Page 32 of Mitchell's Untamed Mate

Talon grimaced and pursed his lips.“Yes, well, things could definitely have been handled better.I’m afraid I must take my leave, but if you should ever need assistance, please let me know.”

Tracy lifted her hand to accept the business card Talon held out to her without thinking.She looked at the black and gold embossed card, turning it with a frown.All that adorned it was a single phone number, written in bold, gold digits.No name, website, address—just a phone number in elegant lettering.

She was startled to see he was already opening the door to the office.Despite his size, he moved with a surprisingly light and graceful step.She frowned even more when she realized that she had neglected to ask him about his shifter type.The absence of any distinctive markings made it difficult to determine what he was.

“How do I know if I can trust you?”she called out when he stepped through the door.

He turned and gave her a slight, crooked smile.“You don’t, nor should you trust anyone,” he said before closing the door behind him.

Tracy stood rooted to the spot, alternating between staring at the door and the card in her hand.Trying to gauge what her bear was feeling, she gently placed a hand on her stomach.The shifter had an indecipherable aura, leaving her puzzled.

With her eyes closed, she focused on a detail that popped into her mind.When Talon had sipped his tea, his sleeve had pulled back to reveal the inside of his wrist.There had been a mark on it—an intricate design of some type.The urge to capture the image was so strong that her fingers twitched involuntarily.

Opening her eyes, she walked over to the desk and sat down.The desk stood empty, its surface clean and bare.She opened the top drawer.There were some paperclips, a letter opener, pen, and ruler.She grabbed the pen and laid it on the desk.Closing the drawer, she opened a side drawer.There was a standard yellow-lined notepad that you could purchase at any office supply store.

She retrieved the notepad, feeling the smooth texture of the paper beneath her fingertips, and placed it next to the pen.Closing her eyes again, she pulled up the mental image of the marking.It wasn’t a natural marking, but an intricate tattoo.With her eyes closed, she lifted the pen and tried to capture it.

“Circle, with a triangle… no a pyramid.Wings, there were wings and something below it, some type of animal.”

Frustration gripped her when the image in her mind faded.She opened her eyes and stared at what she had drawn.There had been something inside the pyramid, but she hadn’t caught a good view of it.

The door opening caused her to surge back to her feet.She ripped the paper free and shoved it into the pocket of her jogging pants.Her eyes widened with surprise and relief when she saw her Aunt Michaela enter the room with her usual grand style.But it was the man who entered after her aunt that held her attention.With a cry of relief, Tracy rounded the desk, flew across the room, and into Mitchell’s opened arms.

She buried her face against his throat, holding onto him like she would never let him go.Her heart hammered in her chest as emotion swept through her.His strong arms and steady hold reassured her that he was really there.She tilted her head back, stared at him for a split second, then pulled his head down and kissed him.

“Well, I know that I’m no longer your favorite,” Michaela teased.“Is that tea?Mm, yes, well, I think I’ll just step away and prepare me a cup while you two catch up.”

Chapter8

Talon Nightsky exited the building through the basement.The underground car park was creatively built under the gardens.From above, the building looked like an elegant country manor built in the late seventeenth century.The manor was a historic building.The garage that had been built below ground with beautiful gardens above was not.

As the director of the SBSI, his primary task was to ensure that the agency remained unnoticed and ran smoothly.This position allowed him certain benefits, which included being advised of all major developments—including the discovery of humans.

The lights of his black EV sedan flashed as he walked up to it.Opening the driver’s door, he slid into the seat.Only when he was inside, away from the prying eyes of any surveillance cameras, did he lean his head back, close his eyes, and release a deep sigh.

He opened his eyes and pulled back his sleeve.His fingers stroked over the intricate tattoo on his inner left wrist.The symbol of his heritage—his duty.Until Ty Bearclaw discovered the human named Ella in a trap, he thought the Order of the Guardians was nothing more than an antiquated society.

Since the shifter-human war, the Guardians had tirelessly combed the Earth, seeking any trace of human existence.They had been reduced to becoming collectors of human history instead.Many of the discovered artifacts went to the Observatory.Only the very rare pieces that pertained to the legend of King Or’Ang were taken to a different location in the hopes they might reveal the secret lost with past Guardians.

He stiffened when his cell phone vibrated.Looking at the display, he knew he had to take the call.Connecting, he lifted the phone to his ear.

“Is it true?”an elderly voice inquired.

“Yes.”

“Did he speak of the other humans?Did he—” The trembling voice paused.Talon briefly closed his eyes.“Did he speak of the king and his temple?”

“No… not yet,” he added in a gentle voice.

“You must get him to tell you, my boy.It is our duty.This is what we have been waiting for.”

“Grandfather—” Talon gritted his teeth and ran his hand down over his face.He didn’t want to get his grandfather’s hopes up—nor dash them.“I will find out.I promise.”

“You are the Collector, Talon.You know your duty.This is what I have been training you for your entire life, just as my father trained me and his father before him.”

“I know who I am and what my responsibilities are.I will not fail,” he answered.

“Good.Good.Keep me informed.”

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