Chapter 263
I’m debating whether to call our security company and find out whether this property is registered with them, and if they might be able to give me remote access, when one of those ATV four–wheeler vehicles comes from the other direction.
The two guys sitting in it are wearing security uniforms, but I recognize them as Roberts pack.
“Luna Leah,” one of them says in surprise as he walks closer to the gate. “We weren’t expecting you.”
“Well,” I say, crossing my arms and gathering all my formidable Alpha power now that I’ve got it back again. “Considering both my father and my brother are dead, you had to assume I was going to become aware of this little project at some point, didn’t you?”
The two men share a quick, concerned look, clearly unsure what they’re meant to do.
Is it possible that my father or Liam left strict instructions that
I was not to know about this place, let alone come here?
But why?
“How can we help you, Luna?” one of them finally asks me.
“You can start by opening this gate.”
They share a look again, this time one of resignation.
It’s not like they can defy me. I’m pack Luna and an Alpha as
well.
But it seriously makes me worried about what on earth my father and Liam were either doing or keeping here.
While the two men open the gate, James and I get back into
the SUV.
“This is totally weird, right?” I say to James as we roll through the gate.
“Definitely weird,” James replied in concern, while we wait for the gate to slide closed behind us again.
After that, we follow the ATV up the drive.
I have no idea what I’m expecting, but the perfectly maintained–if not gorgeous–house and garden are definitely
not it.
“What the hell?” I mutter as we pull up in the driveway, just in front of a detached garage.
As I get out of the SUV, I notice all of the house’s windows have
bars on them.
Not just any bars.
Silver bars.
I have no idea what to make of this, but my heart is skipping in my chest, and I can’t think of a single reason why my dad would need a house out in the middle of nowhere with silver
bars on the windows.
Unless he was keeping someone–a wolf–captive.
But who?
And why?
James follows me, looking just as confused and concerned as I feel, as we hurry toward the porch steps.
Once there, we find a silver barred door in place of a screen door.
I look to where the two guards are slowly walking up the short. stairs to join us, looking even more worried and resigned.
“Open this door!” I tell them, underlying my voice with a whole
lotta Alpha command.
“Luna Leah, I don’t think that’s a good-” one of them starts, though he does so timidly, as if knowing it’s not a good idea to question me, but still struggling with whatever standing orders my father or Liam left him.
“Open. This. Door. Now!” The words are a threatening growl, and the two men scramble to comply.
Once both the outer door and inner door are unlocked–and it takes some moments because there are a ridiculous number of locks on both of them–they step back and aside, avoiding
my gaze.
I march forward and yank open the door, James only a step behind me.
Inside, the interior is nicely decorated and homey.
Someone obviously lives here, and if not for the fact there are bars on the windows and all the doors are locked, I might have said they had a nice life.
However, it’s all very impersonal.
There are no photos or personal items anywhere, as though whoever lives here isn’t allowed to truly be comfortable in this space.
I suppose that makes sense, given that it’s basically a fancy
prison.
The sound of our entrance has obviously drawn someone’s
attention, because a moment later, we hear the sounds of footsteps coming down the stairs.
James and I both glance at each other and then walk around
so we can see the bottom of the stairs where they come down
in the corridor, just across the hall from the open double doors
of the sitting room.
A woman slows as she gets to the bottom of the stairs,
obviously not expecting to see James and I standing there.
Something about her looks vaguely familiar, but I can’t put my finger on what it is, because I’m sure I’ve never met her
before.
That’s when I realize she’s not looking at me.
She’s staring at James like she can’t believe her eyes.
James, meanwhile, has completely frozen beside me, and he
looks more like he’s seen a ghost.
What the hell is happening here?
“Who are
you?” I demand into the strained silence.
