Shifted Perceptions (Alpha Division)

by C. E. Black

  “I’ll give you a ride back to the hotel whenever you’re ready, but I advise you find a place more permanent if you want to join us. Again, I wouldn’t mind you staying here.”

  He left after that and I breathed a sigh of relief. Now, I just needed to push through the pain and get the hell back to the hotel. The team needed to plan a recovery mission, which meant I’d probably get to play with my gun. My mood lightened considerably and I grinned just thinking about it.

  Chapter 17

  Paul

  Leaving Terry in bed, looking sated, sexy and ready for more was the most difficult thing I’d ever accomplished, but I had things to get done. First was to find out more about this Stone character. I didn’t like the way he looked at Foxy. I mean, hell, I couldn’t blame him, but I also couldn’t help the jealousy that burned my soul every time I saw the two of them together. And it wasn’t just Stone. Foxy had been just as drawn to him as he to her. It’s only the mission, I kept telling myself. Maybe one of these days, I’d actually believe it.

  Stone’s place, a two bedroom brick ranch, was just outside of town. Sneaking around to the back door, his flimsy locks were no match for me as I snuck in. The place was empty, not only in tenants, but there was hardly any furniture either. It had that not lived in feel, which I thought odd, since he’d supposedly been there for more than six months.

  Walking through the kitchen, I took notice of one lone coffee mug in the sink, before moving on to the living room, then bedrooms. I found the master and began rifling through the drawers. Nothing strange there, unless you counted how neatly he folded his tightie whities.

  The closet wasn’t much more interesting. Suits hung neatly in rows. Color coordinated? What the hell? The man was a fruitcake, I thought, as I stooped to look around the baseboards. There had to be something. But as my hands smoothed over the boards and tapped the walls, I found nothing.

  Standing, I held still a moment and took in my surroundings. Where would I hide something? My eyes scanned slowly over the dresser, nightstand, bed and walls, looking for anything out of place. Nothing.

  Then my eyes looked up at the popcorn ceiling. Again, nothing unusual. Until my gaze caught on the ceiling fan above the bed. Barely noticeable was a piece of black electrical tape hanging off one of the motionless blades. Climbing on the bed, I reached up, my hands wrapping around the object taped to the top of the blade and pulled. It gave easily and I stepped down.

  Turning the object over in my hand, I opened it and froze. Immobile, I stood looking at what Stone had been hiding, then shook my head. I couldn’t believe that bastard! This changed everything.

  Chapter 18

  Terry

  Stumbling into the hotel room, I slammed the door behind me just as the connecting room door flew open and a seething Paul stomped in, “Where the fuck have you been?”

  “Not now, Paul,” I began, then swayed as the room spun. My hand dropped to catch myself on the bed before I fell.

  “What the hell happened to you? Are you okay?” He reached for me, clasping my elbow to help me sit down, but I was having none of that. I shrugged off the help and stood, albeit a bit wobbly. “I said not now. I need to call–”

  “Stop it, Foxy!” Paul growled. “You’re going to tell me what happened. Right this fucking min –”

  “I found Red!” Pushing past a stunned Paul, I made my way to my bag and grabbed my cell. Paul was there in an instant, reaching for the phone. “I’ll call. You need to lay down.”

  “No, I’m calling.” My tone brook no argument, as I looked him dead in the eye. This was my fuck up. Red was captured because of me, beaten because of me. I had to do everything I could to fix it.

  The tense lines around his mouth didn’t lessen, but he nodded and stepped back, giving me the space I needed. I appreciated that. I wasn’t in the mood for another dominant man to be up in my face, giving me orders.

  I put the cell to my ear, letting out a silent curse. Well, shit! I guessed it didn’t matter anyway. I was about to have the most dominant man on the planet giving me orders through the phone in about two seconds.

  “Tell me you’ve got something, Foxy,” Teij demand.

  Some hello, I thought sarcastically, but I kept it to myself. Now was not the time for jokes. “Yes, Sir. I found Russell. We need a recovery mission ASAP.”

  “So I take it he’s alive?”

  “Yes, Sir, but barely. We’ll need a medic on standby. He’s been beaten to shit.” I glanced at Paul. He was staring at me, taking in every word and at the mention of how bad Red was, his brows furrowed with worry.

  “Alright, I’ll call in the team,” Teij growled. “We shift at twenty-four hundred hours.” When in our animal form, the Alpha Division could mind talk. This came in handy when we needed to coordinate while so far apart physically.

  I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. Eleven PM. Damn! I’d been gone all day. No wonder Paul was upset.

  “Yes, Sir,” I said.

  Just as I began to lower the phone, Teij spoke again. “And Foxy,”

  “Yes?”

  “Good job,” he said, before the line went dead and something lifted inside me at his words.

  Teij, though not much older than myself, was a father figure to the whole team. His approval meant everything and I wanted to smile, but there was too much to do, and I wouldn’t be completely at ease until we got Russell out.

  “We shift in an hour,” I told Paul, though I was sure he had already heard. “Can you call Bear?” I asked. I didn’t like to admit it, but I needed to rest.

  “Of course,” he replied, watching as I lowered myself to the bed and closed my eyes. Damn, I was tired.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” At his question, I opened my eyes to see his face full of concern. More than I’d ever witnessed from him in the past.

  I smiled as best I could to reassure him. “Sure,” I whispered, my eyes drifting shut. “Just need to rest a minute. I’ll be good as new in ten.”

  “Foxy, time to meet up with the team. Come on, wake up,” Paul’s voice floated through my drowsy mind and I curled into his side, glad he was lying next to me. I pushed my nose into his chest and breathed deeply. So comforting, his scent.

  “Come on, Foxy, we got to get moving,” he said again and this time I felt his warm lips pressed against my forehead and I smiled sleepily.

  “I don’t wanna,” I whined playfully, wanting to curl up with Paul and sleep all day. Hell, maybe weeks or months would be better.

  Then I remembered what we needed to do and I sat up quickly, dislodging Paul’s arms. Was he holding me? I blinked my eyes in the dim room and shook the sleep off. The bright neon numbers on the clock said we only had five minutes until the meeting.

  Yawning, I glanced back at Paul. He was reclining on his back, his chest bare with his arms stretched behind his head. His cropped hair was mussed in my favorite way and I couldn’t keep my eyes off his straining muscles, as they flexed.

  Wait! My eyes lifted to his and I blushed. Shit, I actually blushed, as a grin split his sinful lips. That ass caught me staring and flexed just to tease me. He was so going to get it. Later.

  “Come on, sleepy head,” I told him. “We can’t stay in bed all day.” I slapped his stomach before bouncing off the bed, laughing at his grunt.

  “Just you wait, Foxy girl. I’m going to chain you to this bed if you don’t watch it.” Paul’s playful growl had me chuckling, as I stripped off my clothes. I knew he watched me, so I made sure to shake my ass a little, grinning when I heard him groan. Once finished, I turned and winked before shifting.

  His eyes were dark with lust, as he stood and stripped as well. It took all I could not to start panting. He was all hard muscle, rippling and thick. I shook my fur and growled when he chuckled.

  Then I watched, mesmerized, as he shifted. It never failed to take my breath away. He crouched down to all fours, his muscles undulating as his neck bulged. The swell of black fur looked like silk sheets flo
wing over his gleaming skin, and in seconds, he was a massive black jaguar.

  His dark gaze held mine and I shivered from the intensity. The man was dangerous, with a capital D. What did he want from me? I still didn’t know. Was this some sort of game for him? If so, I was pretty sure I was losing.

  “We’re all here?” I heard Teij ask, ending the moment and I shook off the foolish emotions that had begun to well up. We had a man to save.

  Chapter 19

  My position, hidden within the foliage of the tree thirty feet off the ground, was not comfortable. But in spite of a damn branch poking me in my ass, I was giddy as hell. I had my baby nestled in my arms. Her cool, hard body felt good in my hands, as I snuggled closer, eyeing my target through her scope.

  If felt exquisite to have my rifle back in my hands, where it belonged. Saying that being a sniper was my strong suit was an understatement. I’d been called the best in the country. Not sure if it was true, but hey, I’d take it. It’s what I was used for in most missions and though it had only been a couple of days, I’d already missed it.

  The warehouse was about seventy five yards from my position, far enough away to keep me hidden, and not at all a problem for my shot. The helicopter had landed in a clearing not far away, letting the boys out, where then the pilot would wait for his orders. The rest of the team was coming in on the ground, surrounding the building before making their way inside.

  I waited in the tree. If anyone made a run for it, I’d shoot. Luckily, or maybe not so luckily, I hadn’t decided, Stone’s car wasn’t there. He was home, safely tucked into bed, dreaming about his boss’ big schemes. He was safe. For now.

  As soon as my boys made an appearance, my gaze focused solely on Paul. The whole team dressed in the same black fatigues, though Paul was the one I couldn’t take my eyes off of. The light breeze ruffled his dark hair, his head moving side to side, as he swept the area, his gun pointed down yet ready. The men moved swiftly toward the warehouse, but just as they reached the door, Paul turned. The moonlight bathed his face, as he searched the trees for me and when his eyes finally connected with mine, his lips lifted into a sensual smile. I stuck my tongue out at him playfully, then laughed softly when he winked, before disappearing into the warehouse.

  The instant the boys entered the building, the sounds of shots fired was immediately followed by a few growls. I stayed in my tree, watching over them as they got our man.

  The sound of crunching gravel alerted me and I groaned, guessing I’d been too quick about Stone’s whereabouts. Through the scope I watched, as his Mustang slowly came to a stop. He got out and stilled at the noise coming from inside the warehouse.

  “Yeah, buddy, that’s not for you. Turn around and run,” I whispered, but he didn’t listen to my silent request. He began to jog to the door and I shot a round at his feet. The dust flew up, as he came to a halt and looked around for where the shot came from.

  More shots fired inside had Stone walking forward, but I pulled the trigger, hitting the ground in front of him once again. He stopped and turned to look directly at me, or so it seemed. I knew he couldn’t see me. It was pitch black out and I was too far away to be seen by a human, hidden in the dense foliage, but the way his gaze seemed to connect with mine through the scope was disturbing.

  I sighted the rifle. One pull and I’d make a perfect little hole in the middle of his forehead. He didn’t move and my finger twitched. Seconds went by as sweat trickled down my spine and my breathing grew rougher. Why didn’t he just leave?

  Hours later, or so it felt, Stone turned and got back in his car. I didn’t let him out of my sight until he was no longer visible, then I let out a sigh and shook my head. What was that? Why didn’t I just shoot the bastard? Because you need him. A voice inside my head reminded me. Once Red was out, I needed Stone to find out who owns the organization. Yeah, keep telling yourself that, Terry. I shook my head again and got back in the game.

  A man came running out. Not one of ours, I thought and pulled the trigger. He went down just as the whomp whomp whomp of the helicopter blades filled the night. The chopper landed next to the building and my boys rushed out, carrying a beaten Red in their arms.

  I didn’t relax until they’d loaded him on and flew out. And when the last sounds of the chopper faded into the night, I smiled in relief. Easy peasy. Just wished I could have taken a shot at more than one bad guy. Oh well, I shrugged. Next time.

  Chapter 20

  The next day, I found myself in Stone's office. He sat at his desk, papers flying everywhere, as he searched frantically for something. I watched for a minute, then tapped on the open door to gain his attention.

  “What the hell do you want?” he barked, before looking up. I raised an eyebrow and he motioned me in. “Sorry about that. It’s been one hell of a day,” he apologized. “So, what can I do for you?”

  I shut the door behind me and sat in the chair across from him. “Nothing I can think of right now, but you’re the one who wanted to see me.”

  “Oh, that’s right,” his brows furrowed. “Wait, you actually came with my men? Are they alive?”

  I chuckled, “You wound me! Would I hurt anyone? Little old me?” I pouted playfully.

  “Abso-fucking-lutely.” His voice was so serious, I burst out laughing and he joined in.

  “You didn’t send Phineas and Ferb, so yes, they’re still breathing.” I didn’t add that I had to come whether I wanted to or not. He’d threatened me just the day before, but he already knew that.

  He laughed again and said, “Damn, I needed that.”

  “So, bad day, huh?”

  “You wouldn’t believe how bad.” He shook his head. “Someone broke into the warehouse last night.”

  “Man!” I feigned surprise and a little outrage. “Anything stolen?”

  Those gray eyes of Stones stared at me a heartbeat too long, as I kept my face blank of anything but curiosity. Finally, he nodded. “Yeah. That guy I was questioning yesterday is gone.”

  “Really?”

  “And the boss is pissed,” he sighed, as he pinched the bridge of his nose with his forefinger and thumb.

  “It was just one guy, right? I mean what does he even matter?” I held up my hand when he glared at me. “I know you said he was a traitor, but what can you do?”

  “Nothing,” he replied. “But we think he hurt someone. A woman named Emma. She was a sweet girl...”

  “Is that why you were beating on him?”

  Surprisingly, his long frustrated sigh sounded full of regret. “Truthfully, what you walked in on was the first time I’d touched him.” He shook his head, “I don’t know why I’m telling you this, but I feel like you need to know. I didn’t even know they had him like that, but my boss was breathing down my neck and I needed answers. Now, I only have more questions.

  “But there’s too much other shit needing to get done to worry about it right now,” he continued. “So, you’re right.”

  “Of course I am,” I grinned, but I wondered who this Emma chick was and what happened to her.

  His laughter cut off, as the door opened and in walked the bitch that had stuck me with a needle the day before. I sat calmly, giving her nothing as she smiled at me, the white bandage covering her left cheek stretching taught. The sight of the bandage and remembering how it got there, filled me with pride. Internally, I was coming up with ways she would suffer even more from my hands. Suddenly a smile lit my face in pure evil anticipation. The blonde’s own smile dimmed, as she eyed my expression. Better run, bitch.

  “What can I do for you, Cassandra?” Stone asked and her smile was back on, as she made puppy eyes at him. Gag!

  “You’re needed in the fighter’s quarters. A disagreement,” she shrugged.

  Stone sighed and stood from his desk. I stood as well, but he waved me back down. “I’ll be right back, Foxy. Please stay. I needed to talk to you about something.”

  “I’ll be here.”

  The blonde made like she
was going to follow Stone out, but I stood and called her back. “Um, Cassandra? Can I talk to you?” My tone was sweet, as I made sure Stone was out of earshot. She turned and curled her lips in disgust, but I ignored it, until I heard Stone speaking to someone in the other room.

  Grabbing the blonde by her neck, I swung her around and slammed her against the concrete wall. Her eyes were wide and stunned, though full of hate, as I snarled quietly. “You drugged me,” I growled.

  “Orders from Stone,” she responded, her voice raspy from the pressure I was putting on her throat.

  “I don’t give a shit who gave you the orders. Keep away from me, or I’ll do more than scar your pretty face.”

  The blonde had the audacity to raise her eyebrows mockingly and I growled. “Stop growling at me,” she snapped. “What the hell are you going to do? Kill me?” She chuckled, until my grip tightened. She cut off with a choke.

  “You don’t want to know what I’ll do.” She grabbed my wrist, digging her nails into my skin, but I barely registered the pain. “You do know I’m a shifter right?” I asked, sniffing at the skin of her neck. “You smell afraid. I like it.”

  “Please,” she rasped, “You’re a fox, not a wolf. You can’t eat me.”

  I laughed lightly. “So, you think foxes aren’t carnivores? Think again, little rabbit.”

  “I’m not a rabbit.”

  “To me you are. A scared little bunny. I love bunnies.” I licked her neck and chuckled when she stiffened. Then I sucked on her earlobe, dragging my teeth down the flesh until I tasted blood. I moaned for good measure when she whimpered.

  I heard Stone finishing up his conversation, so I pulled back and smiled. “Better run along, little rabbit, before I decide to go hunting.”

  I let go of her neck and stepped away. She coughed and rubbed her throat, as she glared at me. “You think you’re such a bad ass, winning fights and pushing me around, but if you keep messing with Stone, I’m going find you when you least expect me. Then I’ll be the one on the hunt.”