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JARCEE TROTTED DOWN the long dark hall. His nails clicked on the concrete floor as he searched for her. Every now and then his beast would stop, inhale and change directions. Their mate was close.

Somewhere in this realm, she waited for them. The need to ensure her safety drove him faster. Compelled by her absence he searched for her in his dreams.

In the distance, he sensed her presence and ran forward. “Faye.” His heart leaped for joy as her scent invaded his being, drawing him closer. She lay still on a bed with white sheets, head elevated, eyes closed.

Asleep.

He sat back and stared at her for several seconds before morphing to his human form.

“Faye,” he said softly needing to touch her, his fingertips grazed her cheek.

Her eyelids fluttered open, her lovely gaze met his. “Jarcee?” she looked around. “What? Where are we?”

“Dreaming,” he said and then smiled at her shocked expression.

“We’re dreaming?” she looked around. “Why is it so dark? So blah?”

“What do you want it to be? It’s your dream,” he said.

“A sunny day at the beach, or in a park, anything is better than this.”

The next second they sat next to each other on a beach, with drinks in their hands.

“I like how you think,” he told her as he took her hand in his. “What happened? You didn’t come home.”

She frowned and pursed her lips. “You’re right.” She told him about the meeting with Agent High and her instructions to get tested.

“I’m sorry. They must have kept me overnight.” She stroked a finger down his cheek. “I’m dreaming of spending time with you on the beach, we have to make this a reality soon.”

He kissed the back of her hand and placed it on his chest. “Anytime, anywhere.”

She smiled. “They asked a lot of personal questions.”

“Who?”

“The doctors. A lot about Knight but some of you, the size of your penis and performance in bed.”

Jarcee’s beast bristled but he kept him leashed.

“They didn’t believe me. I think they ran tests.” She didn’t look at him.

If she knew they were mates, and shared that information, the testing would be more severe. They wouldn’t stop or release her until they learned as much as they could about mated pairs. They might kill her, or he would kill someone, putting the pack in danger as well as his mate.

He placed his hand on her belly. “Are you alright? Did they hurt you?” He had an idea of how they verified her ability to handle someone of his size. It took everything within him to remain calm for her. But he’d deal with them one day.

“I slept through it.” She moved slightly and winced. “I’ll be fine. Hopefully, be home tonight. I miss you so much.”

“I miss you, too.”

“I’ve had dreams before, this seems so real,” she said holding his hand tight.

“My love for you is real. I’ll always be here for you, will always find you,” he promised. “Come home to me.”

“I’ll be home soon,” she said fading.

The scenery changed. Jarcee sat on top of a green mound overlooking a wide valley. In the distance, pups ran around playing. He sensed the old Alpha and stood.

The two looked at each other for a few seconds. Dressed in a long dark robe, with long white hair that passed his shoulders, the Alpha wore a serene expression as he waved. “Sit back down, rest.”

Jarcee sat and watched as the older man sat across from him. For several moments neither spoke.

“Your mate?”

“Yes,” Jarcee answered without thinking.

“You’re asleep.”

“My Alpha believes it’s best.”

“And you?” The old man’s green eyes peered at him. “What do you believe?”

“I would start a war to get her back,” Jarcee said simply.

“Then perhaps it’s best.”

Jarcee nodded.

“You were wise to keep the information of being mates from her. They would never release her if they knew or suspected how important she is to Silas. She would become a bargaining chip for power that could change the fabric of this battle.”

Jarcee frowned. “How? I don’t understand how they could use my mate that way.”

“Your Alpha and his Mistress love you as their own. Haven’t they pledged to do whatever’s necessary to help you and your mate reunite?”

Jarcee nodded, recalling his Alpha’s confident words. Words that brought Jarcee from the brink of despair and disaster.

“Those words were spoken from their hearts. Indeed, Jasmine heart is broken knowing you’re suffering.”

Jarcee swallowed hard and hung his head. He would never cause Mistress a second of discomfort but had no idea how to prevent her pain in this instance.

“If their enemies understood the depth of their commitment to you, your happiness, of which she is the key, they would use her. Do you understand what I’m saying to you? It’s important to control your beast and not tip their hand?”

Jarcee gave the matter serious thought. How far would Alpha and Mistress go to keep their word? Alpha never instructed him not to tell Faye after they discovered she was a spy. Could Faye be used that way?

He hadn’t given his mate’s position much thought, but it was an important piece. As long as she was in the military, she could be used or compromised. Frustration rolled through him as the old Alpha’s words found fertile ground.

La Patron would fulfill his promise to Jarcee no matter the cost, that was absolute. The challenge was to minimize the damage to the pack.

“You’re right. I thought only of my need to be with my mate, not of the possible outcomes.” If he had followed Faye to the hospital today, the world might have discovered their Nation. He shuddered at the consequences of breaking their sacred rule.

“That’s as it should be. Nothing and no one comes between mates. Your situation is different, your mate works for the enemy of the pack. It’s a temporary setback but has to be handled differently. That’s why I allowed you access in this realm.”

Jarcee nodded. “Thank you. The visit calmed my beast. I don’t know how long they will keep her and would appreciate passage to spend time with her in this realm.”

The old Alpha nodded. “Granted as long as you do not tip the scales. We are at an important juncture. Be careful. Her associates are watching. They cannot know she means everything to you.”

“How would they know that?”

“By your behavior. Things you say and do. You need to appear carefree as if her absence means nothing.” He paused. “For the love of your mate pretend you don’t love her.”

“What do you mean?” Jarcee frowned.

“Humans think along those lines. If you’re seen with a mated female, they will think you’re interested in someone else. The risk is they’ll tell your mate, who may believe them. Choose a mated female who will ease your mate’s mind later.” He shrugged. “Or not. It’s up to you. I’m merely offering suggestions.”

“I’ll discuss it with La Patron.”

“Good,” the old Alpha said rising in a fluid motion. “Have heart, Jarcee, you’re highly favored with your Alpha and his den. Things will work out in the end.”

Jarcee nodded with a heavy heart. It didn’t sound as if Faye would be returning today.

“Your mate’s love for you will cause her some problems short term. When she returns to you, the mating can be completed.”

“I would prefer she return right now,” he said missing her.

“Soon,” the old man said and disappeared.