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Washington State Animal Sanctuary, Research and Observation Center: Seattle, Washington

* * *

Talon Nightsky slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out his phone when it vibrated. He swiped the screen and lifted the phone to his ear. A scan of the ornate arched corridor leading to the WSASROC’s Observatory was deserted.

“Yes.”

“A situation has developed at the complex,” Juliette said.

“What’s happened?”

“A human is missing. She took off during the night,” Juliette replied.

Muttering a silent curse, he scanned the corridor. He stepped back into the shadows. Juliette had volunteered to go undercover as a worker at the complex in the hopes they could find out more information about them.

“There is another issue,” she continued.

Talon frowned. He did not like surprises. They made the wound he had received from the last time there was another ‘issue’ ache. He resisted the urge to rub his shoulder.

“What?” he asked in a brisk tone.

“Van and Peterson have imprinted on a human,” she responded.

Talon’s breath hissed in at this unexpected development. His mind swirled with the complications that this would cause. He walked to the edge of the corridor and stared out across the pristine grounds of the Observatory.

“Can you find her? She needs to be protected at all cost,” he said.

“Isabella—”

“—should not be underestimated. My sources say she has been making inquiries. Unfortunately, she isn’t the only one we need to be concerned about,” he replied.

There was another brief pause before Juliette spoke, “What have you found out?”

“Tonight, nine o’clock,” he replied in a terse tone. “Double-check the security measures for transferring the humans. If you need additional resources, let me know—tonight. I don’t want to say anything over the phone. I need to go.”

“I’ll be there,” Juliette replied.

Talon disconnected the call and turned in anticipation. The noise of footsteps against gravel warned him that someone was approaching. His mouth tightened when he caught sight of the entourage that rounded the curve onto the path leading into the passageway. A small army of black clad security surrounded an elegant woman who could rip out his throat and not spill a drop of her tea.

“Madame President, what a surprise,” he greeted.

Michaela Bearclaw-Kodiak lifted an elegant eyebrow and slapped her gloves against her palm. “Still playing games, Talon? We need to talk.”

Temporary Human Complex

Two hours later:

* * *

“How the hell did she figure this out?” Peterson asked.

He and Van were standing on the outside of the drainage tube. They had finally tracked Jayden’s scent, which hadn’t been easy. She didn’t wear any type of distinguishing fragrance. All her stuff, from soap to clothes, came from local sources. Any tracks were mixed with other members from the complex.

Van had finally picked up on a hint of chocolate. When it led them to one of the transport trucks, they had been excited. It would have made sense for Jayden to think she could hide in the truck, wait for it to leave the complex, and jump out. Their hopes had been dashed after a thorough vehicle search proved fruitless.

Hell, it had been less than fruitless! Her scent disappeared.

It wasn’t until they walked around the truck, looking for additional clues that he noticed the marks from where something had slid under the truck. That was when they noticed the grate. Ten minutes later and two trips back to the surface to retrieve a spare set of keys to unlock the iron grate, they had their answer as to how Jayden had slipped out.