Conall watched Nadine shift position, testing her injured leg.The silver wound had to be throbbing, but she held her weight.Good.Her muscles coiled with tension, ready to spring despite the lingering effects of whatever they’d drugged them with.
His shoulder—where the dart had hit—was strained, but he was combat-ready.
The bond carried her awareness of his readiness, her strategic assessment of their situation.
We’re stronger together than apart.
What do you want?Nadine kept her voice level.
The leader tilted his head, studying her through his mask.Direct.I appreciate that.
Nadine simply raised her eyebrows in response.
He tapped something on his tablet.We want information.About the packs.About the assets.About Chimera’s operations.
Conall felt Nadine’s shock.Whoever these people were, they knew about the assets.About Chimera.
I don’t know what you’re talking about,she lied smoothly.
Of course you don’t.His voice carried amusement that made Conall’s skin crawl.Just like you don’t know about the Stardust Pack’s missing delegation.Or the Ironwood Pack’s sudden communication blackout.
Conall went rigid.What happened to the delegations?
Ah, now that’s interesting.The leader focused on him, making a note on his tablet.You genuinely don’t know, do you?Your precious Sunburst Pack really doesn’t share everything with their enforcers.
Heat flooded Conall’s face.Enforcers.So they knew exactly who he was, what role he played in the pack hierarchy.This wasn’t random.This was targeted, surgical precision.
Who are you working for?he demanded, authority bleeding into his voice despite their captivity.
The same people who’ve been tracking your mate’s activities for months.The casual way he saidmatemade the bond flare between them.
Shock rippled through Conall before he could suppress it.
Did you really think we wouldn’t notice the daughter of Gregory Torrance conducting surveillance on multiple pack territories?
They’d been watching her too.
Surveillance?His voice carried a dangerous quiet.What surveillance?
The leader chuckled, a sound like grinding glass.Ms.Torrance has been quite busy.Cross Timbers Pack.Blackthorn Pack.Even made contact with some interesting individuals in neutral territories.His attention shifted back to Nadine.Care to share what you’ve learned about the asset placement program?
Every muscle in Nadine’s body went taut.Conall felt her shock through the bond—they knew about Chimera’s infiltration operations.They knew more than they should.
I don’t—she began.
Please.He held up a hand.We know you’ve identified at least three planted assets.We know you’ve been tracking Chimera operatives.We know you believe someone inside the Sunburst Pack is facilitating these operations.
The world tilted sideways.Conall felt Nadine’s devastation—they knew everything.Her careful investigation, her intelligence gathering, her theories about pack infiltration—all of it compromised.
What do you want from us?Nadine asked, abandoning pretense.
Cooperation.The leader set his tablet aside.Your intelligence networks, combined with Mr.Stewart’s insider access to Sunburst Pack operations.Together, you represent a considerable asset.
Asset.The word tasted like poison.
And if we refuse?Nadine’s voice carried deadly calm.
The leader’s shrug was casual, terrifying in its indifference.Then other packs continue to disappear.Other assets remain activated.Other families lose their children to Chimera’s program.
