The Alpha's Mate Who Cried Wolf novel Chapter 37

"These are my sons: James, the future Alpha of Shady Crest and John," he says. James glares at me as though he despises me and wants to rip my head off. John is smirking.

"I'm sure we will see each other again soon," I say, leaving Kane and Leon following behind. Out of the elevator, we go straight to the car.

"He is lying," I say.

"We figured as much," Kane says.

"I can smell Seth's scent. He has been there," I point out.

"What's our next move?" Leon asks.

"Let's get back home and make a plan. We will need all our warriors," I say.

We arrive at Shadow Crest a short while later.

"Leon, get the maps of Shady Crest from the library. Kane, bring Mia and Hayley here." They both nod and leave. Leon returns a short time later with a couple of scrolls he hands me.

"Alpha Ryker!"Mia says as she enters the room, Kane and Hayley behind her.

"Please tell me you found them," she says, hopeful. I shake my head.

"No, but I can confirm they were both at Zenith Creations. Their scents were faint but were there. Alpha Zenith denied seeing Seth but said Astrid worked for him for a few days before leaving with enough money to skip town. So, he has them. He's lying."

We gather around the table and roll out the map showing Shady Crest.

"I think they're in his house. They're not exactly going to let us have a look around. The only way in is if we trespass and declare war. The girls gasped.

"If we go to war, some of our pack members could die, " Hayley grabs Kane's arm tightly.

"No one has to die," I reassure her.

"How so?" Leon asks, confused.

"When we were in the office today, I mentioned Vanessa and Alice as the reason why Astrid fled. I told him they would be punished by death. Zenith tried to hide it, but he and his sons weren't happy about it. We need to find out why he doesn't want Alice and Vanessa harmed. Leon, take a few warriors with you and bring Alice and Vanessa here for questioning." Leon nods and leaves the room.

Leon returns with warriors who are dragging Alice and Vanessa into the room. They sit on a chair next to each other. Alice spits at my feet as I approach.

"That isn't very nice, Alice," I say. She lets out a deranged laugh.

"You have to tell me, what are you to, Shady Crest? What are your rankings?" I ask. Alice glares at me, remaining silent. Vanessa stares into my eyes with sadness.

Vanessa looks at me. My eyes are pleading with her.

"I'm only going to tell you, Ryker, because I love you, and I want you to be happy," she says, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"She is at Shady Crest," she confesses.

"I knew it! Seth's there too!"I growl.

"Wait! There is something you should know. My brother James plans on marking her, and sleeping with her, tomorrow night after her shift," she says. Angry, I growl loudly at her words.

"No wonder he wanted to rip my head off when I saw him today," I ponder.

"Kane, let's go over the map and find the best strategy to defeat Zenith and his pack. Leon, you can get the warriors prepared. Then, tomorrow evening, it's war!"I declare.

"Happy Birthday!"Amelia says as I wake.

"Happy Birthday, Luna!"Seth cheers. I can't help but laugh.

"Who would have thought I'd be celebrating my eighteenth in a cold, dirty cell?" I chuckle. Seth and Amelia laugh. We all go silent in thought.