Seeing the security precautions Frank had insisted on presented a clearer picture of the peril she could face once she entered. Her wolf had begun to whine as he paced back and forth, sensing danger behind the locked, cell door. Refusing to let fear derail her mission, Oracle’s gaze traveled upward to meet Cain’s eyes, all the while reminding herself he was no match for her wolf.
A shiver skated up her spine when her eyes finally locked with Cain’s. His eyes were shining with pure hatred. They bored into her, unblinking, with a promise to rain down horrors upon her she couldn’t even imagine. Never before in her life had she experienced so much hostility, causing her to stumble backward a few steps before regaining her control again.
Straightening up, Oracle broke eye contact with Cain, thwarting his attempts to mess with her mind. The task the Fates had given her was vitally important to the paranormal world and she would not fail them. Looking at Frank, Oracle murmured, “I am ready…you can open the door and please make sure I have complete privacy…that means no cameras recording my discussion…or listening in.”
Frank gazed at Oracle, fear and frustration clearly reflected in his stance. Even though Cain was securely immobilized, he still worried his prisoner might figure out a way to harm Oracle. “No way…I can promise no audio, but there will be a live, silent video feed while you’re in there. It’s the best I can do.”
“He will not attack me, Frank.”
“You don’t know that and I’m not willing to gamble on it,” Frank said. “Either accept my terms or forget about speaking with him…my offer is non-negotiable.”
Oracle knew by the determination on Frank’s face, there was nothing further to gain by continuing the debate. “I accept...now would you please open the door?”
Giving the signal to the guard, Frank waited for the prisoner to react, knowing the guard would be Cain’s focus until Oracle came into view. Then, all bets would be off and he wondered if Oracle would change her mind after hearing the vitriolic language the prisoner was sure to spew at her.
~/~/~/~/~
Peeking out from behind their bedroom door, Theo checked the hallway. Finding it clear, he quietly shut the door. Turning to Norm, he whispered, “The coast is clear.”
Chuckling, Norm replied, “I think you’ve been reading too many spy romances, Shining Star. Now why did you send Smokey away?”
“I didn’t send him away,” protested Theo, giggling. “I just suggested he go and get his backpack from his car.”
“Right, because he definitely needs it right now,” Norm replied, smirking.
“No, because we have to figure out how we’re gonna propose to him without him hearing our plans...otherwise it won’t be a surprise...like it was when you proposed to me,” Theo murmured, pressing his hands to his heart. “It was so romantic…very swoon-worthy and that’s what I want for Smokey.”
Gathering Theo in his arms, Norm nuzzled his neck and licked the site of Smokey’s mating bite, smiling at his mate’s shiver. “You don’t think it’s too soon?” he whispered.
Leaning back, Theo’s eyes searched Norm’s face before answering. “Do you?”
“Not at all…I just want to make sure you want to do it as much as I do,” Norm answered. “Smokey is ours…today, tomorrow, and forever…and it’s time he knows it. Now, what ideas do you have for making it romantic and swoon-worthy for him?”
~/~/~/~/~
Smokey’s mind was filled with images of his naked mates as he reached the window at the top of the stairs that overlooked his parked car outside. He was eager to get back to them to see what they had planned next. Whatever it was, he knew he’d enjoy it. Deep in thought about the possibilities, it was only by chance that he glanced out the window.
What the fuck?Smokey quickly moved sideways to conceal himself from being seen by anyone looking up at the house from the outside. Peering down, he watched as Reeve Nicolet briefly glanced at the house before getting into his pickup and driving away.
Smokey exhaled slowly as the car disappeared. It had been a long time since he’d seen Nicolet, and he never expected to see him again.So what the hell is he doing at the Blackwood Pack?The man was ruthless, which was saying something, considering the number of kills Smokey had next to his own name. And even if he added Ghost’s and Snow White’s kills to his, the number wouldn’t come close to Nicolet’s. The man was feared by every new recruit in the agency; no one wanted to be partnered with him on their first assignment. He knew because he was theunlucky one in his class who got the short straw. By the time he and Reeve had completed the mission, Smokey was sure a one-way ticket home was waiting for him back at the agency.
How he survived and was retained as an agent was still a puzzle Smokey hadn’t solved yet, but somehow he had, no thanks to that douchbag, Nicolet. The bastard had carved up Smokey’s self-confidence so quickly it took him months to figure out how to make himself whole again. Thankfully Harte had helped him and, after several long talks, Smokey slowly began to regain his self-confidence.
Shaking those memories from his mind, Smokey continued down the stairs, resuming his journey to the car, refusing to let that asshole mindfuck him anymore. Stepping outside the house, he hurried to his SUV and grabbed his backpack from the rear compartment. Setting it on the ground, he pulled out his phone and took a quick look around to make sure no one was nearby before hitting a button.
“Don’t tell me your mates kicked you out so soon?” Ghost snickered.
“Fuck off,” Smokey growled, keeping his voice low, knowing there were too many ears around with exceptional hearing capabilities.
Immediately picking up the tension in Smokey’s voice, Ghost put aside his teasing. “What happened?”
“Nicolet was here!”
“Reeve Nicolet? Are you sure?”
“Of course I’m fucking sure! I saw him myself.”
“What the fuck is he doing there?” asked Ghost.
