Page 41 of Accidentally on Purr-pose

Cassian's laugh was warm and pleasant, the sound of a man completely at ease. "Straight to the point, I see. I guess we really shouldn't waste time with small talk."

Freesia's hands clenched into fists. The casual, almost friendly tone in his voice was obscene considering what he'd done to her family, her people, her entire world.

"Well, I was calling today in hopes you could clarify a few things," Cassian continued, "and also to propose an offer that you may find appealing."

She watched Izei's jaw tighten, the only outward sign of the rage she could feel building through their connection. His panther was practically clawing to get out, and she didn't blame it.

"You see, a few of my jaguars have gone missing, and I was hoping you could help locate them. And I was also hoping I could request your services to find Queen Freesia Waverly. I really do worry for her safety out there." The false concern in his voice made her stomach turn. "Maybe if we find her, we could offer her a deal—a deal where we could all work together under my leadership."

The audacity of it stole her breath. After murdering her family, destroying her territory, and hunting her for three months, he had the nerve to suggest she work for him.

"I'm not interested," Izei said flatly. "And why would you think I would work for you, or that she would work for you if she's even still out there?"

Freesia appreciated that he was maintaining the fiction of her whereabouts.

"Well, that's a shame," Cassian said, and there was an edge beneath his pleasant tone. "Because I really didn't want to do this the hard way. But seeing as you aren't willing to help me, I guess you'll just have to deal with the consequences."

"Are you threatening me right now?" Izei's voice had dropped to a growl.

"No, it's not a threat," Cassian replied smoothly. "Just a fact that if you aren't willing to join me, things will get much harder for you."

The line went dead before Izei could respond, leaving them standing in the sudden silence of his study. Through the mate bond, she could feel his fury reaching a boiling point, his protective instincts screaming at the open threat against not just him but everyone he cared about.

"We need to tell the others this is escalating," she said, her own anger crystallizing into cold determination. "And we need Luka to take us to Vael territory."

Izei's head snapped toward her, his eyes blazing. "That's not a great idea."

"We need to do our own reconnaissance, or we can just wait around here like sitting ducks for him to act," she countered, crossing her arms. "But I'm tired of being hunted, Izei. It's time to hunt back."

For a moment, she thought he might argue—his protective instincts warring with the strategic mind that had built Callel Security International. But then his expression shifted, and she saw the moment he recognized the truth in her words.

"Fine," he said, though she could feel his reluctance through their bond. "You're right. We can't just sit around and wait for him to make the next move. Let's go get Luka and Reth and head to Vael territory."

SIXTEEN

IZEI

The armored SUV cut through the gathering dusk, its modified engine purring with the quiet power that spoke of expensive stealth enhancements. Through the tinted windows, Singapore's urban sprawl gradually gave way to dense jungle terrain as they approached the outskirts of Vael territory. Izei sat in the backseat beside Freesia with their fingers interlaced in a grip that had become as natural as breathing. He could feel her steady determination flowing through their completed bond, her tigress alert and ready for whatever they might discover tonight.

"Angus agreed to meet us three miles out from the main compound," Luka said from the passenger seat. "Since I used to scout this region for Cassian's pride, I know every trail, every blind spot, and every route the current patrols don't monitor."

Reth's hands remained steady on the steering wheel as he maneuvered around a particularly sharp curve. "And you're certain your brother won't be followed?"

"Angus is too smart for that," Luka replied without hesitation. "He's been playing the loyal Gamma while quietly documenting every questionable decision Cassian's made. If anyone knows how to move undetected through Vael territory, it's him."

Izei squeezed Freesia's hand, drawing strength from the warm certainty of her presence. The exiled jaguar had become indispensable to their operation—his intimate knowledge of Vael patrol patterns, his connection to Angus, and his unwavering loyalty to their cause had transformed him from an unexpected ally into family.

Family.

The word settled in his chest with surprising weight. Six days ago, his family consisted of Kenia, Reth, and the Callel pride. Now it included a tigress queen who challenged him at every turn, an exiled jaguar who'd sacrificed everything for his principles, and potentially an entire scattered pride seeking refuge and hope.

"The hidden outcropping is up ahead," Luka continued, checking his watch. "It's an old scout position—completely off the current patrol grid. From there, we'll take the northeastern approach I used to use for solo missions."

"How close will that get us?" Izei asked, his tactical mind already mapping potential escape routes and contingency plans.

"Close enough to see inside his estate with decent binoculars," Luka said with grim satisfaction. "Cassian's always been arrogant about security. He assumes his reputation keeps enemies at a distance, so he doesn't bother with the kind of countermeasures you'd expect from someone planning a war."

Freesia's fingers tightened around his, and through the bond, Izei felt her surge of cold fury at the mention of Cassian's name—the man who'd orchestrated the massacre of her family and drove her remaining people to find refuge across Southeast Asia.