AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Are they still training out at Vulpecula?” Noel asked.
“Yes. It’s still low key, and a lot of time and effort is being expended to keep that under wraps. When the time is right, Colby thinks they may try to make a play for Mystic River.”
What she didn’t tell Noel was that the plan was for Mark to make himself an irresistible target. Vulpecula would become the first battle—one they meant to win. Mark Hadley had been fairly open with the other shifter clans in town that he was building and training a small army. What only a few people knew was that the bulk of the training, arms, and men were being housed at Windsong and Otter Cove. If they could lure the main force of the Shadow League to Vulpecula, Otter Cove and Windsong could cut them off in a flanking action and shatter the League into so many small pieces it would never rise again.
At least, that was the plan. They’d been able to pick up some rumblings that the Council and the League were beginning to take notice. As Colby said, slow and easy was the way to go. When the League finally made their move, he intended for the resistance to be ready. Thus the reason he’d been interested in any foreign visitors come to stay at The Refuge. Colby would be relieved to know it was just Campbell come to flex his muscle. A minor annoyance, but nothing they couldn’t deal with.
“Beta,” said one of the staff, interrupting them. “The Alpha would like to see you in his study.”
Noel looked concerned, and Winter laid a hand on her arm to reassure her. “He’s just messing with you. Didn’t you catch the imposter haggis? It’s ‘let’s pick on Winter day,’ which is fine, because I love doing the picking when it’s someone else’s turn.”
Noel smiled. “Sometimes I think you predator types have far more fun than those of us who are flight or fight types.”
“Sometimes, but not always and rarely in other feline-shifter clans. But Colby has built a rare and welcoming home for all of us. If you ever decide to leave the mainland, I know he’d find you a spot here with us.”
“I wouldn’t dare to presume. I don’t do much gathering of information for him or the Shadow Sisters.”
“Perhaps not, but I know they value you for your ability to soothe people’s fears, and Colby has always praised you as having one of the best analytical minds, so don’t sell yourself short. You have a lot to offer. I’d best go see what the boss wants.”
Winter took a last bite of the imposter haggis, picked up her mug of dark roast coffee, and headed into Colby’s study. She knocked perfunctorily on the door and walked in. “You summoned, oh, great and exalted leader?”
Colby shook his head and chuckled. “I wondered how that would be communicated, seeing as haggis was on the buffet this morning.”
“I’m here to tell you the real thing is vile beyond belief, but the imposter haggis is just this side of heaven.”
“So, what did you find out?”
“The good news is that Trudy’s visitors are not from the Shadow League.”
“And you know this how?”
“Because I know who they are.” Colby raised his eyebrows, and she continued. “Sean Campbell and his second-in-command.”
“Ah. Not all that surprising, I suppose. We’ve known he’s never given up looking for you.”
“You don’t know he’s looking for me. Maybe he’s come to make an alliance with you or Mark.” Colby raised his eyebrows again. “Okay, so we know that he’s come to try and take me back. You’d think after more than two years, he’d have given up on that.”
“I don’t know, Winter, were you my fated mate, I’m not sure there was anything that would keep me at bay.”
“We’re not even the same species.”
“True, but that has never been an impediment to true love. After all, Jax’s mate was human, and Derek’s sister was once a polar bear and is now a prehistoric cave lion.”
“You don’t love me, Colby.”
“I know,” he said sadly. “More’s the pity. We would have been quite spectacular, don’t you think?”
“I do, indeed. Anyways, there’s not much to tell, other than Campbell is still the same jackass he always was.”
“So, I take it the two of you had time to talk?”
“Not really. We did have a fight, but even that wasn’t overly stimulating.”
“I’ll bet that came as a bit of a shock—that you could hold your own in a fight,” chuckled Colby.
“I don’t know that it will work again. As you said, he wasn’t expecting me to be able to fight. I doubt the next time will be nearly as successful. That said, the idea of recruiting Campbell to our cause has merit. Campbell is ex-special ops and is rumored to have quite the arsenal of helicopters and planes up at Curaidh, not to mention an entire unit of well-trained men.”
“Do you think you could work with him?”
