Page 43 of Mitchell's Untamed Mate

Lorne shrugged.“My charger died and I didn’t realize it.What’s up?”

Van walked over to the small refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water.He held it up as an offer.Lorne shook his head.Van shrugged, popped the top, and took a deep gulp before wiping his hand across his mouth.Lorne waited with growing frustration as his brother took his time answering his question.

“Tracy called.We have a major security job and are going to need everyone we can get,” Van said, sliding into one of the padded armchairs near the window.

“You couldn’t have called?”he asked before he remembered that Van had.

Van lifted an eyebrow.“I tried, remember.It doesn’t matter.The decision was made that we only notify the team in person.”

Lorne scowled at his brother.If he was trying to be as equivocal as possible, he was doing a fantastic job.He leaned his hip against the desk, folded his arms, and waited.

“Now that I have your undivided attention, I need you to pack your stuff and be prepared for a long-term security post,” Van stated.

“Doing what?”

Van shot him a grin.“Guarding humans at a new compound being constructed.”

Lorne stiffened.“Humans?As in more than Ella?”

Van nodded.“Yeah.From what we know at the moment, there are around thirty of them.They’ve been living for centuries in the forests.With development closing in, they are slowly losing their privacy.The compound is a temporary one to help them transition.They’ll be moved to a larger, more secure location when it is finished.”

Lorne frowned.“So, the plan is to round the humans up and put them in cages?That doesn’t sound like much fun.”

“Not cages.A large, secured village where they can thrive without fear of some asshole shifter trying to use them as an exotic pet.They’re dying out.If we don’t do something to help them, they will be the last ones,” Van said, his voice dropping on the last part.

Lorne looked out the window.Heavy gray skies and a light drizzle mirrored his mood.Guilt weighed on his shoulders, but he couldn’t show it.If there was one thing he was good at, it was hiding his emotions.

“When and where do I need to be?”he asked, looking back at his brother.

Van was studying his face.“By Friday.We still need to finalize a few things.”He straightened when Van rose from the chair.“I’ve got to make a few more contacts.Make sure you keep your phone on.Peterson and I will be out of touch for a few days.I told Ty to contact you if anything came up.”

Lorne frowned.“What about Tracy?”

Van gave him a crooked smile.“Tracy’s doing what Tracy does best.”

Lorne’s frown deepened.“What’s that?”

“Hunting humans.We’ll hopefully be back by Friday.If not, Ty will let you know where you need to report.”

Lorne followed his brother to the door.He watched as his brother exited the office and headed down the empty corridor to the stairs at the far end.He slowly shut the heavy wooden door, looking at the frosted glass it contained as he did so, the simple signage of Bearclaw, Redfoot, and Timberwolf.

Slipping his hand into his pocket, he pulled out his phone.Brushing his finger across the screen, he opened the photos folder and selected an untitled album.Pain, regret, and a sliver of hope washed through him as he brushed the image of the smiling face with his thumb.He closed his eyes.

“Soon,” he murmured.

Chapter11

Tracy moaned as Ty deepened their kiss.The afternoon had been pure torture.She had wanted to kiss him every time they looked at each other.Every time they brushed against each other.Hell, every time she caught a wisp of his scent.His natural pheromones were an aphrodisiac that were playing havoc with herself and her bear.

She rubbed her body against him when he tangled his hands in her hair, deepening their kiss.Their tongues fought for supremacy.Her hands roamed his body, pulling his shirt from the waistband of his trousers.

“I need you naked,” she groaned.

Her hands slid over his defined abdominal muscles, loving how they tightened under her searching hands.She ground her womanhood against his leg when he slid it between her thighs.Her body was on fire and she wanted him with a passion she had never felt toward any of her former lovers.They had been an itch that needed scratching.The passion and need she felt for Mitchell was more along the lines of a dying woman needing a life-saving drink.

“Mitchell,” she moaned.

“Soon.”

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