyeswideasshemethiswarmgaze.“Youloveme?”
Abruptlyrealizingwhathe’dsaid,Sinclairwrinkledhisnoseandreturned

hisattentiontohistask.

“Damn.Ididn’tmeantosayitwhenwe’reinthemiddleofsavingthe

world,”hegrowled.“Mytimingsucks.”

Ajoythatfelttoolargetocontainswelledwithinher.Sinclairhadimplied

thathecaredabouther,andeventhatheintendedtomakeherhismate.

Butforher,thosewereverydifferentthingsthanbeinginlovewithher.
“You’resure?”sheaskedinsoft,hesitatetones.
Therichscentofhismuskfilledthecabinashisfingerstightenedonthe

controlstickuntilhisknucklesturnedwhite.

“Mira,Iloveyouineveryconceivableway,”heassuredher.“AndIintend

tospendtherestofmylifeearningyourheart.”

“Sinclair,”shebreathed,tryingtobendtowardhim,onlytobehaltedbythe

rigidseatbelt.Witharuefulchuckle,shesettledbackinherseat.“You’reright.
Yourtimingsucks,”shesaid,wishingshecouldthrowherselfintohisarms.

She’dwaitedsolongtofindsomeonewhocouldloveherforwhoshewas.
Anerdy,overlycurvaceouswomanwhowouldneverbeglamorous,or

beautiful,orblessedwithasocialskillthatmostmenpreferred.

Shedidn’tknowwhyfatehadbeenkindenoughtoofferheramalelike

Sinclair,butshewasn’tgoingtorisklosinghim.Notagain.

Thistime,sheintendedtosnatchhappinesswithbothhands.
Justassoonastheysavedtheworld.
Clearlyagreeingthattheyneededtoconcentrateonthepreciousopportunity

toexposetheSAUasliars,Sinclairglancedtowardthelaptop.

“Howlongbeforethevideoisloaded?”
“It’sloaded,”shetoldhim,gladthatDonaldsonwaswillingtospend

governmentdollarsonatop-of-the-linecomputer.Itworkedatlightning-speed.
“Givemefiveminutestomakesureit’sstreamingtoeverystation.”

Sinclairpulledouthisphone,waitingforthebluetoothtosyncbefore

callinghisPack.

“Rios,”hesaidwhenamaleanswered.“I’vegotwhatweneed,”hesaid,a

tensesatisfactionedginghisvoice.“WarnBreethatthepartystartsinfive
minutes.”

****

Sinclairhadjustbathedandpulledonapairofjeansandat-shirtwhenhe

caughtthescentoftheapproachingjaguar.

Withaglanceatthenakedwomanwhowastangledinthesheetsofhisbed,

hereluctantlyheadedtowardthemouthofthecavethatservedashisprivatelair.

It’dbeenalmosttwenty-fourhourssincethevideohadhitthetelevision

stations.

Thereactionhadbeenascataclysmicastheyhadhoped.
Itwasn’tjustthevideosthathadbeenincontrovertibleproofthattheheadof

theSAUwasresponsiblefortheVeronaVirus.Ortheknowledgethatitwasthe
shiftersthathadprovidedthenecessarybloodtocreateavaccinetosavethe
humanrace.

ItwasalsoBree’spressconferencewhereshe’dansweredaseemingly

endlessbarrageofquestionswithacalmcomposurethatsoonhadeventhemost
rabidjournalistsatisfiedthattheyweretellingthetruth.

Onceithadended,they’djoinedtogetherasaPackandcelebratedfor

hours,singinganddancingwithajoythattheyhadn’texperiencedinfartoo
long.

Noneofthemwerefoolishenoughtothinkitwasallover.Althoughthe

shifterswereleavingthecompounds,theyallunderstoodthattheprejudices
againstthemwouldn’tvanishovernight.And,certainly,thebitternesstheshifters
felttowardshumanswouldn’tinstantlydisappear.

Itwouldtaketimeandefforttohealthewoundsandcometogethertobuild

anewfuture.

Butfornow,itwasenoughtoknowthattheywerefree.
AndforSinclair,thenightofcelebrationwasevenmorelifealtering.
Mirahadnotonlyagreedtobecomehismate,butshe’drequestedthatthey

exchangetheirvowsinahumanwedding.Ithadbeenherwayofofferingher
loveandcommitmentfortherestofherlife.

Itwasagifthedeeplycherished.
Nowheleanedagainstthechilledstoneofhiscave,watchingasRios

appearedoutoftheearlymorningmist.

“Hey,sorrytobotheryou,”theyoungermansaid,hisjawrecentlyshaven

andwearingapairofblackslacksandacrispwhiteshirt.

Clearly,hewaspreparedfortheday.
Sinclairshrugged.“That’sokay.Mira’sasleep.”Hislipstwistedinarueful

smile.Thepoorwomanhadpassedoutafewhoursago.Hehopedshespent
mostofthedaysleeping;otherwise,shewasgoingtobeverysorryshe’ddrunk
thatlastbottleofwine.“She’snotusedtoshifterparties.”

Riosflashedasmile.“We’vehadalottocelebrate.Thefreedomofour

people.TheendoftheSAU.”Hissmilewidened.“Theupcomingweddingof
ourAlpha.”

Mirawasnothingshortofaheroaftershe’dmanagedtouploadLowman’s

videotoeverynetworkandthustransmitittoeveryTVacrosstheworld.

“TheSAUisn’tendedyet,”Sinclairwarned.Hedidn’twantthemtoforget

thattherewasstilldanger.

Riosreachedintohispockettopullouthisphone.Thenslidinghisfinger

overthescreen,heturnedthephonetowardSinclair.

“Takealookatthemorningpaper,”hesaid.
Sinclairleanedforward,readingtheheadlineoutloud.
“ColonelRanneytobepublicallytriedfortreason.”Hisbreathhissed

throughhisteeth,asavageflareofsatisfactionracingthroughhim.Whenhewas
young,he’dhadapictureofthebastardtapedtothewall.He’dintendedtorip
outhisthroatwithhisfangs.Strangely,however,hehadtoadmitthatthe

thoughtofthepompousasssufferingapublichumiliationwasevenbetter.“I’ve
waitedtwenty-fiveyearsforrevenge,”hesaidwithalowgrowl.“It’sassweetas
Ianticipated.”

Riosnodded.“Andnowthatyouhaveyourrevenge,whatareyourplans?”
Sinclairdidn’thesitate.“NowIintendtoconcentrateonpleasingmynew

mate,”hesaid.“Whataboutyou?”

Somethingthatmighthavebeenablushstainedtheyoungerman’scheeks.
“I’mleavingwithBree.”
Sinclairarchedabrow,pretendingtobesurprised.DidRiosthinkthatthe

entirePackhadn’tnoticedwhenthetwohadsnuckawayfromthepartylong
beforeitwasover?

“Really?”
“She’sgoinginsearchofherparents,”Riosexplained.“Iintendtohelp.”
Sinclairnodded.Therewouldbealotoffamilieseagertoreunite.
“Doessheknowaboutyourintentions?”heasked.
“IthoughtIwouldletitbeasurprise,”Riossaidwithasoftchuckle.
Sinclairreachedouttograsphisfriend’sarm.“Goodluck,amigo.”
Riossmiled,hisgazeskimmingoverSinclair’sshoulder.
“WhenIgetback,we’regoingtohaveadiscussionaboutyoumovingintoa

newhouse,”hewarned.

“What’swrongwithmylair?”Sinclairdemandedwithafrown.
“Besidesthefactthatit’sdamp,dusty,andnotfitforadelicatehuman

female?”Riosaskedinfauxinnocenttones.

“Hmm.”Sinclairwavedhisfriendaway.“Youtakecareofyourfemale,and

letmetakecareofmine.”

“I’mjustsaying,”Riossaid,turningtodisappearintothemist.
AsilencedescendedasSinclairconsideredhisfriend’steasingchastisement.
Dammit.Rioswasright.
HehadavividmemoryofMira’shousewiththekitchentableandsingle

chair.

Hewantedhertohaveahome.
Aplacewhereshewassurroundedbyfamilyandfriendsandshenever,ever

feltlonelyagain.

Startingtomorrow,theyweregoingtodesignthehouseofherdreams…
“Sinclair?”Mira’ssleepyvoiceinterruptedhisthoughts,andinstantly,he

washurryingtojoinherintheirbed.

“I’mhere,sweetheart,”hesaid,pullingherintohisarms.“AndI’mnever

goingaway.”

THEEND

ANotefromAlexandraandCarrieAnn

WehopedyouenjoyedreadingBURIEDANDSHADOWED.Thisisjustthe
startofourdarkandgrittyBrandedPacksseries.Withmoretocome,wecan’t
waittohearwhatyouthink.Ifyouenjoyeditandhavetime,we’dsoappreciate
areviewonGoodreadsandwhereyourdigitalretailer.Everyreview,nomatter
howlong,helpsauthorsandreaders.Youwon’thavetowaitlongformorein
thisseries!HappyReading!

TheBrandedPackSeries:
Book1:

StolenandForgiven

Book2:

AbandonedandUnseen

Book3:

BuriedandShadowed

AboutCarrieAnnandherBooks

NewYorkTimesandUSATodayBestsellingAuthorCarrieAnnRyan

neverthoughtshe’dbeawriter.Notreally.No,shelovedmathandscienceand
evenwentontograduateschoolinchemistry.Yes,shereadasakidand
devouredteenfictionandHarryPotter,butitwasn’tuntilsomeonehandedhera
romancebookinherlateteensthatsherealizedthattherewassomethingout
therejustforher.Whenanotherauthorsuggestedsheusethevoicesinherhead
forgoodandnotevil,TheRedwoodPackandallherotherstorieswereborn.

CarrieAnnisabestsellingauthorofovertwentynovelsandnovellasand

hassomuchmoreonhermind(andonherspreadsheets*grins*)thatsheisn’t
planningongivingupherdreamanytimesoon.

Makesureyou’resignedupforher

MAILINGLIST

soyoucanknowwhen

thenextreleasesareavailableaswellasfindgiveawaysandFREEREADS.

www.CarrieAnnRyan.com

RedwoodPackSeries:
Book1:

Book2:

Book3:

Book3.5:

Book4:

Book4.5:

Book4.7:

Book5:

Book6:

Book6.5:

Book7:

Book7.5

Book7.7:

Book8:

TheTalonPack(FollowingtheRedwoodPackSeries):

Book1:

Book2:

Book3:

Book4:

(ComingOct2016)

Book5:

FracturedSilence

(ComingApril2017)

Dante’sCircleSeries:
Book1:

DustofMyWings

Book2:

HerWarriors’ThreeWishes

Book3:

AnUnluckyMoon

TheDante’sCircleBoxSet

(ContainsBooks1-3)

Book3.5:

Book4:

Book5:

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Book7:

MontgomeryInk:
Book0.5:

InkInspired

Book0.6:

InkReunited

Book1:

DelicateInk

TheMontgomeryInkBoxSet

(ContainsBooks0.5,0.6,1)

Book1.5

Book2:

Book3:

Book4:

Book4.5:

Book5:

Book6:

(ComingNov2016)

TheBrandedPackSeries:
(WrittenwithAlexandraIvy)
Book1:

StolenandForgiven

Book2:

AbandonedandUnseen

Book3:

BuriedandShadowed

Holiday,MontanaSeries:

Book1:

CharmedSpirits

Book2:

Santa’sExecutive

Book3:

FindingAbigail

TheHolidayMontanaBoxSet

(ContainsBooks1-3)

Book4:

HerLuckyLove

Book5:

DreamsofIvory

StandAlone:

FinallyFoundYou
FlameandInk

AboutAlexandraandherBooks

AlexandraIvy

isa

NewYorkTimes

and

USA

Today

bestsellingauthoroftheGuardiansofEternity,aswellas
theSentinels,DragonsofEternityandARESseries.
Aftermajoringintheatreshedecidedshepreferstobring
hercharacterstolifeonpaperratherthanstage.Shelives
inMissouriwithherfamily.Visitherwebsiteat
alexandraivy.com.

GuardiansOfEternity
WhenDarknessEnds
EmbracetheDarkness
DarknessEverlasting
DarknessRevealed
DarknessUnleashed
BeyondtheDarkness
DevouredbyDarkness
YoursforEternity
DarknessEternal
Supernatural
BoundbyDarkness
TheRealHousewivesofVampireCounty
FeartheDarkness
Levet
DarknessAvenged
HunttheDarkness
AVeryLevetChristmas
WhenDarknessEnds

MastersOfSeduction
MastersOfSeductionVolumeOne

MastersOfSeductionTwo:
Ruthless:HouseofZanthe
Reckless:HouseOfFuria

AresSeries
KillWithoutMercy

BayouHeatSeries
BayouHeatCollectionOne
BayouHeatCollectionTwo
Raphael/Parish
Bayon/JeanBaptiste
Talon/Xavior
BayouNoel
Sebastian/Aristide
Lian/Roch
Hakan/Severin
Angel/Hiss
Michel/Striker

BrandedPacks
StolenAndForgiven
AbandonedAndUnseen
BuriedAndShadowed

DragonsOfEternity
BurnedByDarkness

Sentinels:
OutofControl
BorninBlood
BloodAssassin

Document Outline

Buried and Shadowed
Buried
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Epilogue
Shadowed
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
A Note from Alexandra and Carrie Ann
About Carrie Ann and her Books
About Alexandra and her Books

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