Page 39 of Omega Hunted

“Hold, Cassian.” There was a muffled exchange as Delia covered the mic.

A second later, Decker came on the line.

“Cassian, you copy?”

“Copy.”

“I’ve had a few inquiries about that delivery you accepted.”

My grip tightened on the phone. He meant Soren? My stomach fell. Inquiries meant way too many people wondering who I had up here.

“Official?” I managed to push out.

“Not yet.”

That yet settled like a stone in my gut.

“No way off the mountain apart from snowmobile or shifted, okay? But that means no way on for anyone else? Keep everything buttoned up,” Decker said. “Don’t make any assumptions, and don’t get comfortable. If anything changes your end, I want to hear about it before anyone else does.”

“Understood.”

“And Cassian?”

“Yeah?”

“If you need another pair of hands, you call. Doesn’t matter what time.”

“I will.”

“Good.”

We ended the conversation. Soren nibbled at his lower lip, then dipped his green eyes. Had he picked up on any of that coded intel? He didn’t appear any more distressed than normal or appear to have seen through what Decker was saying.

Instead, he was focusing on getting off the mountain. “So, a snowmobile is a way out?”

“If you’re desperate.” I gestured pointedly at his belly, then held up the handset. “Any time you want to check, or you need help in any way, press here to transmit; release to listen. Give your location, and they’ll respond.” I set it back on the table between us. “Channel’s already set. You don’t have to touch anything else.”

He stared at it.

“You can use it at any time,” I added.

I waited to see if he’d comment, but he picked up his fork, and we ate in silence for a few minutes. Outside, the snow was a steady curtain, and the woodstove kept the kitchen warm enough that the windows were beginning to fog at the edges. My wolf was awake and paying attention, tracking Soren’s breathing and the set of his shoulders, when the fork paused and when he started to eat again.

Ask carefully, I told myself. Not a debrief. Not an extraction. I just want to keep him safe.

“You have nightmares,” I said.

Soren’s fork stilled for a second. “I’m fine.”

“Of course you are.” I kept my voice level. “But my wolf heard the names you called from downstairs.”

He looked up—a quick look—then back at his plate. “I’m used to them.”

“Okay, but I have some questions.” I refilled his tea, and he wrapped his hands around the mug.

“I’m not—” He stopped. Tried again. “I don’t want to talk about my nightmares.”

“It’s not that,” I said. “I just want to understand what I’m dealing with.” I gestured vaguely toward the road. “I have a fence and a perimeter and a threat picture with a lot of gaps in it. If you want to talk about those gaps, I’m listening. If you don’t, I’ll work with what I have.” I paused because I was cautious about how he’d take bad news. “You should know there’s a large bounty posted on the A/O hunters network emphasizing your vulnerability. Whoever posted it is anonymous, but uses the word family, and wants you back home, no questions asked.”