Page 124 of Conall
Most telling, the pack’s security protocols had been modified in ways that made no tactical sense—unless someone wanted to create vulnerabilities while appearing to strengthen defenses.
All of which meant his mission to Colorado was more urgent than Malcolm and Larissa had originally realized.
Quinton guided his truck through the winding mountain roads that led to Stardust territory, pine forests gradually replacing desert scrubland as elevation climbed toward the San Juan Mountains.
The drive gave him time to review Nadine’s intelligence packets—detailed analyses of Chimera’s infiltration methods, psychological profiles of compromised assets, strategic recommendations for identifying sleeper agents who might not even know they’d been programmed, all read aloud to him by a computerized voice through the media system.
The briefing materials supported the disturbing picture Nadine had painted for them initially.As she’d said, Gregory Torrance had been methodical about placing assets in positions where they could gather intelligence, influence decisions, and create instability when activated.Pack communications specialists, medical personnel, security advisers—all perfect positions for someone looking to undermine democratic leadership while appearing to serve pack interests.
Someone exactly like Eliot Reeves, Dylan Montoya’s second-in-command.
Quinton had never met the man, but his psychological profile fit Gregory’s preferred recruitment patterns perfectly.Military background, frustrated by civilian pack politics, convinced that strong leadership required authoritarian control.
Exactly the kind of ideological vulnerability that made neural interface programming unnecessary—some people wanted to believe they were serving a greater cause even when that cause involved betraying their own communities.
The Stardust Pack compound emerged from the forest like something from a wilderness magazine—log and stone buildings that seemed to grow naturally from the mountainous terrain.Defensive positions were subtle but well planned, taking advantage of natural cover while maintaining clear sight lines across the valley approaches.Good thinking, though Quinton noted several modifications to the perimeter that created blind spots rather than eliminating them.
Someone’s been making changes without considering the security implications.
He parked near the town hall and gathered his briefing materials, already mentally preparing for the delicate conversation ahead.
Dylan Montoya had been alpha for three years, taking over from her father after his death in a climbing accident.Strong leader by all accounts, but potentially too trusting of her inner circle—a vulnerability Gregory would have exploited.
The mate bond hit him like a freight train.
Pure recognition flooded his system, electric awareness that made his wolf surge forward with desperate hunger.
Every cell in his body suddenly knew, with absolute certainty, that somewhere nearby was the person meant to complete him.The briefing materials scattered across dusty ground as Quinton doubled over, gasping from an intensity he’d never imagined, never realized he might want to experience.
Now, though, every cell of his being shouted,Yes!
The response was automatic, instinctive.
At least until his intellect kicked in.
But not here.Not now.Not yet.
He had a mission to complete, intelligence to deliver, a pack to help protect from infiltration.Personal complications were the last thing—
Conall?
The voice cut through his internal chaos, tones that resonated directly through the newly formed bond.Quinton straightened, his enhanced senses immediately locating the source of both the voice and the overwhelming recognition.
She stood in the city hall’s doorway, and his first coherent thought was that Anders had undersold her in his briefings.
Dylan Montoya was striking in ways photographs couldn’t capture—tall and curvy, dark hair catching copper highlights in mountain sunlight, matching brown-and-copper eyes that seemed to hold depths he could explore for years.
I wasn’t sure you’d come,she continued, moving toward him with fluid steps that made his wolf pace restlessly.After the communications blackout, after everything that’s happened with the other packs—I was afraid Sunburst had decided we weren’t worth the risk.
The way she looked at him made the bond throb with her emotions.Joy, relief, something deeper that might have been love—all directed at him.
Or rather, at…
Oh, hell.She thinks I’m Conall.
The realization should have prompted immediate correction.
Professional courtesy demanded acknowledgment of the mistake.
