Abandoned and Unseen (Branded Packs #2)(15)

“Their lives are already in danger.” Her bear was so close to the surface he was afraid she’d break right then if she didn’t take a step back.

So he did the only thing he could to get her mind off the danger.

He kissed her.

It was a quick but brutal meeting of lips. Just to put her bear on the path of another danger, another fear that he knew she held.

She pushed at him, her claws digging into his shoulders. When she ripped her mouth from his she screamed, “What the f*ck?” She looked angry, but at least she didn’t look like she was on the edge of insanity as she had before. That was at least something.

“You better?” he asked.

She deliberately wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. He wouldn’t let that sting.

“I won’t say thank you.” She let out a breath. “I need my babies.”

“And we’re going to get them.” He held out his hand, and she stared at it for a moment before placing her smaller one in his. He squeezed once and nodded. “Let’s go.”




“You have the scent?” Holden asked, his brows lowered. “You can track it?”

Cole nodded. “Yeah, I can. And I will.”

They’d been at the den center for five minutes with the other Alphas and various shifters who thought they could help and were already forming a plan. The entire Pack couldn’t meet to discuss what was going on since the SAU was always watching. If they thought the shifters were planning a revolt out in the open, it would spell disaster for the actual revolt they kept secret.

“You’re not leaving me behind,” Anya snapped. “Those are my sons.”

Cole nodded. He hadn’t planned to leave Anya in the den at all. Though it grated on him that he’d be leading her into danger, there was no way she’d be safe back at the compound. She’d end up going feral in her worry for her sons. If he were by her side, he could hopefully keep her bear at bay while they hunted for her cubs.

“It’s a human who hid his scent,” Jonah said with a frown. “That worries me. What else are the humans hiding?”

“Maybe we’ll find out while we’re there, but my first priority is Owen and Lucas.” He raised his chin but didn’t meet his Alpha’s eyes. There was a reason the big cat was the Alpha, after all.

“I understand,” Jonah said gruffly. “But take in what information you can.” He paused, looking at the others in the room. “What else do we know about this human?” He looked at Anya. “You said he’s the boys’ father?”

Anya’s jaw clenched. “Yes, their father. He was a human scientist who led me to believe he was on our side. He lied. He left the first chance he could once other humans figured out he was a sympathizer—or at least made others believe he was. He wanted nothing to do with my pregnancy. He’s never met the boys.” She swallowed. “Until this morning.”

Andrew, the Ursine Alpha, let out a curse. “Well, f*ck it, Anya. Who is this guy and why didn’t I kill him when I had the chance?”

She met her Alpha’s gaze, and Cole wanted to reach out and hold her close. “If I could go back in time, I’d kill him myself. You know that.”

“What’s his name?” Ariel asked. She sat next to her mate Holden, her eyes glossy with tears. “What else can you tell us about him? I know you’re planning to follow his scent, but is there anything else?”

“His name is Frank Talbot. That’s all I know. I don’t even know if he’s part of the SAU anymore.”

Cora sucked in a breath. “Frank Talbot?”

Soren cursed beside her and brought her close, running his hands down her back.

“What? What is it?” Cole asked, frowning.

“Frank was the one who kidnapped us,” Cora said, her voice filled with the rage of a tiger princess.

Anya took a step back, her body shaking. Cole was there in an instant, not touching her, but close enough that he could catch her if she should fall. She looked over her shoulder at him, her face deathly pale. She didn’t fall, but her shoulders lowered once he stood near.

“No,” she whispered. “How…how is that possible?”

Andrew growled, his voice low. “It seems that Dr. Talbot has a lot of explaining to do.”

Soren tilted his head and studied Cole. “We can’t let too many of us leave at once. You and Anya will have to find this bastard on your own. Kill him for me, for daring to touch my mate. I will not be able to spill his blood, but you will.”

Cole nodded, vowing to the wolf who loved his feline mate with all of his tortured soul. Anya leaned against Cole’s chest and he put his hand on her hip, aware others were watching. He wasn’t sure she even noticed, her mind had retreated into her own panic and fear. He understood that, and once they found the boys, he’d make sure they discussed what was going on between the two of them.

“Be careful,” Cora said suddenly. “He got kicked out of the SAU from what I could tell. That means the SAU…and others are looking for him.”

He frowned. “Others?”

Soren met his gaze. “Others. Be on the lookout.”

The Unseen? Could that be what he was talking about? The shifters that had escaped being corralled by the humans lived in secret, their very existence a death sentence. What would the Unseen want with Frank Talbot? Not all shifters knew of the Unseen, but Cole did, he’d scented them before. He’d always given them a wide berth, as he hadn’t wanted to alert anyone of his presence while outside the den walls…but if he could use them to find Owen and Lucas he’d break his rule in a heartbeat.