Page 47 of Marked For A Bite
Logan watched Zoe's face as he spoke, noting how her jaw clenched with determination despite the lingering traces of tears on her cheeks. His fierce mate had processed her emotional breakdown quickly, channeling grief into action with the kind of tactical mindset that made his wolf preen.
"Jesus," Kieran muttered through the phone. "That's going to be next to impossible. Granite Ridge territory is a fortress—all mountains and caves, perfect for hiding someone you never want found."
"I know," Logan replied grimly. "But I promised her we'd find him, and I don't break my promises."
Ever,his wolf added with savage certainty.Especially not to our mate.
"Understood. I'll start gathering maps and intel while you head this way. ETA?"
Logan glanced at the position of the sun through the trees, automatically calculating distance and terrain. "Forty-five minutes if we push it."
"Copy that."
The line went dead, and Logan pocketed the phone before falling into step beside Zoe. Lena walked slightly ahead of them, her eyes scanning the forest with the practiced awareness of someone who'd learned to navigate dangerous territory.
As they moved through the forest, he was already working through the complexities of breaking someone out of Granite Ridge territory. He'd conducted hundreds of extractions during his years as an enforcer, but most had involved quick in-and-out operations against human facilities.
Granite Ridge was different. They were mountain wolves, warriors born and bred in some of the most defensible terrain in the Pacific Northwest. Their isolation wasn't just cultural—it was strategic. Every approach would be monitored, and every escape route planned for and blocked.
But impossible just means it hasn't been done yet,he reminded himself.And I've made a career out of doing the impossible.
Zoe's hand found his as they navigated a particularly steep section of the trail, her fingers intertwining with his in a gesture that sent warmth shooting through their bond. The contact grounded him and reminded him that this wasn't just another mission. This was personal.
"You're thinking very loudly," she observed, glancing up at him with those hazel eyes that seemed to see straight through his tactical mask to the man underneath.
"Just running scenarios," he admitted. "Granite Ridge won't be like the underground bunker. This is going to require precision planning and probably a fair amount of luck."
Her grip on his hand tightened. "But you think it can be done?"
Logan looked down at her, taking in the fierce determination etched across her beautiful features, and the way she carried herself like a warrior despite having only discovered her true nature four days ago. His mate was extraordinary, and her father—wherever he was—had clearly passed on some exceptional genes.
"It will be done," he said with absolute certainty. "I don't care how well hidden he is or how many guards they have watching him. We're getting him out."
The utter conviction in his voice seemed to ease some of the tension in her shoulders, and she nodded once before focusing back on the trail ahead.
When they finally reached Kieran's cabin, Logan could see through the window that the dining table had been transformed into a command center. Maps covered every available surface, and both Kieran and Malcolm were bent over what looked like architectural blueprints.
"Looks like they've been busy," Lena observed, adjusting the concealed pouch where she'd secured the ancient scroll.
They climbed the porch steps, and Logan knocked once before pushing open the door. The scent of coffee and Maya's stress-baking filled the cabin, creating an oddly domestic backdrop for what was clearly a military planning session.
"Perfect timing," Kieran said without looking up from the table. "I've got topographical maps of Granite Ridge territory and about six different theories on where they might be holding a high-value prisoner."
Logan guided Zoe to the table, automatically positioning himself so he could watch both entrances while still engaging with the tactical discussion. Old habits.
"Any good intel on potential locations?" Logan asked, studying the spread of maps and documents.
Kieran pointed to several marked locations on the largest map. "The mountains would be the obvious choice—plenty of caves, natural fortifications, and easy to guard."
"That's what I thought too," Logan agreed, his eyes tracing elevation lines and access routes.
Maya suddenly looked up from where she'd been quietly studying a set of blueprints, her green eyes bright with sudden realization. "Actually, I think I might know where he is."
Every head in the room turned toward her.
"When I was held captive at the Granite Ridge medical facility three months ago, there were sections of that building that felt... different. Older. Like they'd been repurposed from something else."
Logan felt his tactical instincts sharpen. Maya had been imprisoned and experimented on by Granite Ridge's research division before Kieran had extracted her in a daring rescue mission that had nearly started a war between the packs.
