Page 29 of Corbin (Wild Wolf Pack from the world of Gallize Shifters #2)

“Are you wondering how I might do that?” Eirene taunted.

She wanted to get her hands around this cryptic shifter’s throat, but for all this woman’s faults, she had resources that could help Kesa and her pup.

“I still have the original slip of paper you left for me at my Charlotte performance. You tried to hide your scent, but it’s still there.

It might take a while, but you will be found if I hand it to the right people. ”

Had she threatened another person’s freedom right in front of Corbin? He was catching every word of this conversation with his shifter hearing. What could he be thinking?

She glanced down at him, and he appeared content to wait on her conversation. Her worry eased a little.

The bitch’s voice blasted through her phone, cursing her into next year.

“I feel the same way about you,” Eirene replied, her fingers gripping the phone so hard that the plastic squealed.

She eased her fingers loose. “I went into that crack house to find Lauren, who was half out of her mind going through withdrawals from whatever drug the Black River wolf pack shot her up with. I almost didn’t get out before the police showed up.

You took that female shifter immediately, and you keep asking about each one I find on my own if they escaped the Black River wolf pack. ”

She paused to see if Nova would argue. Not a word yet.

She continued, “I didn’t think much about it at first, but I’ve waited almost three weeks to get some help with these two sisters, one of whom was pregnant, and I had no way to get medical aid for her.

I can’t even visit this location easily while trying to ensure no one follows me.

” She glanced at Corbin, who had not taken his gaze off her.

“These women now have a new pup to protect. We delivered her baby in this warehouse when you could have had her under medical care. You aren’t doing your part, so don’t ask me to rescue and harbor anyone else until you tell me what the hell is going on. ”

A beleaguered sigh rushed through the phone.

“I thought Lauren might have known ... my daughter. She was kidnapped four months ago, and I have a sick feeling the Black River wolf pack has her because she’d have found a way to escape any other shifters.

I’m desperate to get her back even if they’ve fucked her up. ”

Eirene turned and leaned against a wall. She dropped her head back then whispered, “You should have told me that from the start.”

“I couldn’t risk trusting you and that sick pack finding out. They’d probably kill her, then come for me and the ones I’m protecting.”

Standing away from the wall, Eirene drew herself up, but wanted to be sure this woman understood what she was saying. “Hunting your daughter will put all of us at risk, including those we protect. I hate that they have her, but keep in mind that she may be so far gone she won’t know you.”

“I’d rather she be anywhere except with those monsters,” Nova ranted. “She’s mine, and I want her back regardless of any condition she’s found in.”

What would Eirene do in her shoes? She murmured, “I understand. I’d wreck the world to save a child of my own.

” The line remained silent while she thought everything over.

“Okay, let’s make a new deal, Nova. We need to be straight with each other and no threats.

You may think my life is a joy ride, but I’ve got some big problems of my own.

I don’t want any female shifter ever handed over to SCIS or anyone else, and that includes you. ”

After a long pause, the woman said, “Agreed. You could have given that piece of paper to SCIS by now. I’m going to trust you.”

“Great. Let’s get these two women and the pup safe, then give me whatever you’re comfortable sharing about when your daughter was taken. I’ll do anything I can to help you find her. Fair enough?”

“Yes. I’ll keep up my end so long as you make good on your offer.”

“Absolutely,” Eirene confirmed. “I’m building a base of resources, but I’m careful about sharing information unless I trust someone with my own life.

Please pick up my group as soon as you can.

Get them medical aid. The older sister is healing a badly damaged arm.

Since being here, she has only shifted once late at night while I watched her back.

The new mother may want to shift and let her wolf run after so many months of being unable to, but it’s too dangerous here. ”

“Where are they?”

Eirene gave her the address and directions on how to access the least visible door around back, where to find the sisters inside, and a temporary alarm code.

Nova said, “I can be there in a little over an hour.”

“Wonderful. I’ll make sure they have what they need and that they understand the plan. I’ll tell them to only answer the door when they hear the code words. My favorite song is You’ve Got A Friend .”

“Okay. Good thinking to be sure it’s me before opening the door.”

Eirene cocked an eyebrow at the compliment from this woman. Maybe Nova’s abrupt attitude had been nothing more than a scared mother herself during their brief interactions. Time would tell.

Feeling much lighter with a real plan in place, Eirene replied, “Thanks. Once I know the building is safe, I’ll leave and be long gone so you can slip inside unnoticed—”

A low buzzing sound interrupted her. She unhooked the phone-like device clipped to her waistband and pressed a button. That activated a small screen connected to one of the outdoor cameras. A car approached, driving slowly from the highway toward the warehouse.

Nova asked, “What’s going on? I hear a weird sound.”

Corbin was up and at Eirene’s side. “Problem?”

His quick reaction and concerned tone surprised her after she’d spent so many years struggling to do this alone. Eirene told Nova, “A car is coming down the drive to the building. I need to go, but I’ll make sure whoever it is does not get near the sisters.”

“What are you going to do?”

Were they chatty best friends now? Eirene snapped, “The longer we talk, the less time I have to ensure their safety as well as yours. Be on time.”

“I will.” The line went dead.

Eirene looked hard at Corbin. She’d been so happy to be together again and have him by her side, but now she battled the urge to ask for his help.

She could not put him in danger again because of her.

“A vehicle is driving up to the building. I’m going to tell the sisters the plan, which I’m sure you heard, and have them lock the door from the inside.

Then I’ll run from the building and let the intruders see me, so they chase me.

You should go now. I’ll find you when it’s safe. ”

“No.” Corbin’s face morphed into stony determination. “ We are doing this. Not you.”

Shocked at his announcement, she shook her head. “I don’t have time to argue, but this is my problem. That could be SCIS driving up. I don’t know how they found out about this building, but I’m not taking any chances of you getting captured a second time.”

He cupped her face and kissed her lips gently. “I understand, but you need my help. I’m tougher to kill or capture at this point in my life. Get your ladies set. Tell them to stay quiet no matter what they hear until that woman shows up with the code words. Then we’ll go.”