Page 14 of Their Marked Mate

“Obviously, I agree. If everyone had volunteered, I would have been a huge fan of the Griffen Project.” Unable to resist the temptation, he reached out and touched her upper arm. “Don’t mention any of this to Alex until I’ve had a chance to speak with him.”

“Of course,” she said, allowing his touch. “And thanks. This gives me a clearer picture of who I’m dealing with.”

“Has the clearer picture changed your mind?” She just smiled, so he said, “There’s a lot more I can tell you about what we are trying to build, but I really do have to go.”

She sent him off with a wave as she returned to the chair she’d been sitting in when he arrived.

Paul was putting the finishing touches on his newest creation when Nate reached Aspen pack’s section of the village. The image depicted the transformation from human to wolf in graphic detail. After painting a couple of wall murals in the public buildings, people started hiring Paul to decorate their cabins. Now he was popular and could demand almost any price for one of his pieces.

“That came out well,” Nate told Paul as he walked up to him.

“I agree and thank you.” Paul wiped his hands on a towel. “It’s been a busy week.”

“Are you ready to go?”

Paul nodded and quickly put his painting supplies away. “Lead on.”

“Is Soko expecting us or are we going to have to bribe the guards?”

Paul’s easygoing manner made him popular with alphas and betas alike. At twenty-six, Paul was the youngest beta currently serving a pack alpha. Paul smiled frequently and laughed easily. Like so many in the lupine village, he’d escaped poverty and crime by joining the military. In Paul’s case it had been a violent street gang in the heart of Los Angeles.

“Alex sent a message this morning, but we’re not waiting around for a response,” Nate explained. “Even if we have to talk our way into a meeting with Soko, I think he’ll like what we have to say.” They walked between a long row of cabins as they talked. “Have you ever been to Shadow City before?” Nate had heard Drake talk about it, but he wasn’t sure if Paul had been included in the outing.

“Nope. Drake and Caden have been down there a couple of times, but I’ve never been.”

“It’s…” Nate searched for the perfect adjective but failed, “surprising.” The description fit, but so did massive, tragic, and relic.

They followed the perimeter fence to the back of the village. When they reached the sturdy gate installed there, Nate ordered the guards to open it for him. The gate was dragged open and Nate walked out into the forest, Paul on his heels. They didn’t go far. Nate reached a chest-high rock formation that protruded from the side of a larger hill. Using the toe of his boot, he triggered the security grid. He pushed his hand into the intersecting beams, and the scanners verified his identity. Apparently, Soko hadn’t revoked his welcome because the camouflage shields deactivated and the hatch became visible. After entering a numerical code into the appropriate pad, he opened the hatch and motioned for Paul to enter.

Paul climbed down into the tunnel followed closely by Nate. Their movement activated a row of overhead lights allowing them to see in either direction. The tunnel stretched on into the darkness without curves or intersections, but Nate knew it was an illusion.

Nate secured the hatch and motioned to the right. “Walk briskly. We have a long way to go.”

It took just over an hour to reach the underground city, but it would take at least three to climb back out. Each turn was protected by camouflage shielding. Invited guests were told how to find the junctions while invaders walked on past. There were additional security gates at each level, but Nate’s palm scan deactivated the locks. On sublevel three the passageways began to curve, angling ever downward.

“Are the cameras still operational?” Paul focused on the device mounted high on the roughhewn wall. “I swear that one just moved.”

“Some are,” Nate admitted. “No one reaches Shadow City without alerting the inhabitants. Sneaking in is impossible.” They passed through the final security portal, and the city came into view.

“Holy fuck,” Paul whispered as awe widened his eyes.

Nate smiled. He’d had a similar reaction the first time he saw the spectacle. The main complex had six levels and was capped with numerous domes. Five smaller clusters branched out from the center complex. With wide, railed walkways and curving walls, each appeared to be a compact version of the original. The outer areas were connected by what looked like tram tracks, giving the city a spider-like shape.

“Does the tram still operate?” Paul asked, focusing on the city.

“They’ve been working on it for almost a year, but no luck yet.”

“There are lights everywhere. How is this powered?” Paul wanted to know.

“Hydroelectric generators,” Nate told him.

“It’s beautiful, but it’s massive. Why do the exotics need all this space?”

Nate shot him an impatient glance. “Why not? No one else is using it. Besides, the city didn’t look like this when Soko claimed it for his people. The improvements are extensive and remarkable.”

As if summoned by the comment, Soko stepped into view. He was flanked by his two lieutenants Kofi and Garrett. Nate acknowledged them with a nod, then looked at Paul. “Give me a minute. I pissed Soko off last time I was here.”

“Take your time,” Paul said with a grin. “I’ll just stand here and admire the city.”