“Claire’s just being Claire,” her mother said with a chuckle. “You know your sister. Always in a rush to do everything, always chasing some new adventure. She called earlier and said she’s got some new hiking trip planned on her next break from college.”
Emily laughed softly. “That’s Claire, alright. She was always dragging me into her escapades when we were kids.”
Her mother’s tone became more tender. “I’m glad you had each other. Family’s important and we’ve only got each other to look out for us.”
A moment of silence passed, filled with unsaid emotions. Then Emily’s mother continued, “Speaking of your sister, Claire told me about a seminar you’re holding soon. About your stem cell research? She said you’re doing big things there, Emily.”
Emily swallowed the guilt that threatened to choke her. Her sister had pressed her for details the last time they had spoken so Emily had made up some silly story about a seminar she had been asked to speak at. “Yeah, Mom. It’s a... big deal.”
“I always knew you’d do great things. That you’d change the world,” her mother said, pride evident in her voice. “Your father would have been so proud of you—just as I am.”
Tears prickled Emily’s eyes, the weight of her deceptionpressing down on her chest. “Thanks, Mom. I just... I hope I can live up to those expectations.”
“You always have, darling. And you always will. Remember to take care of yourself too, alright?”
“I will, Mom. I promise. I love you.”
“I love you too, Em. Always.”
As the call ended, Emily leaned against the wall next to her condo door, taking a moment to regain her composure. The warmth of family, with their unwavering faith in her was both a tonic, and a painful reminder of the duplicity of her current life.
She was about to insert the key into the lock when she paused, sensing something amiss. The familiar surroundings suddenly felt foreign, the shadows casting unfamiliar patterns. Her intuition, honed over months of living on the edge, told her to be wary.
She spun around and searched the shadows, every hair on her body standing upright. Someone was watching her—she was sure of it.
Chapter Five
Carter
The brisk evening air blew harshly against Carter’s face as he approached the condo complex, intent on trying to talk to Maria again. His footsteps were soft, an imperceptible noise honed by years of training and covert operations that required silence.
After what he and Seb had witnessed at the facility in the mountains the night before, Carter was concerned that they might have his sister in there, too. There was no doubt in his mind that those guards had kidnapped the shifter they had taken inside, and their treatment of the man had been brutal. What further brutality had happened to him inside? Carter’s gut clenched. Time was of the essence. He hoped Maria would have some information about the facility, but he’d called by her place earlier in the day and she hadn’t been at home. Again. He was beginning to worry that she might be missing, too. Max hadn’t learned anything more about the facility although he had managed to procure the building’s schematics. Carter was getting impatient.
However, as he rounded the corner of the building, a deeper, more primal urge hummed beneath the surface, a thrum of anticipation that was impossible to ignore.
Mate is here,his inner mountain lion murmured with a hint of impatience and excitement.She’s here!The raw yearning in its voice resonated with Carter’s own feelings, creating a contrasting mix of desire and purpose.
Soon,Carter mentally replied, the short word carrying a firm promise.We’ll find her soon. I promise.
Moving stealthily around the perimeter, a figure near one of the entrances caught his attention. A woman was standing hesitantly outside a door to one of the units as if she sensed something but couldn’t quite pinpoint it. In that moment, Carter realized the reason for his lion’s excitement. He hadn’t simply meant that their mate lived here, he had sensed her here now, in this very moment.
His heart pounded loudly in his chest, and he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. Her scent was faint, just a trace on the wind, but it was unmistakable. For a moment, Carter remained hidden, watching her from the shadows, wrestling with the decision to reveal himself. The logical part of him wanted to continue unnoticed, to find Maria and get the information he needed about his sister.
However, another more primal part of him just wanted to meet the woman who was destined to be his, and his inner mountain lion would not be denied. Aside from all of that, the woman was involved in whatever was going on inside that facility so there would be no better person to speak to about what was going on in there. She might even be able to tell him if they had his sister. He frowned. He hated the idea that his mate was involved in whatever shady things were going on inside those walls. At this stage, he had no idea if he could trust her. But right now, she was the only lead he had, and meeting her was something that he absolutely had to do.
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Carter stepped out into the dim light. Their eyes met, and once again, the world seemed to narrow to just the two of them. Adrenaline raced through his veins. Even though she didn’t know him, she let out a sigh of relief, her shoulders relaxing visibly as if relieved it was him and not someone else who posed a threat. That had to be themate bond at work.
“I’m sorry,” Carter began, voice slightly raspy with emotion. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“It’s quite alright,” she said. “I guess I’m a bit jumpy tonight.”
“Oh?”
She shrugged. “Just one of those days.”
Carter took a step closer to her and reached out his hand. “I’m Carter,” he introduced himself.
The woman hesitated for a moment, looking down at his hand like it might bite her. Then she glanced up at his face, taking a second to get the measure of him before finally reaching out and taking hold of his hand. The moment their fingers touched, electricity snaked its way up Carter’s arm and shivers of delight rolled down his spine. She drew in a quick breath making him suspect that she had experienced the same spark of connection between them.
