Free Bear's Match (Bear Heat Book 6) by Natalie Kristen

Bears clan,
and...”
    “They're your family,”
Nicole said. “And I can see that you're very proud to be a
part of this close-knit, supportive, wonderful clan. I've met most
of the Black Bears. I've even met their mates and cubs. And I love
them!”
    The kitchen door opened and
Jade and Dylan stepped out with steaming bowls. “Dinner's
ready,” Dylan announced.
    Jade came to relieve Nicole
from her mothering duties. She gathered the baby up and murmured,
“I'll put him to bed. You just sit down and eat, Nicole.”
    Luke knew his sister had been
eavesdropping on their conversation when he saw tears glisten in
Jade's eyes. Quietly, Jade kissed Nicole on the cheek and whispered,
“Thank you.”

CHAPTER
EIGHTEEN

    Luke and Dylan walked into
the office together. Ethan had called Dylan and told him that all
the intel on Haven Orphanage had come in. They would have to move
fast to save the children.
    Ethan assigned Trevor and
Baxter to guard Nicole and Brendon. The two of them arrived at the
apartment just before Luke and Dylan stepped out. They came armed
with boxes of diapers, baby toys and infant formula.
    “The females in the
office ordered us to bring these,” Baxter grumbled.
    When Nicole stuttered and
confessed that she didn't know how to change a diaper, Baxter had
crowed proudly, “I'll teach you! Lindy fed our little girl,
but I was the one on diaper duty at night. I can change a diaper in
under thirty seconds. That's the record to beat,” he
challenged Nicole.
    Nicole accepted the challenge
readily, and Luke chuckled as he left them to it. Nicole and Brendon
were in good hands.
    Three teams were already
assembled in the large conference room when Luke and Dylan arrived.
Ethan came in and stood at the head of the long table.
    “We're going to have to
move in quick and get the children out. All the children,”
Ethan said.
    There were nods and murmurs
round the table.
    Ethan glanced down at the
report in his hands and said, “Our suspicions have been proven.
Alberto Birns is behind this.” Ethan looked straight at Luke
and said, “Yes. Dr. Faizel, the doctor who injected Luke with
that shifter serum was working for Alberto Birns. Alberto is the Mob
boss who financed that whole experiment and operation.”
    Eyes swiveled to Luke, and
Luke could feel the charged atmosphere in the room.
    “We'll get him this
time,” Thor swore. “Alberto went into hiding and we've
been trying to flush him out.”
    “And the bastard is
targeting children now,” Luke said through clenched teeth. To
put a child through the harrowing ordeal that he had gone through—it
was unthinkable.
    “Yes. The Mob selected
children to be injected with a new, more potent serum. The children
will grow at an accelerated pace, and they will become stronger,
bigger and faster than ordinary humans. Some of them may be able to
shift, because the serum contains some shifter cells,” Ethan
answered. “The Mob is growing its very own squad of special
bodyguards and hitmen in Haven Orphanage.”
    “Brendon,” Luke
said suddenly. “Brendon was injected with the serum, wasn't
he? That's why they want him. The orphanage Director made a mistake
and allowed Anna Ward to adopt him.”
    Ethan nodded. “The
orphanage Director, Madam Dixon, is a very rich woman, according to
her bank records. The Mob has been paying her off to turn a blind
eye to what they're doing to the children under her care.”
    Curses flew around the room
and Ethan held up his hand for silence. “We need to get all
the children out. We don't know which ones have been injected.
Dylan, Paige.”
    “Yes, Alpha.”
    “Get your teams ready.
The building will be guarded. We have to move quickly and carefully.
We have to make sure none of the children are injured.”
    “Yes, Alpha!”
    “Thor, we have
information on Alberto Birn's location. The police will be moving
in. They requested backup from the Black Bears. Gather your team
and meet Detective Kenner at the