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thing you’d expect to find in the back woods of West Virginia, but somehow it fits in the wooded setting this pack has made its home.
    He guides us to an office at the back of the house. The back wall is nothing but floor to ceiling windows and the other three walls are covered in over-flowing bookcases. In front of the window is an obscenely large desk. Naven takes the seat behind it with Nick standing at the right of his back and then motions for us to sit, as well. Pike and Bloom take the leather chairs directly in front of the desk, and instead of sitting Bonnie and myself stand directly behind our Alpha pair.
    “Our Elders told me you have information on the woman we’re looking for.” Gone is the broody Pike from the RV. Back straight, chin squared, eyes focused. He’s now in Alpha mode, exuding power and confidence.
    “We might.” Naven says, as he steeples his hands under his chin.
    “And?” Pike prompts.
    “And before we disclose that information we need to know why you’re looking for her.”
    “Because…” Pike starts, but a touch of Blooms hand on his arm stops him. She gives him a forced smile and a little shake of her head. He concedes and lets her take over the conversation.
    “I’m sick.”
    “Aren’t you wolf?” Naven scents the air, trying to pick up the wolf smell on Bloom. When he can’t immediately pick up the scent his brow scrunches in confusion.
    “Half. My father was human.” Bloom explains.
    “Still the shifter gene is dominant.” I can practically see the wheels turning in Naven’s head as he tries to figure out how this is possible. If this is tripping him up, when he finds out its Bloom’s mating marking causing her to be sick his mind will blow.
    “I don’t shift.” Naven’s eyes get huge, but before he can respond Bloom continues. “And my mark is what’s causing me to be sick.”
    Naven and Nick gasp in shock. Bloom ignores their reactions. “The lady we’re looking for is the only person who can help me.”
    The Shaw pack Alpha collects himself from the bomb Bloom just dropped and goes right back to business. “I want to help you, but she’s hidden herself for a reason. And I’ve promised to keep her location secret. I need to know why I should risk revealing her to help you.”
    Pike loses his patience, leans forward in his chair, his claws out piercing the leather, and he growls at the other Alpha. Bloom uses the little bit of energy she has to get up from her seat and force Pike back in his. She collapses into his lap, whispering words only he can hear to calm him. When his claws disappear she focuses back on Naven.
    “I respect that you’re trying to protect her, but I swear we mean her no harm.”
    “How can I trust that though?”
    Bloom sighs. “Because she’s my Great-aunt. The only relative I have left from my Dad’s side.”
    Naven looks over his shoulder at Nick. Nick gives a barely noticeable nod. They both bring their attention back to Bloom, but Nick is the one who speaks this time. “We’ll tell you how to find her. But I’ll warn you it’s not an easy journey. At least a day of hiking. And you need to be careful when you get close, because if you’re unwanted they won’t hesitate to attack.”
    Naven pulls out paper and starts writing out directions. Nick continues to explain the set up. “There will be several others with her. All wolves. All willing to lay down their lives to protect her.”

Chapter 10 – Pike
     
    I smell the wolves long before we reach the top of the mountain. There’s seven of them; two females, five males, and two of them are in their wolf forms. The idea of bringing Bloom into this unknown situation has my wolf on edge. He doesn’t like the idea of bringing our mate around these unfamiliar wolves who could possibly try to harm her, but we have no choice. Though we’re both beginning to think we traveled all this way and won’t find the person we’re looking for. We should be scenting a human among