The absence of his twin at his side during yesterday’s confrontation still felt wrong, off-balance.
I don’t think I’ve ever given a pack report alone, he realized.
I was patrolling the eastern border,he began, keeping his voice level and professional despite the nerves fluttering in his stomach.I detected an unfamiliar scent—female shifter, not Sunburst Pack.
Did you recognize the scent?Anders asked, his voice bearing the crisp precision of his military background.
No.Conall shook his head.
Continue,Larissa prompted.
The intruder was following a deliberate pattern, checking each of the security sensors Anders installed last week.Conall glanced at the lead guardian, whose expression had hardened.She was heading toward our most vulnerable point—the eastern access route where the security grid isn’t fully operational.
Smart,Anders murmured.Reconnaissance.
I tracked her to a ravine and confronted her,Conall continued, deliberately omitting the moment when the mate bond had flared to life between them.She identified herself as Nadine Torrance.
A murmur rippled through the assembled pack.
Torrance?Malcolm’s voice cut through the chatter.As in Gregory Torrance?
His daughter,Conall said.Or so she claims.She believes he’s dead, and she blames us for killing him.
That’s ridiculous,Larissa said sharply.Gregory was banished along with Hannah.We haven’t heard anything about his death.
That’s what I told her.Conall shifted his weight.Before we could discuss it further, we were attacked by a group of operatives in tactical gear.They were using specialized tranquilizer darts designed for shifters.
Chimera,Anders stated flatly.She’s probably one of their assets.
But if she is,Conall said thoughtfully,it’s strange they targeted both of us.If she’s working with Chimera, why would they go after one of their own?
You think this woman—Nadine—isn’t with Chimera?Malcolm asked, leaning forward.
She most likely is,Conall said.She had a counteragent for their tranquilizer.Administered it to me when I was hit.Said it wouldn’t stop the effects completely but would buy us time.
Interesting,Anders said.Why would she help you?
Conall hesitated, still remembering Nadine’s whispered accusation:I’ve known for months that someone inside your pack is working to destroy other packs.And I intend to prove it’s you and your twin brother.
She has her own agenda,he said finally.She believes there’s a traitor in our pack—someone working to destroy other packs.And she suspects it’s me and Quinton.
The room erupted in protests.Quinton stiffened beside him, his twin’s indignation practically shimmering between them.
That’s absurd,Malcolm growled, his eyes flashing alpha amber.
Larissa raised a hand for silence, her expression thoughtful.What happened next?
Conall shook his head.Not sure.I passed out.She hid me in a rock crevice so the operatives wouldn’t find me, but I don’t know where she went.I was in no shape to track her when I came to.
This is concerning on multiple levels,Larissa said, looking to Malcolm.If Gregory Torrance is indeed dead, we need to know how, when, and who’s responsible.And these operatives—if they’re Chimera, they’re getting bolder.
Robert Mitchell leaned forward from his seat near the back of the room.This woman—Nadine Torrance—what exactly did she say about pack infiltration?Did she give specifics about which packs might be compromised?
Conall shifted uncomfortably under Robert’s intense scrutiny.She believes someone inside Sunburst is working to destroy other packs.Her accusations were pointed.
Pointed how?Robert pressed, his voice carrying the kind of professional interest that made him valuable in pack communications.Did she mention methods?Communication patterns?Because if there really is a traitor among us, we need to understand their operational capabilities.
Malcolm exchanged a glance with Larissa.What are you thinking, Robert?
