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"We need to talk to Noah again," Asher said. "Find out exactly what Pearson wanted him to do here."

"All Alex said they wanted was to get us to like him," Victor repeated.

Asher nodded. "But what's his end game?

Pearson has the resources, connections, and now we know he has knowledge of shifters. Elkin is a two-bit criminal who wouldn't have the intelligence or means to orchestrate anything this complex," Martin said.

"Pearson as the puppet-master, makes sense," Riley agreed. "If Jacob is a shifter, he's been hiding one for years."

Mo shuddered. "Those poor kids they found. If they're experimenting with ways to control shifters..."

"Pearson will be expecting Noah to report back," Riley pointed out. "We need to buy some time."

"We can have Noah call him," Mo suggested. "Say he's making progress with us, that we trust him. It might give us the window we need to locate Jacob and get him out."

Victor nodded. "Good thinking. But we also need eyes on Pearson's house as soon as possible. I'll handle surveillance," Victor continued. "I can coordinate with some of Raschid's wolves, who won't draw attention."

Mo leaned forward, his face serious. "I need to be with Noah when he talks to Pearson. The boy trusts me, and I might pick up on something in Pearson's voice or reactions that could help us. Something even Alex won’t."

"No," Victor and Zack said simultaneously, their protective instincts flaring.

"I'm not suggesting I go to Pearson's house," Mo clarified, holding up a hand. "Just that I be present for the call. Noah needs support, and I can help him stay calm."

Victor considered this, then nodded reluctantly. "Fine, but only a phone call. You don't go anywhere near Pearson."

"We need to get Jacob out quickly," Riley said. "I’m worried…" Everyone glanced up at the shift in Riley’s tone. “I’m worried that Jacob, if he can’t shift, is dispensable.”

They all drew in a collective sharp breath. Victor’s wolf howled in his head, and he curled his fists, surprised not to see them covered in fur, so great was the flare of anger.

The kitchen door opened, and Alex entered with Noah trailing behind him. The boy's eyes were red-rimmed, but he looked calmer, anchored by Alex's steady presence.

"We have a plan," Alex announced without preamble. "Noah will call his father tonight, tell him he's making progress with Mo especially, and that he thinks he'll be able to get the information they want soon."

Victor raised an eyebrow, impressed by the young alpha's initiative.

"That buys us time," Alex continued. "Noah says there's a nurse who cares for Jacob every day between seven and five. He leaves him alone at night, which is when Noah was able to see him."

"Does this nurse know what's going on?" Zack asked.

Noah shrugged. "He wouldn’t care. He just does whatever my dad says."

“Name?” Martin asked.

“Oscar O’Dowd. There was another up to three years ago, and Jacob said he’d complained about where Jacob was kept. He never returned.”

Victor met Martin’s knowing gaze.

“Is this him?” Martin asked and turned the screen so Noah could see.

Noah’s lip curled. “Yes.”

“Oscar O’Dowd is forty-nine. Healthcare assistant. Worked in two memory care facilities but was fired for gross neglect. Bounced around in some agencies that clearly don’t have proper employee screening or don’t care. Three divorces and seven kids he pays court-mandated support payments for.” Martin shook his head. “When he’s forced to.” Martin pressed some more buttons and glanced at Noah. “How long has he worked for your dad?”

“Since before I went to live with him. Jacob says five years.”

"What exactly did your father want you to find out from us?" Riley asked gently.

Noah looked down at his hands. "At first just to make you feel sorry for me. But then how it worked. Where you got kids like me from.”