Page 69 of Mitchell's Untamed Mate

Hyder slammed the burner cellphone he was using against the wall.Pieces of the device flew in different directions.Apparently, if he wanted to get a job done, he needed to do it himself.

He breathed deeply, trying to control his anger and frustration.The tracking device Lorne Timberwolf had planted in his brother’s backpack was either defective or had been discovered.From the way the signal remained motionless, he suspected the latter.

His attempts to contact Lucien had gone unanswered.That meant either Lucien was dead, captured, or had shifted.Continuing to breathe deeply, he walked over to the window of his townhouse and stared out.It was time to call in more favors.This one would cost him big time.

He pulled his cellphone from his back pocket and dialed the number.Sweat beaded on his brow and moistened his hand.His glance flicked to the digital thermostat hanging on the living room wall.It wasn’t the temperature causing it.He breathed through the first ring, wondering if maybe this was a mistake.

“Good evening.How can I direct your call?”the Operator greeted.

“I have a mission request,” he said.

“Token number, please,” the Operator requested.

Hyder gritted his teeth.“5833 Alpha Bravo Tango 62.”

There was a pause before the Operator responded.“Please hold.Token number confirmed.How can we assist you?”

“I need a team—six-to-eight men, equipment, by tomorrow morning,” he stated.

“I’m sorry, sir.You do not have enough credits for such an operation.Would you like to request a different one?”

“No.I need a Goddess-damn team,” he snapped.

“Additional tokens are required,” the Operator responded.

“Give me a supervisor,” he demanded.

“Please hold,” the Operator responded.

Hyder paced back and forth as irritating elevator music played in his ear.He was on his third turn when a deep voice came online.

“Supervisor,” the male voice greeted.

Hyder stopped and looked out the window.“I need a team, six-to-eight men, and a helicopter extract to a foreign country,” he gritted out.

“You don’t have enough tokens for such a mission, sir.One asset can be assigned.No equipment or evac,” the Supervisor responded.

“Ineedmore than one fucking asset!I need a half-dozen or more, plus the equipment and the evac!”he snapped.

“That would require a minimum of a dozen tokens, sir,” the Supervisor replied.

“How much?How much money to buy the tokens I need,” he demanded.

“I’m sorry, sir.Tokens must be earned, not purchased.If you have no other requests?—"

“Wait!Tell the General that Hyder is calling in his debt.He’ll understand,” he said.

The Supervisor infinitesimally paused before responding, “Please hold.”

Hyder waited, staring out the window.The overcast sky matched his mood.A light drizzle began and the distant rumbling of thunder echoed beyond the double-paned glass.A second later, the Supervisor came back on the phone.

“The General will speak with you, Mr.Hyder.I’ll transfer you now,” the Supervisor said.

“Hyder,” the General greeted.

“General.I need a favor,” he said.

“We’re not in the business of doing favors,” the General replied.

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