Page 42 of Mitchell's Untamed Mate

This time, it was Mitchell’s face that flushed when all attention focused on him.He had never contemplated that a shifter and a human could procreate together.He looked at Tracy.Her face turned a touch rosy, but her eyes twinkled with mischief.

“If you need a lesson in the shifters-and-the-bees, I’ll be happy to show you,” she teased.

“Jeez, Tracy.Get a room,” Ty muttered.

She raised an eyebrow at her twin.“Why should you be the only one to get one, bro?”

“Knock it off, you two,” Lena chided.

“Sorry, mom,” Tracy muttered.

“Sorry,” Ty echoed, ruining the apology when he stuck his tongue out at Tracy.

Lena gave both of her children a disapproving glare.“I would love to say they aren’t always like this… but I would be lying.”

“No no, I understand how… the shifters-and-the-bees work.I just never thought about it,” he confessed.

“I agree with Ty on this one, Ella," Art said."I think it would be safer for you to remain here.There are still threats as news of human existence continues to spread.I think Tracy and Mitchell should be the ones to go.Tracy, you should have Van and Peterson set up a team to help you, just to be on the safe side.”

“I agree,” Lena replied, her tone indicating some qualms, “though I do have some reservations about the extent of the team's involvement.With her background in the field, Tracy brings a wealth of experience, and her gender provides her with a non-threatening presence.While I like the concept of Van and Peterson there at a distance for backup, I think it would be more suitable for Tracy to be the sole shifter point-of-contact with the humans until Mitchell talks to the others.”

Ty nodded in agreement.“I like that plan.”

“Michaela has ordered the SBSI to maintain a secure perimeter around the Park,” Art added.

“I was wondering why they were there,” Tracy huffed, sitting back and folding her arms.

“Be glad they were.An unknown assailant tranquilized Mitchell and it was only chance that the SBSI was able to take him to safety instead of his attacker taking him for who knows what reason."

Tracy's eyes widened and she held Mitchell's hand.

"The truck belonged to the wolverine shifter who set the trap that caught Ella,” Art said.

“He’s dead,” she replied.

Art nodded.“I know.Michaela told me.This is why it is important that we take care of this matter as soon as possible and why you shouldn’t be alone.”

“Mitchell, when would you like to return to your people?”Lena asked.

Mitchell studied the group of faces, each one filled with curiosity and anticipation.Once again, the weight of his responsibilities pressed down on him like a heavy burden.As he glanced in Ella’s direction, he couldn’t help but notice the changes.Her face and body had transformed since he last saw her, becoming more rounded and healthy-looking.The once fragile thinness, the result of perpetual hunger, had vanished.In its place was a youthful, energetic woman who looked happy.

“Tomorrow.We leave tomorrow.”

Lorne Timberwolf stared out of the window on the second floor of the Bearclaw, Redfoot, and Timberwolf Security Services office.The office, located in the historic part of Seattle, was a satellite branch.The creak of the old wood plank floors warned him someone was coming down the hall.

The office was sparse, since they seldom spent much time there.It consisted of three interconnecting main rooms and a bathroom.The reception area where he was standing held an old wooden oak desk, two comfy dark-brown faux leather armchairs, a small refrigerator with refreshments, and some paintings of the area a hundred years ago.

The second room to his left was a corner office with a couch, desk, and bookshelves with law books.There was a small bathroom with a sink, toilet, and shower connected to it.The last room was a conference room.The only thing in it was a long oval table and eight chairs.

The conference room had a connecting door to the rest of the offices located on the second floor.They were empty, and used primarily for storage for the restaurant and shops that took up the first floor.The third floor housed apartments.He had a corner unit, but didn’t go there much.

He turned when the door opened.He masked his feelings of discontent behind the easy façade that he reserved for the outside world.His brother entered and shot him a grin.

“I’m glad you’re here.When you didn’t answer your phone, I was afraid you had done one of your disappearing acts,” Van greeted.

“My phone was dead,” he lied.

Van shook his head.“One of these days you need to get it together, little brother.”

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