But just as I start to move, a hand—stronger than any human hand could possibly be—grabs my shoulder from behind and yanks me hard, dragging me deeper into the shadows.
I spin immediately, ready to tear whoever it is apart, claws already extending. But then, I see the man’s face and stop in my tracks.
It’s my handler. Rick.
“We sent you here to capture the hybrid,” he says, voice flat, eyes cold in the dim light. “Not get involved in damned bar fights, Kain.”
I force myself to breathe, to retract my claws and school my expression into a more neutral one.
“Report,” he says after looking me over once. It’s not a request.
“I’ve been working to gain trust within Moonvale. Getting a handle on the hybrid’s schedule has been difficult, but I’m making progress.”
Rick studies me for long enough that sweat pricks the back of my neck despite the cool air. “Maybe you’d make progress more quickly if you weren’t spending half your time chasing some she-wolf’s tail instead of focusing on the mission.”
My heart stops for a moment, and ice floods my veins. How does he know about her? Are they watching me?
I swallow hard, shaking my head to try to mask it. “I’ve only been approaching her because I observed that she’s very good friends with our target.”
Rick’s eyes narrow, searching my face. “Who is she, exactly? And how close have you gotten to her so far?”
I hold his gaze without flinching. “She works at Moonvale HQ. We’ve only chatted a few times, but I think I’ve started to earn her trust. She could be a valuable asset in gaining access to the hybrid when she’s not surrounded by security.”
Rick’s eyes look me over for a few seconds, and then finally, he nods once. “Fine. But whatever strategy you’re using, work fast. The organization wants this mission completed as soon as possible. You’re running out of time. Remember that your lifespan hinges on your obedience. Don’t get distracted. Focus on the target, not the tail.”
He turns and walks away, disappearing into the darkness like he was never here.
Fuck. They know about Anne.
I need to be more careful, keep my distance. Because if they think she’s a distraction, if they decide she’s a liability to the mission, they won’t hesitate to eliminate her.
And I can’t let that happen.
Chapter Eight
Anne
My heart thunders to the beat of the music blaring from the huge speakers, the bass so deep that I feel it in my ribs, in my bones, vibrating through the floor and up into my legs. My muscles flex as I twist and move, eyes closed, matching every rhythm as bodies sway around me in a mass of heat, sound, and temporary escape.
Suddenly, my feet go still. My body turns rigid as a scent reaches my senses.
His scent.
A faint trace, but so easily distinguishable in this sea of humans that I catch it instantly. It doesn’t matter how subtle it is; I would recognize that unique scent anywhere. My eyes snap open and roam the club, darting from face to face. My pulse rate climbs.
For a second, I am certain I will see him. Certain he is here, watching. I scan every corner, every shadow between swaying bodies, every figure half hidden in flashing lights.
But Kain is nowhere to be found.
The scent fades. Or maybe it was never there at all. I shake my head at myself. Here I am, out in the world, trying my best not to think about him, and my mind plays tricks on me, making me smell what does not exist.
A sigh slips past my lips. I need another drink.
I weave through the bodies and make my way to the bar, flagging down the bartender with a raised hand. He arrives in seconds.
“What can I get you?”
“Long Island iced tea, please.”
