Page 62 of Enter the Lair

“Agreed.We going now?”Talen asked.

Devon turned toward the compound.There was no need to discuss what would happen.They had run drills together since they were boys.

Brock and Nick went to the left.

As soon as they heard the shouts and the first shot, Talen, Cade, Liam, and Luca went to the right, disappearing down a side alley on their way to Kevin’s location.

Hunter and Devon went through the red door, waiting as the guards on the wall ran left toward Brock and Nick.

They sprinted across the open yard, shots firing behind them as they ran.They entered the facility through a steel door, weaving their way through the corridors to the room they knew held Sarah.

They killed two guards who attempted to stop them, snapping their necks.They used their cat’s strength, but nothing else that would expose their race on camera.

Devon reached Sarah’s door first, surprised when it opened easily, allowing him to enter.She ran over to him immediately, hugging him to her tightly as the door closed behind him.

Sarah grabbed his face with both hands.“We have to get out of here before Gerald comes back.”

“Hunter is just outside the door, watching the corridor.”

Sarah shook her head.“No.Gerald went through a secret door behind the bookcase.”

“How original,” Devon said.

Sarah grabbed his hand, pulling him toward the door.“Let’s go before he gets back.”

The bookcase popped open.“Too late.”Gerald held a silver dart gun, aimed at Sarah’s heart.

* * *

Devon’s cougar attempted to surge forward and protect its mate.It thrashed at the reality of a weapon aimed at Sarah.

“You would threaten a woman to protect yourself,” Devon growled.

“A woman, yes.Sarah, no,” Gerald sneered.“I would never hurt Sarah.This won’t kill her it will only break the chemical bond your species produces to trap a human female.You will no longer be mated to her.”

“No dart can remove my feelings for my woman.”

Gerald’s eyes hardened.“Your feelings will remain.I would not waste my time and money on the likes of you.”

Sarah put a reassuring hand on Devon’s back.“Why Gerry?”

Devon hated the familiar nickname.It revealed she still cared for the despicable creature in front of them.His betrayal, too soon to eradicate the history they shared.

Gerald’s face softened as he looked at her.“You wouldn’t have been able to help it.You would have been in pain.We spent millions getting this developed specifically for you so you wouldn’t be uncomfortable when I made love to you.”

Devon felt Sarah’s revulsion.He saw fur ripple over her neck before she brought her cat back under control.She was barely hanging on.This was the reason new mates stayed close to the lair during the transition.A cat breaking out at home was expected, anywhere else was disastrous.He should never have let her off the property.She didn’t know how to control her cat’s instincts yet.He’d failed her again.“You will never touch her.”

“You will be dead so you won’t have any say in what I do,” Gerald snapped.

“That dart won’t stop me,” Devon threatened.

“If you move, I shoot her.Since you know I am not lying we both know you won’t risk losing your bond with your mate.”

Devon’s cat surged to attack.He hesitated at the agonizing decision.He couldn’t survive without her now.You couldn’t provide a man a banquet, then tell him to starve.His father had always told him.When in doubt.Trust your cat.He let his animal loose.

He felt his body dissolving, Springing forward mid-shift.

The moment Gerald pulled the trigger would be etched in his mind forever.