The snarl of rage that slipped from him had Bureau agents, both human and Breed, jumping and running from the communications room as techs and satellite ops went to work.
The air of fear that hung over the room was smothering, stifling.
Cassandra Sinclair, the face of the Breeds, the much-loved, deeply revered and most hunted of the Breed species, was missing. Her capture could cause a true war between Breeds and humans to erupt.
The human-Wolf-Coyote blend of her genetics made her unique, a true halfling as some called her, but the fact that those genetics were created outside of the Genetics Council labs, and the child born naturally, her mother’s ovum unaltered, made her truly one of a kind.
The only Breed that contained the genetics of not just one, but two of the predatory animals used to create the Breeds—Wolf Breed sperm altered with Coyote genetics and used to fertilize an unaltered human ovum—was unheard of. And as Cassie matured, it was obvious those genetics were somehow mutating, strengthening in ways Jonas couldn’t quite put his finger on. In ways he’d never figure out if she wasn’t found.
Beauty, innocence, compassion and a kind heart made her a favorite of both Breeds and humans lucky enough to meet her.
There was an air about her, one reporter had stated after an interview with her, that drew one to her, that filled one with warmth.
And now she was gone.
Jonas slammed out of the operations room, the animalistic snarl that erupted from his lips terrifying in its pure rage.
He’d helped raise that child. Looked after her. Protected her. And now someone had dared take her.
It had to be the Council. Those fucking scientists and war dogs that banded together to create then torture the Breeds would never stop, if he didn’t find a way to destroy them. And God help them if they had Cassie. There wasn’t a breed outside those ranks that wouldn’t erupt in pure animalistic rage if they had her.
Fists clenching, he hurried through the halls of the Western Bureau of Breed Affairs, and rather than taking the elevator, he took the stairs up. Two and three at a time he rushed to his offices, intent on calling in every team, every Breed, every mercenary the Bureau employed, to find her.
They had hours. Only hours to find out what had happened. Callan Lyons, the Prime of the Lion Breeds was already preparing the Lion Breed community of Sanctuary for war, just as the Wolf Breed and Coyote strongholds of Haven and Citadel, respectively, were preparing while their alphas joined the search.
And it would be war.
Whoever had taken Cassie would pay, because no doubt, before they could reach her, she’d be dead; that, or so damaged that the very acts that damaged her would send rage cascading through the Breeds.
They were human, but they were animal as well. The world had no idea what was about to be unleashed it, and for once, Jonas wouldn’t try to stop it.
Hell no, he’d help it along.
“Director Wyatt, your mate and child are waiting for you in your quarters. We’re prepped and ready to fly as soon as you’re ready.” The Breed security detail awaiting him as he stepped into the hall closed around him.
Six powerful, savage Breed warriors trained for two decades for nothing but death. Twelve more were with his mate and their child.
“Ten minutes,” he snapped to the commander. “Have Rachel and Amber brought to my office. We’ll leave from there.”
He had to get his pregnant mate and their child to Sanctuary before blood was shed. It was the only safe place. And if war did erupt, they, along with the other mates and children among the three Breed communities, would be flown to Africa and hid deep in Congo with the Breed known as the First Leo. It was the final refuge when the world turned against them.
“Delay that order.” The brooding Scottish burr of that voice had Jonas and his detail turning quickly to face the Breed moving easily up the hall despite the weapons trained on him.
“What the hell are you doing here, Styx?” Jonas growled, watching the redheaded giant as he brushed past the other Breeds. “Get your ass back to your mate.”
“You’ll want to wait a few minutes more,” the Wolf informed him. “At least until you and I chat a minute.”
He was one of the few Breeds Jonas didn’t have to look down at to meet their gazes. They stood eye to eye, nearly toe to toe, and something in the other Breed’s eyes warned him this was no ordinary meeting.
“Delay the order.” Jonas glanced to the Coyote, the commander of the team, long enough to receive his nod in reply.
“This better be good,” Jonas informed Styx as he slapped his palm to the security scanner beside the door. “Endangering my family isn’t something I’ll take lightly.”
He stepped into the office, waited for Styx to join him, then slammed the door.
And froze.
The fragile figure that rose from the leather office chair in front of his desk was a shock. Slender, barely five-four until she put on those high-assed heels she preferred. Long, silky curls rioted around her delicate face and fell down her back to her hips. Black, pencil-slim skirt, matching camisole and sleeveless vest paired with black heels.