TROY FORCED HIS EYES OPEN. All he wanted was to bury his aching head under the blankets, but his mate was standing next to the bed, one hand on his shoulder and the other rubbing her protruding belly. “Tina, what’s the matter?”

“There’s a Guard here to see you.” Her brown eyes were wide with fright.

He jumped out of bed. Jackson had finally returned with Trinity. He’d expected the Guard to find her yesterday or at least last night. He couldn’t wait to see Remy and give him the news. He pulled on a pair of pants and shirt and headed for the door.

“Why is the hairless Guard here? Is everything okay?” She trailed after him, peppering him with questions.

He wanted to shout at her to shut up, but that would bring tears, especially in her condition. He stopped and faced her. He’d never understand how some could find the large milk-laden breasts and widening hips of a pregnant female beautiful. He struggled to hide his disgust as he bent and kissed her softly on the lips. “Don’t worry. Go back to the kitchen and leave everything to me.”

“Are you sure?”

He nodded, but stopped her as she turned to leave. “No one needs to know that there was a Guard here.” His tone held a warning; no one gossiped as much as Tina.

“Of course. I won’t say a word.” She ducked her head and he dropped his hold. She scurried toward the kitchen.

He opened the front door. Jackson stood in the shadows of the cabin.

“You can’t be here,” he whispered harshly. “I’ll meet you at the large oak tree on the west side of the encampment.” He shut the door in the Guard’s face. His brother was on duty in that isolated section of the camp and knew how to keep his mouth shut. He ate a slice of bread with jam, giving Jackson time to get out of sight and then left his house.

The sun was bright but already on its descent. It had to be mid-afternoon. He’d slept longer than he’d thought. He shouldn’t have taken that second draught of valerian. Millie had told him that this batch was strong, but he’d needed to sleep. Last night had been a disaster. He and Remy had spent the entire time fighting. Remy was sick with worry over Trinity and they had other issues to consider as well. Millie would be retired this year. She hadn’t gotten pregnant in over five years and that didn’t look good for her or Remy. He had to persuade the other Lead Producers and Benedictine to re-pair Remy not to retire him. Of course, this meant that Remy would need to breed with his new assigned mate and Remy swore that he couldn’t do that.

That had escalated the argument. Troy managed to breed with his mate enough to keep her pregnant. It wasn’t something that he enjoyed, but he did it. Remy could too. Otherwise, he would have to find another female who was willing to keep their secret. That was not going to be easy, plus she’d still need to bear offspring so someone would have to mate with her.

He glanced around to make sure no one was watching, and ducked behind a bush. He’d travel the rest of the distance near the fence, hidden by the overgrown vegetation. It would not be wise for him to be seen speaking in private with the hairless Guard. He did not need any enemies. Some were already suspicious of him and Remy. He stopped near Jackson who lurked in the shadows by a large tree.

“Where is she?” he asked the Guard.

“We lost her. We had her scent. We were right on top of her and then”—Jackson snapped his fingers—“she was gone.”

“What do you mean she was gone? She must have left scent somewhere.” This could not be happening. It would mean the end for Remy. If someone found out about this, the Almightys would hold Remy and Millie responsible. They would be punished severely.

“We searched and there was nothing. She just disappeared.”

“Then search again,” he said.

“We did. There is no new trail.”

“You owe me,” said Troy. “Or do you want Benedictine to find out that you have feelings for his daughter.”

“He can only kill me once. The reason makes no difference.” Jackson crossed his arms over his chest. “Maybe, I’ll run. Benedictine will come after me but I’d have some freedom first. I’ve never had that before; it might be nice.”

“Don’t be so melodramatic. We both know you won’t run. Sure, you can only die once, but what will Benedictine’s daughter’s life be like when it becomes common knowledge that the necklace she wears so lovingly was a gift from a Guard?”

In a flash, he was flying through the air. He landed on his back, hard, with Jackson on top of him. He jerked upright, Jackson’s hands closing around his throat. He slammed his fists into the Guard’s head and torso but Jackson held firm. He tried to pry the Guard’s hands away, but it was no use. He opened his mouth, gasping for air.

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“Don’t ever threaten her.” Jackson dropped his hold and stood.

He inhaled deeply, sweet oxygen filling his lungs. That had been unexpected but enlightening. He stood, brushing dirt off his clothes. The Guard still had strong feelings for the girl. It had been years, so he hadn’t been sure. He’d tuck that away for use later. “I wasn’t threatening her.”

Jackson snarled at him.

“Really, I wasn’t. I only meant that Benedictine is unpredictable.” Push the blame toward the Almighty. Benedictine was known for his temper.

“Benedictine would never hurt his children.”

Jackson knew the Almighty better than most. “Perhaps not the boy, especially with his handicap, but a daughter’s betrayal is different. It’s hard for a father to see his little girl become a woman, particularly when she’s looking in the wrong direction.” He cocked a brow.

Jackson moved closer, a low rumble in his chest. “There is nothing between Kim and me.”

“I didn’t say that there was.”

“Don’t mention it again. Ever.” Jackson stepped back several paces.

He nodded, holding back a smile. There were definitely feelings involved. It seemed he wouldn’t be losing his hold over the Guard with this favor after all, but first he had to find Trinity. He clenched his jaw. Begging was going to kill him but he’d do anything for Remy. “Please, search again.”

“You know, something might have gotten her,” said Jackson, studying him.

“Please. There is nothing dangerous out there.” He snapped his mouth shut. It was one thing to doubt the stories about the creatures in the woods; it was another to admit that to Benedictine’s Lead Guard. A lie’s purpose was belief. The Almighty would not be happy to find it was no longer performing its function

Jackson moved closer to him and spoke in a whisper. “Between you and me, it wouldn’t go well for anyone here if Benedictine discovers that you no longer fear the forest.”

Their eyes met and held. The Guard wasn’t joking and he wasn’t threatening. It was a warning, pure and simple.

Jackson took a step back. “We’ll make one more sweep of the forest, but if there is no trail there isn’t much we can do.” He turned and strode away toward the gate.

Troy had to accept the fact that she might not be found or she might already be dead. The forest may not be full of predators but it wasn’t without dangers. He had to plan for her death. He could not lose Remy.

He headed back toward camp in the opposite direction from Jackson. He had to figure out what to do if the Guard didn’t find Trinity. Perhaps, there was a way to put all the blame on Millie. There was no reason that both parents should be punished and it was Millie’s fault. She should have kept better track of her daughter.

He approached a group of teenagers near the center of town. It was Clarabelle and her friends. They stopped talking, only a quiet giggle breaking the silence as he passed.

“She should be reported for attacking Randy, not allowed to hide in her hut.” Clarabelle’s voice was deliberately loud.

He stopped. He should continue walking but he couldn’t. He was angry with Trinity for using his section of the fence to escape, but the real villains were these kids. They had picked on Trinity her entire life. They needed to be taught a lesson. His hand caressed the club at his side, lingering on the cold stone at the top. It had been the only gift he’d ever received from his father. “Excuse me. What did you say?”

“I only said what everyone is thinking.” Clarabelle smiled at him, but her eyes were hard.

It was the wrong day to mess with him. He strode forward, grabbing Randy by the shirt collar and pulling him close. “I know what you did to Trinity and if I can convince Remy and Millie to report it, I’ll bring both of you up on charges.”

“I…I didn’t do anything,” said Randy. “She attacked me. First, she bit me and then, she cut me with something.” He held out his arm, showing the scratch.

He was going to beat the crap out of this kid. Trinity must have been really scared. She’d been in tight spots before and she’d never used her claws and fangs. He lifted Randy off the ground by his throat. “So, you like picking on those littler than you. Well, guess what? So, do I.”

Randy gasped for air, his feet kicking.

“Daddy, stop him,” screamed Clarabelle as she pulled on Troy’s arm.

“Put him down,” shouted Bell.

He dropped Randy and turned to face the older Producer. “You know what these two did. You know they should be punished.”

“He’s lying, Daddy,” said Clarabelle, hugging Randy.

“I know nothing. I wasn’t there and neither were you.” Bell’s eyes narrowed. “Why are you so concerned? It wasn’t your daughter. Is there a reason for your unusual attachment to Trinity and her fath…family?”

He had to be careful. Bell was being less subtle than usual. He took a deep breath. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have touched the boy.” In front of witnesses and especially near your house.

Bell studied him a moment. “Come with me.” The older Producer walked toward his hut.

He followed. This was all he needed to top his day, a lecture from Bell. He’d loathed the older Producer for as long as he could remember. Bell had been a bully as a child and age and influence had not improved his disposition.

“Why was the hairless Guard at your home?” Bell asked once they were away from the teenagers.

He should have expected this. Gossip ran rampant in camp. He threw out the first thing that came to his mind. “There were noises outside my area of the fence the other night.” Unlikely, but plausible.

“Why didn’t you notify the other Lead Producers before sending for the Guards?”

That was a bit tricky. He had to think and think fast, but he was good at making up stories. “I didn’t believe it was anything at first. It was just some slight movement in the brush. I mentioned it to a couple of Guards who were loading the produce and they told their boss. I guess, there’ve been reports of odd tracks in the forest and the Guards wanted to check it out.” He struggled to keep his face impassive. “You know how seriously they take our safety.”

“Yes, of course.” Bell’s eyes locked with his.

Bell didn’t believe him but it didn’t matter. Jackson wouldn’t talk. He turned and strode away. It was unlikely that Bell would side with him on re-pairing Remy. He’d been digging for secrets on the other Lead Producer for years, but always came up empty handed. Clarabelle walked past him, arm entwined with Randy’s, and gave him a smug smile. Perhaps, he’d been searching in the wrong place. Bell’s very naughty daughter could give him the leverage that he needed.