Commander Klebus glanced over her shoulder at me, before addressing the hunter again. “You couldn’t break this shield if you tried.” She seethed, but then a look of worry passed over her face when Kaillen’s next tap caused a bolt of electricity to flare on the shield. A tiny crack appeared in it before the ward healed itself.

The commander blanched. Yep, even Commander Klebus had no idea about the power my mate wielded.

Composing herself, she added, “And actually, it is important to understand how you found this facility. This is a top-secret location, which has never been breached before. I will need to ask you and your mate to accompany me to a conference room in order to determine how this information was shared.”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible,” he replied smoothly.

My entire body hummed at the sound of his voice, and even though I was making myself stay rooted to the spot, what I truly wanted was to run right through the ward and throw my arms around him. My mate, my mate, my mate. Mine. Mine. Mine.

The words echoed in my chest over and over, like an incessant toddler that craved a shiny new toy.

Gods . . . The pull this man had on me. The absolute craving that sang in my blood was nearly overwhelming and made me want to act like a complete idiot.

But even knowing that and being aware of how entirely fucked up this was, the need didn’t stop. That constant and incessant want him, need him, must be with him zinged along my nerves again and again.

I grumbled as the instinctual mate bond nearly overtook me, but I held myself firm, not moving a muscle while feeling truly sorry for every mated werewolf male that had ever lived and hadn’t been able to claim their mate. ’Cause if this was what they felt every time their coveted female was in the same room as them, ugh, it seriously blowed.

“I’m afraid I can’t let you walk out with Ms. Davenport.” Commander Klebus crossed her arms, an icy expression on her face.

Kaillen stilled, his expressionless mask falling into place. “Oh? And why’s that?” he asked, his tone deadly calm yet promising violence.

“She’s under SF protection.”

“Not if she doesn’t choose to be.”

Commander Klebus advanced on him, stopping just short of the ward so they were nearly standing toe to toe. “She requested my help. I would consider that a choice.”

“Actually,” I said, stepping forward, “I would prefer to go with Mr. King.”

Commander Klebus rounded on me. “Come again?”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t want to stay here anymore.” Might as well not beat around the bush. “I want to leave with him.”

Ire flashed in her blue eyes, and her lips thinned. “Did you tell him about this location?”

“Of course not. I don’t even know where we are.”

“Then how did he find this place?”

“I’m a hunter. It’s what I do,” he replied from behind her.

She whipped back to face him, an incredulous expression forming on her face that was quickly replaced with wary excitement. “You could track her here? To a place clouded in illusion spells?”

He smirked, the portrait of male arrogance. Such a deceiving ass, but I couldn’t stop my smile. “I could indeed.”

“Fascinating,” she whispered, so quietly, that only my enhanced werewolf hearing allowed me to hear her.

“Despite how enamored you are with me, Commander, I’m afraid I can’t stay to chat. If you would release Ms. Davenport, we’ll be on our way.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I’ll need to complete the necessary paperwork first. This is highly irregular.”

“So you say.” His expression stayed disinterested, but when he locked gazes with me, a pulse of attraction sparked between us, so magnetic and hot that I swore it created an actual energy field.

My wolf whined in excitement again, and it took everything in me not to make a complete fool of myself and throw myself at him. Of course, that would only result in me slamming into the invisible wards and probably being electrocuted or something equally horrific in the process. Still, the need, the pull . . .

His lips curved, his nostrils flaring, as if he’d caught my excited scent even though that wasn’t possible through the ward.

Commander Klebus snapped her fingers toward a young SF member. “Let Mr. King in.”

“Yes, ma’am.” The private hurried forward, then directed the hunter to an area ten yards away that allowed transfers in and out of the ward.

The entire time the young private explained the process, the hunter’s gaze stayed on me. Fire flashed in those irises, hinting at the questions lurking within, but I couldn’t very well tell him about Jakub yet. It would have to wait until we left and were far out of hearing range before I told the hunter that we had one shot to catch that bastard before he escaped via the sea.

Once inside the base, Kaillen’s expression didn’t change. He remained the portrait of insolence and boredom, yet I detected his emotional scents. They were subtle enough that I didn’t know if Klebus was aware of them, but beneath his calm exterior I knew he was quaking with impatience and felt the calling that sang through my blood too. My mate. Mine.

“This way,” Commander Klebus said stiffly.

Kaillen crossed his arms. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m here to take Tala and leave.”

She cocked her head. “I merely want to discover how you found this place. Surely, you have time to answer a few questions?”

“Actually, I don’t. And how I find things isn’t your concern.”

Her eyes flashed blue fire. “On the contrary, it’s entirely my concern. I’m the commanding officer here.”

“Regardless of your rank, it’s within my rights to travel anywhere on this planet without disclosing why I choose to go where I do to the SF.”

She advanced on him, but I stepped into her path. “Commander Klebus, I’m truly sorry for the commotion we’ve caused, but can we please be on our way now?” I gave her an apologetic smile as I tried to diffuse the situation, because knowing these two, it was either continued verbal sparring or an all-out war.

Her lips pursed, but some of the metaphorical steam wafting from her ears vanished. Straightening, she gave a curt nod. “You’ll still be on the SF’s watch list since you both now know about this place.”

“We both understand. Don’t worry. We won’t tell anyone.”

She gave me a shrewd glare, obviously not happy with how this situation had turned out.

“Thank you for letting me stay here,” I added, hoping to pacify her more.

She crossed her arms. “This excursion cost the Supernatural Forces valuable time and resources. I transferred you here with the understanding that you would be staying under SF protection.”

I nodded contritely. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to waste anyone’s time or money. Truly, I didn’t.”

Her tone softened, and that familiar gleam returned to her eye. “It was quite informative, though, I will say that. Do you still have my card?”

I gave a curt nod as Kaillen’s eyes narrowed.

Her nostrils flared as she assessed me and the hunter again. Kaillen stood silently, his jaw working while he watched us. I had no idea what he was thinking, but I had a feeling I would hear all about it once we left.

“Private, please collect Ms. Davenport’s things,” Commander Klebus said to one of the soldiers, before she crossed her arms and faced the hunter again. “Where do you intend on taking Ms. Davenport?”

“She’ll be safe.”

The commander gave him a withering glare. “That’s not what I asked.”

“I know.” He smirked.

I nearly pinched the bridge of my nose, but then Tessa abruptly lurched forward from the back of the group.

“Tala!” She rushed to my side and pulled me into a hug. “Stay safe,” she whispered into my ear.

I squeezed her back. “I will.”

Her bottom lip trembled when she released me, her eyes awash with unshed tears. I pinched her. “Have a little more faith in me.”