Page 87 of The Tracker's Revenge

“You can’t be serious.” Jake slumped in his seat. “If we get killed because of a cat, of all things, I’ll make sure little Blaze goes down with us.”

“See, you’re the one who’s awful. He’s just a defenseless cat and you’re a mean wolf with no heart.”

Rosalina snorted.

Jake raised an eyebrow at her.

“What?” Rosalina asked. “I kinda agree with her.”

“Of course you do.”

“We girls have to stick together.” I stepped on the gas and hurried toward Compton Heights. A few minutes later, I started to pull into the underground parking lot of my building.

“No, don’t go in there. Not safe,” Jake said.

I wanted to argue, but he was right. There was only one way out of the parking lot. Going in there was like asking for it.

“I’ll tell you what... you take the wheel and drop me by the front entrance and I’ll go get him.”

“Uh-uh, you’re not going in there by yourself.”

“Okay, Rosalina takes the wheel and you and I both go together.”

She waved a hand in the air. “Don’t mind little old me. It’s fine if I stay all by myself, unprotected by a gallant and fierce werewolf.”

I glanced at her through the rearview mirror, fresh out of ideas.

Rosalina rolled her eyes. “Just go. I’ll be fine.” She pulled out a huge handgun from her trench coat and blew into its muzzle. I had to admit she looked badass. Though, that didn’t mean we shouldn’t worry about her.

I shook my head and gave Jake a pointed stare. “You stay with her, and I’ll get Blaze.”

Jake opened his mouth to argue. I narrowed my gaze further, brooking no argument. I could feel hisalphanesstrying to exert itself over mine.

“Don’t do that, Jake,” I warned, letting my own alpha mojo flow.

Something like an electric jolt ran through me as our wills clashed.

“This is new,”I thought as Red seemed to gear herself up for a fight. Except, we didn’t have time for this shit. So I undid my seatbelt, got out of the car, and marched toward the front entrance. Jake’s muffled curses reached me as I walked away. I flipped him the bird for good measure.

At the front door, I used the access code to get in. One of the night workers was using a polishing machine to freshen up the floor. He inclined his head in greeting as I walked toward the elevators. I punched the up button and waited. The bell dinged. The metal doors slid open. I took a step forward, then jumped back with a yelp.

“What the hell?”

“Everything all right, ma’am,” the worker called.

“Um, yeah, it’s fine.”

My jaw hanging open, I stared down at Blaze. He was sitting right in the middle of the elevator, blinking his intense orange eyes at me. He meowed, stood, and strolled out of the elevator. Passing me by, he made his way toward the front door as if he owned the place.

The worker paused his polishing to stare at the newcomer. “Hello there, little fellow,” he said, looking amused. Blaze ignored him and kept going.

As I watched him, perplexed, he stopped, glanced over his shoulder, and gave me anare you coming or what?annoyed look.

“Is he yours?” the worker asked.

“Yep.” I smiled apologetically and tried to pick the cat up, but he hurried forward, making me look like a fool. “He’s got a mind of his own, that one. Have a good night,” I called as I opened the door for my very strange new pet.

When we stepped onto the landing, I placed my hands on my hips and demanded, “How did you get out, young sir?”