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Her mouth dried out, so she nervously licked her lips and moved to a chair about halfway down the long table.

Another male she’d never seen before sat on Zion’s left.

His shiny dark hair flowed away from his face in distinct waves and his sculpted features hinted at Asian descent or a mixture of Asian and European.

Like his hair, his eyes were nearly black and gleamed with each movement of his head.

Damn. He was even better looking than the doorman and this male watched her with obvious interest. Her nipples tingled and her core began to ache.

What the hell was wrong with her? She’d never gotten this turned on by looking at a male.

Thank God her coat hid her body’s bizarre reaction.

The doorman sat down beside the other stranger and a whispered comment passed between them. They clearly knew each other, but Tara had no idea why they were here. Or why she was for that matter.

“This is Isaac and Jonathan,” Zion introduced.

“I prefer Jon,” the dark-eyed male corrected.

“Fine,” Zion grumbled. “Isaac and Jon. They’re two of the three members of Shadow Team One.”

Tara’s anxiety spiked. Rumors and speculation about the Shadows ran rampant. Some said that they could turn invisible; others claimed that they could turn into smoke. Everyone agreed that they were psychic, but no one knew the exact nature of their clairvoyance.

“It’s nice to meet you,” she said as a chill dropped down her spine. Zion hadn’t introduced her, so she presumed Isaac and Jon knew who she was and likely the purpose for the meeting.

“How are your meetings with Akari going?” Zion prompted. “Has there been any progress?”

Tara tensed. Akari was one of only sixteen female hybrids who survived the Griffin Project.

Happily mated to three feline hybrids, Akari had been thriving on Rydaria.

Then the wolves kidnapped her to punish Zion.

She’d been beaten and terrorized for six horrific days.

Then the wolves dumped her in the forest expecting her to die.

Tara had worked at a crisis intervention center before being hired by Nuevo Biotech, so she had experience working with the survivors of violent crimes.

When Akari stopped speaking to her mates and refused to eat, Zion asked Tara to meet with her.

Tara was willing to help in any way she could.

“She’s starting to open up,” Tara told him. “But this sort of thing takes time.”

“We don’t have time. There must be a reckoning,” Zion said firmly. “It’s against the law to harm a female, any female. Her attackers must be held accountable for their crimes, or our laws are meaningless.”

“I understand that, but Akari is incredibly fragile right now. If I ask her to describe her attackers, it will?—”

“That’s not what we need her to do,” Isaac cut in. “Working together, Jon, Kyle, and I can extract information without the person being aware of it.”

Tara just stared at him, horrified by the implications. She should have paid more attention to the rumors. “If you can do this without her knowing about it, what do you need me for?”

A sexy grin parted Isaac’s lips, but all he said was, “Would you like to hear the list?”

Desire curled through her body and her nipples tingled again. She had a few things she’d like him to do too, but now was not the time. Akari was her client and her friend. That meant she was responsible for protecting Akari’s mental health. And the last thing Akari needed was any sort of invasion.

“Entering someone’s mind without their permission is a violation,” Jon said firmly, dark eyes flashing.

“We only do so if lives are at stake or the person we’re interrogating has committed a violent crime.

Akari will feel nothing. In fact, it could be done while she’s asleep, but we will not proceed unless she agrees. ”

Relieved by what he’d just said, Tara nodded. “I’m glad you feel that way.” She nervously licked her lips and dragged her gaze back to Isaac. “You mentioned someone named Kyle. Who is he?”

“Kyle is the third member of our coalition, as well as Shadow Team One.”

She nodded again, forcing herself to stay on task. “I’m not sure Akari trusts me enough to believe any of this. I can’t risk abolishing what trust we’ve managed to build.”

“You misunderstand my position,” Zion said, his expression suddenly grim. “I’m not asking for your opinion. You will convince Akari to allow this, and the sooner the better.”

Tara bit back the ‘fuck you’ that was ringing through her mind, but she glared at Zion. “And if I refuse?”

“Then you will move to the shelter like all the other unclaimed females. You’ve received special treatment long enough.”

Clenching her hands so tightly that her fingernails bit into her palms, Tara took several deep breaths.

It always came to threats and ultimatums with the feline hybrids.

Every human female had been subjected to a similar choice.

It might have been presented in the form of an alliance, but the result was the same.

Women could submit to male hybrids or starve.

The only way Zion would allow human females to be part of the feline village was if they mated with a coalition.

Most of the coalitions consisted of three males and all of them were eager to claim a female of their own.

Tara’s first night in the feline village had made it glaringly apparent that no human female would escape this decision.

The only reason Zion was allowing them to live was because his soldiers needed mates.

Tara’s gaze shifted to the Shadows. Were they looking for a mate?

Zion’s threat was meaningless if she agreed to let a coalition court her.

Heat cascaded through her body at the thought of being pressed between them, of feeling their hands sliding boldly all over her body.

She’d attended a couple of the nightly gatherings, but had yet to meet a coalition that interested her.

Her attraction to these two was undeniable, but was physical appeal enough? Hybrids mated for life.

She shook away the distraction and looked at the arrogant jerk who ruled over the feline village. It was bullshit like this that made her dislike Zion so intensely. “I’ll do what I can to convince Akari, but it’s unlikely that she will agree.”

“I’ve seen you with the other humans,” Zion growled out, displeasure forming deep furrows in his brow. “You can be persuasive when you choose to be. You will convince Akari or your stay in my village will come to an end.”

“I heard you the first time,” she snapped, tired of his bullying.

“Watch your tone,” he warned.

Her chair made a screeching sound as she shoved it back and stood. “Is there anything else or am I free to go?”

Zion pushed to his feet as well, looking as if he’d detain her. He scowled at her for a moment then jerked his head toward the door. “Go.”

She pivoted on the ball of her foot and rushed from the room.

Nothing good ever happened in the lodge.

That’s why she hated coming here. The hybrids had chosen an asshole to lead them.

What the hell was wrong with them? Couldn’t they see what a fucking jerk Zion—someone touched her upper arm and her mental tirade scattered.

She gasped and looked back over her shoulder.

Isaac stood behind her, Jon at his side.

“Don’t let Zion’s attitude dissuade you,” Isaac urged. “This is incredibly important.”

“ Akari is incredibly important,” she countered. “Zion seems to have forgotten that our first concern should be protecting her.”

“Ask her if she wants her attackers punished.” Challenge rang through Jon’s tone. “What we’re suggesting might not be as traumatizing for her as you think.”

He was right. Akari should make this decision. Knowing that the monsters who abused her were punished might give her closure and allow her to heal. “I’ll ask.”

“Thank you.” Isaac’s lips curved into a sexy smile. He moved closer, green eyes shimmering in the diffused light of the corridor. “I don’t smell another male on you. Are you considering any other coalitions?”

She stood her ground, her gaze locked with his. “It would be foolish to consider bonding with males who can extract information from my mind without my knowing about it.”

Jon’s chuckle rumbled from somewhere behind Isaac. “Who said we were going to give you a choice?”

Stepping to the side so she could see him, Tara said, “Then I know I’m not interested.

” Her heart thudded in her chest as his dark gaze bore into hers.

Isaac shifted to the side, making room for Jon, and soon she was faced with a solid wall of aggressive males.

She took a step back and felt the wall behind her.

Isaac extended his arm, pressing his hand against the wall on one side of her.

Jon did the same on the other. She was surrounded by them, caged.

Her pulse thudded and her breaths came faster. Each inhalation filled her nose with their combined scent. Rich and fresh like the forest with just a hint of smoke. She shivered. The smell stirred sensations in her that she didn’t understand, a longing she couldn’t quite define.

Isaac touched her first. He ran his index finger along her jawline then followed the pulse pounding in the side of her neck. “Have you felt this connection with anyone else?”

She shook her head, but whispered, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Jon pushed his hand into her hair and formed a fist. He wasn’t hurting her, but the move was overtly aggressive. “We don’t tolerate lying.” He leaned down, brushing his lips over hers. “Don’t do it again.”

“Or what?” she challenged. She’d had enough of bossy males. What little patience she’d had for bullies had been exhausted by Zion.