True Claim
Page 16
Sarah had told them as much as she knew about her dad’s side of the family. None of them got the impression Sarah’s death was as critical for Sigma as they meant it to be, so they tasked Dani with finding her kin to determine if there were any clues as to why a female hybrid would catch Madame G’s interest enough to kill outright, instead of capturing and using her.
Unfortunately, after tons of research Dani, in her words, “ain’t found shit.” Sarah’s family seemed non-existent. That would be expected of her mom, dad, and brother. But going back further, there was nothing on her grandfather or grandmother, nor her dad’s younger sister, her Aunt Allie.
Sarah’s heart clenched at the memory of her aunt. She wasn’t terribly surprised her grandparents had maintained a secretive, low-key lifestyle. They’d tried to blend as either humans or shifters but hadn’t needed to be on the run.
Flashbacks of barbeques where they would play backyard games arose as Sarah scanned the images Dani was flashing through. Sarah and her aunt always teamed up. Ronnie had been too little play, and Aunt Allie shamelessly cheated, using Sarah’s youth as an excuse. Sarah’s dad had such a soft spot where his little sister was concerned, he good-naturedly went along until they were all rolling on the grass laughing.
Then there were the tickle fights. Aunt Allie would pin down Sarah and Ronnie as they screamed and giggled, and she tickled their bellies and blew loud raspberries on their sides.
Smiling sadly at the memories, Sarah tried not to remember the day her dad felt the omen that spelled something devastating was imminent.
“Can you call the commander here? I think I’m getting close to something.”
Sarah sent out the mental call since Dani could only notify Mercury mentally, and he was out with Bennett on a mission.
Sarah’s brow crinkled as she saw the same town’s name pop up in several articles. Had Dani finally narrowed down the state? Ronnie had gotten some information out of their parents to try to find the tiny town where her grandparents had resided, and where her aunt went to school. Sarah couldn’t safely talk to them without endangering her new identity.
Pictures of young kids popped up as Dani’s fingers flew over the keyboard. She stopped and waited for the commander to enter.
“I was hoping you two could look through these and see if anything makes your senses tingle.” Dani enlarged pictures of kids, mostly group shots of high schoolers at sporting events. “This should be the town where they were last living, and these pictures are around the same time Sarah’s aunt would have been going to school.
The commander and Sarah spent a few seconds on each photograph, her leaning toward the screen in her chair, with the commander standing over her and Dani with his arms crossed.
One picture flashed up, it was grainy and hard to focus on, but when Sarah made out one face, she gasped.
Commander Fitzsimmons dropped his hands to the desktop, focusing on the same face.
“Fuck me,” Dani exhaled. “Is that—?”
“Do you know my aunt?” Sarah was in shock. If they recognized her, that meant they’d seen her since that day, the day she was supposed to have been killed. She leaned forward, pointing to the citing of the picture. “Look, it names the girls in the picture. There she is. They used her full name, Alexandria, but that’s my aunt.”
“Your aunt is—” The commander cut Dani off with a grimness in his voice that gave Sarah the chills.
“Agent X.”
Thank you for reading. I’d love to know what you thought. Please consider leaving a review at the retailor the book was purchased from.
Marie
RECLAIM
Book 3.5, The Sigma Menace
Master Dane Bellamy was once the commander of the West Creek Guardians, a pack of wolf-shifters charged with protecting local shifter packs. Over a century ago, tragedy struck his growing family, driving him away with a fierce need for revenge. But his return held a devastated, withdrawn mate who resented him for his obligation. Now, he’s immersed himself in training the Guardians of his pack while he and his mate have become nothing more than roommates, until the secret life she’s been living brings danger to their doorstep. Suddenly, Dane finds himself not just fighting to save his broken relationship, but their lives as well.
About the Author
Marie Johnston lives in the upper-Midwest with her husband, four kids, and an old cat. Deciding to trade in her lab coat for a laptop, she’s writing down all the tales she’s been making up in her head for years. An avid reader of paranormal romance, these are the stories hanging out and waiting to be told, between the demands of work, home, and the endless chauffeuring that comes with children.
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Also by Marie Johnston
The Sigma Menace:
Fever Claim (Book 1)
Primal Claim (Book 2)
True Claim (Book 3)
Reclaim (Book 3.5)
Lawful Claim (Book 4)
Pure Claim (Book 5)
New Vampire Disorder:
Demetrius (Book1)
Pale Moonlight:
Birthright (Book 1)
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen