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Eric kept his eyes on the satellite image. The first two had crossed the river and taken up a position on the far side. Their heat signatures wavered. He suspected it was a combination of the cold water reducing their body heat and possibly where they were sheltering.

His attention focused on the second two-shifter team approaching the river at a rapid pace from the forest. Those would be the two wolves.

He thought of the dossier that he had pulled on the two.

They were skilled in combat and extremely intelligent.

What fascinated him the most was that the private detective he had sent in to learn more about what was going on at the complex had hinted at a bonding between the two wolves and the human female.

“Fascinating,” he murmured.

“Sir?” the tech asked, looking up at him.

“Let me know when the satellite is back over the site,” he ordered.

“Yes, sir,” the tech responded.

He was turning away when the tech cursed. Frowning, he turned back and watched as the young leopard shifter’s fingers flew over the keyboard. His frown deepened when the image on the satellite flickered before going dark.

“What’s wrong?” he demanded.

The leopard shifter didn’t look up. He was frantically typing lines of code and cursing under his breath. Sweat beaded on the tech’s brow before he reached over and yanked the power cable out of the wall.

“What’s going on?” the General demanded again.

The tech stared at the blank screen, his eyes slightly unfocused. The tech reluctantly swiveled in his chair and looked back at him with a worried expression.

“We’ve been found,” the tech said.

Irritation flared inside Eric. His eyes flashed to the black screen and the dangling plug. He employed the best hackers in the world.

“By whom?”

“I don’t know, but they are good—very good,” the tech said in a quavering voice.

Eric pulled his cellphone out of his pocket and punched in a button. He was already in motion before the call was answered. A calm settled over him.

“Operator,” a pleasant voice answered.

“Initiate Code Red,” he ordered.

“Yes, sir. Code Red has been initiated,” the Operator replied.

“Sir, what do you want me to do?” the tech asked behind him.

He shot the young shifter an impatient glare. “Clear out this room and find out who in the hell got past the security system,” he snapped.

“Yes, sir.”

Victoria, Canada:

Pineminister Castle

Isabella placed her cell phone beside her place setting, the soft glow of the screen contrasting against the rich, cherry-wood of the dining room table.

Satisfaction and exhilaration coursed through her veins, lifting her spirits.

She relished the satisfaction of outsmarting conceited male shifters who believed they were superior to everyone else.

As Frances entered the room, pushing a tray laden with a late tea, her smile faltered. Behind her loyal servant, her brother stepped into the room. As usual, he was weighed down by the burden of several ancient books and a thick folder overflowing with papers.

She carefully examined his messy appearance, noting his unkempt hair and rumpled attire.

Despite his unbrushed hair, the dampness showed that he had at least showered.

When Theodore looked up and noticed her, she instinctively bowed her head in acknowledgment of his presence.

His eyes, magnified by his glasses, appeared unexpectedly clear and wide, with the corners crinkling slightly.

Gone was the mad, tired, and dazed expression that had been in his eyes since she arrived.

“You look like you slept well,” she commented.

Theodore nodded his head. “Very well, thank you. It is amazing what a nap can do to help clear the mind. I think having you and Frances here helps as well. I know having Frances’ wonderful cooking has certainly helped.”

“You needed some decent food, Mr. Theodore,” Frances replied with a beaming smile.

“My sister is a lucky shifter to have someone like you, my dear,” Theodore gushed.

Isabella couldn’t help but feel exasperated by her brother’s flirtatious behavior, making her want to roll her eyes.

Sitting back, she watched as Frances carefully arranged her afternoon tea, the aroma of freshly brewed tea, soup, and sandwiches wafting through the air.

With an impatient flick of her wrist, she snapped out her serviette and placed it over her lap, drawing a sheepish look from her brother and an amused one from Frances.

With a thud, Theodore set down the heavy load of books and papers on the dining room table, causing the dishes to rattle.

Isabella pursed her lips in disapproval at her brother’s nonchalant attitude towards the exquisite antique furniture that had been a cherished heirloom in their family for generations.

“Have you discovered anything new?” she inquired.

Theodore shook his head. “No, but I’m getting closer. I can feel it. Everything comes back to having a human. I just know it. I haven’t figured out why yet, but I will. If anyone can bring me a human, it’s you, Issy—Isabella. Thank you for that.”

“Find me the lost kingdom and that will be thanks enough,” she murmured, lifting her teacup.

“Have you heard anything from the men you hired?” Theodore asked.

“Not yet.”

Her brother was reassured with a serene smile, as if all the worries in the world had momentarily vanished.

It was better for both of them if he remained blissfully ignorant.

There was no point in alarming him about the added threat.

If she wasn’t already certain that Hyder was dead, she would have taken matters into her own hands and ended the life of the hyena shifter herself.

The unexpected call from Eric Singleton had caught her off guard and left her feeling uneasy.

There was only one shifter who could have shared the information about her interest in the humans—Hyder.

At least I know who he was working with.

The thought offered no solace, intensifying her feelings of uneasiness.

She knew exactly who the Dii Bellatores were, and she understood the immense danger they posed.

Their missions were driven by their insatiable hunger for power rather than a genuine devotion to God.

That was something she could connect with.

She couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease with Eric Singleton’s involvement, knowing that it brought an added layer of danger to herself and Theodore.

She had her own set of resources at her disposal.

The long-standing alliances and accumulated wealth of multiple generations proved helpful when confronted with situations like Singleton.

As she looked at the books and papers scattered around Theodore’s plate, she tried to make sense of the organized chaos.

Lost in a different time period, her brother’s mumbling drifted through the air.

Her attention was captured by a vivid illustration in a nearby book, and she couldn’t resist pulling it closer for a better look.

Theodore’s head popped up, his eyes dazed as he gave her a glare.

The madness is back, she thought with wry amusement.

“I’ll return it,” she promised.

With a nod, Theodore immersed himself back in his book. She enjoyed the delicious tea Frances prepared while she studied the illustration. In no time, she found herself completely immersed in the same realm as her brother, captivated by the tales of noble kings and valiant knights.