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That’s right. The compound. The single-level monstrosity that covers the majority of the back of the estate, running all the way up to the tree line. It’s where the trainees live, train, and eat. It’s probably where that asshole Cage lived, too.
Actually….
An idea sparks to life, and I grin down at my Omega. “I was just thinking. Just because the guys are doing their own research doesn’t mean we can’t investigate, too.”
Idril’s eyes brighten. “Really?”
My grin widens. “What do you say? Want to go on a little mission of our own, Omega?”
Chapter 23
Idril
Soren and I walk silently through the halls of the trainee compound. It didn’t take much to convince me once he laid out his plans, and after a quick detour so I could change, we came straight here. Ready for our own two-person, totally unsanctioned mission.
The silence is unnerving, but Soren points out that it’s early afternoon—which apparently means most of the trainees are either at the gym, out on patrols, or in classes.
Whatever those entail.
“How many trainees are there, do you think?” I ask, and he shrugs, muscles rippling under his shirt.
I can’t stop looking at him. He’s like a Viking come to life—so different from my other Mates, but no less perfect. There’s something so wild and primal about him, from the tiny braids woven through the blond strands of his hair, to his full beard, to his abnormally tall height.
I swear he towers over literally everyone—except maybe Gavran.
“I’m not sure, but my best guess is close to two hundred,” he replies, pausing to check the names scrawled on a placard next to a door.
It’s obvious the males are the ones who wrote their own names—some of the handwriting is so sloppy it’s nearly illegible.
“That many? Fates, I thought there were maybe fifty or so,” I murmur, making sure to keep my voice low, even though I probably don’t need to.
There’s literally no one else here.
“Yeah, and that’s just this compound,” Soren adds, moving on to the next dorm and squinting at the names. “There’s like twenty compounds across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Another dozen in Europe, about the same in Asia and South America, four or five in Africa, and three in Australia.”
My eyes nearly bug out of my head.
“This one is the largest, though. The others aren’t nearly this big.”
“You’ve visited others?”
Soren snorts. “Not a chance. Wolven and vampires try to leave each other alone, if you haven’t noticed. But we have informants, just like I’m sure Gavran has informants amongst the wolven. Besides, it’s all public information.”
“Why is this one the largest, though?”
The look Soren shoots me over his shoulder is full of shock. “Because it’s been the Last Shield’s home base since Gavran brought his main team to the colonies in the early 18th century.”
His confusion deepens as I wait for him to explain, which he thankfully does.
“Gavran isn’t just the head of this compound, Idril. He runs the entire organization. He’s the leader of all Bloodbound across the world—all ten thousand answer to him.”
I stutter to a stop, mid-step.
The leader of the entire organization? How didn’t I know that?
I can feel my cheeks heating in shame, but on its heels is anger—sharp, bitter, and hot. My flame flares for the first time in days, indignant on my behalf.
I hate how often I’m forced to face my own ignorance.
