Page 8 of Eden and her Mercenary
"Officially? Pharmaceutical testing. Unofficially..." Ryker paused. "There are rumors about military applications. Behavior modification, enhanced sensory capabilities."
Eden's face paled. "They're experimenting ondogs?"
"Among other things," Ryker confirmed. "Listen, I already booked a flight. Once I land, I’ll rent a car and will be there by morning. Don't do anything stupid until I arrive."
"No promises," I replied, ending the call.
Eden stared at Stella, who had curled up at her feet. "They experimented on her," she whispered as tears formed in her eyes. "That's why she responds to commands like she does. Why she attacked that man to protect me."
I crouched down to Stella's level, noticing for the first time a small, nearly invisible scar behind her ear. "May I?" I asked Eden.
She nodded, and I gently examined the area. The scar was surgical—precise and deliberate.
"What did they put in you, girl?" I murmured as I rubbed her silky ear.
Eden's eyes widened. "You think they implanted something?"
"I don't know. But if they did, that might explain how they've been tracking you."
She ran her fingers carefully over Stella's head. "We need to get her to a vet. Someone who can scan for a chip or whatever else might be in there."
"I know someone," I said. "A retired veterinarianwho works off the books now. But it's nearly midnight—it'll have to wait until morning."
Eden nodded reluctantly. "The other dogs need to get to their new homes. Two are expected right in the village of Pearl Lake tomorrow."
"That’s exactly where the Vet is, Mackenzie Wells. He owns the store there.”
"Let me guess," Eden said with a hint of a smile. "Another one of your 'connections'?"
"You could say that." I returned her smile, feeling an unexpected warmth at the brief lightening of her mood. "Mack patched me up more than once when going to a hospital would've raised too many questions."
A sudden crash from behind the shed sent us both into high alert. Stella leapt to her feet, a low growl vibrating in her chest. I motioned for Eden to stay put and moved silently to the edge of the shed wall, keeping to the shadows as I peered into the darkness.
A raccoon scurried away from an overturned trash can, its masked face looking back guiltily before disappearing into the underbrush.
"Just wildlife," I said, shoulders relaxing. "But we should get the dogs inside for the night anyway."
Eden nodded, exhaustion evident in the slump of her shoulders. "They can sleep in their crates in the van. They're used to it."
"Nonsense. There's plenty of room in here." I gestured around towards the cabin. "Let's bring them in. Safety in numbers."
I climbed the porch steps, opened the door and let out a whistle as I held the door. “Come on in, ladies and gents,” I said, as they all filed inside one by one.
“Are you sure you don’t have any training with dogs?” she asked, flashing a smile at me.
My stomach did a flip flop at the transformation on her face with that smile.
“Scouts honor. It must just be my commanding personality.”
She chuckled as she passed over the threshold and into the kitchen.
The border collie mix immediately claimed a spot near the woodstove, while the lab puppies explored every corner with boundless enthusiasm. The senior beagle huffed dramatically before settling on a throw rug, and the bonded shepherds curled together on a blanket I spread out for them.
Stella, however, remained vigilant, her eyes tracking between the windows and doors.
"She knows they're still out there," Eden murmured, collapsing onto the couch. Dark circles shadowed her eyes, and her hands trembled slightly as she pushed her hair back from her face.
"When's the last time you slept?" I asked, grabbinganother blanket from the chest.
