“It started with my mother’s kidnapping,” Glenn said.
“That’s the first time we knew about humans in our world, but it’d been going on for a long time. However, as Smokey found out with Harte and Elen Pilip, there are more humans in on it than we first thought…and they are highly organized.”
“And heavily armed,” Smokey said.
“Also their leader has no problem killing his followers if it will help capture or kill us,” Dylon added.
“It’s just one more piece of the puzzle,” murmured Glenn.
“Where does The Collector fit into all of this?” asked Sawyer.
“He uses humans to collect his prizes,” Glenn said. “Does that mean The Collector is part of this too?”
“A lot of questions with few answers,” muttered Smokey.
“That’s right,” Dylon said. “So, let’s look at what we know for certain. We know they have access to top-grade military equipment…”
“Riley can help us find out who sold it and possibly who bought it,” Glenn said.
“There’s also the humans Ghost captured who were hunting Kevin’s parents,” Smokey added.
“According to Ghost, they aren’t talking,” Glenn said.
“They will after they meet me,” Smokey growled.
Dylon pushed his chair back, got up and walked over to his whiteboard. Picking up a black marker, he quickly listed every incident involving humans, then drew lines separating them. Turning around, he said, “There’s a lot of moving pieces so let’s break down each time humans were present in our world. And then it’ll be easier to see where they intersect or if there are other connections.”
After everyone agreed, Dylon began to insert details below the headings as Glenn and Smokey filled him in on what was already known. When the chart was finished, Dylon stood back, stared at it, and said, “There’s a lot we don’t know.”
Tilting his head to one side, Alex studied the chart, trying to figure out what was missing. Then suddenly, he shouted, “Shifters! There was at least one shifter with the humans who captured me and Snow White at the campground.”
“Delicious Surprise is right,” Sawyer said.
“And there was at least one at the truck stop,” Glenn added.
“Is that a coincidence or are shifters also involved?” asked Smokey.
“Or one could be the leader!” exclaimed Alex.
Dylon gazed at the chart. “Hmm…I think we have to rethink our timeline.”
“Why?” asked Smokey.
“Because shifters and humans were working together back when we rescued Kieran, Theo, and Norm,” Dylon answered.
“Well isn’t that a fine kettle of fish,” Glenn muttered.
“I wonder…” Dylon mused.
“What?” asked Smokey.
“I have to talk to Zane to be sure…but when Colton was kidnapped and put up for auction on the dark web, there were a number of bidders, and I believe at least one was human.”
“When did this happen?” asked Sawyer.
“Just before I joined the pack,” Dylon answered.
“Holy blanking blank! If you’re right, we have a blanking huge problem!” Sawyer exclaimed.
