• CHAPTER 13 •

She was dressed in her customary slim black silk skirt, a sleeveless white silk blouse buttoned and tucked into the waistband, a thin black belt cinching her waist. The blouse was buttoned to just above the vee of her breasts, the tailored fit not snug, but complimenting her breasts, while the sleeveless cut displayed the silken flesh of her arms.

She wore stockings nearly the color of her skin, and the black four-inch heels that added to her height and, sometimes, her confidence. The long, rioting curls that normally tumbled around her were now pulled back from her face and woven into a loose braid, compliments of Dog.

As she walked across the hardwood floor of her apartment’s living area and went over her arguments displayed on the tablet, she felt energized. She felt strong. She could feel that energy surging through her and welcomed it, knowing that when she stepped into that meeting, she’d be a force to be reckoned with.

Breed Law statutes danced within her head, all the various pieces fitting together and displaying each loophole to allow her to present a scathing, censorious statement against the actions taken by the assistant director of the Bureau of Breed Affairs.

As she worked, her focus was sharper than it had ever been before, her awareness of Dog somehow heightened. He’d worked with her through the night, going over the individual articles of the law and finding several areas she’d missed. She’d known he was highly intelligent, calculating and logical, but as they argued back and forth, tested each other against each argument, she realized he was also amazingly intuitive and possessed an understanding of law she hadn’t expected.

He waited patiently now, leaning against the framed doorway leading into the bedroom. She’d had to threaten him with all manner of bodily harm to get him into the black silk slacks and gray shirt Dane had arrived with earlier. He’d glared at her, growled at her, swore he was going to spank her when he got her back to the apartment. He was wearing them, though, along with a pair of black leather boots that were possibly new as well.

His dark blond hair was combed back from his face, a little neater than his normally shaggy appearance, though she did like that rough bad-boy look, she had to admit. It wasn’t just a look; he was indeed a bad boy, and he was hers.

She almost paused at that thought before she let it sink inside her, let herself accept it. Whatever the future held, whatever came from the meeting with the Cabinet, she knew he was hers, just as she belonged to him. She’d belonged to him since she’d stepped out on that balcony of Seth Lawrence’s guest suite and felt Dog’s crosshairs land on her.

And he belonged to her as well.

“Halfling, that look on your face is making me hard.” The sexy rumble in his voice had her lifting her gaze from the tablet and fighting a grin.

“You’re always hard. Wouldn’t be a mating otherwise.” She almost laughed at the mock glare he shot her.

Sometime that morning, she’d realized that many of the contradictory and confusing emotions that had been roiling inside her had merely been a process of acceptance. The Mating Heat ensured that mates had to work through those beginning conflicts, the changes and different views they held, to find that place where something deeper, something more enduring, was just waiting for them to find it.

They were finding it, she thought. She was certain of it.

“Keep it up and I’ll do something about it again,” he promised her, glancing at the digital display on the clock hanging on the wall. “And then we’ll be late.”

Again. He’d done something about it twice through the night. Once, bent over the back of the couch while he powered inside her, his voice hoarse as he whispered her name. Then, when they showered, his powerful arms holding her to him as her knees gripped his hips and she rode him with delirious pleasure.

For a second she considered letting him, before regretfully rejecting the idea.

“We need to leave.” Turning from him, she strode to the dining table and the leather case bulging with files and exhibits in Breed Law statutes that backed her arguments.

“I’ll get that.” He reached around her and gripped the handle of the case, lifting it effortlessly from the table.

“Dog.” She stopped him, laying her hand on his arm as he looked down at her, his gaze somber. “On that island, when I was eighteen,” she said softly. “That night in the atrium.” She paused, feeling something rush through her heart and causing it to race. “I knew you’d be there, waiting for me. Just as I knew over the years after that I belonged to you. I was frightened …”

He laid a finger against her lips, his expression softening, his lips quirking with a grin that was in no way mocking.

“You fight so many parts of yourself, Cassie,” he said softly. “I’ve always known that, just as I knew you’d need time before dealing with a mating. Stop fighting everything so hard, baby. Don’t you know, I’ll always be here, watching over you. I won’t let you get lost.”

Tears pricked at her eyes before she quickly blinked them back.

“I won’t let you get lost either, Dog.” Did he know that? Did he really know he wasn’t alone anymore?

“I haven’t been lost since a halfling met my crosshairs and threw out her little dare.” His head lowered, his lips brushing against hers in the lightest caress. “Now, let’s go whip Brannigan’s ass.”

Stepping back from her, he held his hand out to her, and it was natural, it was just right, when his fingers clasped hers and he led her to the door.

No matter what came of the Cabinet hearing, no matter the decisions of others, she wouldn’t stop fighting for what she was finding with him. Now, if she could just do something about that prickle against her skin, that inner knowledge that the danger wasn’t necessarily the Cabinet meeting, or Brannigan.

Whoever the unidentified Major was was the true threat. And that threat was growing closer.

WESTERN BUREAU OF BREED AFFAIRS
BREED CABINET INQUIRY

The Breed Cabinet was made up twelve Breed members, including Prime and Prima Lyons, Lupine and Lupina Gunnar, and Coy and Coya Delgado, as well as Jonas Wyatt and Dash Sinclair, the newest Wolf pack alpha, Lobo Reever, a Bengal Breed representing the Navajo Nation, Graeme Parker, and Rule Breaker, the director of the Western Bureau of Breed Affairs.

Unlike the twenty-four-member Breed Ruling Cabinet, there was no one in the Breed Tribunal not affiliated with the Breed community, either a Breed or a Breed mate. There was no senatorial presence, though there were several senators in residence at the offices to oversee federal mandates as the new Bureau office established itself.

The drive from her apartment to the Bureau was a short one, though the accompanying feline force Dane had loaned them had required extra time. As she stepped from the secured Dragoon into the underground parking garage, twelve cold-eyed, heavily armed Lion Breeds had surrounded them, along with Dane, and escorted them into the lower level of the offices.

During the brief drive, a message from Dr. Sobolova had been returned stating the mating capability tests with Rhyzan had come back negative, but the assistant director was still refusing to drop his petition. He demanded that the inquiry proceed.

Cassie made a mental note to make certain she scheduled time with the Breed Ruling Cabinet in the coming months to ensure this particular statute was changed. She felt as though she were being held hostage in a way, her future with her mate no longer under her and Dog’s control.

Ahead, the wide double doors to the meeting room swung open and the Lion Breeds escorting them parted at the entrance to allow Dog, Cassie, then Dane to step inside.

The Cabinet members were waiting on the raised benches at the head of the room. Below, on each side of the room, two podiums waited next to accompanying tables.

Behind that and stretching five rows deep to the double doors were bench seats, though those behind Rhyzan were deserted. To the right, Drs. Armani and Sobolova were in the front row; behind them was Cassie’s mother, and along with her were the Leo, Leo Vanderale, and his wife, Elizabeth, as well as the Coyote females Ashley and Emma Truing.

Cassie moved to the right of the room and stepped to the podium, Dog next to her behind a chair at the table, Dane to his left.

Rhyzan rose from the table where he waited and moved to his podium as well. His face was bruised, one eye black, his cheek swollen and his nose just slightly off-center as Dane had said.

The deputy director was an impressive figure despite his injuries; she’d always admitted that. Six and a half feet tall, long straight black hair and Celtic green eyes. The eyes were rather an unusual color for a Coyote, though. Like all Breeds, he was strong, genetically designed for rugged good looks and a powerful physique. Though she was beginning to think his genetics, unlike others’, also leaned toward insanity.

With everyone present, Jonas rose from his seat, placed at the center of the bench, and stared back at them.

“Are all parties present?” he asked.

“Present for the petition,” Rhyzan answered him.

“Present for the objection.” Cassie spoke clearly, a relaxed calm descending over her even as her senses became sharper, stronger.

Her head turned slowly toward Rhyzan as she inhaled slowly, her eyes narrowing on the Coyote as he stared back coolly.

His lips tilted into an icy, mocking smile as he turned back to Jonas. “Before we proceed, Director, I’d like to formally rescind my Petition for Reconsideration in light of the new mating tests that have come through. Though, as all parties are present, I request that the Coyote known as Dog be taken in for questioning regarding the disappearance of a Breed child present during the landing of the Council transport that held Ms. Sinclair’s sister, Kenzi. According to her, there was a child between three to and five years of age when she was placed in the transport but that child had disappeared by time she regained consciousness.”

Cassie froze.

No.

He couldn’t do this.

“Dog?” Jonas asked as every member of the Cabinet stared back at him.

“There was no child present,” Dog answered, and Cassie could feel his confusion

Her jaw clenched at Rhyzan’s demand as she glared up at Jonas, their gazes meeting for a long moment.

“According to Kenzi, the child was there. She’s been questioned by three other interrogators and deemed to be telling the truth. In that at least.” The amusement in Rhyzan’s tone was unmistakable. “All parties present that night who are still living have been interrogated except Ms. Sinclair’s mate.”

He was ruining everything.

Damn him.

The son of a bitch was destroying her, and she hadn’t even known it was coming.

She inhaled slowly, her gaze still locked with Jonas’s.

“I suggest we adjourn … ,” Jonas began.

“And I respectfully disagree,” Rhyzan spoke up, causing Jonas to swing toward him as his lip lifted in a snarl. “Director Wyatt, you have consistently upheld Ms. Sinclair’s actions within the Bureau, even when they’ve been questionable more than once.”

“At what time have my actions or any decision I’ve made in my capacity with the Bureau been deemed questionable?” she asked, keeping her tone pleasant, nonconfrontational.

Rhyzan turned to her slowly, that icy gaze piercing. “We can discuss that during a review of your position. We’re here to discuss your mate.”

“Wrong.” Turning back to the Cabinet, she faced them, her gaze sweeping over the members. “This Cabinet was convened to discuss Deputy Director Brannigan’s Petition for Reconsideration. As that matter has been resolved, hopefully to everyone’s satisfaction, then Deputy Director Brannigan can file the proper paperwork to question my mate. Those requests can be sent directly to me, as I am his legal counsel. I will then file my requests and we can begin this farce he seems so determined to play out.”

“Are you in agreement?” Jonas sounded as though the words were grinding from between his teeth as he turned to Brannigan.

“A waste of time,” the Coyote objected, of course. “He’s here now, as are the interrogators. An additional request will be made to question Ms. Sinclair, as she was apparently aware of her sister Kenzi’s location before the transport landed in the desert that night. I’d like to know how.”

Cassie turned, met Brannigan’s gaze and smiled sweetly.

“That one’s easy enough. I’ll answer it now.” She shrugged. “A ghost told me. Any other questions?”

Dislike. It suddenly shimmered in the air around him. Disgust. Why, the deputy director was a shade prejudiced against her. And evidently, he didn’t care much for her flippancy either.

“A ghost told you?” he sneered. “Aren’t you tired of playing that card, Ms. Sinclair? I believe your mate, in his capacity within the Council, informed you of the abduction and transportation of your sister and the other child that night. Just as I believe you’ve conspired with him in the past, especially concerning the minor child who was on that transport.”

“Director Wyatt, your assistant’s about to get an attitude adjustment.” It was Graeme who spoke up, the lazy feline drawl rumbling with menace. “He isn’t even attempting to hide the scent of his distaste or unfounded prejudice. Does that give all Breeds leave to foul the halls with their petty dislikes?”

It was the ultimate form of disrespect among Breeds and considered unacceptable where Breeds gathered together. Even Council Breeds kept that under control whenever they met other Breeds in public.

There was something more in Graeme’s voice, though, something Cassie couldn’t put her finger on, but she could sense it.

“Deputy Director Brannigan, it’s also my understanding”—Graeme leaned forward, lazily playing with the pen he held as he stared down at the Coyote—“that two of the Wolf Breeds at your command were dismissed by Director Wyatt for the same infraction. Is this true?”

“My feelings, or total lack thereof, for Ms. Sinclair, are not the issue. Her disregard for Breed Law, as well as her mate’s, is, though. And must be addressed,” he argued with steely calm.

And he was good, damned good; she had to give him credit. Unfortunately, he really didn’t have a leg to stand on with the Cabinet. They knew her; most there had practically raised her.

“It’s almost my position that the Ruling Cabinet should be convened for this, considering the strong ties Ms. Sinclair has with each of you, and your overwhelming bias toward her,” he finished.

Yeah, he was really good.

“I must admit, I’ve barely met Ms. Sinclair.” Alpha Reever shot her a polite smile before turning back to Brannigan. “And I believe Alpha Parker and Ms. Sinclair have no more than been introduced. Yet I believe we’d agree that your request is outlandish, just as it was my opinion that your petition was. I agreed to hear the case out of disbelief that Wyatt allowed it.”

“And as her alpha, I and my Prima have loudly protested it,” Callan stated as an aside before turning to Coy Delgado.

Coy Del Rey Delgado let a mocking smile twist his lips. “I’m not much of a fan of Ms. Sinclair’s, as it was her argument that separated me from my mate, at my mate’s request, for nearly a year. But even I found the petition, and now this request to ignore protocol, outlandish. If the deputy director wants to interrogate Ms. Sinclair’s mate, then he can file the proper requests. As for interrogating Ms. Sinclair?” He shook his head slowly. “I’d vote against it. Her ability to know things she shouldn’t know, as I understand it, is one she’s had since she was a child. And I rather doubt she conspired with her mate at age nine.”

Each of the Cabinet members was given a chance to weigh in, and each agreed, as she’d known they would. As they spoke, she opened her senses, those instincts she’d always fought before, and allowed the ebb and flow of emotion in the room to drift through her.

Rhyzan was furious. But how could he have expected anything different?

“You know,” Dog finally spoke up, a mocking, condescending drawl that had her gaze jerking around to him. “This is damned interesting.” He took his seat then sat back in his chair rather lazily. “All this protocol and opinion stating.” He turned Rhyzan. “Why don’t you and I settle this like Breeds rather than wasting everyone’s time like this. The last one still standing decides.”

Dane lowered his head, shaking it slowly as he so obviously tried to control a grin.

“Works for me.” Rhyzan’s agreement was rather a surprise. “Now?”

“Not unless both of you want to be locked up.” Jonas came to his feet once again, the demand in his voice unmistakable. “The laws drafted for this society were done so for a reason. Now, by God, you can adhere to them.” He turned to Rhyzan, flashing him a savage look. “This Cabinet is adjourned, the petition that brought us here rescinded. Should you have other matters to bring before it, file the proper fucking paperwork.”

Slamming his chair back, Jonas stalked from the bench, wrenched open the door leading back to a private room and slammed it closed furiously.

Cassie turned, watching as Rhyzan gathered his files calmly, for all appearances not in the least concerned. But she could feel his fury, barely contained, boiling beneath the surface.

“He’s going to be a problem,” Dog stated, not bothering to lower his voice. “One I’ll delight in taking care of.” As he spoke, he slid a note her way.

Jonas is having Kenzi moved as we speak—Dane.

Thank God. Nodding, she turned around, her gaze finding her mother.

Elizabeth was watching her in concern, her dark blue eyes shadowed and worried. Whatever Rhyzan was up to, he’d picked a hell of a time to hit them with it. And now she had an additional worry. Someone else knew Lizette was alive.

Breathing out heavily, she turned back to Dog, her gaze glancing over the other Cabinet members as they stood talking, when it was snared by the Bengal’s. She stared back at him, seeing a warning shifting in his gaze before he turned away from her and spoke to his mate.

She didn’t know Graeme, but she knew Cat. Not well, but enough to know the other woman was more than a little concerned.

“I’m of the opinion that your life is far more interesting than I ever believed, halfling,” Dog stated, drawing a cigar from his shirt.

“You can’t smoke in here,” she told him absently, looking around, watching, sensing some undefined message as it drifted about the room. A warning she couldn’t decipher, a dark emotion so well hidden she couldn’t locate it.

“Really?” A match flared, and the scent of tobacco lighting drew her attention back to him.

He was more than simply furious. Drawing on the cigar, he slid his gaze toward Rhyzan again before coming back to her. She could only shrug at his unspoken question. Hell, she had no clue what the other Breed’s gripe against her was.

From the corner of her eye she watched as Rhyzan gathered his briefcase and moved in their direction, finally stopping next to the table. Laying her hand on Dog’s shoulder, she stared back silently.

“I’ve filed a request that you and your mate not leave the area,” he stated, doing a good job of holding back a sneer. “The Cabinet will have the proper filings before the hour is out.”

Dog’s shoulders bunched, tension gathering in him as a growl rumbled in his chest.

Leo chose that moment to step to the table, his gaze locking on Rhyzan, the pure power of the demand in that look impossible for the Breed to miss.

Rhyzan inclined his head to the first Leo then and strode for the doors leading from the meeting room.

“He’s a problem, that one,” Leo stated as the doors closed behind the Coyote. “And he’s not finished with this.”

Dog snorted at the statement. “He better get finished, because there was no kid there that night.” He rose to his feet slowly, his arm sliding around Cassie and pulling her to him. “But he keeps on in this direction, he’s going to find himself in a mess of trouble he sure as hell doesn’t want and I’m going to make certain of it.”