Page 6 of Conall (The Sunburst Pack #3)

I tracked her to a ravine and confronted her, Conall continued, deliberately omitting the moment when the mate bond had flared to life between them. She identified herself as Nadine Torrance.

A murmur rippled through the assembled pack.

Torrance? Malcolm’s voice cut through the chatter. As in Gregory Torrance?

His daughter, Conall said. Or so she claims. She believes he’s dead, and she blames us for killing him.

That’s ridiculous, Larissa said sharply. Gregory was banished along with Hannah. We haven’t heard anything about his death.

That’s what I told her. Conall shifted his weight. Before we could discuss it further, we were attacked by a group of operatives in tactical gear. They were using specialized tranquilizer darts designed for shifters.

Chimera, Anders stated flatly. She’s probably one of their assets.

But if she is, Conall said thoughtfully, it’s strange they targeted both of us. If she’s working with Chimera, why would they go after one of their own?

You think this woman—Nadine—isn’t with Chimera? Malcolm asked, leaning forward.

She most likely is, Conall said. She had a counteragent for their tranquilizer. Administered it to me when I was hit. Said it wouldn’t stop the effects completely but would buy us time.

Interesting, Anders said. Why would she help you?

Conall hesitated, still remembering Nadine’s whispered accusation: I’ve known for months that someone inside your pack is working to destroy other packs. And I intend to prove it’s you and your twin brother.

She has her own agenda, he said finally. She believes there’s a traitor in our pack—someone working to destroy other packs. And she suspects it’s me and Quinton.

The room erupted in protests. Quinton stiffened beside him, his twin’s indignation practically shimmering between them.

That’s absurd, Malcolm growled, his eyes flashing alpha amber.

Larissa raised a hand for silence, her expression thoughtful. What happened next?

Conall shook his head. Not sure. I passed out. She hid me in a rock crevice so the operatives wouldn’t find me, but I don’t know where she went. I was in no shape to track her when I came to.

This is concerning on multiple levels, Larissa said, looking to Malcolm. If Gregory Torrance is indeed dead, we need to know how, when, and who’s responsible. And these operatives—if they’re Chimera, they’re getting bolder.

Robert Mitchell leaned forward from his seat near the back of the room. This woman—Nadine Torrance—what exactly did she say about pack infiltration? Did she give specifics about which packs might be compromised?

Conall shifted uncomfortably under Robert’s intense scrutiny. She believes someone inside Sunburst is working to destroy other packs. Her accusations were pointed.

Pointed how? Robert pressed, his voice carrying the kind of professional interest that made him valuable in pack communications. Did she mention methods? Communication patterns? Because if there really is a traitor among us, we need to understand their operational capabilities.

Malcolm exchanged a glance with Larissa. What are you thinking, Robert?

I’m thinking we need to get ahead of this, Robert replied, sitting back with the air of someone who’d given the matter serious thought.

If this woman has been conducting surveillance on multiple packs, gathering intelligence on supposed infiltration—we need to coordinate with our allies immediately.

Share information, compare notes on any suspicious activities.

That’s solid strategic thinking, Anders agreed.

Robert nodded gravely. I’d be happy to handle the communications coordination. I’ve got established contacts with most of the major packs, secure channels already in place. We could have preliminary intelligence shared within hours.

Do it, Malcolm decided. But keep the details limited until we know more about the scope of the threat.

Of course, Robert said, already making notes. Pack security is paramount. I’ll make sure we’re sharing just enough to identify patterns without compromising operational security.

Just like everyone else would , Conall told himself, but something nagged at him. Robert’s eagerness to coordinate intelligence sharing, his immediate grasp of operational details—it made sense for someone in communications, but…

Stephanie Gonzales’s mate, Raymond, shifted in his seat. What about the southern sensors Anders recalibrated last week? Could those have been compromised as well?

Anders glanced up sharply at the question. The southern sensors? They’re on a completely different grid than the eastern perimeter.

I was just thinking, Raymond continued, if someone’s been monitoring our sensor placements, they might have targeted multiple systems. Have we checked the communication logs from the eastern perimeter during the three-a.m. shift rotation?

Conall felt his wolf stir uneasily at the specificity of the question—when had Raymond become so familiar with shift rotations and sensor grids? But then again, maybe the older pack members were just being more vigilant since the Chimera revelations.

They’re all just worried , he reasoned. Looking out for the pack .

Una Sanchez leaned toward Sarah, her protective instincts clearly focused on her pregnant cousin.

I know Sarah’s been worried about the new security measures.

With everything that’s happened, are we sure the eastern sensors can’t be bypassed?

She turned to Malcolm. Shouldn’t we review who has access to patrol schedules?

Although Una purposefully avoided looking at Raymond as she spoke, the older man harrumphed and crossed his arms.

Una’s right to be concerned, Sarah said softly, one hand resting on her slight bump. If there really is someone working against us from inside, we need to be even more careful than usual.

Una nodded vigorously, her concern appearing to deepen. And what about the safe room protocols we discussed a few weeks ago? Did we get anywhere with those? Sarah should know exactly which routes to take if there’s an emergency.

When no one replied immediately, Una glanced around the room. Also, with all these communication channels Robert mentioned—how do we know if someone’s monitoring our emergency frequencies? Shouldn’t pack members have access to backup communication methods?

Those are all good questions, Anders said, jotting down notes. My team and I will look into them.

Of course Una’s asking questions , Conall thought. She’s protecting Sarah and the baby. That’s what family does .

But the questions were awfully specific for someone whose primary concern should be general safety.

Dana Rosado raised her hand tentatively, her three younger siblings—Amaia, Carmen, and Isaac—clustered around her chair.

Anders, I’ve been studying the sensor placement patterns as part of my guardian training.

Should I familiarize myself with the eastern perimeter protocols in case I’m needed for backup?

Her dark eyes sparkled eagerly. Are there any weak points I should focus on during my training sessions?

Anders studied Dana. That’s unusually detailed preparation for someone still in basic training.

I want to be ready to protect the pack, Dana said earnestly, glancing at her siblings. Especially with everything that’s happening. I’ve been wondering if I could help with security coordination? I’m good with patterns and details.

Conall found himself cataloging the questions in spite of himself. Robert wanting communication protocols. Raymond asking about specific sensor systems and shift logs. Una pushing for access to more information. Dana volunteering for security coordination.

They’re all just stepping up , he told himself firmly. This is what happens when a pack faces a threat—everyone wants to help protect their family .

But Nadine’s voice echoed in his memory: Someone inside your pack is working to destroy other packs.

The questions hung in the air, each seemingly innocent but carrying an undercurrent that made Conall’s wolfish senses prickle uneasily. Three—no, four—different pack members, all asking for information that could compromise security if shared with the wrong people.

Stop it , he ordered himself. These people have been your family your entire life. Raymond helped teach you to track when you were a cub. Una used to babysit you and Quinton. Dana’s risking her life to become a guardian .

But the nagging doubt remained, amplified by the mate bond’s insistence that Nadine wasn’t entirely wrong about everything.

Or maybe Chimera’s just getting more desperate, Anders suggested, his gaze moving thoughtfully among Raymond, Una, and Dana. We’re making progress with our own asset recovery initiative. Perhaps they’ve learned about it and are accelerating their timeline.

Conall caught the way Anders’s eyes lingered on each person who’d asked detailed security questions. The lead guardian had noticed the pattern too.

Or maybe we’re all just paranoid now , Conall thought, but the reassurance felt hollow.

Speaking of which —Malcolm turned to Anders— what’s the status of the Stardust Pack delegation? They’re supposed to arrive today to discuss their identified assets, right?

Anders shook his head, his expression turning grim. I received a message this morning. They’re not coming.

What? Sarah exclaimed from her seat. Why not?

Their message was vague, Anders replied. Security concerns, they said. But it feels off.

Could be related to this Nadine Torrance, Larissa suggested. If she’s going around to other packs with her accusations…

We need to know more about her, Malcolm said, his tone decisive. Anders, put together everything we have on Gregory Torrance from the Vincent era. If he had a daughter, there must be some record. And increase security patrols, especially along the eastern border.

Will do, Anders said. I’ll recalibrate the southern sensors as well. If she returns, we’ll know.

What about the Epsilon Protocol? Etta asked, her voice tense with worry.