Everyone in the room spoke at once. The females and children huddled together, whispering amongst themselves. Quietly reassuring each other.

There were many who argued and there were also those who were in all-out panic mode. Screaming and ranting, as if that would solve anything. Then there were those, like himself, who stood in shocked silence. Gage let his eyes move across the room, coming to rest on the latest victim. Calum’s face was a riot of blues, purples and greens. One of his eyes was swollen shut. His lip was scabbed over where it had burst open from the impact. All in all, he had gotten away lightly. Gage had taken a full day to recover. Whereas Calum, barely an hour after he was knocked unconscious, was already able to function. “What are we going to do about this?” the agitated male snarled. “What the fuck just happened?” There were blood spatters down his chest and dirt stains on the front of his jeans.

Ash paced back and forth, muscles bulging, still halfway to a shift. Gage could see that his brother was barely holding it together.

“Silence,” Ward commanded ‒ and not for the first time. “Silence,” he repeated, louder this time. Then he snarled; the vicious call echoed around the room, it demanded instant obedience and submission. Ward was an Alpha, he had that inherent ability, just like others of his stature.

Almost everyone did as they were commanded. Though there were one or two Alphas who continued to talk quietly amongst themselves, able to ignore the tone of a fellow leader. Ash continued to pace.

"Is everyone present?" Ward asked, then looked around the dining hall. It was the largest room in the village. Most of the tables and chairs had been carried out to make space for everyone. Females with young children sat on the chairs along the walls.

There were murmurs of agreement.

“We need to do something and fast,” Ash rasped, his voice guttural. His vocal cords had thickened, more like those of a bear than a human.

“Agreed.” Ward nodded, he looked from Calum to Ash and back again.

“I want my Annie back. As you know, she is with child.” Calum’s eyes turned pleading. His voice was thick with emotion. “What do they want with a mated female?” He shook his head.

“What do they want with innocent children and cubs?” Ash growled out each word, his eyes dark.

“We don’t know, and we’re not going to waste time guessing. Are you sure you didn’t see anything?” Ward addressed Calum. He then looked around the room, thick with bodies huddled close. “That none of you saw anything?”

Calum shook his head. “The bastard was too quick. I was out before I even hit the ground.” He looked defeated.

“I didn’t see a thing,” one of the mated human females stated. “I found him lying there and screamed. I just knew something awful had happened.”

“I heard the scream,” another female said. She shrugged. “Although I’m right across the road from where it happened, I didn’t see anything and neither did Jake.” She clutched her son tighter to her side. The boy was eight, if Gage could remember correctly. The female grimaced. “It’s frightening to think that this could’ve happened to any one of us. It might still—”

“No!” Ward shook his head. “There will be safety in numbers. “We have to band together. Put guards on watch.”

“What about Alice and my cubs?” Shit! It looked like Ash’s jaw was slightly elongated. His eyes were blazing, his hands clenched tight at his sides. Every muscle was roped and ready.

“We’ll have to send out scouting parties to try to find those who are missing.” It was the panther Alpha, Brock.

“Agreed,” Ward chimed in. “We can’t just do nothing.”

“Damned straight,” Calum growled. “I need my female back. We have to find her.” Worry lines were etched into his forehead and around his mouth.

“I’m heading up one of the parties.” Ash looked like he was ready to fight anyone who tried to say differently.

“Absolutely,” Ward said, “but you will need a couple of strong males and one of the Seconds at your side.” Ash wouldn’t be thinking too clearly right now, he needed all the help he could get.

Winston stepped forward just as Gage did the same. The male’s head was bowed and he was frowning heavily. “I wish I could be with you on this one.” Winston shook his head slowly from side to side.

“You stay with Ana and your pup. They need you right now,” Ash said.

“I’d be honored to join your team as second in command.” Gage loved his nephews and had a good relationship with Alice, Ash’s mate. The thought of anything happening to any one of them left him cold. The thought of something happening to little Ethan … his heart beat faster.

* * *

Edith knew that she should be afraid. It was hard to feel any kind of nervousness surrounded by so many huge guys. Even with all of their emotions running high.

“I’d be honored to join your team as second in command,” one of the two giant shifter-men said. They looked very similar. So much so that Edith was convinced they were twins. Brothers at the very least. The one who was pacing was scary looking. Ana had filled her in on how his family had been abducted along with another woman. She felt for the two men. Could see that they were in a really bad way. Could see it in their eyes, their faces. Anger, sadness, frustration ‒ it was all there, easy to read.

“I’m sorry.” The other big, dark-haired guy with the vivid green eyes put up one of his hands. According to Ana, he was the wolf Alpha. She couldn’t remember his name. “I can’t allow you to join Ash’s scout team.” He turned to another guy. This one had long, gleaming hair that most women would die to have. “Brock,” he addressed the panther Alpha ‒ another titbit from Ana ‒ who inclined his head. “Can your Second go with Ash?” Ward asked.

“Wait a minute,” the less scary of the two who looked like brothers interrupted. “Why can’t I go? My brother needs me.” So, they were related. Edith had guessed correctly. They really were almost identical looking, so it was no wonder.

"I need you to assist on another task." The wolf Alpha turned slightly, locking eyes with her. Edith felt her back press up against the chair. She was tempted to look behind her but knew there would be no one there since she was up against the wall. Surely he didn't mean to focus on her? "I'm afraid we need to cut your trip short, human."

Shit! So, he was addressing her. She had a mini-panic session when everyone focused on her. Pay attention, Edith! What had he just said? Oh, that she had to go back to Sweetwater. Without waiting for her response ‒ it was obviously more of a statement than a question ‒ he continued. “It’s not safe for you here. I don’t believe whoever did this knows you are here or they may have taken you. Females are clearly high on their list though.”

“I understand,” she said simply. What else could she say? She was a guest here. This was their turf. Edith hated the idea of cutting her trip short, but it made sense.

Ana reached over and squeezed her hand before letting it go. Edith glanced at her friend. Ana gave her a baleful look. Edith mouthed ‘sorry.’ Ana shrugged and then gave a small nod, as if to say that she understood as well. It didn’t make it any easier. They’d both been looking forward to this visit for so long.

The wolf Alpha turned back to the calmer of the two brothers. Edith got a really good look at the guy; he was huge, one of the biggest shifters in the room and he did not look impressed. Heavy frown lines creased his forehead. The faded t-shirt he was wearing pulled tight across his chest. In any other situation, she might have checked him out. “What could possibly be more important than rescuing my nephews and my brother’s mate?”

“I need you to command the team that takes the human back to Sweetwater. You’re strong and, despite being a bear, you’re fast. This mission requires a cool head. The team must move quickly and quietly. I want you gone within half an hour.”

“No!” The guy shook his head, looking incredulous. “No way!” he added, his voice rough and deep. Then he pulled in a deep breath. It looked like he was trying to calm himself down. “You can’t blame me after what happened. I lost a female five days ago.” So, he was the one who was attacked when that woman was abducted. “I’m not the right person for this detail.”

Great! That instilled serious confidence. Edith licked her lips, trying to stay calm.

“That’s another reason I think you’re perfectly suited to this mission. You’ve seen one of these beasts. You know what it’s capable of. I know you won’t underestimate the situation.”

“Ward is right.” It was the brother. “Get the female safely home and then guard our females and children until I return.”

The guy looked at his brother for a long while before finally nodding. “I don’t like it,” he mumbled under his breath. It certainly didn’t inspire much confidence in her. Should she be worried at this point? It seemed like it. Butterflies jostled about in her belly and her mouth felt dry.

“Thank you.” The wolf Alpha touched him on the side of his arm, giving him a tight smile. “Take six males along with you.”

“Only six?” His dark eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open for a second or two.

“Yes.” The Alpha nodded. “Any more and you’ll draw attention to yourselves. You need to move quickly and quietly.”

The guy’s jaw clenched tight for a moment and then he nodded once, shoving his hands into his pockets.

“Choose your six males and head out now,” the wolf Alpha barked out. “Human,” he looked at her “pack quickly. You have ten minutes to get your things together. Once this situation has been taken care of, you are welcome to return.”

"Wait for a second," Ana piped up. "Edith had an idea of what might be doing this."

All the eyes in the room moved back to her. Edith tried not to squirm in her seat. She swallowed hard. “It’s just a theory. A … a guess, that’s all.”

“You seemed like you had a good idea earlier when we were discussing it,” Ana said.

“It’s simply a theory based on the feline paw print and the feathered wings,” she spoke quickly. “It’s nothing. Forget about it.”

Ward folded his arms. “No, I’d like to hear this theory if you make it really quick. Until now, no one has had even the slightest clue what this creature could be.”

“Okay.” Edith swallowed thickly, trying to remain calm under so much scrutiny. “My younger brother has always had a love for mythological creatures.”

"Mythological creatures?" The guy assigned to lead the team that would take her back home, snorted. He even rolled his eyes. "We don't have time for this."

“Let’s hear the human out,” Ward addressed the guy before turning back to her. “Make it quick, human,” Ward instructed.

"Edith," she cleared her throat. "My name is Edith. Like I was saying, my brother, he was into creatures like Bigfoot and the Kraken. One of his favorites was the griffin. It has the body of a lion and the head of an eagle."

“Do you know anything about this creature?” Ward asked.

Edith pushed out a breath, trying to remember. "Um … it was one of Tommy's favorites because the griffin is considered to be king of all the creatures. They're supposed to be powerful and majestic creatures." She scrunched her eyes up in thought. "I think they have some kind of magic power, but I might be wrong."

The big shifter she’d come to think of as ‘the asshole’ snorted out a laugh. “Magic, really?” He looked at her like she’d just developed a neon ‘I’m crazy’ sign on her forehead.

Ward ignored him. “Anything else?” He kept his eyes firmly on her.

She decided to ignore him as well and turned her eyes up in thought, coming up blank. She shook her head. “Nope, that’s all I can remember.”

The asshole rolled his eyes and blew out a breath through his nose. “Winged lion birds with magic powers. If it turns out to be true, I’ll roast my dick on an open fire.”

There were one or two snickers, but they quickly died down.

“Thank you for the information … hu— Edith. Safe travels!” Ward turned back to the gathering. They didn’t believe her. She couldn’t blame them. The whole thing was seriously far-fetched. Ward went on. “We will now discuss the scouting parties as well as sleeping arrangements and security details going forward.”

“Safety in numbers is going to be important,” the panther Alpha said.

A big hulk of a man stepped in front of her, blocking her view of the room. Make that, blocking out everything. It was him. The asshole. He leaned down. “We need to go. Now.” Such a deep, masculine voice. Built like a brick shithouse as well, but without having that overblown look. She was momentarily stunned. His eyes had these golden flecks around the irises. His hair wasn’t black, just very dark brown. His jaw was as manly as it got. Strong like the rest of him and covered in light stubble. It was his biceps that had her mesmerized though. Thick and hard. “I said now,” he added, his voice a soft, deep vibration. He leaned in and picked her up off of the chair. As in right up … her feet dangled off the floor and he hadn’t even broken a sweat. There was nary a grimace on his face either. “Put me down,” she whispered.

“Quiet,” he whispered back.

The meeting was in full swing. If she made a ruckus, they would interrupt.

To make matters worse, the asshole smelled really good. Like obscenely good. He began to walk, taking big strides. She waved to Ana and mouthed ‘bye’ since the two remaining Alphas seemed to be having a heated debate on whether to stick together or to break up into three groups.

“You can put me down now,” she said as the door to the dining hall swung closed behind them.

He flat out ignored her and continued walking.

“I can walk, you know.”

He continued to ignore her, tightening his hold on her.

“Hey!” she added, with far less conviction. Edith sighed as she clutched his shoulders. His very broad, well-muscled shoulders. She’d forgotten how buff shifters were. It had been months since she and Jacob had spent that night together. Jacob had been really cute and really big, but nothing compared to this. This was next level. It was such a pity that most shifters seemed to be fixated on one thing and one thing only. This one just happened to be a big fat jerk as well.