Page 40 of Their Shared Mate
“That’s not possible,” Drake dismissed with an impatient wave of his hand. “We only trigger heat with genetically compatible mates. Everyone knows that.”
A knowing smile curved Alex’s lips. Patience was not either cousin’s strongest characteristic. That was fine. Alex needed their loyalty. “That was true until Babcock developed a way to make any human female genetically compatible with lupine hybrids.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Caden wanted to know.
“Elias told Babcock that his life would be spared if he developed the treatment. Babcock agreed, but he also had a project of his own. The vile demon was determined to create a female shapeshifter.”
“Why?” Drake snarled. “We don’t need females who can turn into wolves. We need females who can have babies.”
“Babcock understood that,” Alex assured them. “He secretly completed the conversion treatment while he continued to work on the shapeshifting.”
Caden uncrossed his arms and scooted to the edge of his seat. “Are you saying that we can choose any female we want and turn her into a breeder?”
“Almost,” Alex admitted. “I have step-by-step instructions for how the treatment is administered. Unfortunately, the program requires a fundamental understanding of human genetics to execute.”
“Does the list you got from your cat spy have anyone like that on it?” Drake arched his brow in challenge, but interest gleamed in his blue eyes.
Alex nodded. Hoping to impress the new village alpha, one of Elias’ feline contacts had given Alex a copy of a detailed list. The list contained a brief description of the job each female did for Nuevo Biotech. There was even a small headshot next to each name. Alex had no idea how the cats got their claws on something so valuable, but he was thrilled they weren’t the only ones to have it. “I saw every captive at my stronghold, so I know who the birds took. I cross-referenced that with the cat’s magic list and came up with three females who have the skills we need and are currently residing in Eagle Village. All we have to do is wait until the rival packs rescue one of the three.”
Drake shook his head. “I’m not leaving this to chance. Aspen pack has the best hunters, and you know it. Tell me who we need, and I’ll go get them.”
“The list is in my office.” They walked into the smaller room and Alex unlocked the drawer in his desk that contained his valuables. He pulled out the list and unfolded it on the desktop. “It’s these three.” He pointed to each female as he read their names. “Luna Roisin, Evelyn Miani, and Claire Walker.” He looked at his cousin and smiled. “Happy hunting.”
CHAPTER 6
Claire was preparing for bed the following night when she mustered the courage to confront Raphael about his promise to the females. She’d meant to introduce the subject during dinner, but the meal had been so pleasant, so relaxed that the words refused to come. But Heather was in serious trouble, and Claire was the only one in a position to help her.
Victor had stepped into the bathroom to take a shower, so the timing would never be better. She undressed quickly and pulled on the oversized tee she used for a nightshirt. Raphael tugged off his boots and unbuttoned his shirt before Claire finally pushed the words past her lips. “One of the females would very much like to return to the feline village.”
“Who?” Raphael looked up from his task, his expression curious. “I asked everyone multiple times, and they indicated that they were willing to stay.”
“That’s the problem,” she argued. “You posed the question to the entire group. This person was embarrassed and chose not tospeak up. She has always been introverted, but she’s extremely shy now. She doesn’t want to single herself out in any way.”
His eyes narrowed as he pushed to his feet. “Who are you talking about? I’ve spoken with all the females at one time or another and none of them seemed that shy.”
Shit. Claire scrambled for a better excuse. Heather was terrified that the truth would come out, so she’d begged Claire not to identify her by name. “I’d rather not say.” Before he could argue, she digressed. “Will you take her back or not?”
“Of course I’ll take her back. As I said the night you arrived, no one is a prisoner. Now tell me who she is and why this is an issue now?”
“I told you. She is just too shy to?—”
“This is your only warning.” His tone deepened and snapped with authority. “Do not lie to me again.”
She lowered her gaze and frantically searched for a way out of this trap. She could not, would not, give up Heather. But she wasn’t sure she could pacify Raphael without explaining at least part of the truth. “Something happened to change her mind. That’s all you need to know.” She spoke respectfully, yet firmly, praying that he’d accept the evasion and move on.
“Was someone in this village cruel to her? If she was abused in any way I will?—”
“She just wants to return.” Claire’s temper flared. Why did Raphael have to turn everything into a battle of wills? Yes, he was co-leader of the village, but Heather had a right to privacy. “Why are you being so difficult? You promised to take her back. We’re just asking you to keep your promise.”
“Tell me who upset her,” he shot back. “If one of my males is misbehaving, I need to know about it.”
She threw up her hands and shook her head. “It was nothing like that. She just likes the feline village better. Is that so hard to believe?”
He studied her for a long, tense moment. She thought he was going to give in, then his gaze narrowed, and his chin lifted. She knew that look. He was about to refuse. Panic caused her to blurt, “She has been dream sharing with a group of cats. They convinced her to return so they can court her properly.”
“Goddamn it, Claire.” Anger ignited in his eyes and his long fingers closed around her upper arm. “What happens when you lie to me?”
“Stop badgering me about things that don’t matter and I won’t be forced to lie to you.” She’d been on her best behavior for nearly two weeks. She was tired of giving in, tired of bowing to their authority. The specifics of Heather’s situation were none of his goddamn business.
