Stolen and Forgiven (Branded Packs #1)(77)

“Meaning that the humans have started to accept that they aren’t in danger of being ravaged by a bunch of bloodthirsty shifters.”

Holden wasn’t nearly so convinced. Granted, there were no longer protestors who marched outside their gates chanting that ‘the man-beasts were going to hell.’ Or ‘death to the shifters.’

Still, no one was offering to let them move into their neighborhoods.

“If they accepted us, then we wouldn’t be living behind fences,” he said in dry tones.

“I didn’t say they accepted us,” Jonah corrected. “Only the fact that we haven’t become the enemy the SAU tried to create.”

Holden shrugged, about to dismiss the male’s overly-optimistic opinion of humans, when he was struck by a sudden thought.

“You know, that could be why they’re hoping to create their own shifters. They could have them perform any number of heinous acts and blame it on our Packs,” he said, easily able to imagine the SAU forcing their homegrown shifters into ruthless, bloody rampages. “It would keep the public terrified of us.”

“A possibility,” Jonah agreed, his large body stiffening as the sound of vehicles rumbled through the air. “Here they come.” He sent Holden a questioning glance. “Are you staying?”

A humorless smile twisted Holden’s lips. “Damned straight.”

Standing shoulder to shoulder, the two Alphas watched the three large Hummers come to a halt at the edge of the road. Minutes later, a dozen humans were swarming up the hill, their guns out despite the fact that they couldn’t see a damned thing in the darkness.

The idiots didn’t even know there were both wolves and tigers prowling through the trees just a few feet away.

Idiots.

The head idiot shoved his way past his guards, arrogance chiseled onto his broad features.

“Jonah Wilder?” he demanded, his gaze locked on the tiger Alpha.

Obviously, he’d already seen a picture.

“Yes.”

The Director’s gaze flicked toward Holden. “I didn’t give permission for any other shifters to be out of the compound,” he snapped.

Holden shrugged. “Life is filled with all sorts of disappointments.”

The man glared at him before returning his attention to Jonah. Almost as if he hoped by that ignoring him, he could pretend Holden didn’t exist.

“I’m Director Markham of the SAU,” he said, planting his fists on his hips. “Do you intend to come with us peacefully?”

“As a matter of fact…I don’t.”

A flush of anger stained Markham’s face as a tangible shock raced through the chilled air. Laying his hand on the holster strapped to his side, he puffed out his chest and took a step forward.

“Then we do this the hard way,” he blustered.

Jonah shrugged. “Your men try to take me, and they’ll become dog food.”

The guards stiffened, belatedly glancing toward the trees where large predators were circling them with hungry eyes.

The Director licked his lips, glaring at Jonah. “That’s a very foolish threat. Your daughter-”

“Is safely on her way home,” Jonah interrupted with obvious relish.

Markham made a choked sound. It seemed his boys hadn’t kept him updated.

“Lies,” he rasped.

Jonah shrugged. “Check for yourself.”

Turning, Markham pointed toward the nearest guard. “Call HQ,” he snapped.

The man scrambled to pull out his phone, his gaze darting toward a nearby tiger who crouched near the clearing as he pressed a speed dial number. Within seconds, he was connected to the mother ship and being given the news that the prisoners were missing.

The Director clenched his teeth as he slowly turned back to meet Jonah’s mocking glance.

“I didn’t travel all this way to leave empty-handed,” he snapped. “The SAU has need of an Alpha. It’s in my right to demand that you accompany me to headquarters.”

Jonah shook his head. “No.”

“You’re refusing a direct order?”

“Yes.”

The guards shuffled their feet, clearly wishing they were anywhere but the isolated park surrounded by lethal killers.

“I have the authority to take you—and every shifter here—into custody,” Markham continued to bluff.

Jonah prowled forward, ignoring the guns that were suddenly pointed in his direction as he shoved the envelope into Markham’s hand.

“You bother me or my family again, and the press will receive these documents first thing in the morning.”

With a scowl, the Director pulled out the stack of documents, tilting them to the side as one of the guards rushed forward to shine a flashlight on them.

Seconds ticked past, the man’s face growing pale as he shuffled from one page to another.

He was seemingly smart enough to realize that they could pose a danger to the authority of the SAU.

“You expect the public to believe such blatant lies? The papers are clearly forgeries,” he at last muttered, lifting his head to glare at the two Alphas.

“It only takes one reporter to start asking questions,” Jonah drawled, leaning forward in a gesture of unspoken intimidation. “Are you willing to risk what they might find?”