had been all over the news – wolf shifters included. A year ago, I would have just assumed those were very large dogs – but now that I knew what I was looking for, I knew the truth.
I trudged back to the car as my brain was on fire with the possibilities. It was odd that there were so many men living together in a mansion, but I heard that was one way to find shifters. They clustered together more than humans did. My eyes narrowed. Was Anna one of them?
I shook my head. No way. Anna was always a loner, and she hadn’t shown any signs the entire time I lived with her in college. She was nothing more than a regular girl. Doubt threaded through me because as much as I hated to admit it, there was something special about her. Something extra that caught your attention even though you didn’t know what it was.
I unlocked the car and got in, just sitting and staring out the front windshield. If that house were really full of beasts, then it was my duty to get rid of them, right? I sat up a little straighter as my plan started to come together. Daniel had a friend in the military, and one of his buddies was involved in a human rights activist group. I bet they would be very interested to learn who was living here.
I smiled to myself as I started the engine. Maybe the house didn’t need to burn, perhaps I just needed to clean out the animals so I could take it for myself. It was time for Daniel to invite his friends over for a little chat.
Chapter 6
Anna
I frowned after the twins as they pulled Kelsey away. Last year, I would have wanted to believe Kelsey, regardless of how flimsy her explanations were. Now, I was able to see her for exactly what she was – an opportunist.
James moved to follow after the twins, but I didn’t like the dark look in his eyes.
“James,” I said softly. “Stay with us. We need to talk.”
James gave me a long-suffering sigh, but he stayed in the room.
Austin hid a smile and looked at me from the corner of his eye. I shot him a glance to let him know that I wanted to handle this myself.
I stood and took James’ hand in mine, forcing him to look at me.
“James, I’m not going to ask why,” I told him as I looked into his dark eyes. “I know you well enough to understand. But please, leave Kelsey alone after this.”
He scowled at me. “She could be dangerous. Women like her don’t stop until they get what they want.”
I rolled my eyes. “Kelsey isn’t like us, she’s just a silly girl. She might want the prestige of living in a mansion and wearing expensive clothes, but she wouldn’t actually harm anyone to get it.”
James looked at me stubbornly. “It’s my job to protect you from things like her. I eliminate the threats before you even see them coming.”
“Kelsey isn’t a threat,” I insisted. “She’s selfish and self-absorbed, but harmless.”
I sighed when he didn’t answer.
“James, just promise me that you won’t go after her again. She’s suffered enough.”
“Fine,” he grumbled. “I won’t go after her unless she comes for one of us.”
Knowing that was the best promise I could get out of him, I let it go for now.
Austin cleared his throat from behind us.
“Anna and I were just discussing our upcoming meeting with Arminius.”
I held James’ eyes for one last moment, then let go of his hands. If we were alone, I would’ve given him a kiss, but James didn’t do affection in front of others, not even Austin.
I sat back down next to Austin as James paced in front of us.
“Do we know a location yet?” James asked.
“A mansion in Utah,” Austin informed him. “It’s an isolated compound located on over a hundred acres of land. There’s easy visibility from all angles.”
James stopped pacing and looked up, deep in thought.
“How long do we have to prepare?” he asked after a moment.
“The meeting is set for tomorrow afternoon,” Austin replied.
James nodded. “I’ll coordinate with Caleb and get a security plan in place,” he said before turning to me. “I assume you’ll use a gateway for transportation?”
I nodded. “It’s quicker and safer that way.”
James flashed an almost-smile in my direction. “Good.”
Austin pulled me in closer as James left the room in search of Caleb.
“That can’t have been easy for you,” he