Page 31 of Mitchell's Untamed Mate

Mitchell remained silent, torn between wanting to trust the woman and harboring doubts about the veracity of her claims.It wasn’t until she stepped forward, pounded on the door twice, and stepped to the side when it opened that hope began to build inside him.He followed her out of the cell, glancing at the two guards who stood at attention on either side.

“Ah, Alvin.Now, where is my niece?”Michaela requested.

Tracy scanned the long hallway as she followed Agent Southpaw.They turned several times before they came to an elevator.Tracy stepped inside, standing beside the silent agent with growing concern.She watched the numbers turn from negative to positive.

The facility went underground at least five floors if she had to guess from the numbers displayed.So far, she had no idea where Mitchell was being held.Her bear hadn’t smelled him on the floor where she had been kept.

The elevator pinged when they reached the fifth floor and the doors opened with a low swish.She stepped out into a marble foyer vastly different from the ultra-modern floor she had left just minutes before.This part of the building looked as if it had been built two centuries before.

A receptionist looked up from the computer screen she was studying, nodded, and resumed her task.Tracy looked back over her shoulder as they walked past.There were doors lining the hallway.Each was wooden with a frosted glass window.There were no identifying markings on any of them.

She refocused on the woman in front of her.Her socks were slick on the polished marble and she had to be careful that she didn’t slip.They passed several doors before Southpaw opened one on the left.The room was elegant with dark carpet and wood paneling.In the center of the foyer was a beautiful wood desk.A man was sitting at the desk.He rose from his seat and opened one of the double doors to the right of him.

“Thank you, Blitz,” Agent Southpaw said.

“My pleasure, Agent Southpaw,” Blitz responded.

Agent Southpaw stopped inside the door and turned when Tracy stepped past her.The room was surprisingly large and very elegant.It reminded her a lot of her father’s old office at the Observatory.

Except this one is neater.

Her father’s office had always been cluttered.Still, the rich wood furnishings, old paintings, and bookshelves filled with rich tomes spoke of someone who had a diverse taste in literature and art.She turned when Agent Southpaw cleared her throat.

“Someone will be with you in a minute,” Agent Southpaw said.

“Who will be here?”

Agent Southpaw gave her the same irritating sphinx smile that she had used back on the fire road and she closed the door.

Nothing like a lack of transparency!

Tracy walked around the room, reading the spines of several books on the shelf before she walked over to the large, curved windows and stared out.The front driveway wound around a center fountain of the war hero General Londis Southpaw in his lion form.

“So, that’s who she’s related to,” Tracy murmured, connecting the dots on why the agent’s name sounded familiar.

The click of the door opening behind her caused her to swivel.A tall, elegant man entered the room, closing the door behind him.He studied her for a few seconds before he smiled.

“Ms.Bearclaw.I apologize for the misunderstanding.My name is Talon… Talon Nightsky.Would you care for some refreshments?”

Tracy folded her arms and stared back at the man.“No, thanks.What I would like is to know where Mitchell is.”

“Ah, yes, your human companion,” Talon said, walking across the room to stand in front of her.“He will be here shortly.I hoped we might have a moment to talk before he arrives.”

“Why?Who are you?”she demanded.

Talon smiled at her and crossed to a table where an elegant tea service was set out.He lifted the pot and raised an eyebrow in inquiry.She glared back at him and shook her head.

“I work in a field not unlike your own.”He poured a cup of tea and turned to face her.“You have dual degrees in both Human Anthropology and Archeology, I believe.”

She watched as he sipped his tea and tried to figure out what he was talking about.None of this was making sense to her tired brain.All she wanted was to find Mitchell, make sure he was alright, and get the hell out of wherever in the hell this place was.

“Obviously you know more about me than I know about you.Can we cut through the bullshit and get to the point?Who are you and where is Mitchell?And not in that order!”she snapped in an irritated voice that said she was fast losing her patience.

Talon must have recognized her fragile control on her bear.He peered at her over the rim of his cup with a wary eye before he lowered the cup and placed it back on the tray.She frowned when he pulled his sleeve aside far enough to glance at the expensive watch on his wrist.

“I work for an organization that is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of humans.I would like to know if there are more—and if so, where they are located,” he stated.

Tracy gave him an incredulous look.“You and probably every other shifter on the planet.What makes you think I should believe you?It’s not like I have any reason to,” she retorted, waving her hand at her clothing.

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