Free Alpha Pack 02 - Savage Awakening by J.D. Tyler

form, so she stopped thinking about anything but getting to her brother. Nothing else was as important.
    The Huey began its descent and she checked her watch. Almost two hours they’d been in the air, and it seemed like eons. In minutes the copter touched down and the men prepared to disembark, some checking weapons. All of them, she suspected, qualified as a weapon themselves.
    Rowan filed out behind the men, standing off to the side to avoid bumping into anyone as they gathered. Checking out their surroundings, she noted they’d landed in a field bordered by woods on all sides and majestic mountains in the distance, all of it against the vast, beautiful backdrop of a full moon and a zillion stars.
    “This is a change,” Jaxon commented. “Chappell usually prefers to set up his clandestine operations in or near major cities.”
    Nick agreed. “Don’t know why he thought moving one of his sites to Bumfuck, Colorado, would draw less attention from the locals. Took a while for our government contacts to sniff this one out, but his tactic eventually backfired.”
    “Still think we should’ve gone in hot,” Ryon said anxiously. “I don’t like giving the goons time to find out we’re here. Those Hueys can be heard for miles.”
    His comment earned him a smack in the back of the head from the bald guy, Hammer. “Idiot. You forgetting last time we went in guns blazing? They were waiting for us, which is how things went to hell and they snatched Aric.”
    The blond’s expression was suddenly haunted. “They’ll be ready for us, anyway. The ghosts around us, some of their victims, I think, are urging us to be careful.”
    Rowan stared at him.
Ryon’s “gift” is communicating with the dead? The others get to do all sorts of cool stuff and this poor guy gets stuck with being followed around by a bunch of stiffs? Jesus, that sucks.
    “This time we go in quiet,” Nick reiterated. “Remember, watch for traps or any signs of an ambush. Detain any personnel who are on duty and liberate all prisoners. Grant has ground transportation waiting close to the target to assist with the victims who need urgent care. Let’s go—and be careful. We can’t afford another screwup.”
    As they moved out, she jogged behind the group, thinking not only of Micah but also of the other man, Aric. The Pack was devastated over the loss of all their men in the past few years, but Aric’s capture was recent, salt poured into a reopened wound. The guys spoke of him with equal parts aggravation and reverence, and she wondered what he’d be like. For some reason beyond the obvious one that he was their friend who was in danger, she hoped she would have the chance to know him.
    She was so engrossed in her musings, she failed to see a fallen log the others had cleared easily. Cursing, she jumped at the last second and almost did a face plant in the undergrowth. Then she nearly ran right into Zan’s back when Nick, in the lead, brought the group to an abrupt halt.
    “Wait!” Nick cocked his head. “I could’ve sworn I heard a woman’s voice.”
    “I heard it, too,” Zan said, looking around. “Sounded like she said ‘shit.’”
    Rowan repeated the word, in her head. Damn it, Sariel’s spell must be wearing off. But if it just wouldlast until they reached their destination, Nick might not send her back to the helicopter.
    “Maybe it was one of Ryon’s spirits?” Jax suggested.
    “I’m not sure, but I guess anything’s possible,” Ryon speculated. “They can sometimes gather enough energy to make themselves heard.”
    After a few tense moments, Nick led them on. Though she was a police officer and in great physical shape, it was a miracle that she kept up, since their night vision and endurance far surpassed hers. By the time the boss slowed and signaled his men to crouch, she was drenched in sweat. The others weren’t even winded.
    Squatting at the end of the line beside Zan, she caught her breath and peered through the