Page 25 of Patrick’s Seduction

“Ask her if it’s possible to train a wolf to the point where a person could be directing a wolf to follow specific commands.”

“It sounds a little far-fetched, don’t you think?”

“It’s the only thing that makes sense. Otherwise, a wolf wouldn’t just rip out the heart, leaving the rest of the person untouched.”

“Alright, I’ll get right on it,” Nicholas agreed.

“And ask your contact if they have a list of animal trainers that are working with wolves.”

Nicholas nodded.

“Benjamin, you get started on checking on all the public zoos, if they’re missing a wolf. Start in Marin County.”

“I’ll research who in the area might have a private zoo or animal sanctuary,” Thomas offered. “Benjamin, I’ll send you the details as soon as I have them.”

“Do you need anything else from me?” Buffy asked.

“No, thanks. Good work.”

Buffy nodded and left, Benjamin and Nicholas followed her.

“And update the command center as soon as you have any leads,” he called after them.

His two colleagues looked over their shoulder, nodding in agreement, before leaving and shutting the door behind them.

“Sebastian, you’re responsible for making sure everybody is kept up to date on this case. Once they call in with any news, send everything directly to me and Thomas. Alright?”

“No problem,” Sebastian said firmly.

He was glad that Sebastian was on duty in the command center. He was detail-oriented, and super smart, as well as very practical.

“Okay, thanks guys,” Patrick said. “I’ve got a few things to do. I’ll be in my office for a while.”

“I’ll walk with you,” Thomas suggested. “I need to go back to my office anyway.”

As they left the command center, and walked to the elevators, Thomas let out a breath.

“So, who’s the new client who got attacked?”

Patrick gave him a sideways glance, while he pressed the button for the elevator. “A young doctor who’s being stalked by her ex.”

“And we’re involved why?”

The elevator doors opened, and they both entered.

“There’s a chance that her ex is a vampire or rather a vampire hybrid.”

And that was all he’d tell Thomas. While he liked Thomas and respected him immensely, he didn’t feel comfortable telling him more about Fallon, worried that the more he spoke of her, the more likely it was that Thomas would discover that his interest in Fallon was more personal in nature than was appropriate. Thomas was far too perceptive to be fooled for very long.

“Need any help checking out the guy?” Thomas asked, his voice just as casual as before.

“You’ve got plenty on your plate. I have it under control.”

If only he had his emotions under control as well. But having touched Fallon so intimately, having made her climax, was causing turmoil inside him. His vampire side was trying to emerge, and it was harder to keep it beneath the surface and pretend he was a civilized man, when he knew all too well that in Fallon’s presence, he was anything but civilized. He was wild, untamed, without restraints. It was something he had to hide from Thomas, because above everything, Thomas was fiercely loyal to Samson. If he felt that Patrick was slipping up, he’d step in to intervene. He wouldn’t even blame Thomas, because they all knew that his intent was to keep everybody at Scanguards safe.

They all had to look out for each other, because at any time, their vampire side could take over, making them act irrationally. It was more likely to happen to himself or one of his vampire hybrid brethren who hadn’t found their mate yet. Once blood-bonded to their soulmate, a different side of the vampire emerged: that of the protector. While fierce, that side of their nature was more predictable.

It was as if the blood-bonded mate tamed the vampire. In a way, it was like that. He’d seen it in many of his friends, even in his own brother, Grayson, who’d turned into a rather love-struck man who treated others with more respect, was less aggressive, and less contentious. Monique, his blood-bonded mate, had truly tamed him, and it was rather sickening to watch the lovey-dovey looks they exchanged. Luckily, they lived in New Orleans now, running the Scanguards branch there.