Emory stepped forward. “I’ll do it.”
He’d already told the pack he wasn’t leaving his mate. It was too dangerous with Shepherds roaming around and he didn’t want to jeopardize their newly formed bond. As it was Mary would need to be around him, to take his body into hers. Their connection was growing stronger, so much so that soon he’d have to leave the pack and return to their room. He could hear her footsteps upstairs, knew she was growing anxious and eager. Unfortunately she couldn’t understand why. He hadn’t exactly had the opportunity to warn her that her libido was about to shoot through the roof.
“Nathan,” Diskant said, rising to his full six-foot-plus height. “I want you to stay with Emory. Get the list on my desk and help him spread the word. The sooner we make contact, the faster the packs can synchronize a plan of attack.”
The pack Beta nodded. “How long do we have?”
“If they’re going to eliminate the threat, they need to make their move tonight if possible. The longer they take the more likely the plan will fail.”
“I’ll start making calls,” Nathan said and left the kitchen.
“So what’s the plan, Omega?” Kinsley rose from his seat at the table. “What would you have us do?”
“We’re going to spread out and find her.” Diskant took one of the two-way radios and handed Kinsley the other. “I’ll take the east side, you can take the west.” He lifted his head, looking at the pack. “Those of you on the left side of the room will come with me. Those on the right go with Kinsley. He’s in charge. Follow his orders as you would mine.”
Some of the pack didn’t like it, shifting their feet and growling, but otherwise they wisely kept their mouths shut. Kinsley’s response to their behavior was an arrogant and threatening grin. Oh yeah, the panther shifter definitely wasn’t one to fuck with. Even on a good day.
“For those of you who aren’t prepared, hit the basement and gear up,” Diskant ordered and patted the guns tucked under his arms. Then he checked the knives attached to the belt at his waist. “We leave in one minute.”
The few pack members who weren’t equipped hurried from the room to get ready. Everyone stepped aside, giving them room.
“Make sure you wear jackets,” Diskant called after them. “We need to appear inconspicuous.” He turned his head and looked at Kinsley. “You need to warn your contacts at the police department something is about to go down. If a call goes out they need to be the first on the scene.”
“Done,” Kinsley said and pulled his cell from his jacket.
“I want them dead but it can’t look like an animal attack,” Diskant warned. “If you have to break a neck or two, be my guest. Otherwise use the weapons at your disposal. We don’t want anything traced back to us.”
“What about the buildings?” Emory asked, taking on his brother’s role, something that reminded him there was more at stake here than just Ava’s life. “Do you want to keep them intact? Or are you going to erase all the evidence police might find?”
“Shit, I hadn’t thought of that.” Diskant frowned. “If there’s anything that can endanger the pack, use whatever means necessary to destroy it.”
“And if there are families in the buildings?” Kinsley chimed in. “What then?”
“Make a call to authorities about an apartment fire. Then make damn sure you engage the fire alarm. I don’t want innocent people harmed.”
Diskant retrieved his jacket from the hook near the entrance of the kitchen. He slid into the leather, taking deep breaths. Emory knew how much he had to be hurting. The fear had to be suffocating.
If the positions were reversed and Mary was in trouble…
He didn’t want to think about what he’d do.
The pack members returned carrying guns and holsters. They quickly strapped them on, checked their weapons and slid into their jackets. No more waiting. Every second counted.
“It’s time to go. Those who are with me, let’s roll.”
Everyone followed but Kinsley. “Those who are following me, wait in the garage. I’ll be there in a moment.”
The pack members waiting for his orders didn’t argue, filtering past him to exit the kitchen. Kinsley waited until the shifters were out of the room before he approached Emory. There was an odd glint in the cat shifter’s eyes.
“This seems too easy.” Kinsley kept his voice low, so the conversation remained between the two of them. “Something’s off.”
The hair on Emory’s neck rose and tingled. “I was thinking the same thing.”
Why would Shepherds have Ava so close? It was a stupid move. And Shepherds weren’t known for their stupidity.
“Keep a close eye on your mate, Emory. Don’t let her out of your sight. When we get back Diskant’s going to have to accept that things are going to have to change.” Kinsley started to leave.
“Wait,” Emory called out. “What are you talking about? What’s going to have to change?”
Kinsley stopped and turned. “We’ll talk later. Remember what I said and watch your female.”
Emory couldn’t prevent the growl that crept up his throat. Trey had been taken as well, and it was up to the pack to find him. Ava was Diskant’s number one priority but his brother’s life was equally important.
“Diskant isn’t thinking about Trey, he’s thinking about Ava.” This time it was Emory who spoke softly, although there was venom in his tone. “Find my brother and bring him back. He’s pack. He deserves the same respect.”
“I haven’t forgotten about your brother.” Kinsley’s brogue thickened, making his words deep. “I’ll do everything I can to bring him home.”
Emory didn’t question the feline Alpha, the strongest and most feared of his kind. Kinsley was one of the most honorable shifters he knew, his reputation one he had earned.
“When you leave, I’ll turn on the alarms. I won’t let Mary out of my sight.”
Kinsley seemed to relax a bit. “Make as many calls as you can. This has to end before more people are hurt.”
A noise in the doorway got their attention. Emory tried to hide his shock at seeing Mary standing there, clothed in oversized sweatpants and one of his T-shirts. The clothing engulfed her small body, hiding all of her curves.
“I thought you were alone,” she said softly, her cheeks turning pink. “I’m sorry.”
Kinsley took a good look, starting at her head and working his way to her toes. She grasped the hem of the shirt, shifted her feet and tucked her chin to her chest. She had to be scared as hell after leaving the safety of their bedroom behind but she’d done so, showing Emory she was made of stronger stuff than she realized.
Sweet little female. So strong yet so shy.
“Kinsley, I want you to meet my mate.” Emory walked over to her and wrapped a comforting arm around her waist. “This is Mary.”
Kinsley prowled over to them, a grin on his face. Like the panty charmer he was, he took Mary’s free hand and brought it to his mouth. He brushed his lips against her knuckles and Emory had to force the wolf back, to keep the beast inside him calm while another man touched his female.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mary.” Kinsley’s Scottish accent was heavier, the words thick and husky. Mary didn’t move, no doubt entranced by the way Kinsley looked and spoke. If the Alpha’s dark hair and green eyes weren’t seductive enough weapons, Kinsley also had a body and face women couldn’t get enough of. Everyone knew the shifter was a ladies’ man.
Asshole.
“You too,” she murmured, her face a mixture of awe and curiosity.
“Keep your hands and your mouth to yourself,” Emory growled, no longer able to keep his possessiveness at bay. “Or I’m going to rip them off and shove them up your ass.”