All Chapters of Shifter King: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

I'm unsurprised at the early knock on my door. I quickly dress in military pants and a sky-blue T-shirt making me better prepared for what's coming today. I would throw the darned short skirt and see-through blouse away if questions wouldn't be asked. Officer Daniels's displeasure at waiting at my door has his lips pressed into a thin, unpleasant line. I'm also realizing he's older than he appeared at first. His snotty disposition brings his true age of around thirty to the forefront, pimply face aside. He isn't my friend. "The Shadow Warrior's leader refuses to deal with anyone but you," Daniels says. "The president wishes you to solve the matter immediately." It's so hard not to snap my heels together and salute his idiocy. Instead, I scrunch my nose trying to act scared and concerned at the same time. "Oh dear, this isn't good," I say, wringing my hands for added effect. Okay that may be laying it on a bit thick. "I know I've been living with them, but they still make

I kick Labyrinth under the table when he doesn't answer quickly enough. The jerk still hesitates another long moment before intensifying his glare and speaking, "We trusted you once before and it didn't end well. How will this time be different?" His voice is clipped and the general's back stiffens subtly. King's council decided Labyrinth shouldn't roll over for the Federation and he should fight back enough to keep their suspicions down. I give him credit for not killing Smyth on the spot. The man is pure evil. The general scratches his chin and seemingly relaxes into his chair. The hard eyes give him away. "The Federation is no longer running scared. It took a little time for us to realize the mistakes of the past and we're ready to fix what happened. If we had standardized communication, we would have reached out sooner." The general glances momentarily my way to see if I'll call him on his lie about wanting to contact the Warriors earlier than they actually did

I'm told by Officer Daniels that I need an escort to visit my friends at my old job. Friends is a loose term. I did my job, went home, and rarely socialized. It was easier that way, though they consistently invited me out. "Out" is anywhere they could find a drink. If I started downing alcohol, I wouldn't have stopped. It was better to stay away. The escort Officer Daniels arranged doesn't arrive until about an hour before the analyst shift is over. I'm sure it was planned this way. What they don't know is it could work in my favor. I need my co-workers to invite me out and I'm hoping after my long absence, they will. My guard stays at the door when we enter the small box-like room I called home during working hours. Stark gray desks with writing utensils fill the room. Nothing to adorn the walls and nothing personal scattered around such as pictures or mementos. This is where I worked and socializing as well as decoration of any kind was frowned upon. I never questioned why.

Nothing eventful happens over the next few days besides boredom. There are only so many spots on the wall to count and the books they've left me to read are depressing novels that do nothing but put me to sleep. I've requested a meeting with the president about my inactivity and haven't heard back. Friday takes forever to arrive. I've spoken only briefly to Labyrinth. Thankfully it was enough time to relay what Landan and the ladies told me. Labyrinth is concerned they're setting me up. I understand, but he wasn't at the bar and didn't see their fear or anger at the Federation. If they had betrayed us, it would already be too late and we would be jailed or dead. I left Labyrinth with those exact words. Officer Daniels escorts me to the ladies' quarters himself when Friday evening finally arrives. "I'll pick you up here in three hours," he says and walks off. "Make it four," I call out. He doesn't turn and if he arrives early, he'll be cooling his heels in the hallw

I mourn the loss of my friend while the absence of Marinah destroys me. I can only take the nagging sense of danger for so long before I'm at the breaking point and act. Getting away undetected by Nokita isn't easy. He was taught by the best tracker we have and I never had much luck escaping Beck. I bide my time and while the men are eating dinner, I sneak off quickly. Once I'm clear of our perimeter guards, I shift, giving Beast the lead and kick it into high gear, running at top speed. Beast loves it because he knows exactly where we're headed. Mate, he whispers into my soul. I travel more than seventy miles in three hours, avoiding hellhounds and humans, and arrive in the Federation's territory a little after eleven. I feel Marinah in every cell. I know she's close, pulling on Beast even if she isn't aware it's happening. She'll feel it and I'm counting on her to listen to her beast. I have no idea where she is within the underground compounds, so it could take