"What boy?" she bluffed.

"I know about the boy. Your jacket reeks of him."

Oh God! He's a psycho, and I'm trapped in an elevator with him. Jen shifted her gaze to the display. Still a floor to go. Damn hospital elevators for being so slow.

"You don't have to be afraid of me," he offered in a voice that passed for courteous.

I'll choose who to be afraid of, thanks.

"Believe it or not, we have the same goal."

"I doubt that." The challenge was out before she could rein her tongue. Too much of Dad in me.

He leaned toward her, planting one hand on the wall beside her head, invading Jen's space.

"You have spent considerable time with the young one," he stated confidently. "Since he wouldn't be comfortable snuggling with you, you must have spent hours or even days in his company to pick up so much of his scent."

The bell clanged, the floor shifted, and the doors started to open. Jen slid through them before they were wide enough for him to fit through, the bag of fresh clothes held to her ribs so it wouldn't catch.

She hurried toward the guard at the door to the security ward, blessing Cal for assigning one outside the ward once the story broke. A glance back showed her pursuer was in no hurry. He strolled after her, looking amused despite the officer's presence.

The officer in question stepped away from the wall and placed a hand on the butt of his weapon.

Taking the peace bond off.

"Is there a problem here?" he asked.

Jen managed a shaky nod, then took her place behind him. She watched her stalker, waiting for the eruption of violence from him.

This was the safest route. The officer was armed; Jen wasn't. At the same time, Jen had a pass card and the ability to set off the alarms; her protector could only set off alarms. It was a good system. No one could overpower him to get through the door.

But it really wasn't designed for both of us to be in the same place when attack came. I should have led him astray instead of coming this way.

"What is your business here, sir?"

The man in question stopped a little more than an arm's length away. "I need to speak with the officer in charge."

"And who should I say is asking to speak with him?" It was clear he thought whatever the answer was wouldn't warrant calling Cal in.

"Tell him Tragen's Enforcer is here. I've come to see the boy."

Tragen's Enforcer? What is that?

The officer took an involuntary step back, colliding with Jen. "If you'd care to wait, I'll call him, sir."

Her stalker smiled, revealing sharpened canines.

Jen's blood ran cold. She'd heard stories about the local pack, but she'd never seen one of their kind before.

That I know of. Who knew a werewolf could look so human?