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Noah rubbed a spot on his chest as he thought about Sam.

“Is that how Gunnar tracks?”

“Gunnar is more of a traditional tracker.He has a great sense of smell, better than I ever had, and can pick up a trail that I would miss by sight.We work in tandem because we both have strengths that play off each other.”

“Does anyone else know about your past?”

“No.I’m no different than the rest of them.Besides, if I have no starting point, I have no clue where to go.”

Noah laughed.“Each of you is different.Unique, in your own way.”

“Most people only see what’s on the outside, even those I consider family.”

“What do you mean?”

Jade laughed, but it was hollow.“Most women see me as a threat.The first time I met Liv, Ara, Aubrey, and Frost, they all believed me to be a challenger for their mate’s affections, but it doesn’t work that way.And I don’t clear the air, but they come to realize that I’m not on their own.”

“I can understand that.”

“Why did you want to be a SEAL?”

“I joined the Navy to get out of Colorado, see the world.I learned about the SEALs after two years of being enlisted and my CO recommended me because I liked to push myself to do more.When I passed BUD/S, I loved the camaraderie I felt with my team.After years of being deployed, I found myself slowing fractionally, but enough that I might put others in danger if I was a split second too late.I don’t miss the combat, but I miss the guys and feeling as though I was doing something important.That’s why I went with Sam when he applied for the mercenary position.”

Jade’s green eyes hardened as she was reminded of the monsters they were after.“I promise you, we will find them and eliminate them.All of them.”

“I believe you.And I trust you, Jade.”

She smiled at him.They talked more about some of the people he’d met around the world, and before long, Jade yawned.They settled into the tent, bringing only one to save room.He laid there for a long time, listening to her deep breathing lulling him to sleep.The last thing he remembered was that her scent had shifted again.This time, he could’ve sworn he detected eucalyptus.