He twisted under my arm, squirming until we were face-to-face. His dark, almond-shaped eyes stared right into my soul. His mother’s eyes. He put his hand against my cheek. “Your heart sounds scared.”

  Sometimes I forgot the boys were werewolves and that their senses of smell and hearing were just as keen as my own. They didn’t always have the vocabulary to articulate what they were sensing, but they understood so much more than we gave them credit for.

  I mussed his hair, willing my pulse to slow. “I miss your mom, too, and I promise I’ll bring her back home.”

  He brought my forehead down to his, staring into my eyes, nose to nose. “Ben thinks Mama is working hard at Kaya’s restaurant.”

  “What do you think?”

  Bart’s gaze remained locked on mine. “Kaya’s heart is scared like yours.”

  He didn’t have the words, but he sensed we were lying to him. And I couldn’t do it, not to his face. “The jaguars came back and took your mom, buddy, but last night I found where they’re keeping her, and tonight I’m bringing her home.”

  Bart stared into my eyes, searching for… Hell if I knew. Finally, he nodded slowly. “I believe you.”

  He hugged my neck tightly. I wrapped both arms around the little guy and closed my eyes. These boys were my mate’s heart and soul, and my desire to protect them bordered on visceral.

  Bart loosened his grip, and keeping his voice low, said, “I won’t tell Ben. He gets scared.”

  He scooted out of the bed, and I watched the pint-sized werewolf in Wolverine pajamas walk out the door. He was only a few minutes older than his twin brother Ben, but he wore the mantle of “big brother” with honor.

  He’d make a strong Alpha someday.

  I blinked at the realization. Bart would have to be the eldest son of an Alpha. Me?

  I ran a hand down my face. There it was. My wolf was committed, and if I could shut down the ostracized little kid in me, maybe I could face the others and make them see that born or bitten, I cared for every member of this pack as if they were my blood, and I would lead and defend them until my last breath.

  The savory scent of bacon and eggs lured me to the kitchen. Kaya was at the stove with the four little werewolves perched on the stools at the bar, watching her every move. She talked as she worked, explaining to the boys that the secret to a good soufflé was room temperature eggs.

  “What’s room tempa…tempra…temperature?” Ben struggled to get the word out.

  Kaya smiled over her shoulder. “It means the eggs feel the same as the air in this room. They’re not cold like the refrigerator.”

  I stayed back for a moment, drinking in the normalcy. Tonight, I’d be leading some of my pack into enemy territory to bring home one of our own. This scene made it all worth it. This was what we were fighting for.

  Kaya’s grin widened. “Hey, Asher. How’s your leg?”

  I bent my knees a little, proud of myself for not wincing. Werewolves healed faster than humans, but we weren’t superheroes. My muscles were sore, still knitting up the hole from the bullet. I was lucky it hadn’t hit the bone, or I would’ve been laid up longer.

  “Not one-hundred-percent yet, but better.”

  “Good.” She nodded with a knowing look. She opened the oven and took out a tray with a perfect soufflé in the center. “Not bad if I do say so myself.”

  The boys giggled, and Henry and Hawk clapped their pudgy hands. Kaya set the platter on the stovetop and dusted the dish with salt. “Who’s hungry?”

  Squeals deafened my ears and the monkeys slid off the stools and infiltrated the kitchen. I walked in, only a couple of strides hindered by a limp. If I was careful, running might be possible by tonight.

  Shane and Piper came into the kitchen from the guest room. Shane clasped my forearm. “You’re upright.”

  “Feeling better.” I gripped his arm tightly before releasing it.

  “Do we have a plan for tonight?”

  I tipped my head toward the little guys, a silent hint that we needed to keep things vague. “Trager is supposed to meet us at the bar at eight o’clock. We’ll go ready for the trip.”

  Shane nodded, thankfully catching my drift about the boys. “Sounds good. I’ve got to run Piper to the vet clinic, and then I’m working at the bar with Ryker, so I’ll see you there later. I’ve got my equipment in the truck.”

  “Thanks, Shane.”

  Piper took Shane’s hand, but her gaze was focused on my leg as if she could see right through my jeans. She met my eyes. “Tonight might be pushing it.”

  “I’m well aware,” I said. “But I’m not waiting until tomorrow.”

  She rolled her eyes, squeezing Shane’s hand. “Stubborn werewolves.”

  Shane chuckled and kissed her forehead. “You know it.”

  They headed out, and I grabbed a plate, standing between Bart’s and Ben’s stools. Kaya’s food was amazing, silencing even the little guys while we feasted. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I frowned. I pulled it out and found a text from Chandler.

  Call me. It’s important.

  Shit. I carried my plate into the kitchen and placed it in the sink. I glanced over at Kaya. “You cooked; I’ll get the dishes.”

  She arched a brow with a crooked smile. “Naomi is a lucky wolf.”

  I chuckled. “Doing dishes hardly makes me Prince Charming.”

  “Maybe not, but it doesn’t hurt.”

  I turned to the boys. “Be right back.”

  Ben waved his fork. “Careful, Uncle Asher.”

  “Always, buddy.” But I hadn’t been last night. As much as Shane had tried to convince me of a learning curve, I couldn’t get it out of my head that any one of us could’ve died, and the blame for rushing in half-cocked rested completely on my shoulders.

  Outside, I hit Chandler’s name on my phone and waited for him to answer.

  “Asher?”

  “Yeah.” I scanned the backyard. “What’s up?”

  “Brad Newport wrote an op-ed for the Arizona Republic. Did you see it?”

  I frowned. “I haven’t looked at any news today.”

  “Short version, he’s pitching the masses on government transparency and hinting at military defense contracts that border on science fiction. He teased it enough that some of the TV stations are taking the bait and inviting him on for interviews.”

  “Shit.” I pulled my hair back from my forehead. “Why are you telling me?”

  “Because”—he lowered his voice—“I don’t think this guy gives a shit about the experiments or he would’ve gotten national coverage with the entire sensational story.”

  “I don’t follow.”

  “I think he’s using it as leverage for a payoff.” Chandler cleared his throat, greeting someone on the other end of the line. A door closed, and he finally spoke again. “I’m trying to tell you that I think he might be the money behind Naomi’s kidnapping. He’s not ready to reveal the experiments until he has proof that werewolves exist, and in the meantime…”

  “He’s indicating to anyone involved that his silence can be bought.” I took in a slow breath. “We’re meeting with Vance and his inside man at the Wolf Pack Bar at eight tonight. Can you make it?”

  “I’m anchoring the six o’clock broadcast, but I could probably be out there by eight thirty.”

  I raised a brow. “That’s making pretty good time out of Phoenix.”

  Chandler chuckled. “I don’t drive a Z for nothing.”

  A smile tugged at my lips. “See you later.”

  I ended the call and went back inside where the boys were squealing in the living room. I took in the chaos with a grin. Anyone else would’ve lost their shit when they found the boys tossing pillows at a large lynx in the middle of the house, but this was a wild animal that would defend those kids with her life. The boys loved roughhousing with Kaya in her lynx form.

  Another reason we couldn’t put them in preschool. All we needed was for the boys to invite friends over to watch her shift.

  The lynx turned my way, her ears twitching in silent communication, her body language asking if everything was all right.

  I nodded. “All clear for now.”

  Movement outside caught my eye. A classic Mustang pulled up to the house, and a weary smile curved my lips. Luke and Raven got out, and I went to the door to let them in. The lynx abandoned the pillows and bounded over the furniture to rub against Raven’s legs.

  She laughed, scratching behind the big cat’s ears. “Good to see you, too, Kaya.”

  Luke chuckled. “Sedona has a pack like the world has never seen.”

  “We’re working on it.” I clasped his forearm. “Are you guys heading out?”

  Luke glanced at the boys and back to me. “Maybe we could talk outside.”

  I nodded. “Good idea.” I led him through the kitchen and out the back door. The sudden change of temperature stung my face. “What’s going on?”

  Luke kept his voice low. Even outside, there was a chance the boys might hear. “I called Adam this morning and told him what happened last night.”

  It shouldn’t bug me that he reached out to his Alpha in Reno, but it did. I liked Adam. But for some reason my wolf snarled deep in my soul, and aggression bubbled in my gut. “I’m handling it. I don’t need Adam’s help.” My voice dropped an octave. “He’s not my Alpha.”

  Luke shook his head slowly. “I wasn’t calling because you needed help.” His gaze searched my face. “I called him to let him know you were ready.”

  I frowned. “For what?”

  “To lead this pack.”

  I chuffed. “Not sure they agree with you.”

  Luke crossed his arms. “Remember how I told you Alphas have an extra…something when it comes to their pack? Adam calls it his Spidey sense, but he knows how we’re feeling even if we aren’t in the same zip code.” He cleared his throat. “And there’s a—Fuck, I don’t know what to call it, but it’s something in his voice. Like a mental push or maybe a compulsion that speaks directly to the wolf inside us.” Luke paused, his gaze laser-focused on mine. “You have that, Asher.”

  I chuckled, shaking my head. “Please. If I did, the born wolves would’ve agreed to follow my lead.”

  “Doesn’t work like that. We all felt the push, but until your wolf takes theirs into his care, makes them his pack, they won’t submit.”

  He was speaking English, but I was having a tough time following. “What’s Adam got to do with this?”

  “He’s meeting with the elders of my pack to find out how his dad ascended to Alpha. Once the ritual or whatever the hell it was is performed, the wolves will accept you as their Alpha.”

  Acceptance was rare in my life, and after last night’s fucked-up meeting, I didn’t give a shit about the born wolves. I just wanted to get Naomi home safe.

  “I know you’re trying to help, but—” I raked my hair back from my forehead “—I don’t see the born wolves ever accepting me as their Alpha.”

  Luke took a step forward and gripped my shoulder. “The wolf inside you is an Alpha. He just needs the man to catch up.” He stepped back and glanced at the house. “Are you going after Naomi tonight?”

  I nodded. “Yeah.”

  He met my eyes. “Need us to stay one more night and help?”

  “No,” I replied. “Thanks for patrolling for us last night, but we’re not looking to start a war tonight. I just need to bring Naomi home.”

  He nodded slowly. “All right. When you’re ready, call us. This pack needs an Alpha, and whether you’re ready to believe it or not, your wolf has already stepped into his power.”

  Luke went back in the house, but I hesitated, struggling to process his words. I’d thought being bitten was the strangest thing that would ever happen to me, but shit, this Alpha thing might be even further out there. I blew out my frustrations and followed him inside. Raven gave me a hug, and they headed for their car while I second-guessed sending them home. I’d never seen a better shot with a long-distance rifle than Luke. We probably could have used him.

  But my gut, or maybe my wolf, didn’t feel right about asking him to put his life on the line. He wasn’t part of my pack.

  Mine.

  Shit.

  I went into the kitchen, and for once, I was grateful for a sink full of dishes. The mundane task would give me time to think things through. Naomi’s face, her smile, and the taste of her lips filled my head. Deep in my soul, my wolf howled, and a jolt of awareness shot down my back. I blinked, not recognizing my surroundings. I was in a stark white exam room of some sort. I scanned the area as Naomi’s scent filled my lungs. She must be here somewhere. This was where we’d find her tonight. Somehow, I needed to get that message to her. Tonight.

  An empty tray of hospital food sat on the counter, and when I looked down, a notepad rested on her lap. Her lap. Wait. Where was I?

  I stumbled backward, pain stabbing through my bad leg. What the hell? I gripped the edge of the countertop to steady myself. Her scent still teased my nostrils. My head swiveled, searching for her, but I was in the kitchen. I’d never left. Yet I’d seen the world through her eyes.

  It was batshit crazy, but I’d bet my life it was real.

  CHAPTER 18

  Naomi

  I rubbed my forehead, my wolf pacing, clawing her way to the forefront of my consciousness, answering the call of her mate, her Alpha.

  Asher.

  I glanced down at my notepad. Between all the doodles and the Nero logo, I’d written one word: tonight. But it wasn’t in my handwriting.

  Goose bumps rose on my arms. What was happening?

  The lock turned on the door, and I stuffed the notepad and pen into my pocket. I rolled the stool away from the door just as Natasha opened it.

  She crossed to pick up the tray. “Good news. Our client will accept you for our trade tomorrow. Your boys are safe from us.”

  A silent for now hung in the air between us.

  I gripped my knees. “You seriously think this will all end with werewolves? If you hand me over to them, and I shift during the full moon, the world will never be the same. Shifters will be hunted. All shifters.”

  “Don’t waste your breath. It isn’t up to me.” Natasha’s grip on the tray tightened, but her facial expression was a mask of calm. “Unlike wolves following a leader blindly, we set up a board of directors after Antonio Severino’s death.”

  “Do you have a seat at the table?”

  “Why would I tell you?”

  My eyes narrowed. “Because I think you know this is a horrible idea.”

  She opened the door and glanced back at me. “Tomorrow’s exchange can’t get here soon enough.”

  Once the lock engaged, I rolled the stool back underneath the security camera and took out the pad:

  Tonight.

  I wish I’d paid more attention to Asher’s writing. Not that he did much of it. He worked outdoors, and Becca handled the office paperwork. I ran my finger along the letters. It was impossible to believe he’d somehow written the message, but how else could I explain it? It might’ve been my fingers holding the pen, but this wasn’t my printing.

  How it happened wasn’t important right now. If I was interpreting it correctly, Asher was letting me know he and the Pack were coming for me tonight, which meant I’d miss my date with the science lab tomorrow. That was really all that mattered.

  Too bad I had no clue when the sun would set.

  The lock turned again, surprising me. I jammed the notepad back in my pocket, zoomed the wheeled stool across the tiny room, and tried to look casual as the door opened. Trager came inside with my jacket under his arm.

  He closed the door and tossed the coat my way. “The camera’s off, but I’ve only got a minute.”

  “All right.” I slid my hand into the pocket, my fingers searching for my weapons.

  “The stars are still in there. Don’t let Natasha find them or we’re all fucked.” He grunted. “The board is in a meeting to work out the details for the exchange with our client.”

  “Natasha said it’s happening tomorrow, so I need to be out tonight.”

  “Yeah.” Trager nodded, his gaze falling to the jacket. “I’ll reboot the security cameras at midnight. That gives you ninety seconds to get out of the building. We’re almost two miles from the service road, so you’re going to need the coat.”

  “Thank you.” And I meant it. I had no doubt he was risking his life by helping me.

  “I’m not doing this for you.” He shook his head. “There’s one board member who thinks exposing werewolves will lead humans right to our door, and a small group of us are of the same belief. I’m just protecting myself.” A muscle in his cheek flexed. “At midnight, I’ll unlock this door. When you hear it, count to thirty and then get the hell out of here. Once the cameras reboot, they’ll know you’re gone, and everyone will be sent out to bring you back. Vance is going to try to find you before we do, but remember, we can see better in the dark than you can.” He went to the door, glancing back as he turned the knob. “Good luck.”

  When the lock engaged, I jerked my throwing stars free and slipped them into my sock. Hiding the coat would be tough, and if Natasha discovered it, I didn’t want her to take my only weapons, too. I checked the other pocket and found a folded piece of paper. Frowning, I stuffed the paper in my pants pocket and slid the jacket underneath the thin pad on the exam table. It wasn’t a great hiding place, but everything in the tiny space was locked so I didn’t have many options. It would have to do.

  I wanted to prod Trager to see if he knew anything about this “client,” but he was gone before I could wrap my head around the fact that he was helping me escape. He wasn’t much of a talker anyway.

  With my back to the camera, I unfolded the paper. It was a map of the facility. Natasha had mentioned they were keeping me three stories underground, but beyond that, I had no idea how to get out.

  Trager had given me a rudimentary diagram with four simple directions:

  Exit the room to the right, take elevator at the end of the hall up to the ground floor, then make two rights, and run like hell.

  At the bottom of the paper was a single line: