CALIFF “He’s not what we think he is.” Sebastien came before me, shielding me from Kain. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” My pulse raced, and my wolf went into feral mode. Alessandro and the rest of his men had guns pointing at him. “He’s not a werecat.” “I’m confused. I know he’s hiding something.” Calder blinked. “But he wasn’t lying.” “Then what is he?” I stepped aside so that I could look at Kain, who already had his hands raised. Now, he showed how terrified he was, but Sebastien wouldn’t let me interrogate him. He blocked me to protect me from whatever species Kain was. “If he’s not a werecat, then what kind of being he is.” “Put your gun down slowly, or I swear to the goddess, I will rip your throat out in front of your nephew.” Alessandro snarled. “I’m still healing from what you did, and my wolf still feels you’re a threat.” Kain put his gun down slowly and slid it to us. I picked it up as he went on his knees. “He’s a shapeshifter,” Zarah said confidently. “
CALIFF The reason why I didn’t inform Shadow about our plan was because this was dangerous, and there was a huge chance she would disagree. “Yeah. We will do the rest here.” I turned to Kain. “But if, even how irrelevant it is, you feel that something is off, abort the mission and run for your life.” “Got it.” “I will portal you just outside your apartment.” “You too, Zarah? So, it’s just me who’s against this plan?” “We’re running out of time. We need Kain as our inside man. It will work, baby. Trust me. Trust this plan will go well.” “Then, if he dies, at least my conscience is clear.” She walked out on us. Once she was far enough, her human hearing could not hear us. I faced Kain, looked into his eyes, and made sure he got my message. “If you want to show Calder you’re on our side, this is your only chance. Don’t screw this up, or I will have my claws in your chest, ripping your heart out.” “See you on the other side.” When Zarah created the portal for Kain, I followed Sh
SHADOW “Where are they?” My heart pumped harder as Zack came back alone. “Um.” He swallowed hard. The moment he met me in the eye, I felt something went wrong. “What?” I yelled at Zack. My eyes burned. My chest felt about to explode, like something was clenching my heart. “I’m so sorry, Luna.” He dropped to his knees. “I failed.” “What happened, Zack? Where are they?” “After we left Claire’s house, I stayed to scout. I saw Aciano enter the house. I was reporting, sending them video footage, when the link suddenly cut off. I ran through the woods and found the car Lyon was driving totaled in the middle of the road, and they were nowhere to be found but traces of blood. I searched for them, their bodies, but their scents were lost. It was like someone just put a tree in the middle of the road, and they hit it. I’m so sorry, Luna.” “I can’t believe this is happening!” I screamed and threw my hands in the air. “This is Kain. He betrayed us. How did they know that Califf was going t
CALIFF My nose was healed, but Kain went overboard with the blood on my shirt, my face, and around the wrists. It took us a while to go to his rendezvous by foot, where he parked his car. “This cuff and collar?” “I altered them. It doesn’t have silver, but once we reached his compound, I had to keep it to maintain my cover and put you in a cage. And you have to play along with our charade. Don’t ever break the character.” I snorted. “What could go wrong, right?” “Silver hurts me, too, and gold, that’s why I had to use gloves.” “And what’s with the sunglasses?” “Protection from the cameras. My eyes flare.” “Yeah, right.” I nodded even though the plan was flawed, and there was a great chance Kain would turn against us. “You have to act and make this believable.” “Don’t worry. I got it covered. I was once an undercover for months, so I know how it works.” I looked at the woods. Lyon signaled to find a good spot to scout since he was one of the best I had. The concrete wall bec
SHADOW “Thank you, guys. I really appreciate your help.” “Anytime. And your mate is in trouble,” said Alpha Frye as he joined us with a few enforcers from his pack. “Luna, we got a bit of a situation here.” Kairo came, whispering, “The sheriff is outside the gate.” “Let me handle him,” Waylon said. “No. It’s okay.” I held his arm. “He knows me and Califf. Just give me a minute.” The gate opened, and the sheriff saw me. “Shadow Stone, why am I not surprised?” “What’s going on, Sheriff?” “An SUV registered to your husband is totaled in the middle of the road. There’s a trace of blood in it. Mind if I ask you some questions?” “A rogue member of our pack takes my husband. The missing elder. Do you remember him?” “Yeah, Aciano.” He nodded. “So, how do you know he’s not missing and that he’s involved in your husband’s kidnapping?” “It’s a long story, but I have a man inside, and I don’t think you can write it in your report, Sheriff, but if you wanna help, please come with me.” I
CALIFF Those motherfuckers. They made fun of me, laughing their asses off as one of the humans dumped fuel into the wood piles. The strong, pungent smell hit my nostrils, putting my wolf on edge. I could easily break the collar and chains, but not until the reinforcements arrived. I didn’t want to get shot with silver bullets or burn that would satisfy these bunch of assholes. But when I got the chance, I would be the first to rip their hearts out of their chests. “What are you looking at, dog?” The arrogant son of a bitch glared. He didn’t know what danger he was in, and they were about to get slaughtered. I didn’t realize I was glaring at him. My knuckles turned white, and my jaw locked tight until he nudged me with the muzzle of his hunting gun. “You should go home, kid.” These humans were young in their twenties. They should be working for their future, trying their luck in investments, getting laid, and enjoying parties, not hunting us with guns without thinking of getting k
SHADOW Target acquired. “You’re dead.” One breath out. “No. You are.” I froze. My breathing stuck in my lungs. My heart thundered. “Step away from your weapon. Don’t try to be a hero, bitch. One wrong move, I will not hesitate to kill you.” “How can I move away without moving?” I didn’t have to look. I knew he had a gun pointing at my head. “Don’t be a smartass. Move slowly.” “Okay.” I drew a deep breath, dragged myself away slowly from my weapon, and then raised my hands. “Get up. Get on your feet. Take off the other gun on your thigh and throw it away.” I did as he said. I already heard gunshots. The team managed to get inside the compound without triggering the traps. Casualties and wounded? I had no clue. I prayed everyone would make out alive, or it would be forever in my conscience and carry the pain for the rest of my life. “Walk.” He pushed me hard on my back. “Okay. You don’t have to push me.” I walked forward. My heart pumped so hard. My back tingled. I felt
CALIFF My claws retracted. I still felt the last contraction of Aciano’s heart in my grasp before I threw it out. “Get up, Waylon,” Shadow said as she helped him up. “Appreciate for holding up at the end of the bargain,” I told Kain, still in his cat form. He grumbled before he dashed outside the house. “Are you okay?” I squeezed Shadow’s shoulder. “And you, Dad?” “Yeah.” She looked at my naked body. “Sorry, my things were left where that asshole found me. Your clothes are there.” “It’s fine. I thought I almost lost you again.” I hugged her when my emotions became too much. She sighed in my arms. “I thought I was going to die.” “I’m so sorry, baby.” “Sorry for what? For keeping me in the dark about your plan.” She pulled and looked me in the eye, but I saw humor despite the fact we were still on the battleground. “Everything. Sorry for what I put you through.” She rubbed my arm, smiling sadly. “Go and check out the guys.” I went outside and saw the man who held Shadow hos