Chapter Fifteen
Vince: The Shadow Syndicate
When we arrived in New York, Frank called to inform us that we would meet with FBI Special Agent Phillip Gregson. What caught my attention was when Frank told us that Phillip was a werewolf who works on supernatural cases and that whatever or whomever we were chasing had the FBI’s attention.
“We should be getting close,” I said, looking at the GPS for the twentieth time.
The address Frank gave us took us to a part of New York I didn’t know existed. It was densely populated with trees, which threw me off. I distinctly recall New York having tall buildings and being heavily populated. Upstate New York was just rural land—a vast opposite to New York City and its surrounding area.
“In one thousand feet, turn left,” the GPS voice stated.
“I had no idea New York had dirt roads, trees, and acres of untouched land,” I said as I turned onto a dirt road.
“I didn’t either,” Jared laughed.
We spotted a black SUV with dark-tinted windows a few miles down the road.
“This must be the special agent Frank spoke of,” Jared said as I pulled up beside the vehicle.
As I put our vehicle in park, a tall blonde male with an athletic build, wearing a black suit, got out of the driver’s side. His features were more Norse than an FBI agent’s, but the golden hue in his eyes and scent told me he was a werewolf. I knew quite a few of us were serving our communities by working in some government regions, such as the FBI. We needed these individuals more and more as the world’s population expanded.
I’m sure the line between the human world and ours has blurred many times, but we were still hidden, per se. With the help of those like Phillip, we can continue to keep our anonymity.
“You must be Vince or Jared,” the tall blonde asked with an outreached hand.
“I’m Vince,” I said, shaking his hand. “That’s Jared,” I added, pointing to my counterpart as he stepped out of the vehicle.
“I’m Special Agent Phillip Gregson. Frank told me what you’re up against.”
“Thank you for allowing us to join you,” Jared said, shaking Phillip’s hand. “My third in command, Lucas, is in the backseat.”
“Is there anything you can tell us about who we’re dealing with?” I asked, wanting to get down to business. “Frank said you have been tracking down a particular group.”
Special Agent Phillip cleared his throat and paused before speaking as if what he had to say was shocking. “I can tell you that we may be chasing after the same group. They kidnap female shifters, especially if they are of a rare species, and sell them at auction.”
Even though it was stuff I had heard before, it still felt like a punch to the gut. I had no idea what Lissa was going through, let alone anyone else that was picked up with her. I wanted to find whoever was involved and tear their limbs off, but I knew that The Council would forbid it. For once, I wanted to ignore the laws set in place, but Lissa needed me.
“Since my division is different than the others,” Phillip said with a hint of a smile. “You can accompany me and my team as we infiltrate the building up ahead. My team is in place and awaiting my order.”
He walked to the back of his SUV, pulled out a couple of tac vests, and handed them to Jared and me. I couldn’t help but snicker at the thing because regular bullets wouldn’t stop us, only slow us down. However, we were working with a group who were familiar with our kind and would be better prepared to use modified ammunition, such as bullets laced with wolfsbane and silver.
“I’ll need you to wear these. You’ll enter the building after my team, but don’t try to involve yourself in anything that would require me to add your name to my report.”
The scent of damp earth and the faint rustle of leaves underfoot filled the air as the pack moved stealthily through the wooded area surrounding an abandoned barn. The building was just a front, a temporary stop in the larger operation, but it was the lead they had been waiting for.
Lucas paused just outside the door as Phillip’s team went inside. His sharp eyes caught a glint of something on the ground and motioned for me to approach him.
“Vince,” Lucas called out, kneeling to examine a piece of paper partially buried under debris. He carefully lifted it, revealing a logo stamped on the corner—a shadowy emblem of a dragon eating its tail that sent a chill down my spine. I had seen that image before.
“This is part of the corporation’s logo: The Shadow Syndicate,” Phillip added. “It’s as I thought. More than likely, they’ve already moved on to the next place.”
I took the paper from Lucas, my mind racing as he snapped a picture of the emblem with his cell phone— The Shadow Syndicate. It was a name that had been whispered in the darkest circles, a corporation known for trafficking supernatural beings, using them in illegal breeding programs, and selling them to the highest bidder. We needed to breech inside and see if we could find anything further to confirm it, but as Phillip said, they had already moved on.
“It’s like they’re two steps ahead of us,” I huffed.
“You must keep your head clear of all that negativity, brother,” Jared sighed.
“Jared is right,” Phillip added. “I’ve been chasing after this group for over two years. We have one more place we can check. A confidential informant had informed us of an auction happening soon.”
“What are we waiting for?” I asked.
“It’s located in dragon territory. I know the alpha, Mason. He has an insider who can help us. We’ll have to visit him first to get his permission and to see if he can offer us aid.”
Jared and I nodded, and I immediately pulled out my phone and dialed my cousin, Aiden, who had been coordinating the rescue efforts from his estate. “Aiden, we found something,” I said, my voice tight and urgent. “The Shadow Syndicate is behind this.”
Aiden’s voice was grim on the other end. “That’s bad news, Vince. If they’re involved, this is bigger than we thought. You need to be careful. Get as much information as possible, but don’t take unnecessary risks. We need you in one piece.”
“Understood,” I replied, my resolve hardening. “We’re heading into the city. I’ll keep you updated.”
The drive into New York City was tense, the city’s towering buildings casting long shadows as the sun began to set. The streets were alive with activity, but my focus was singular—finding Lissa and shutting down the operation that had taken her.
We arrived at a nondescript building in the northeastern part of the city, the location of Mason’s hoard. As we drove, Phillip filled us in on who Mason was. He was the alpha of the Northeastern hoard. He was a powerful dragon known for his fierce loyalty to his kind and his ruthless approach to those who crossed him.
Mason’s pack occupied a vast area of New York City that stretched to the upper New York State. It was bordered by dense forests and crisscrossed by rivers that shimmered under the fading light. The heart of the territory was a large, fortified estate on the city’s outskirts, a testament to Mason’s power and influence.
Mason had ruled for nearly a decade, and his leadership style was well-known. He was a strategist, preferring to lead through calculated decisions rather than brute force. His hoard was one of the most disciplined in the country, with members who were fiercely loyal to him. Mason was known for being fair but firm, a leader who earned respect not through fear but through his ability to outthink and outmaneuver his enemies. His territory reflected his leadership, where order and strength were paramount.
“Greetings, wolves,” Mason drawled as we entered the large, dimly lit room that served as his office. The dragon’s presence was imposing, his golden eyes gleaming with intelligence and barely restrained power.
“Alpha,” I replied, offering him a small smile. It was all I could do to provide a modicum of respect, primarily due to the tense atmosphere, but it was enough.
“Alpha,” Phillip nodded.
Mason leaned back in his chair, his gaze piercing as he studied us. “You told me that you had some useful information and that I would want to hear what you have to say.”
“I do,” Phillip replied.
“So, indulge me.”
Phillip nodded, getting straight to the point. “It seems our kind are being kidnapped and sold into a breeding program against their will, and a dragon is a potential buyer. That program is operating here in New York and is run by a group that seems to be growing far too quickly. We need to put a stop before they get too big.”
Mason’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of anger passing through them. “How did you come by this information?”
“My mate was kidnapped,” I added, not caring if I was stepping out of line by interrupting. “And we were able to track where she’s been. It led to the arrest of a few involved, and they offered information on what was going on and where it was happening,” I explained, my voice steady but laced with emotion.
Mason’s expression darkened, his lips snarling in distaste. “We don’t partake in kidnapping our own kind, but if what you say is true, we have a problem on our hands.”
I took a deep breath, ready to reveal my next piece of information. “I was also made aware that you have a member in your hoard who is part of the Knights of Freedom. The Victim’s Protection Organization (VPO). We need to speak with him.”
Mason’s lips curled upwards into a sly grin. “Maybe we do.”
At that moment, Jared, who had been standing quietly beside me, stepped forward. “I’m a Knight myself,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “We would like to speak with him.”
Mason considered them for a moment, then nodded to someone behind them. Jared and I turned to see a tall, muscular dragon shifter step forward. I recognized him—Deacon, a hoard member and someone rumored to have deep connections within the VPO.
“Very well,” Mason said. “Deacon will assist you. Since we’re now connected in this matter, I want you to keep me informed going forward.”
“Will do,” Phillip added.
“Oh, and wolves,” Mason chirped. “Consider this a favor that will be repaid at an undisclosed date.”
“Of course,” I nodded. I was sure he would make such a request. I know I would have. If I were going to be the alpha neighboring his territory, I would want him as an ally and would do anything to keep on his good side.