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“What is it?”

Damien flickered a worried expression at him before he continued his wary search. “Something’s not right. In our recon, we found evidence of Clanton’s team. Tracks, blood, but no bodies. It’s bizarre. We didn’t find any evidence of a fight. It was as if something came out of nowhere and took them out before they fired a single round.”

It wasn’t until he glanced at the other men that he realized that most were standing, their eyes constantly surveying the surrounding area. Inside the protective circle formed by those standing were four of the men who had laid down and closed their eyes to rest, their weapons within reach on each chest. He returned his attention to Damien.

“What theories do you have?” he asked.

Damien hesitated and looked out across the valley. Eric studied the thoughtful, intense expression on Damien’s face. He valued Damien’s opinion.

“I believe we are dealing with an outside force, similar to who we are,” Damien murmured.

He frowned at Damien’s response. He knew of only five organizations in the world that resembled the Dii Bellatore, each with its own unique purpose. Their code, bound by blood, ensured that the organizations would never turn against each other. The longevity of each organization relied heavily on safeguarding this code. The group had an unspoken pact—if anyone were to start an attack, the others would join forces to deliver a decisive and fatal blow.

“Do you think it is a rogue group?” he asked.

Damien shook his head. “No. I’ve made it my business to study any threats. This is different. It wasn’t a rogue group from one of the other agencies,” Damien replied.

He could feel the annoyance building up inside him, a dam on the verge of breaking. He wanted straightforward explanations, not enigmatic, obscure theories. Losing two teams only fueled his determination to uncover the answers he needed.

“I need more, Damien. I’ve lost a lot of good men and equipment on what should have been a simple mission,” he ground out.

Damien pursed his lips and shrugged. “I can’t give you information I don’t know, General. The scouts are following the two shifters and the human. Redfoot and Timberwolf have maintained a constant surveillance of the area.”

Eric’s eyes narrowed as a thought occurred to him. “Whatever has attacked our men hasn’t attacked them. Why is that?”

Damien shrugged again. “Maybe whoever it is realizes they are protecting the woman?”

“Possibly… but how? How would they know? They are shifters. The same as we are. They were following her. The same as we are. What gives them a free pass?”

“I don’t know. It isn’t like whoever it is can read our minds… which means there must be an inside mole giving whoever it is information. We haven’t been attacked… yet. Who knew you contacted us?” Damien asked.

“No one.”

“Then let’s hope that helps keep us alive,” Damien replied, staring out across the valley.

Chapter 21

Van was absorbed in focusing upward as a shadow gracefully passed over him, capturing his full attention. He studied their surroundings and spotted the owl gracefully alighting on a branch in the distance. It had been tailing them since they left their cliffside abode that morning, its presence becoming more and more palpable as time went on.

“What is it?” Peterson asked, coming up behind him.

He nodded pointedly at the owl. With a silent nod, Peterson acknowledged his understanding and followed his line of sight, no words needed between them. The creature’s unwavering determination to follow them was filling them with growing unease.

Their attention shifted back to Jayden, who was now the center of their world. Gracefully navigating the rugged landscape, she traversed the uneven terrain with unwavering confidence. Even now, Van couldn’t shake the overwhelming feeling of awe and wonder that suffused him upon finally finding her.

“There’s something off. It’s more than the owl. I feel like we are being watched… followed,” he murmured.

“Do you want me to shift and do a recon?” Peterson asked.

“Not yet. We are almost at the cave. Once we get there it wouldn’t hurt,” he said.

“We call for an airlift out once Jayden finds what she’s looking for. I’m ready to get out of these damn woods,” Peterson muttered.

“You aren’t the only one.”

He had originally intended to call in reinforcements by this point in time. The trouble was that the signal was weak and unreliable under the thick canopy. In order to establish a connection with the satellite signals, they required a spot with a wide, unobstructed view of the sky. Once they reached the crest and ascended above the tree line, the vista of the vast expanse of mountains unfolded before him.

They exited the forest and began to climb by mid-afternoon. He searched the area as they ascended, searching for any tracks. Jayden hesitated at the area where blood had littered the ground months before. It was obvious she was thinking about the last time she had been here.