Page 34 of Wild Games
I follow him through the packhouse, noting how even this early, pack members are beginning to stir. The smell of coffee and breakfast drifts from the kitchen when more security personnel from Dean’s pack than I’ve seen before are gathered around a large table, discussing their plans for the day.
Dean’s office is next door, but as we step inside, it’s clear he’s rarely here. It’s dark, old-fashioned and luxurious, with wood panelling, sumptuous leather chairs, heavy ornate picture frames and a massive desk. But it’s impersonal, and smells more of Callum and Lynn than of the alpha himself.
He gestures to one of the seats facing his desk while he perches on the edge. The morning sun through the window castshalf his face in shadow, making his expression indecipherable as he stares at his hands for a long moment.
“So. A stolen artifact.” Dean frowns and leans back, waiting for me to give him a debrief. “At first, just being used to weaken competitors, but now, being used in a manner that’s potentially life-threatening.”
I nod. “I suspect the water in that bottle was tampered with, replaced with water that had come into contact with the stone.”
Dean shakes his head, disgusted at the cowardly act.
“Only competitors, VIPs, and their families had access to the water bottles.” I pull the list of names from my pocket. “Which means it’s someone close to the finalists, if not one of the competitors themselves. Or…”
“Or someone high up in another pack that doesn’t want a new alpha coming on board, or at least, not in this way,” he finishes for me, fingers drumming once against the desk, having come to the conclusion.
With a weary sigh, he rubs his forehead hard. “The finals are tomorrow. I can’t have a winner get a pack under false pretences.” He tips his head toward the front door, where loud voices fill the entryway. “I’ve asked Zane to send some more officers. We need all the help we can get.”
With more and more people arriving, and the final so close, this has the potential to get out of hand. I don’t blame him for requesting more assistance.
“I think that’s prudent given the circumstances.”
Dean scans the list of names that I’ve narrowed down by closely cross-referencing their movements over the past week. “Do you have any prime suspects?”
I shrug, unwilling to narrow it down any further just based on a hunch. I need proof.
“I want to set a trap. Use myself as bait.”
This idea had me tossing and turning all night and is what finally roused me from sleep in the early hours.
Dean looks up, and the drumming stops entirely. His whole body goes motionless in that predator way alphas have. “Explain.”
My heartbeat accelerates, relieved he’s not saying no immediately.
“We make a big song and dance about my presence, that I’m here to investigate, that I’m an expert in tracking magical signatures, and everyone must cooperate.” I lean forward, elbows on my knees. “After yesterday, most people probably suspect as much anyway.”
He nods. My barking orders at Callum and poking around the equipment won’t have gone unnoticed, and certainly not by someone trying to cover their tracks.
“I’ll let slip that I’ve found evidence. That I’m close to identifying the saboteur, and I’m on my way to tell you. I’ll make myself an immediate threat to their plans and draw them out.”
This is the exact opposite of the secretive mission Torres wanted, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
“That’s dangerous.” Not a refusal, just a statement of fact. “They can use the artifact against you.”
I touch the necklace and hold it out for him. “It’s enchanted. It’s not an absolute block, but it should be enough to allow me to identify them without feeling the effects.”
Dean stares at the shimmering stone. “They must have something similar.”
I nod. “Yes, but it could be just a stone, or a brooch. Something they can easily hide. It’s worth mentioning to security, but I doubt they’ll be wearing it openly.”
Rubbing his hands together as he considers my plan, he frowns. “I’m uncomfortable putting anyone in danger.”
I wave away his concern. “This is my job, Alpha. And this might be our only option with so little time. This will be fast, and we’ll control the circumstances with backup in place.” The leather creaks as I shift positions. “The time for stealth is gone, I’m afraid. Blunt and effective is what we need.”
Dean stands abruptly and moves to the window, hands clasped behind his back. His reflection in the glass shows a man weighing difficult options.
When he turns back, he nods, his eyes glazing over as he mind links someone from his pack.
“Callum’s on his way.”