Page 33 of Mitchell's Untamed Mate

Talon winced when his grandfather started coughing.The old shifter had little time left to live.His chest tightened at the thought of losing the last member of his family.

“I will.Make sure you take your medicine.I’ll stop by later this evening to visit,” he said.

His grandfather chuckled before ending the call on another coughing spell.He leaned over and placed his phone on the charger.Thaddeus Nightsky had taken in a very frightened and lonely boy and given him strength and knowledge in a way few boys with Talon’s history could have ever imagined.

He started the car and pulled out of the underground garage, emerging on a gravel road that curved through the woods before reaching the outer perimeter of the compound.A guard stepped out of the old rock and mortar guardhouse to inspect his badge before opening the gate.Security was tight—whether entering or leaving, especially when the President was visiting.

The thought of facing Michaela was enough to cause any shifter to grimace.The grizzly-shifter made a formidable adversary.Fortunately, they were on the same side.At least… he hoped they were.If they weren’t, then things would get nasty very quickly.

The buzz of his cellphone caused his eyes to flicker to the screen.He grimaced when he saw the number.This call was on a private disposable phone.He debated whether to accept the call or not.He answered on the fourth ring.

“Yes.”

“I thought you weren’t going to answer.”

“I wasn’t.What do you want, Ms.Wyland?”he bit out.

Silence greeted his brusque response.He could almost picture Isabella Wyland clenching her fine china tea cup and imagining how she would love to kill him—if she knew who he was.The thought gave him a small amount of satisfaction.

“I… require your assistance,” she said.

“You lost the privilege of requesting my assistance when you double-crossed me on our last agreement,” he replied.

“I’ll triple the price,” she stated.

He guided his car to the edge of the road and pulled to a stop.Whatever she wanted must be very important if she was willing to triple her price.He would turn her down, but she had piqued his interest.

“I’m listening.”

She huffed out a deep breath.“I have men in the field.I need you to supply support and transport them and any cargo they have out of the country.”

“What’s the cargo?”

“That’s not your concern.Will you accept the job?”she snapped.

“I’ve seen the type of men you employ, Ms.Wyland.Let’s say they are less than stellar.Without more information, I regretfully will have to decline your generous offer.Good day,” he replied in a dry voice.

“Humans,” she said in a low, intense voice.“There are more.My men are searching for them.Once they locate them, they will need to be extracted and transported out of the country without government interference.”

He stared out the windshield.Isabella was talking about the men who had left the truck and SUV where Tracy Bearclaw and her human male had been found.Somehow, she had discovered the location where Ty Bearclaw’s mate had been discovered—probably from the rancher that was brutally murdered.

“Have they found any?”

His fingers tightened around his cell phone as he waited for her response.Her frustrated sigh caused him to lean back against the seat.Her delay told him that there was still time.

“One was found and tranquilized, but before he could be transported, the SBSI intervened.My men got away, but the human is in the government's custody now.It doesn't matter.There are plenty more to find,” she stated.

“I see.As tempting as your offer is, I’m afraid I will still have to decline, Ms.Wyland,” he finally responded.

“Why?”

He released a dry chuckle.“You undermined my last job, Ms.Wyland.Once was enough,” he answered before disconnecting the call as she sputtered an angry reply.

He gripped the phone between his hands and snapped it in two.He would dispose of it once he returned home this evening.The time had come to sever all contact with Isabella Wyland.His priority of locating human artifacts had changed.Now… it was time to locate the humans themselves.

Opening the glove box, he retrieved another disposable phone, punched in a number he had memorized as a young shifter, and sent an alert text out.His time as the Collector had come to an end.He was now the Protector.

Mitchell closed his eyes, relishing the feel of Tracy’s arms around him.Her reaction when he entered the room had both surprised and pleased him.The clink of porcelain against porcelain reminded him that they were not alone.

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