Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

CAGE

I n the dim light of the forest clearing, the massive grizzly bear stood tall and imposing, its fur a blend of dark browns and silvers under the moon's glow. Muscles rippled beneath its coat as it came down onto all fours, moving with a grace that belied its size, each movement calculated and deliberate.

The bear sniffed the air, inhaling deeply and chuffing—frustrated and angry as it failed to detect the scent for which it had been searching for years. Cage had become aware of her existence and had known her scent from the time it had awakened many years ago at Windsong, the stronghold of Colby Reynolds. He now stood in the forest that surrounded St. Piran's Abbey on the coast of Devon. He wasn't sure why he'd expected to pick up her scent, but he had. The bear roared into the night.

Seconds passed, and the bear's form was surrounded in a violent sort of controlled maelstrom of thunder, lightning, and color. With a sudden surge of energy, he could feel the body of his bear shifting in a transformation that was a breathtaking display of primal power and ancient magic. Cage Weston had been born a shifter. He'd been able to shift since he'd been a child, but still it never ceased to amaze him how his entire being transformed: bones rearranging themselves, fur receding into skin, claws retracting into fingers, and the muzzle becoming a human nose and mouth. It wasn't painful in the least and happened in the space of a heartbeat, but it was miraculous, nonetheless.

In moments, where the grizzly bear had once stood, now stood a man. A very naked and aroused man, but then, shifting did seem to have that effect on males. His chest heaved as he took in deep breaths, adjusting to the sudden change in form. His skin bore faint scars, souvenirs of battles fought in both his human and bear forms. Brown hair clung damply to his forehead, and hazel eyes, still bearing a hint of the bear's intensity, scanned the clearing with a mix of vigilance and despair.

The transition had left him momentarily vulnerable, but it was a risk he willingly took, knowing the power he wielded in either form. As he gathered his bearings, the sounds of the forest returned to normal around him, the night settling back into its familiar rhythm.

Cage was a formidable presence, his large, muscular frame a testament to years of rigorous training and discipline. His brown hair was kept relatively short although longer than it had been when he was a Ranger, revealing the sharp angles of his face and the determined set of his jaw. Hazel eyes, flecked with hints of green and gold, held a depth that spoke of experiences far beyond those of ordinary men. A former special forces operative, Cage had seen the worst the world had to offer and had come out stronger for it.

Now, Cage worked for Colby Reynolds and the Resistance, a force dedicated to ending the Shadow League, the oppressive regime that threatened the world of humans and shifters alike. As a grizzly bear-shifter, Cage possessed not only exceptional combat skills but also the raw power and resilience of his bear form. His ability to shift into a massive grizzly bear in the blink of an eye made him an invaluable asset to the Resistance, his sheer physical strength and animal instincts often giving him a unique edge in battle.

Cage's loyalty to Colby and the cause was unwavering. When his unit had been betrayed on his last mission as a Ranger, it had been Colby who stepped in to ensure his dual nature wasn't discovered and Cage had recovered from his injuries at Windsong. Colby had also given Cage a new purpose: combating the Shadow League—a way to channel his skills and experiences for a cause that truly mattered. It wasn't important that most people would never know his name or what he'd done, but when he closed his eyes for the last time, he would do so knowing he had made a difference.

The memories of his time as a Ranger still haunted him, but they also fueled his determination to fight for a better future. Despite the scars he carried, both visible and hidden, Cage remained determined and committed, inspiring those around him. Colby had once called him a hero, but Cage had disagreed. In the end, he was able to accept Colby's designation of warrior.

He headed into the changing room and pulled on some clothes. One of the nice things about St. Piran's was that most people didn't really notice someone coming in from outside without a stitch of clothing on. He entered the main building and made his way to the office Colby shared with his mate, Brie. Colby was one of the top commanders in the Resistance, heading up their intelligence network. Brie was the leader of the Shadow Sisters, a group dedicated to funneling oppressed female shifters to freedom, and who worked hand-in-hand with the Resistance.

Opening the door, he realized he would be meeting with both Colby and his mate. If Brie was involved, then whatever it was Colby wanted him to do was something that involved the Shadow Sisters. The tension in the air was palpable as he stepped into the room, his presence commanding attention even in the midst of the two lynx-shifters.

The fight with the Shadow League had become more common knowledge within the shifter community as the Resistance recruited supporters from all over the world. The stress of the fight, as well as trying to ensure Colby's mate was kept safe, had taken its toll on Colby. Although he had been the alpha of Windsong for many years and had been running clandestine operations, his hair now was graying at the temples, and there were lines around his piercing eyes. Colby greeted Cage with a nod of acknowledgment. Brie hovered close by—separate but supportive as she kept her eyes on a nearby bank of monitors displaying maps and surveillance feeds.

"Cage," Colby began, his voice steady yet edged with urgency. "We've got a situation in the Mediterranean. It involves the wife of LaFaucheuse ."

"Frank Carlyle?" asked Cage. He and Carlyle had history. It had been Carlyle's cowardice and greed that had wiped out Cage's unit and almost killed Cage himself.

Colby nodded, his jaw tightening imperceptibly. "I know it's not ideal."

"Ideal?" Cage asked sarcastically. "I can't imagine why you'd say that. I have no interest in the princess. Killing Carlyle would be more up my alley. What's wrong with her?"

"We believe she holds vital information not only for the Resistance, but Interpol, as well. It could very well be what we need to put an end to LaFaucheuse , which would be beneficial to both of us and could deal a severe blow to the Shadow League."

Cage listened intently as Colby outlined the threats: Willow's husband, a dangerous figure with ties to the underworld, had put out a contract on her life. She'd managed to get her hands on information damaging to Carlyle's operations as well as the Shadow League. In order to protect their interest, the League was now looking for her, as well.

Colby's priority was to keep her safe and prevent her from inadvertently exposing the world of shifters and the Resistance's activities to the world at large. Brie's goal, as was always the goal of the Shadow Sisters, was to keep a female, who had been thrust into a situation not of her making, safe.

"One of my people has made contact. Willow managed to get herself and the information away from LaFaucheuse . One of my people picked her up and got her to a safe location, but she does not feel they are safe there for long. The League knows we have a safehouse in the area and they have operatives embedded to keep watch."

"We need you to take her to a secure location," said Colby, his fingers flying over the keyboard as he pulled up satellite images of potential hideouts. "Somewhere remote, off the grid. Keep her hidden until we can neutralize the threat."

"What about Windsong? Or here?"

"Like LaFaucheuse, Willow Carlyle is human. I'm not sure a stronghold filled with shifters just living their everyday lives is the best environment for her."

Brie nodded. "She knows about the League, or least she's seen one of them shift. Mercy says Willow Carlyle is a lot brighter than either Frank Carlyle or the League know. She worries she's putting two and two together…"

"And not coming up with three," interjected Cage. "So, you need some place where there are more humans than shifters."

Colby nodded. "Or at least those who are used to hiding the duality of their natures."

Cage absorbed the information, his mind racing with the implications. He knew the gravity of the task ahead—protecting Willow meant more than just physical safety; it meant safeguarding the Resistance's plans and identities from falling into the wrong hands.

"Where'd you have in mind?"

" Castello della Guardia on Isola del Rifugio ."

"That sounds hot," groaned Cage, who greatly preferred colder climates.

Colby chuckled. His voice took on the tone of a salesman. "I'm afraid so. Isola del Rifugio is a small, secluded island that I own through a series of holding companies. It's nestled in the lovely and temperate azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea. You'll love it."

"We both know I'll hate it."

"It might not be your bear's favorite climate, but the Ranger in you will like that the castle itself isn't easily accessible and is surrounded by towering cliffs and lush greenery that give way to pristine, sandy beaches. The island is a sanctuary of sorts, and we use it as a staging area for many of our operations in that neck of the woods."

"It's not as bad as the Middle East," offered Brie. "The climate is typically Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters."

"Need I remind you winter is a long way off? What about the stronghold itself?"

" Castello della Guardia is the reason I bought the island. It's built in the medieval style and is a stunning blend of history and grandeur. It features tall, imposing stone walls with crenellated battlements and towers. The stonework is a mix of rugged, windswept grey and weathered brown, giving it an ancient, timeworn appearance."

Cage looked at Colby with a furrowed brow. "‘A rugged, windswept grey and weathered brown, giving it an ancient, timeworn appearance?' What, are you planning your next career as a vacation planner?"

"No, host of a wildly successful design show on HGTV."

In spite of wanting to punch Colby, Cage couldn't quite keep from laughing at him, which Cage was sure was the reaction Colby had wanted all along.

"My point was, it's big, and it's a stronghold that has withstood sieges and world wars. You'll have some of our best units there planning, training, and staging various operations. As usual, you'll be able to handpick your team. It has all the arms and munitions you could want, and you'll be in charge of Willow Carlyle. Your only job is to keep her alive."

"What about her?" Cage asked, his voice low but firm. "Have you met her? She's been Carlyle's arm candy and pampered princess for years. Why has she stayed silent until now? What's her end game…"

"Right now, her end game is staying alive," said Brie.

Colby nodded. "Brie's right, but I would point out she has a connection to O'Neill's clan, and she chose to bring out valuable information."

"What if she won't go quietly?"

"I don't think she's what you think she is," said Brie protectively.

"It doesn't really matter," Colby interrupted, his gaze unwavering. "You're going in undercover. In fact, most everyone there—other than your own team—is going to think you're just the new majordomo. She has to trust you. You're the best chance we have to keep her safe until we can act on the information she's given us."

"She's already given you the information?"

"She gave it to Mercy before she ever got to safety. Mercy said Willow was insistent that if things went sideways, Mercy was to get the information into the proper hands."

"Not too bright," snorted Cage.

"Or maybe more interested in taking LaFaucheuse and his allies down than anything else."

"Could be," said Cage speculatively, a flicker of resolve crossing his features. He had faced countless challenges in his life, but this one felt different. Willow's life hung in the balance, and if the information was what it was purported to be, she might have dealt a fatal blow to both the Shadow League and LaFaucheuse . Putting that scumbag down made her worth protecting.

Cage nodded once more. "I'll do it." His tone left no room for doubt. "I'll keep her safe."

As the plans were finalized and the logistics of the operation were discussed, Cage realized he was playing a pivotal role in an operation that could well turn the tide of the war against the Shadow League. Brie excused herself to take a call and to reach out to Mercy and catch her up with their plans.

Cage's commitment to the cause and his determination to protect Willow burned brighter than ever, driving him forward into the unknown.

"My plane will get you to Mercy and Willow. Mercy will deliver her to you at the landing strip, and you will leave immediately for the island."

"How will Mercy get out?" asked Cage.

Brie smiled. "She'll fly out on her own."

"Is she a pilot?"

Colby grinned. "Might as well be. Falcon."

Cage started to leave, but with his hand on the doorknob, he turned back to Colby. His eyes narrowed as he focused his gaze on Colby, his voice low and tense. "What's going to happen if we can't keep her from running her mouth?"

Colby's expression darkened, a grim look settling around his mouth. He took a deep breath, glancing around to ensure no one else was listening. "Whatever is necessary," he replied, his tone cold and resolute.

The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, leaving no room for doubt about the lengths they might have to go.