West prowled around the perimeter of the campground as the humans slept. He went deeper into the forest to ensure that there were no imminent dangers. His cat, excited to be out again, took long strides as he put a lot of ground between him and the camp.

Charlee’s face flashed before his eyes as he thought back to the gentle way he had to send her to her own tent tonight. Her soft smile and the twinkle in her eyes dimmed only slightly when he informed her that he would need her to sleep in her tent. He could tell that she was slightly confused. He promised her that he would explain later. He hated the feeling that filled his chest when she turned and walked away. His animal wasn’t too happy either that she wasn’t with them. She belonged in the tent with him.

Or better yet, his bed at home.

He didn’t want to let on to the humans that there was danger on the horizon. Not yet. Not until he had to. It would cause a panic between the scientists if they thought their lives were in danger. They may pull back and leave, and he couldn’t afford to have the mission aborted.

Finding and tagging the tigers was important. Almost as important as the ecologists discovering what was causing the tigers to migrate from the sanctuary. The dead human’s body was proof enough that something was going on, and West and his men would get to the bottom of it. It was rare that West’s gut led him astray. It was the main reason why they traveled around the world.

He knew back home that something was off about the sanctuary. Introducing the new microchips was the red herring. Yes, they wanted to go public with them and begin using them, but that could have been done at any time. Hearing that the Russian government was bringing in the top specialists to study the terrain and the animals in the sanctuary was the perfect opportunity for him and his men to get onto the grounds.

When the sanctuary was first open, SPAT was heavily involved, and still to this day were heavy financial contributors to the national park. But lately, there were too many discrepancies in reports that were sent to the SPAT offices. Reports of the poached tigers were inaccurate. It was as if the local government was trying to hide something.

The first day, when the Russian officials tried to insinuate that his presence was not needed, was another red flag. He instantly knew that the only men he could count on to take care of the poachers were his.

His tiger, distracted by an animal scurrying away, wanted to give chase, but West had to rein it in.

No chasing animals tonight, he informed his tiger.

He continued on his mission, creating a wide perimeter around the camp. A smell that was out of the ordinary to the thick rainforest caught his attention. Usually, tigers didn’t use their noses for hunting, but this smell was so out of place that he couldn’t help but stop and try to find where it was coming from. He crept around, moving the brush with his massive paw in search for the offensive smell.

Bingo.

A crushed cigarette butt. A few of them were gathered in one area, as if one person stood in place while they smoked and observed something

Or someone.

West looked around the dark forest floor and found a footprint on the dirt ground. Even in the dark, with his keen shifter eyes, he was able to follow the trail. Anger mounted in his chest as he realized where it led.

Back to the camp.

His paws picked up speed as he stalked through the rainforest, barely making any sounds. Tigers were known for their stealth, and it was no different for a shifter. He paused about twenty feet away from the forest edge, not wanting to take the chance that one of the scientists or assistants were out of their tents. It would cause a panic if it was known that a tiger had almost entered the camp.

He glanced down and found another cigarette butt on the ground. He looked up, and with his shifter eyes, he could see directly though the brush, and directly at Charlee’s tent.

Someone was watching her.

His tiger hissed at the thought.

A noise coming from behind him caught his attention, as if someone was running. West took off in the direction of the noise. His cat took long strides as it raced through the dark. His tiger, in its natural habitat, was able to maneuver through the dense rainforest.

He leapt over a fallen tree, landing silently. He paused, no longer able to hear the person. He crept silently, searching for a sign of the mystery person. He was sure it was human and not an animal. He caught sight of a print in the mud.

Human tracks.

He took off faster, tracking the person, but another sound alerted him that another animal was in the area.

Chuffing.

He paused mid-stride and paused.

There it was again. Another tiger was in the area, and this one was familiar.

Drago’s large tiger appeared before him and slowed, making his way out of the dense brush. The air around him shimmered as he slowly morphed into his human form. West followed suit, needing to speak with the security specialist.

“Someone was here,” West began as he stood to his full height. Both of them were completely naked. Due to the shift, their clothes would be shredded, so when the shift was planned, a shifter would dispense of their clothes first. Nudity was second nature to them.

“I know. We were tracking him and found that they had been to the camp,” Drago said, folding his arms across his chest. “I think they saw your tiger and got spooked, then ran off.”

“He was coming this way,” West snapped. He looked around, frustrated. “You’re telling me that you didn’t see anyone run in this direction? Whoever it was, was headed this way.”

“This way? No, no one has been this way. We were making our way closer to the camp, following his tracks.”

“I was following his tracks away from that area.” West pointed in the direction he had just come from. How did humans just disappear into the middle of a rainforest?

“Well, whoever it was, they’re far more familiar with the area then we are,” Drago noted, his eyes perusing around the trees that surrounded them. “There are a million places for someone who knows the area to hide. We would never find them.”

“Well, we need to. Whoever it was, was posted too close to Charlee’s tent. Cigarettes lined the area, meaning they had been there a while. I want them found,” West snapped, the alpha in him coming to the forefront. Drago’s eyes dropped to the ground in submission.

“Yes, sir.” Drago nodded.

“This is getting too close. We cannot afford for the humans to get spooked, pack up, and abandon the project.”

“I sent Gerald to one of the secluded villages on the outskirts of the park near Kazakhstan,” Drago informed him.

“What did he find?” West growled, trying to keep his tiger at bay. It prowled beneath his skin, ready to be free again.

“The villagers admitted that strange men had been there a few days before. Men with strange accents, asking questions about the tigers. When he asked the villagers if they seemed like common poachers, they laughed at him,” Drago said.

“What would be so funny about that? They’re the locals, they would know who poachers were,” West said, confused.

“Exactly.” Drago nodded. “They told Gerald that the men were certainly not poachers, but were bad men.”

West growled. He was sure that they were the men from the train.

“Find them,” he snapped. Turning his back, he walked into the brush, shifted, and took off, back toward the camp.

“What’s going on?” Charlee murmured as she and Malena exited their tent. It was the wee hours of the morning, time for them to begin their hike for the day. Dr. Skobo’s angry voice carried through the air.

“I don’t know. Something must be wrong,” Malena said, concern lining her voice as they walked toward the men where they gathered near one of the Land Rovers. That was where they walked up on a one-sided shouting match with Dr. Skobo and West.

“What’s going on?” Charlee asked, looking around as she came to stand beside Dr. Skobo. His mouth snapped shut, and his face was beet red as he turned to Charlee. Her eyes turned to the very silent West. His solemn look was downright scary. His eyes burned with anger, and if it spilled over, she would be afraid for Dr. Skobo’s life.

The look he shot Dr. Skobo was one of an angry predator. She noticed it again, that slight look that reminded her of a tiger. She shook her head and blinked as Dr. Skobo burst out with an explanation.

“Someone slashed the tire to the truck!” Dr. Skobo shouted.

“What?” Charlee gasped as she moved to the vehicle. Her eyes took in the mangled tire, and noticed how the truck leaned to the side. Whoever did it had to have had a large knife to be able to cut through such a large tire. “But why are you yelling at West?”

“It’s because of him that we don’t have the Russian guards that Mr. Yakovich assigned. He’s put us in direct danger,” Dr. Skobo shouted again, pointing his finger in West’s face. Murmurs floated in the air at the accusation.

“Get your finger out of my face or you’ll lose the whole fucking hand,” West snapped.

“I’m sure there’s a good enough reason,” Charlee proclaimed.

“Go ahead, ask him,” Dr. Skobo scoffed, waving his hands in the air.

She turned to West. Deep in her heart, she was sure if he did refuse the Russian’s security, it had to be for a good reason. She would like to think that she was a good judge of character. In the short time she had come to know West, she knew him to be honorable. Her eyes searched his and found the truth in them. There was a reason he didn’t want the Russian security with them.

“West, why did you turn down the security team?” she asked softly. Everyone in the group turned their eyes to him, waiting for his answer.

“I don’t trust the Russian government right now,” he stated, shooting a look at Dr. Skobo.

“That is absurd!” Dr. Skobo scoffed. “What kind of vague answer is that?”

“I have my reasons,” West announced to the group, looking everyone in the eye. Charlee believed him, and knew that in good time, he would tell them. “It’s for reasons you wouldn’t understand.”

“Of course. And we’re all supposed to just believe you?” Dr. Skobo snapped.

“I believe you,” Charlee told West.

“Of course you do. You’re sleeping with him!” Dr. Skobo shouted. Charlee blanched at the scientist’s words. She could feel the heat reach her cheeks as embarrassment flooded her.

A growl came from West as he jumped at the Russian scientist, but Luka grabbed him, holding him in place. The murderous look that crossed his face left little doubt of what would have happened if he got his hands on him.

West spat something in Russian at the scientist as he fought to get free from Luka’s strong hold.

She was a grown woman. Her and West were two consenting adults, and they could do whatever they wanted. It was none of anyone’s business what went on between them after hours when they weren’t working on research. Charlee held her head high and turned to the scientist. Her open hand slap across his face stung her hand, but it was well worth it.

Dr. Skobo turned to her, and without a word, brushed past her and left the group. Charlee stood in place, unable to believe that she’d dared hit another scientist. Her body literally trembled from the shock of what just occurred.

“Let’s get ready for the day.” Malena’s voice appeared next to Charlee as she encouraged everyone to gather what they would need for the trip. Murmurs filled the air as the others walked away.

“Are you okay?” West asked, standing in front of her. His fingers gently tipped her chin up, bringing her eyes to his. Just the slightest touch from him calmed her nerves. Concern burned in his eyes as he looked down at her. She nodded quickly, relaxing slightly as he brushed her hair from her eyes. “Don’t worry about that ass. Let me handle him.”

“Okay,” she whispered. His eyes searched hers as he grabbed her hand and placed a gentle kiss in the middle of her palm. “What did you say to him in Russian?”

“Don’t worry about it. Do you trust me?” he asked. She didn’t even hesitate in her answer.

“Yes.”