Pack's Defense

Pack’s Defense Copyright © 2023 by Heather Karn Published by Scribbling Pen Publishing www.scribblingpenpublishing.com Cover by Burning Phoenix Covers www.burningphoenixcovers.com This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, brands, trademarks, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the author or the publisher. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. To all those who encourage me to continue writing in the First Blood world. CONTENTS Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Also By Heather Connect with Heather About the Author Connect with Scribbling Pen Publishing Bump in the Night First Blood Over ten years ago, on a worldwide live broadcast, the President of the United States announced himself to be a lion shifter. He’d then proceeded to shift on screen for all to see. The world as it was had ended and a new world was put into place, one where supernatural creatures outnumbered the humans. All supernaturals were entered into Classifications: Magic Users, Shifters, Blood Drinkers, Others, and Threats. The Others consisted of those who didn’t fit into any of the other Classifications and whose numbers were small. Laws were created to keep everyone equally responsible for keeping order. However, some creatures were inherently evil, and most police forces could no longer handle the crimes by the Threats: those creatures who were more dangerous than other species, like Vampires and Werewolves. The Elite military program was instituted from this need to help alleviate the Threat problems. Bases were built across the country and civilians were Interviewed to join. The Elite’s mission is to keep cities safe and help reduce crime from the Threats, and anyone else whose mission is to harm the general public. Mika Major Raven Cartana was not a man to keep waiting. When he called a meeting, it was best to show up early. At least that’s what I’d been told by everyone at my Elite base and his base who I’d spoken with about the meeting. My first meeting with the renowned leader and I was late. Busting through the stairwell door on his office’s level—since I hadn’t bothered waiting in line for the elevator—I rushed through the halls, peering at the nameplates on every door. It might’ve been faster to ask for directions, but this early in the morning, there was no one around. They were still waiting downstairs in the parking garage for the elevators to bring them up or not even awake yet. I was likely the only one with a six o’clock meeting. Even though I hadn’t overslept, which I’d feared more than traffic, I was still late. Knocking on the frosted glass door as I entered the outer office, I gained the attention of a remarkably beautiful woman behind a desk. If I wasn’t in such a hurry, and covered in sweat, I might’ve tried flirting. The seductive smirk she sent my way said she would’ve liked the same. “Do you have a meeting with Major Cartana?” Even her voice was alluring with its almost purr-like quality. Just what creature was she? “Yeah. Mika Thornton.” The inner door opened with a brisk tug, and I jumped as my gaze met the man standing in the doorway. “I thought I said to be prompt.” If the name on the office door hadn’t been enough to tell me who occupied this office, the bright magenta eyes of the man standing before me would’ve confirmed it. Raven. A Vamlure. Blood Drinker. “I didn’t count on the crazy morning traffic from the hotel,” I hedged, hoping that didn’t sound lame. It was the truth. He cocked his head. “You stayed at a hotel?” “My supervisor set up the arrangements.” Grunting, Raven stepped aside and waved me into the office. “I’ll have to remind Garfield we have on base housing for visitors. Fay, find out what’s open where Mika can move into after the meeting.” The secretary nodded. “Yes, sir.” They had base housing for guests? We had nothing like that. My base was one of the originals and was a refurbished apartment building. Well it had been refurbished eons ago. The place was back to smelling like mildew, and there was no housing within it. “Take a seat.” Raven indicated two chairs across from his desk, so I did as directed. “You did a great job with the task we sent you. Our forensic auditors were lost for months and you found our answers in a week.” I shrugged. “Finding the hidden accounts of a wolf pack alpha isn’t all that hard if you know where to look. I assume the information you needed was in those accounts.” Raven gave me a sharp nod. “It was.” “Is that why I’m here?” “Yes. This situation is…delicate.” A knock on the door interrupted Raven as a man with thick dark hair stuck his head into the office. “Hey boss. Sorry I’m late.” “Get in here, Jackson,” Raven growled, but it held a hint of humor. An odd combination. “You’re late.” “You knew I would be,” Jackson snickered as he closed the door and plopped into the chair beside me. As he did, I caught a whiff of wolf, same as me. “So, boss, what’d I miss? Did you tell him the good news yet?” “No.” This time,