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“Alright. What is it?” she grudgingly replied.

“Not on the phone. I will come to you.”

“I’m in Mount Adams, Brian. Can’t this wait?”

“I know where you are. I’m only a half hour away.” As usual, he was mad.

He had numerous connections and had probably heard she was hunting.

He wanted her to quit her job. It was the same thing every time they talked.

There was no sense telling him not to come.

He would anyway, making a scene in public until he got what he wanted.

“I’ll be here.” She ended the call met by Devon’s angry stare.

A low warning growl issued from his throat. “What are you thinking?”

Sarah felt the hairs on her neck bristle. “First off, it’s not like he gave me a choice. Second, he’s still my father.”

Devon’s eyes flickered. “He’s a BUTCHER. If he finds out what you are turning into, he will mount you on his fucking wall!”

Sarah stomped over to him. “I know full well who and what my father is. Your watered-down version is nothing compared to the reality of his perversions, but while you’re trying to stay in the background Brian strives to be in the public eye.

He thrives on attention. Don’t make the mistake of bringing that here,” she hissed back.

She knew right away she had said too much. She was usually careful. Today her emotions were fighting her.

“What could be worse than the butcher of the Serengeti?” Devon’s voice had calmed, although his eyes still glittered with anger.

Sarah took a long breath. “I don’t have time to get into it right now. He’s almost here. She motioned the clothes on the floor and her robe. If he sees this... I don’t know what he’ll do.”

Devon clenched his fists. “I AM NOT leaving you, dammit.”

She didn’t want him to go. She felt a warm security in his arms that she had never felt before. She sensed that she was the most important thing in his life. She hadn’t felt that way since the day her mother died, but if he stayed, she wouldn’t get the answers she needed.

She steeled her voice. “Devon. You’re leaving and that’s an order.”

Devon’s cougar slammed against its restraints, wanting to assert its dominance over its errant mate. “I’m not leaving you.”

“I have a job to do and I need you out of here when I do it,” she said, all business.

He growled louder. “I don’t trust your father even with you.”

She leaned a hip against the small table. “I don’t trust him either, but you asked me for help and if you want it, you’ll have to trust ME.”

He hated this. He did need her help. She had an in with the Kallan family that they couldn’t afford to pass up. Yet using his mate’s connections for his family’s gain disgusted him and his cat. He didn’t move.

“I guess this all comes down to a matter of trust. Do you trust me?” She asked.

“FUCK... I trust you, but every single person in your personal orbit is either law enforcement or a killer.”

She cleared her throat, forcefully calming her spiking emotions. “I’m a good cop. A good ranger. I know better than anyone what Brian is capable of. I never let my guard down around him.”

“I need to talk to you about the transformation. You need to understand what is going to happen.”

“I’ll call you as soon as I finish with my father. I won’t leave this room until I talk to you first. I promise.” She looked at him, judging his reaction.

Devon had to trust her. Walking out that door alone would be the hardest thing he’d ever had to do. “And you won’t leave this room until I return?”

“I will talk to my father here and call you as soon as I get rid of him.”

Devon picked up his clothes and started dressing. “Alright, be quick, Sarah. I’m not known for my patience, and I’m on my last fucking thread.”

She had a retort, but he would never find out what it was because her phone rang.

This time, she looked at the cell before accepting the call.

“Hi, Gerry... Yeah, I’m sorry. I was busy with work, but Brian will be here any moment.

” She turned her back to Devon, and he knew he’d been dismissed.

He slammed the door as he left. His anger, a living creature out of control .

Sarah, you have no idea of the forces you’re dealing with.

But if you don’t get rid of your father quickly, you’re going to find out.

Devon texted Hunter: We have to meet. He relayed some of the information he had obtained from Sarah. Hunter replied telling him to meet them at Galen’s house. Can today get any worse?

* * *

Devon opened the intricately carved door.

His mother greeted him with an affectionate hug.

As usual, he sensed Galen’s hesitation at his arrival.

He quietly withdrew from Marie’s arms and went to the table.

It was a rare occasion to have all seven of his siblings seated together – a definite indicator of his families concerns for the lair’s security.

Hunter addressed him immediately. “Were you able to get any info from the ranger?” Hunter smirked. “I mean when you were done fucking her.”

Devon leapt in attack, knocking over his chair.

It was only natural that Hunter had smelled Sarah on him.

He couldn’t do anything about that, and he didn’t want to, but his cat was at the end of its control.

It wanted its mate and if it couldn’t have it, a fight would have to do.

He punched Hunter twice before Luca and Talen pulled him off his startled brother.

Hunter wiped the blood from his lip. “What the fuck Devon!”

Devon struggled out of Talen and Luca’s grasp. “Don’t say another fucking thing about Sarah or I swear I’ll kill you.” He spoke low, emphasizing his determination.

“Jesus fuck,” Hunter said. “Do you think I begrudge you getting some tail? You haven’t had any interest in women in years. I don’t even care if it’s the Marksmen offspring.” He wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Did she give you any useful intel?”

Devon righted the chair and sat. Used to sibling rivalry, his family resumed their seats. “Brian Marksmen is a business partner of Kevin Kallan.”

He immediately had Hunter’s attention. “She seemed to know who Cyril is. Had she met him? At Kallan Corp by chance?”

Devon nodded. “Cyril attacked her. She put him down. He was arrested by Kallan’s security. She was told he had escaped a psychiatric facility.”

Talen huffed. “Kallan is the one who should be in a mental hospital.”

“Agreed,” Luca said. The rest of the Cascades nodded in agreement.

Hunter cleared his throat. “What are Sarah’s thoughts on our species? Is she going to report Daniel?... Us?”

Devon shook his head. “No. I had no choice, but to tell her about the experiments. She has agreed to help find out who is attacking us before she makes a report.”

“You sure you can trust her?” Talen asked.

Devon was unable to keep the growl from his voice. “Yes.”

Hunter looked hard at Devon. “How did you get Sarah to turn on her father?”

Devon considered his words. There was more to the complicated relationship Sarah had with her father, and until he knew why, he didn’t want to share too much with his brothers.

Devon’s answer was evasive, but it was also the truth, even he couldn’t lie to his family. “Sarah takes her job seriously. I don’t believe she would hesitate to arrest her father if she suspected him of wrongdoing.”

Hunter rubbed his finger over his chin. “She’s going to question her own father? I mean, I might have to respect her if she did that.”

Devon knew what was coming. “She’s questioning him right now.”

“She’s calling him?” Hunter asked.

“He’s at the lodge right now.” Devon waited for Galen to calm his brothers.

They were all talking at once. Their emotions running so hot it made it difficult for Devon to remain calm.

He’d always struggled around his emotionally animated species.

While they appeared calm to the average human, they ran with fire in their blood and their emotions were just as volatile.

Unfortunately, he was the only cougar with his particular affliction, and he had never shared his secret with anyone.

Galen raised his hands. “Boys!” When they settled back into their chairs, he turned to Devon. “You didn’t think that Brian Marksmen on our land was pertinent information? Something you should tell your parents?”

Devon turned his head in disgust. He couldn’t look at Galen.

“I know you lost faith in your family for not finding you after your abduction. Your mother cried every day you were gone. I…”

Devon jerked his head back and snapped. “Don’t pretend to give a fuck about me, Galen. I know you’re not my father. I commend your attempt to raise another man’s offspring as your own and I admit if I hadn’t been abducted by my biological father I wouldn’t have known, but I’m tired of the charade.”

Devon expected his brothers to attack. He didn’t expect the absolute silence.

He had been so enraged he hadn’t noticed his mother at the entrance of the dining room.

He turned to see a tear run down her face.

She walked forward, laying her face on her mate’s chest. “I never considered he would think he wasn’t your son. I’m sorry.”

Galen hugged his wife. “This isn’t your fault, Marie. It’s mine. I failed you. I failed him.”

Devon had felt his brother’s emotions for years, but this was the first time he had experienced their confusion and fear. He hadn’t wanted to ruin their faith in their father. His brothers didn’t deserve this. He regretted his outburst.

Galen turned back to Devon “May I ask why you believe I’m not your father.”

There was no way around the truth, now. “Razel was the coyote who took me. He told me that he’d raped Marie. I was born nine months later. He didn’t lie.”

Galen rubbed Marie’s back as a sob racked her. “No, he didn’t lie,” he said.

Luca jumped up. His face mirrored the anger of the Cascade brothers. “Fucking. Shit. God Damn!”

Galen hugged his weeping wife. “Sit down Luca.” Liam put a reassuring hand on his twin’s arm.