Page 23 of Conall (The Sunburst Pack #3)

Robert nodded. Years of interpack cooperation create relationships.

People who understand that sometimes pack security requires flexible interpretation of normal protocols.

He paused, seeming to wrestle with a decision.

For instance, I have a contact in the Stardust Pack—someone close to their security operations who’s been concerned about unusual activity in their territory.

Wait. Dylan Montoya’s pack was having problems beyond communication delays?

What kind of unusual activity? Anders asked.

Communication blackouts. Pack members reporting to unauthorized personnel.

Changes in patrol schedules that don’t make sense.

Robert pulled up encrypted files that made Conall’s wolf pace restlessly.

My contact believes someone in their leadership circle might be compromised, but they can’t approach Alpha Montoya directly without risking exposure.

Just like here , Conall realized with growing anxiety. Someone on the inside, undermining security while appearing loyal .

Anders’s instincts seemed to sharpen too. And they’re willing to share intelligence through back channels?

They’re willing to share intelligence with people they trust. Robert’s expression remained neutral. I could reach out, see what they’re willing to share about their internal situation.

Smart thinking , Conall thought, though something nagged at him about how quickly Robert had developed these alternative communication strategies.

Do it, Anders decided. But maintain operational security. If there really are compromised pack members out there, we can’t afford to have our intelligence networks exposed.

Absolutely, Robert agreed, already reaching for his secure communication equipment. I’ll establish compartmentalized contact protocols. Different contacts get different pieces of information—that way, even if one source is compromised, we maintain overall security.

As Robert began setting up his unofficial intelligence network, Conall watched with mixed admiration and unease. The man’s dedication to pack security was obvious, his willingness to work through personal relationships exactly the kind of innovative thinking they needed during a crisis.

Yet something about Robert’s comprehensive preparation bothered him—as if the communications specialist had been anticipating this need for alternative channels.

One more thing, Robert said, looking up from his preparations.

Given the communication delays we’re seeing, I think we should consider the possibility that our standard diplomatic channels have been infiltrated.

Someone might be monitoring our official pack-to-pack communications, learning our coordination plans in real time.

The suggestion sent cold dread through Conall’s veins. If their enemies knew their plans before they implemented them…

You’re suggesting a complete communication overhaul?

I’m suggesting we assume the worst and plan accordingly, Robert replied.

If Gregory’s network has been monitoring interpack communications for months, they know our alliance structures, our coordination protocols, our response capabilities.

They’re always one step ahead because they know what we’re planning before we implement it.

That would explain a lot , Conall thought grimly. How Gregory always seemed to be one step ahead, how the tactical teams knew exactly where to find us .

Anders’s expression instantly mirrored Conall’s own growing horror. If their communication networks had been compromised for months, if someone had been feeding their coordination plans to hostile forces…

I’ll brief Malcolm and Larissa immediately, Anders said. And Robert? Good work identifying these patterns. This could be the breakthrough we need to understand how Gregory’s been staying ahead of us.

Robert’s modest smile held just the right mixture of professional satisfaction and genuine concern for pack welfare. Just doing my job. Pack security is everyone’s responsibility.

Too perfect , Conall thought, then immediately felt guilty for the suspicion. Robert was trying to help, was identifying real security problems and offering practical solutions. The man deserved support, not paranoid scrutiny.

And the other packs? Nadine asked from where she’d been quietly observing. The ones that have gone dark?

Priorities, Anders replied grimly. We secure our own house first, then worry about the neighbors.

Practical. Military thinking that made sense.

But as Conall watched Robert efficiently establish his network of unofficial contacts, he couldn’t shake the feeling that securing their own house might be more complicated than any of them realized.

In any case, we also need to keep searching for a way to identify anyone who’s been implanted, Nadine said, turning the conversation back to their original topic.

Conall caught the look that passed between Nadine and Chen—an understanding that time was running out, that somewhere across the country, other packs were facing the same invisible enemy.

I’d like to review historical records, Chen said. Medical files from Vincent’s era, training schedules, anything that might indicate when and how interfaces were implanted.

Most of those records are stored at the Old Packhouse, Quinton said. Archives going back a hundred years.

We’ll need to examine physical documents, Chen continued. The earliest Chimera records wouldn’t have been digitized, and some information was deliberately kept off computer systems.

Anders checked his tablet. Conall, Nadine—you’ll escort Dr. Chen to the archives. Cross-reference medical records with the timeline we’ve established for Chimera operations.

The assignment felt like a setup, another opportunity for forced proximity when Conall was already struggling to maintain professional distance. But arguing would only draw more attention to the tension crackling between him and Nadine.

How long do you estimate this will take? Nadine asked.

Days, potentially, Chen said. This kind of archival research requires thorough examination of every document, every medical note, every training record that might reveal anomalies.

Days. Working closely together in the confined space of the Old Packhouse archives, sifting through decades of pack history while fighting the mate bond’s constant insistence that they belonged together.

Quinton’s spike of something that might have been panic came through the twin bond. The prospect of Conall spending extended time alone with Nadine clearly didn’t sit well with his brother.

I am way too aware of other people’s feelings right now .

I could assist with the archival work, Quinton offered.

Not necessary, Anders replied. I need you coordinating intelligence from the other packs. Dr. Weiss’s network is providing updates on potential asset locations, and someone needs to analyze the patterns.

Effectively shutting down Quinton’s objection while maintaining operational necessity. His twin’s resignation echoed through their bond, mixed with frustration and something deeper—the fear of being left behind.

We’ll start this afternoon, Chen decided. The sooner we identify compromised individuals, the sooner we can begin countermeasures.