Judge: Mating Fever: Shifters Forever Worlds (Barely After Dark Book 3) by Elle Thorne

sunglasses, all four had military haircuts.
    He glanced at Cross, wanting to gauge his brother’s expression.
    Cross nodded. “They’re the best. Lucky they were in the area.”
    Cross, Lance, Griz, and Judge stepped out of the vehicle.
    The wolf shifters joined them.
    “Griz.” The head of the wolves nodded at his uncle.
    Judge looked from his uncle to the head wolf. Was there anyone Griz didn’t know?
    “Range. Long time.” Griz nodded a greeting.
    “Cross,” the wolf called Range held his hand out to Cross. “I heard there’s talk you’re moving up.”
    Cross shook his head, disbelief plastered on his face. “I don’t know how the hell you know the stuff you do.”
    The wolf shifter’s smile was cryptic. “Lance, Judge.” He looked at each respectively, clearly aware who was who.
    Judge realized the shifter had a database, complete with photos, if he recognized him and Lance so easily.
    “I’m Range. That’s Asa, Jason, Davin.” He pointed to the three shifters behind him.
    “Anything?” Cross asked? “Sign of our Intuitive?”
    “No. Several male humans. An elemental. One leopard shifter. Not sure what type the elemental is.”
    “They’re not onto you, right?” Lance asked.
    A small derisive laugh slipped from Range, his granite-cast face not showing any emotions.
    “You fellas have Tranqs?” Griz inquired.
    “Don’t leave home without ‘em.” Range’s grin was wolfish. “Got our hands on some high-priced anti-Tranqs, too.”
    The truck door opened. Ciara stepped out and walked up. Mac and Ariadne behind her.
    Ciara put one hand to her temple, rubbed gently. “She’s in there. I can feel an Intuitive. Maybe two.” She paused, cocked her head. “Could be three? Is that a third? It’s so faint.”
    Mac leaned in. “The baby,” she whispered.
    “It could be,” Ciara agreed.
    “We don’t want to advertise our presence early. No one seems to come this way, but you never know.” Range glanced around.
    “What’s the plan?” Judge was ready to get going. “Does anyone have one?” He looked from Cross to Range.
    “Wait.” Ciara held her hand up. “Wait.” Panic laced her voice. “There’s distress. Pain. I sense distress and pain.
    “Like what?” The cold fingers of fear gripped Judge’s heart in a vise.
    “I can’t tell.” Her eyes, such a light and transparent blue, now flashed a metallic silver. “We have to help them—her.”
    “I’m going now.” Judge stepped forward.
    “We’re with you,” Range said.
    “Lance, Cross, stay. Don’t jeopardize your positions with the Compliance Unit,” Griz said. “I’ll go with Judge. You stay and take care of Ariadne, Ciara, and Mac.”
    “No.” Mac shook her head. “Lani might need me. The baby—I’m coming.”
    “I’m going, too,” Ciara announced. “You may need me.”
    Griz shook his head. “Hardheaded,” he said, but gave the women a look of admiration.
    Lance shook his head. “Mac’s not going without me. And I’m not worried about the Compliance Unit. Unlike Cross, I don’t see a future there for me.”
    “Which building?” Griz asked.
    Range pointed to the second one on the right.
    “Last time you saw activity?”
    “Last night when they sent one guy out for dinner.”
    “Any idea how many men?” Griz pressed on.
    “Not for sure, but we’ve been listening to heart rates. I’d say about a dozen.”
    Judge looked at their guys. With the four wolves, Lance, and Griz, there were seven of them.
    Cross must have been thinking the same thing, he opened his mouth.
    Griz shook his head. “You need to stay here with Ariadne and the baby. “Hell, I’d rather you two drove away, but I know you won’t.”
    “I can’t leave you guys to take care of this alone.”
    “You need to take care of your mate and the young ‘un she’s carrying.” Griz smirked. “Anyway, in your new position, you won’t be out in the field. Get used to it.”
    “You’re right, I know.” A small snarl slipped