Cole's Redemption (Alpha Pack #5)(21)

She digested that. “Malik is the one Ryon mentioned, who had labs that were experimenting on people.”

“Yeah. He was a mean f**king sonofabitch and almost turned Kalen to his side. His goal was to combine human and shifter DNA to try to create super-soldiers, sort of mass produce them and take over the world. And he damned near succeeded.”

“God, that’s horrible!” She tried to imagine her clan dealing with such evil, and wondered if they would be prepared to fight it if the situation ever arose.

“What’s worse is we now know Malik wasn’t the top of the food chain on the rule-the-world deal. Someone in the US government has been behind it all along, and even though Malik is dead and the labs have been destroyed, whoever is pulling the strings has created a huge problem with the rogue vampires.”

“I can’t imagine anyone being so stupid as to think they could control the rogues,” she scoffed. “They no longer possess morals, loyalty, honesty, or any quality that would make them respect another’s rule. They want nothing but to feed their lust for blood and sex, and they can acquire those two things without any help.”

“Well, someone in Washington didn’t get that memo before they royally f**ked up. Now we have to find out who that someone is and stop not only him but the latest mess he created.”

She shook her head. “I don’t envy any of you on that job.” Except her father. He deserved that task and all the dangers that came with it.

“It won’t be easy. As for me, my fighting days are over unless my hearing improves a lot more.” He looked away, out the window. “I almost got Nix killed earlier. That’s why I was out for a run when I came across you and Nick. I was trying to decide whether to leave here for good.”

For some reason, the idea caused her stomach to twist. “I get the sense that saying good-bye to your team isn’t what you want at all.”

“It’s not.” With a start, he looked at her, whiskey-colored eyes wide. “I heard you say that! It sounded faint, as though you were far away, but I still heard!”

“That’s great,” she said, smiling as she grabbed one of his hands.

“I heard a little when I was talking to Nick, too.” He appeared excited about the development.

“I’m happy for you. Do you think it has something to do with our mating?”

“Could be. A strong bond between mates can work wonders, so maybe it can heal as well.”

“I hope so.” Even if they didn’t remain together, she found herself caring whether he could heal.

“What if it doesn’t? How will you feel about being saddled with a defective mate?”

“First of all, you’re not defective,” she said firmly. “You’ve been injured in battle while fighting evil, and that’s something you—and your mate—should always be proud of.”

“Thanks,” he said hoarsely.

“I think the better question is how we both feel about being mated, period, and whether we want to give this a real shot. I know what I said before about leaving, but I know from my clan that being mated complicates things.”

He was silent for a long moment before answering. “Speaking for myself, I’ve wanted a mate for a long time. Someone special who was meant to be only mine, as I would be only hers. Even before I was turned into a shifter, I didn’t date much. And after six years in the compound, life has gotten more than a little lonely.” He sighed. “I don’t want to be alone anymore, and I’d like to see if we can work it out.”

She fell silent for a long moment before answering carefully.

“Among my clan, to find our true Bondmate is a cause for celebration. It’s considered one of the greatest events that can befall a born wolf. Not everyone is blessed in that way, and part of me is grateful that it happened, in spite of how I came across before.”

“But the other part?”

“I’ll be honest, Zan. Even if a miracle should occur and I don’t end up killing my father, I’m just not sure I could ever fit in here.”

“Fair enough. But would you do us both a favor and keep an open mind?”

She looked away, torn. Finding a mate was a gift. But could she put aside revenge for her mate?

“I’ll try. That’s all I can promise.” And that wasn’t much.

“Then you’ll stay here for a while?”

“Yes. I don’t think the commander would let me leave even if I tried, which I won’t just yet.” Her uncle was going to shit monkeys when he found out. Not about Zander, but about her being around Nick for any length of time.

He smiled, his relief plain. “That’s all I can ask. I guess we start by introducing you around.”

“I’m sure everyone will welcome me with hugs and kisses,” she said sarcastically.

“Yeah, you did try to kill our commander, who’s respected and adored by everybody in the compound. So, doing that again is pretty much a deal breaker.”

“I’ll try to refrain—but only because of you and our mating bond.” Her tone made it clear that it wouldn’t be easy.

“You won’t be sorry.”

She wasn’t so sure. But for this kind, gentle man she’d mated, she felt compelled to make an effort. She wondered if she really was vindictive or stupid enough to ruin something as cherished as finding her Bondmate in favor of getting revenge.