Free Wolfen by Madelaine Montague

shrugged. “We don't actually have to tell them anything beyond the fact that we're looking for something. We can let their imagination do the rest. What we need is to get an official looking vehicle, hazmat suits, and equipment that looks convincing enough to turn everybody out to get checked. We find a place big enough, and solid enough, to guard them and ‘quarantine’ everyone that isn't infected. After transition we can explain away any deaths as the results of riots and/or the illness.

     

      "We're going to have our hands full during transition, but it'll bring out the rogues that started this mess. Once we take care of them, I don't think we'll have too much trouble cowing the rest. There's no going back for them. We'll have to make them understand they'll be expected to abide by tribal laws, have them settle on a leader until the council decides who to put in charge of the territory."

     

      "Danika might be a problem,” Con said.

     

      "She already is a problem,” Balin agreed. “A distraction we can't afford."

     

      Con reddened faintly. “I meant, she'll know it's a ruse. And if I know how her mind works—and I'm beginning to get a feel for it—she'll be totally pissed off at what she sees as interference with her own agenda. She was sent to evaluate the situation and come up with a solution. Even if we could convince her we were sent here by the CDC or some other government agency, she'd going to want to know why she wasn't kept in the loop."

     

      "I'll keep her distracted,” Dakota offered, mock solemn.

     

      Balin wasn't amused.

     

      "Try it and I'll fucking rip your head off,” Con growled.

     

      "Seems to me you're getting damned territorial over a woman that isn't yours,” Jared snarled. “You kissed her. You didn't mark her."

     

      "Exactly!” Xavier agreed indignantly.

     

      "You can't mark her,” Balin said coldly. “None of us can. She's human, not wolfen, not even were . It wouldn't take."

     

      "How do you know?” Con demanded. “You ever tried?"

     

      Balin narrowed his gaze on Con at the challenge. “I haven't, but it's been tried."

     

      "Myths and legends,” Con spat with disgust. “She responded to me."

     

      Balin tamped his rage with an effort. “She would. We're wolfen. Even as weak as the human instincts are, they can't resist something as powerful wolfen pheromones. But that doesn't change the fact that they don't choose mates as we do, or feel the ties we do."

     

      "Who the fuck is talking about choosing a mate?” Dakota demanded. “None of us are stupid enough to try that. I know it wouldn't take. She could fuck every one of us and not feel anymore bound to one than another."

     

      "But would you feel the same?” Balin asked pointedly.

     

      The question rocked all of them back on their heels. He could see it hadn't occurred to them, being alphas, that they might get caught up in something they'd have a hard time shaking.

     

      "I'm willing to risk it,” Jared offered after an uncomfortably prolonged silence. “Someone needs to or she'll be in the thick of this and then there'll be no covering it up."

     

      Jared had a point he hadn't considered, Balin realized, wondering if it was an actual problem or he was just as eager as the others to find a reasonable excuse to do what he wanted. They needed to keep Danika distracted and out of the thick of things. “Your willingness to sacrifice yourself for the good of all moves me,” he murmured sardonically.

     

      "Moves me, too,” Con snarled. “Maybe I won't wait to take your fucking head off!"

     

      "I volunteered first, god damn it!” Dakota growled.

     

      "To take his head off?” Xavier asked doubtfully. “I thought that was Con offering to take your head off."

     

      "Shut up, Dupree!” Jared snapped.

     

      Xavier glowered at him. “You think you can make me?"

     

      Balin sought patience and failed. “We'll