Page 10 of Midlife Wolf Captured My Heart

“Great,” he muttered to himself. “I came home in time for this kind of stress. Luckily for me, I seldom shift.”

However, there was just a niggle of fear in the back of his mind, and he wondered whether it would be a good idea to cuthis visit short. Thoughts of Sadie made the idea of leaving town sting more than it should have.

5

Sadie

Sadie went to the Iron Claw Bear Shifter Clan meeting. She thought about skipping it and asking Dakota if he wanted to hang out, but she didn’t want to seem too forward. They had just seen each other the night before. Plus, he might have gone to the wolf shifter pack meeting. Talia told her earlier that Zac had called for one.

Now that she thought about it, Sadie realized that this wasn’t on schedule with their monthly clan meetings, either. Something must be going on in the area. Dread filled her heart because meetings like this never bode well.

Matthias Gentry, the alpha of the bear clan was a very tall man, at least six foot five. He was broad-shouldered and was very muscular. Everyone adored Matthias because he was the epitome of a teddy bear – most of the time. However, when it came to protecting his people, he was not one to be reckoned with. He would destroy any enemy.

The meeting started like usual, with Matthias announcing the couples who went through the mating ceremony and new cubs born into the clan.

Once they were congratulated, his face got serious. The shifters knew that look and quieted down immediately. “I’m afraid I have some serious information to share with you all. There are hunters who have been roaming around New Mexico and are heading toward Angel’s Creek. According to what I understand, they killed a lot of shifters in Wyoming and Colorado before they made their way here. They are extremely dangerous, and they don’t seem to care if they kill a few mundane humans in their determination to ‘purge the world of the abomination,’ as they see it.”

Sadie’s heart jumped and she could see the worry and fear on everyone’s faces. Hunters hated shifters simply because they were different. Of course, perceived differences caused most of the hatred in the world.

Matthias continued. “There is some evidence that the hunters are using technology to track shifters. According to reports we’ve received from other shifter clans, they are putting cameras in trees and are using drones. Make sure that when you do shift, you not only pay attention to your surroundings but that you also look up in trees and notice what is above you.”

One woman raised their hand. “Have they actually been spotted in our area?”

“Not yet,” Matthias assured her. “We’re working with the wolf shifter pack and the dragon shifter clan to set up patrols. However, their swath of destruction indicates that they are close. Don’t shift alone and please be alert.”

No one had any other questions, so Matthias ended the meeting.

Sadie was about to go home when Talia texted her.I know this is late notice, but do you want to have dinner with us?

I’d love to.

Sebastian, Talia, and Sadie talked about the hunters and the idea that some people hate for the sake of hating.

“I have all of my guys that I can spare right now patrolling the area. Right now, it’s your brother, Anthony, and Julian. The rest are on different assignments,” Sebastian said.

Sebastian owned a security agency that did everything from cyber security, providing bodyguards, to doing other types of government work, such as extracting Americans and others from hostile territories.

Sadie sighed. “I sure hope that you find them and send them to wherever they need to go. I don’t suppose there is a human version of Charred Cove Island that they can be sent to?”

Charred Cove Island was an uncharted island north of Alaska that made Siberia seem like a paradise. Shifters who have committed unthinkable acts were sent to the island for punishment, usually for life. They were forced to do eight hours of hard labor each day. Food was flown in regularly. The only way on or off the island was by helicopter. The ice surrounding the island made it impossible for boats to get near the place. It was a hundred miles of ice and icy water away from any land mass.

“If I was a terrible man, I would suggest that we send the hunters to the island. The hunters and shifters would either kill each other or they would quickly learn to get along.”

Talia shook her head. “I don’t think that hunters would stand a chance. They would be slaughtered as soon as they were dropped off.”

Sebastian sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “There are those who would say that was a good thing. This particular group has killed almost a hundred people in the last year and a half, and the sources that Zac had says that some of those people weren’t shifters. They were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“Those who live by the sword shall die by the sword,” Sadie quoted. “There’s no way they will be able to hide in the shadowsforever. Whether they are caught here or somewhere else, they will be caught. People like that won’t surrender, either. They’ll fight to the death.”

“Truth. Preach it, Sister.” Talia nodded at Sadie. “Let’s just hope that they’re caught before they get here. Meanwhile, we’ll just play it safe and stick together when we shift.”

Sebastian left right after dinner to attend a meeting at the Griffin clubhouse. The Griffins were a motorcycle club. Sebastian and his brother, Rory, were co-leaders of the club.

Talia picked up the baby and fed her while she and Sadie talked about Dakota.

“We’ve hung out at my place twice. He kissed me and it was powerful enough to knock my socks off. I’m pretty sure that if he would have stayed, we would have had sex. I’ve never felt anything like the sensations he creates in me.”

“I’m worried about you. It’s not the age difference. I’m not concerned about that, but there is the fact that you have different dreams. If you fall in love with him, I’m terrified that he’s going to break your heart.”

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