BirthStone by Sydney Addae Page B

full-bloods or
breeds?” He glanced at Dr. Passen before his gaze moved to Matt.
They moved into a small room and locked the door for privacy.
    “Full-bloods are pack animals,” Matt said.
“My money says they are taking breeds from the cradle and training
them before their wolves develop. By the time they are old enough
to shift, the wolf is not the same type of partner as a full-blood,
more like a prop used for speed, healing properties, vision, that
type of thing. But not the guiding force of a full-blood.”
    Silas nodded. As much as he hated to admit
it, Matt was probably right. No one spoke for a moment. Knowing an
enemy had come into his back yard and abused his people was a
bitter pill. They'd caught him off his game and that rubbed him
wrong. During the past twenty years he had complained to Jacques of
boredom. His agenda had consisted of inspecting schools, meeting
with heads of state, intervening in small squabbles between his
Alphas, nothing more exciting. And during that time, his enemies
were violating his people. Shame, thick and vile, rose up, choking
him. He stood and turned away from the others.
    “ Silas?"
    “ Not now, Jasmine."
    “ What’s wrong?"
    He knew she could search him and replay the
past few minutes, but she granted him a measure of privacy.
“ Just coming to some realizations. Pride is a monster and it
does go before the fall."
    “ Okay. You’re arrogant and proud, I knew
that when I met you. Why does that bother you now?"
    He should’ve known she wouldn’t sugarcoat
anything for him. “ It never occurred to me that humans would be
bold enough to attack wolves, to experiment on us. We’re stronger,
meaner, and in a one-on-one fight, we could rip them apart. Never
occurred to me that those I saw as inferior would instigate a war
that could destroy my world... and the reason it never crossed my
mind is pride."
    “ What made you open your eyes to all of
this?" There was no judgment, agreement or disagreement in her
voice, and that eased him somewhat.
    “ Just going over the information from
Asia." He shook his head. “ It’s deep."
    “ Okay, the boys are fighting and I have
to intervene. But remember this, yesterday’s lessons are guideposts
for today and tomorrow. Learn from that and change accordingly. No
matter what, I love you, arrogance and all."
    He smiled. “ Thanks, he said dryly.
Moments later he turned from the wall, fully aware that he had
dropped the ball. But the game was not over yet. “Asia’s a
full-blood with pack mentality, why allow her to get close to me?
As the leader of all wolves, I could control her wolf, and through
the bitch I control the human. They placed her in a risky position,
why? What did they gain? Are they still using her in some way?”
    Dr. Passen pushed his glasses up the bridge
of his nose. “It was a risk. You’ve disabled the camera so they see
nothing. It’s no secret she’s here in the compound. Can they hear
anything?”
    “I don’t know, but I doubt they are getting
any decent signal from where she is below ground.” Silas said,
thinking through every test and conversation he'd had with the
bitch.
    “Don’t forget, according to her, their lab
is also below ground. Probably lots of steel and concrete, so they
may have found a way to receive transmissions through all of that,”
Matt said.
    Silas agreed. Given the amount of money and
knowledge invested in Asia, he knew her creators hadn’t given up on
her. It was only a matter of time before they attempted to retrieve
her, and he would be ready. “I need both of you on top of this.
Let’s get some answers and find a way to defend against attacks.
Asia is willing to help, use her as a resource, but nothing that
will cause permanent harm or death. Is that understood?”
    Matt and Dr. Passen stood. “Yes, Sir. I’ll
get started on the reports and then catch up with Passen to sketch
out a plan of action.” Matt rubbed his hands together. “Is it okay
if Davian returns and