Sure you can. Jesus Christ in a tutu. So, was it Micahs? Do you have any other evidence?
Actually, we do. One of the shifters we rescued told us that a man named Micah, whod been kept in a nearby cage, had been moved just a few days before we busted into the place. We have reason to believe
Hang on. Are you telling me whoever took my brother put him in a fucking cage , then treated him like a goddamned animal for whatever twisted reason?
Nick sighed, looking weary. Yeah, thats what Im saying. The man also fits your brothers description.
What are those assholes doing to my little brother? she asked, her voice low and dangerous.
To his credit, Nick didnt mince words. Weve learned that a company by the name of NewLife Technology, headed by Orson Chappell, has a secret project. Their goal is to take shifter DNA and genetic strands, combine them with humans, and morph them into a new, invincible breed of soldiers.
In laymans terms?
Theyre trying to create super-shifters with Psy abilities, and they hope to mass-produce them like an automobile factory would produce cars. If they succeed, humanity as we know it is history. He scowled. Chappell is murdering people in the process, too. You can bet his reasons have nothing to do with bettering this country or saving lives, but involve his own power and greed.
Rowan gaped at him, trying to assimilate this new information. The seconds ticked by as the man watched her. And how is that different from what youre doing here? Because from where I sit, Ive been lied to and cheated out of the only family I have left. How do I know you havent turned the story completely around, that youre not the bad guys?
Thats a fair question. But let me ask you thiswhy would we have greeted you as shifters instead of humans when we couldve kept that part of us a secret? We could have met you with a show of force, turned you away, and you never wouldve found out about us or whats going on with Micah.
But you didnt make me leave, and you all showed me one of your secrets.
Exactly.
And they hadnt harmed her in any way. Theyd shown her their collective underbelly, so to speak, and hadnt
attacked. All at once it hit her. You wanted to gain my trust. To show me youre the good guys.
He smiled. Well, I dont know about good . But as my men are fond of saying, were not the guys you have to worry about.
Okay, that seemed logical. But none of it was very comforting.
Suddenly she was so damned tired. Her mind couldnt handle any more. This is all so messed up, she muttered, shoving a strand of hair out of her face.
Dark humor colored his reply. No argument there.
So what does your Alpha Pack team do?
Were enforcers of a sort. We take care of paranormal problems that pop up all over the world.
She couldnt help ita laugh escaped that was absent of humor and a lot on edge. Pop up? Like the measles? What are we talking here, ghosties and ghoulies?
Yes. And much worse.
The man said that with a straight face, too. Okay, Ill bite. Like what?
Vampires, rogue shifters of all kinds, witches, demons. You name it. If some being in the paranormal community is wreaking havoc, we get called out to either capture it or eliminate it. Some of them we bring here to undergo rehabilitation. Youll meet the rest of our residents soon enough. He shrugged, as though dealing with these creatures was an everyday occurrence.
And I suppose you can prove everything youre telling me?
I can, though I can sense youre already starting to believe me whether you want to or not.
I still want solid proof. She noted he didnt seem concerned by this, which meant one of two things: he knew she wouldnt be here long enough for it to be an issue, or he really could produce the evidence she wanted. Either way was troubling. What about you? You said that youve only known these guys for a few months, so how did you become a wolf? Were you attacked, too?
No. I was born a shifter.
Another surprise, which she couldnt keep off her face. Thats neat. Was your family
My family is not up for discussion, he said coolly.
Whoa, the drop in temperature couldve given her frostbite. Message received. Hey, my bad. You cant blame me for being curious after hearing all of this. No hard feelings?
The man relaxed some, and nodded. Not at all.
She hesitated. Assuming I can ever, in a zillion years, swallow that you guys battle mythical creatures, why enlighten me? Why not just tell me Micah is dead and send me on my way?
I could have, he acknowledged. But youd already learned of our compound and I saw right away youre not the type of person to be put off once youre on the hunt. Were similar that way, you and I.
True enough.
Besides, your journey led you here for another reason besides finding your brother. One every bit as important.
What Oh. More psychic stuff, huh?
PreCog, and yes.
Whatever. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Barely. But she couldnt help but be curious about his mysterious claim. What other reason would there be?