Searcher: TDU Series, #3

By Jyn West

The number of paranormal entities in the world are increasing and intermarrying with humans. Those humans and their friends and families are now aware of them and word is spreading. Who will help with peacekeeping and law enforcement as knowledge of their existence spreads. Who will help train local law enforcement agencies how to deal with these groups, who have until now been self-policed. With the increased numbers and expansion beyond the voluntary group boundaries of the past, an integrated human and paranormal force will be needed for the future. The Tactical Development Unit (TDU) is that force.

Book Three of the TDU Series continues following Danny and Jeri's stories. Will Jeri and Zachary make it to the altar? Is there a honeymoon in their future? Who will the next lost one be who is found? Come find out when you read with me.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jyn West
• Release date: Sep 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393539353

Book preview

Chapter 1 – Wedding Day

Danny’s story started when he was abducted at age 11 and recovered at age 21 and discovered to be one of the lost in a prophecy that will have eternal implications for the world we live on. Jeri found her Soul Mate, Zachary Logan the local wolf pack Alpha. Join us in Searcher to continue following Danny and Jeri’s stories and learn more about Cadence, the next lost one who will be found and more.

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Sunday 0530

I feel them, those caramel eyes, staring me awake. I open my eyes from my Zachary cocoon and find Danny in his grey from, nose to nose with me. Danny, I laugh in my mind, what are you doing?

Waking you up for your wedding day, he laughed.

In your grey form?

Yip, it seemed a little too creepy doing it in human form when your mate is wrapped around you like a human burrito. No wait, Robert is the burrito, Zachary has to be something more romantic, a human wedding quilt? Nah, still looks like a burrito all wrapped up no matter who is doing the wrapping. Wake up for breakfast. Andy and Robert are already cooking. I’ll leave your room and change back.

After the door closes, Zachary opens his eyes and bursts out laughing. A human burrito? We both laugh and snuggle in for a few more burrito moments. Then Zachary stops laughing, Wait a minute, what did he mean Robert is the human burrito? There is a jealous frown on his face. I reach up and smooth out the frown lines and kiss his face.

Before I moved in here, I was having nightmares about Carla at the training center being attacked. (She is in housekeeping.) On our first mission he was in an adjoining room and he came through the adjoining door to save me when he heard me screaming and found all he needed to do was wake me instead. When he tried to wake me he got a black eye for his trouble when I woke up swinging and had one of the marble Baoding balls in my hand. So, he knew about the nightmares by the time I actually moved in here. 

Apparently one night I was broadcasting the attack to Robert all the way to his house, he hopped the balcony divider and banged on the patio window to be sure I was safe and that it was just a nightmare. After his banging and yelling finally woke me up and I let him in the room, I was too scared to go back to sleep and asked him to stay and hold me. So he climbed in bed and held me to keep me safe from the nightmare.

That was my first nightmare after moving in to my new home. We had just discovered that we could communicate from our units to each other but didn’t realize just how good it worked until he was caught in the nightmare experiencing it with me.

When I woke up I couldn’t figure out right away why I was so warm and couldn’t move, then I remembered the nightmare and him coming to my rescue and I laughed that I felt like I was wrapped up in a warm human burrito.

He made sure I shared it with Shaman and Dr. K, who added in Williams and they changed their security flaws from the nightmare when they realized they really did have a housekeeper at the facility named Carla and that she has been in the facility alone like that before. We don’t know if it was a premonition, but they treated it like it was to be sure Carla would be safe working there at night.

He is family, Zachary, but only you are my MATE.

He sighed and hugged me tight. I am glad he was there for you then, but I still wish it had been me. You didn’t have Danny then yet, did you?

No, we were joking one day about some of the strange things we have experienced since I found Robert at the training center the day I came to interview with Williams. Danny got such a kick out of my nickname for Robert when recounting that experience that he brings it up to laugh about it now and then.

So, Babe, in the six months since you met Agent Robert Anders, your trainer and handler:

You have freaked him out the first day with a telepathic communication.

Freaked him out with pictures of you as multiple species.

Went on your first mission with him as your handler, during the interview process.

Woke him out of a dead sleep screaming, on that same mission.

Gave him a black eye for trying to help you, on that same mission.

Called a witch friend to deliver a salve for his eye while on that same mission, thereby disclosing the mission team location to a civilian.

Discovered a weird tapping language on that same mission.

Freaked him out by turning your hand invisible.

Sucked him into a nightmare with you, necessitating another rescue attempt.

Talked him into just sleeping with you, instead of giving him a black eye this time.

Called him a human burrito, after getting him to just sleep with you.

Had him assigned to you as your permanent handler.

With his help had security measures at a CIA training facility changed for the better, based on a nightmare or possible premonition.

Got him involved in identifying a lost shifter who refused to shift.

Created a pack of 3 to include him.

At this point I come in to the story and find my fated mate and try to deny it for almost 3 days before I give up and accept it and start trying to figure out how to convince you, my mate, of that.

You enlist his help in rehab for said shifter who can’t shift.

I find out you call your handler from work by his first name and find myself battling jealousy.

You withhold information from your handler forcing me to rat you out to him even though he is the man I am most jealous of where you are concerned, and I am petrified that you will never forgive me.

He yells at you, he forgives you, he praises you and you fall asleep in his lap and we are back to me being jealous of him again.

We get engaged and he tells the whole agency and Marine Corps, so my phone almost blows up with texts and emails.

He helps the non-shifting shifter to start shifting again.

You sent the smell of lasagna telepathically to torture him and me both.

You arrange for a wedding in less than a week and he has to give up his home to house incoming guests for it.

And all of that happened in just six months’ time to someone you are not marrying.

Life with you and I will never be boring. I can’t even begin to imagine what my list is going to look like over the next six months let alone eternity. But I am in, Babe, I am all in. I love you.

Robert pops his head through the door of the bedroom, are you guys done talking yet? Breakfast is ready. And Logan? You were jealous of me? Really? Good to know dude, as he walks away laughing.

WTF, how did he hear all that?

Babe? I don’t know how it works in your big pack but in our small pack, if you don’t think it to someone specific it goes out to everyone. *grin*

We get up and dress as we talk.

Now you tell me. Well at least during sex I won’t be thinking of anyone but you. He starts laughing. Okay, just so you know ahead of time, on the pack link you can think down through the pack and decide who you are trying to reach, or you can reach out to the whole pack. Like making a phone call. Just thinking a thought in and of itself, goes nowhere. However, if there is a strong emotion involved of a painful, fearful, aggressive or violent nature, that emotion will carry through the link and you will likely have others checking to make sure you are okay. If you are feeling extremely happy, joyful, loving emotions, or feelings of arousal they will feel those, so you will need to consciously shield those emotions and feelings that you want to remain private.

So broadcasting like when my nightmare went to Robert?

Yes. Now that said, the link between you and I, after the bonding it will be open 100% of the time for emotions and feelings. The thoughts can still be shielded but the emotions and feelings will always come through. Even during the birthing process and sex. So orgasms are felt both ways, giving and receiving by both parties.

Whoa. Have I broadcasted anything so far?

No, I think that is because you are different and your access to the link is different but after the bonding it may more closely resemble the true pack link. Most of the time it acts as a protection. If someone is hurt, others know to find them. If they are fearful or being attacked, that spreads to the pack so that help can be sent. In a pack when someone says I know how you feel, they really do. The stronger the person feeling it the stronger it can telecast.

How will I learn to control that when I am not a shifter in the true sense of the word? Can you block hearing things that you realize are not meant to be heard by all?

I think you will naturally do okay. Your experience so far is telepathic in nature where you naturally project to a specific person or specific group of people so that will be the same. As the Alpha couple our projections are the strongest in the pack, so we have to consciously suppress some things. If we are hurt in a fight it is important that our pack know we need help but once that help arrives it is important for that to be suppressed so that they feel our strength battling through it. Otherwise we become a target by those who might challenge us for the Alpha position.

If you are generally happy and share that with others around you, there is no reason to block that. They need to feel the happiness and comfort it brings them. If you are having a bitchy hormone kind of day, probably better to block that and just go radio silent so to speak. They will figure out from the silence that you are either out of range or need alone time. With the exception of close friends who will likely check on you, the rest will let you be until they feel your normal demeanor return. I will try to alert you quickly if I pick up on a broadcast that should be suppressed and will confirm to you when you are successful doing it. You will pick it up very quickly.

We walk into the kitchen and greet everyone up and eating. Did anyone let Shaman and his family know about breakfast being ready?

No, we thought it might be too early for them.

I will see if I can get through to Shaman Gerry then. Shaman, I think, are you awake?

Yes, Jeri, we are currently getting the children ready for the day.

Okay, we have breakfast over here when you are ready. You are welcome to join us, there is plenty.

Thank you. We will be there shortly.

They will be over here soon, I relay. Robert, do you need me to give you a hand there?

No, you two go ahead and eat. Danny and Andy are almost done, so they will help.

Okay, thank you. Did you get to eat yet?

I’ve been taste testing everything since I started cooking, he laughs, so I am good to go.

Mmm. Mmm. These pancakes are so good. They taste and smell like bacon and maple syrup without adding any, how did you do that?

I actually did add diced bacon to the batter and then drizzled maple syrup in several thin ribbons across the pancake after pouring it into the pan. Then the pancake as it cooks raises up around those ribbons until you turn it.

Oh, so you could use different flavors of syrup too if you wanted. And maybe diced fruit? Oh my, I can see we are going to be experimenting with pancakes aren’t we Danny?

Yes, yes we are. I bet Katie would like them too.

You are awfully quiet over there, Mr. Logan, I laugh.

He swallows and says, well soon to be Mrs. Logan, I am on my 3rd pancake to your first since you have been chatting with everyone. They are delicious Robert, thank you for making them for our wedding day breakfast. A real treat.

I take my plate to the sink and walk over to open the door for Shaman and his crew who are just walking up to it. Good Morning. Come on in. I hug each of them as they go by on their way to the kitchen. Robert made the most amazing pancakes this morning. If anyone does not like bacon and maple syrup, speak up. If you are not a pancake fan, speak up for that too. We have several cereals available as well and lots of fruit and yogurt.

We visit for another 30 minutes and then excuse ourselves to leave for the pack house to get ready.

The drive to the Pack House is peaceful. One of those times where we feel content to just be with each other, when words are not necessary. Zachary said that after the bonding we would be aware of each other’s emotions and feelings 100% of the time. In the short time we have known each other, we already have time periods like that, like the one we are in right now. It is the most wonderful feeling of unity, like we are truly each half of one soul. The anticipation of having this all the time is exciting. I am also curious to see if the electrical charge we feel every time we touch will remain or if that will calm a bit once we are bonded. If it stays as strong, I wonder if there is a way to direct that energy as a protection for us, like a Taser amplified. *snicker*

What has you chuckling, my love, Zachary asks.

I was just thinking about the way we feel electricity coursing through us when we touch and wondering if that will continue or strengthen after the bonding. If it stays and strengthens, I wonder if we could project it like a Taser for protection against anyone trying to harm us. There are Native American stories of those who are so closely aligned with the elements that they can control them.

With the abilities you have uncovered, so far, I would not be surprised. *wink*

We arrive at the pack house around 0900. This may be a wolf pack, but it more closely resembles a bee hive, there is so much activity. We take our bags to our room and repack for our two day trip. Zachary takes those two bags and puts them in the trunk of the car we will be taking and arranges it so that we will be able to get out and not need to have anyone move vehicles when the time comes.

We check in with Mary in the kitchen to see where help will be needed. She tells us the food is under control and several have been assigned to take in any items brought in. Others will come in as the bonding ceremony ends to start setting the food out. A team is already assembled for clean-up. Each team is assigned in a way that will allow them to participate in the celebration before and after their assigned time slot. The chairs and decorations were set up last night and a group will go out at 1100 to make sure they are all dry of any residual dew.

The security team has the list of room assignments for those arriving today if you would like to greet any who are still to arrive to fill those accommodations. By noon you two need to report to your rooms to dress for the ceremony. Jeri we have you set up in the Master Bedroom, you will actually need to go at 1130 to allow enough time for hair and makeup as well. Alpha we have you set up in the guest room next to that and once you are dressed you need to come down so that you do not see the bride until she is escorted down the aisle to you at 1300.

Wow, Mary, you are so organized. Very impressive, I said.

She smiled really big and said, I wish I could take all the credit but truly Sienna and Beth along with the Beta’s wife Lynne did all the organizing this time. They just put me in charge of the finished list because everyone coming in fresh gravitates toward my kitchen. We all laughed. They do say the kitchen is the heart of the home, so I would say that was a good call. Me too, Zachary agrees. Okay, he adds, we will circulate and help as needed until our appointed prep times. We both give her a hug and head out back to see how everything looks set up.

As we walk out onto the back deck, I stop and stare, speechless. When I finally feel I can speak again I turn to Zachary. How many people are coming? Oh. My. God. There must be over five hundred chairs set up. I can feel myself swaying and my knees going weak. Zachary reaches out to steady me. We are expecting between 500-600 love. There will likely be standing room only. It would have been more, but many were not able to get off work from their jobs on such short notice. Jeri? Are you okay? You’ve gone a bit pale, maybe you should sit down, and I’ll get you some water.

Beth and Katie walk up right then, is Jeri okay, they both say on the pack link? She looks like she’s about to faint.

Zachary said, I don’t think she realized just how many would be attending the ceremony today, seeing all the chairs was a bit overwhelming.

Beth sends Katie to get a bottle of water and sits down beside me signing and speaking softly on the pack link. Jeri, it’s going to be okay. Once you start down the aisle, you won’t notice anyone but Zachary waiting for you. Just focus on him and you will be just fine.

Zachary has his hand on my back and the other one on my thigh as he squats down beside me. Beth puts one hand on each of my cheeks as I start to fade and blend into the decor and thinks, breathe, Jeri, breathe. Zachary whispers, you can’t disappear on your wedding day sweetie. It’s going to be okay, but we need to be able to see you.

I focus on Beth and take a deep breath and pull my energies back. My coloring returns just as Katie runs up with the water.

I hear Zachary release the breath he had been holding, he had been holding on for dear life so that I wouldn’t fall, knowing they wouldn’t be able to see where I was if I did. He embraces me fully and kisses my forehead.

Whoa, babe, you scared me there. Beth, thank you for stepping in, I wasn’t sure what to do to help her.

You held on to keep her safe, it was just a bit of stage fright. We should have given her a better idea of how many would be coming so it wouldn’t have been such a shock. Here, Jeri, sip some water. Katie snuggles in to Jeri and Jeri finally moves and hugs Katie back.

Thank you for the water Katie, I sign. I’m sorry I worried you all, stage fright is probably a good term, Beth. I was thinking small and intimate was stretching things with 150 expected. I don’t know why I had that number in mind but then I saw all the chairs and it was like an out of body experience for a moment there.

I put my hand on Zachary’s cheek and give him a quick reassuring kiss. Sorry I scared you.

At least you cloaked with only a couple of us here to see it. That is not something we wanted others to know about just yet. Beth, please do not share that with anyone else. For Jeri’s security it is not common knowledge and if she were ever kidnapped, it may be a protection for her until help can arrive but if others know of it then they would take precautions and it would be of no use.

Mums the word, Alpha Logan. Not sure anyone would believe it without seeing it anyway. We all chuckled.

True, so true. I knew what was happening and it is still hard to comprehend sometimes, he said. Jeri has that ever happened before without you initiating it. We probably need to mention it to Robert and Dr. K, just to be safe.

I think it was just the overwhelming emotion that triggered it, Zachary. I was thinking about how I don’t do well in very large crowds and maybe I could just disappear for a little while. I guess my body took that as permission to cloak. When we get back in a few days I will share it with them and see if they can help me learn to control my emotional response better to surprises like that.

Would you like to go lay down for a few minutes before those helping with your hair and make-up arrive? Or we could go sit by the fountain together?

The fountain would be lovely, thank you.

Beth says she and Katie will come get me when they are ready for me. Thanks again I sign to Katie, she signs back you are welcome. They walk back toward the house and Zachary and I walk to the fountain and sit down with his arm around me and the other hand holding my hand. Maybe we could talk a little about the true size of your pack, I say, so that when I come out to go down the aisle toward you I will be better prepared. He laughs and says that would be a good idea. Better late than never. We talk until Beth returns for me and I am feeling better by then and ready for what the afternoon will hold. Knowledge is power. Robert needs to help me understand potential scenarios before missions, worst case so that they are not a surprise.

Sunday 1130

90 minutes until I am a married woman. I should be nervous, but I am excited. Joining with Zachary just seems so natural, like we have been together in prior lifetimes and have just found each other again in this one. It is like coming home.

The girls are so sweet, they primp and pamper me. While one is working on my hair, Sienna keeps my mind occupied telling me more about the nomadic group she found and is trying to help. We discuss possible ways to approach them and she tells me at least one of the women is a Cheetah like her but that the others are not. They seem to be using something to cover their natural scents and suppress them, so she hasn’t been able to determine what species they are or if they are all Cheetah’s. A few of them have found part-time employment in the area but are still living in the forested area. They are using a post office box for mail and have registered the children with the school district as home schooled for religious reasons. She has tried tracking them in her Cheetah form and has been able to find them twice now. They are living in a system of tents, but they move frequently. She hasn’t noticed any pattern to the moves, so she is not sure if it is when they worry they