Page 22 of Lost Wolf (Exiled Omegas #2)

Twenty-Two

Ollie

Smith says they already have enough evidence to arrest Rockcastle’s Alpha, Earl Jenkins, but they want to get a better idea of the pack structure and compound layout before moving in—a task Luke and I will be positioned perfectly for since we already have an invitation into their territory. The invitation Remy wrangled out of the Alpha Mate can’t extend to Smith and Yang, but, as Luke’s second, we’ll be able to bring Macy in with us without causing an uproar.

So, just like that, our visit to Rockcastle goes from family reunion to a sort of recon mission for the triumvirate. On the plus side, we no longer have to worry about Rockcastle having any objections to our mating. Yang guarantees whoever the triumvirate appoints in Earl’s place will be more than happy to do whatever’s necessary to officially release me from the pack in return for our help with this.

That’s one problem solved, but it seems like a bunch more just got piled on top.

Smith pulls out an actual paper map and lays it over the hood of their vehicle, smoothing out the creases with one hand. He points at a large shaded area in the center. “This is our best estimate of the Rockcastle territory borders. It spans over five hundred acres and backs up to the National Forest, so we’re obviously not expecting you to go over all of it.” He sets his index finger on a smaller section outlined in red. “There is only one marked road where you’re headed, and it leads to this area where we believe the main house is located.”

Yang taps a finger on the eastern edge of the territory. “The only other access to the property that we can find is this old fire road. Smith and I will wait there in case we’re needed.”

Macy frowns. “How will you know if you’re needed?”

“With this.” Yang pulls a small rectangular object from her pocket. “It’s a satellite messenger. It can’t do anything more than send a distress signal and give a location, but it keeps things simple.” She quickly goes over how to use it and hands it to Luke, who slides it into his pocket.

After going over a few more details, the two praetorians wish us luck and then we’re off, this time with Macy driving and me sitting in the backseat.

The dashboard GPS leads us to a narrow curving road that hugs the side of the mountain, a rock wall on one side, and nothing but a frighteningly small guardrail protecting us from the sheer drop on the other. My ears pop as we continue upward, and Macy’s grip on the steering wheel tightens.

I’m not sure how long we climb, but the road eventually levels out—sort of—and Macy takes a narrow gravel road that, thankfully, leads away from the side of the mountain and into the forest of trees. The gravel gives way to dirt, the trees encroaching further and further into the path, and eventually, Macy has to pull to a stop when what was a road becomes more of a dirt path that’s much too narrow for the SUV to squeeze through.

To our left is a rectangular cleared area lined with gravel that appears to be a parking area. That’s what Macy uses it for anyway, backing the SUV in and turning it off before the three of us get out.

“Smith didn’t think to mention we’d have to go part of the way on foot?” Macy asks, glancing around uneasily.

“He probably didn’t know,” says Luke, shrugging.

“I don’t like this,” says Macy. “Not having an easy getaway makes us way too vulnerable.”

“Maybe that’s exactly why they have things set up like this,” says Luke, striding across the clearing to the edge of the narrow path between the trees. He crouches down and takes a closer look at the ground. “There are tire tracks here. ATVs or something like that. I guess once you’re on Rockcastle’s territory, you’re at the mercy of whatever transportation they’re willing to provide.”

“I don’t think we’ll be getting the transportation welcome committee,” I say. “Remy didn’t commit to a time frame and they probably aren’t expecting us to show up yet.”

“I guess we walk then,” says Luke. “It can’t be that far.”

He opens up the back door of the SUV, retrieving his bag, then tosses a second bag to Macy who’s still standing there looking around.

“This is all so… weird,” she says. “How did a pack this isolated end up associating with humans in Tennessee?”

“I guess we’ll find out,” says Luke, wrapping an arm around my waist and starting down the dirt path.

We follow the trail for maybe half a mile before it starts to widen, and a hundred yards or so later, dead ends in a large, cleared area with smaller paths branching off in various directions.

A large structure sits in the center of the clearing, its rustic wood motif making me think most people would call it a cabin, though it’s definitely a luxury one. The cabin has two stories with an A-frame area in the center and one side that’s almost entirely made up of windows. A deck spans the length of the building, a few groupings of patio furniture spaced out across it along with a grill and a smoker on one end.

Macy’s gaze runs over the house, eyes narrowing at a twitching curtain in a window on the first floor. “I think they already know we’re here.”

Luke nods and motions for me to stay back as he and Macy walk up to the front door. Macy rings the doorbell, then takes half a step backward, her hands loose at her sides even though her shoulders are tense.

A minute or so later—much longer than it should have taken—the door opens. A large bearded alpha stands in the doorway, his face impassive as he stares at Luke and Macy. His hair is brown, but there are hints of red in his beard and something about him looks really familiar.

I almost face palm. Of course he looks familiar. I might not remember him but he was—is?—my pack Alpha.

“Can I help you?” he asks in a deep, rumbling voice, his tone laced with a hint of irritation.

“Good afternoon, are you Alpha Earl Jenkins?” asks Luke.

“Yeah. Who’s asking?”

“I’m Alpha Luke Anderson of the Sweet Water pack and this is my second.” He gestures at Macy. “I believe your Alpha Mate would have told you we were coming?”

Earl’s gaze darts to Macy, dismisses her and returns to Luke. “I didn’t invite nobody out here.”

Luke clears his throat. “Well, your Alpha Mate gave us permission to enter your territory yesterday over the phone. I apologize if she didn’t pass that information on to you.”

“She didn’t tell me shit,” he replies in a flat voice. “What do you want?”

“We believe we came across a missing pack member of yours and—”

“No one from my pack is missing,” he snaps, cutting Luke off. “That is unless you’re talking about…” His gaze bounces from Macy to Luke, his eyes narrowing. His nostrils flare as he studies Luke’s face and his scowl drops away.

“Jonathan?” His voice is almost soft with surprise.

“Er, no,” says Luke, slowly shaking his head as his brows draw together. “My name is Luke.”

But the Alpha will not be deterred. He steps out of the house and pushes past Macy with absolutely zero acknowledgment. He stops directly in front of Luke, his eyes roaming over my mate’s face almost hungrily. “Where you been, boy?”

Luke bristles, taking a step backward. “First of all, I’m not a boy, and you must have me confused with someone else.”

He shakes his head. “Nah, I think I’d recognize my own son, even after all this time.”

His son? My gaze runs over the Alpha’s features again and it dawns on me that the familiarity I saw before might not necessarily be from a memory. He has the same square chin and brown eyes as Luke.

Before Luke can respond, another alpha comes to the door, this one a female. “What’s going on out here?” she snaps, and I recognize her voice form the phone call yesterday. This must be Wanda, Rockcastle’s Alpha Mate. Her gaze lands on Luke. “You the Alpha who found our stray? I wasn’t expecting you to show up this quickly.”

Earl spins toward his mate. “What the hell are you doing inviting people here without running it past me first?”

“I was planning to, but I—”

“Oh, just shut up. I’ll deal with you later,” he says, turning back to face Luke, his lips widening into an overly large smile. “My boy has come home at last.”

“What are you talking about ‘at last’? We just saw Clay this morning,” says Wanda.

“Not that useless twit,” he replies. “ Jonathan has come home.”

“Jonathan?” Her upper lip pulls back from her teeth and she shakes her head. “That’s impossible. He’s dead.”

She says the words with so little inflection that it seems like she’s talking about a total stranger and not her son. Something niggles at the back of my mind, telling me that’s wrong somehow, but I don’t quite know why.

Earl claps Luke on the shoulder. “There’s no doubt in my mind. Even if he isn’t the spitting image of me at his age, I recognize his scent.”

Luke opens his mouth, glancing at Macy from the corner of his eye as if to ask what the fuck , but Macy is just as astonished as Luke, and why wouldn’t she be? This is definitely not the family reunion any of us were expecting.

Is it possible what the Alpha is saying is true? Is Luke his long-lost son?

“You’re claiming that Alpha Anderson is actually your son?” asks Macy in a slow, careful voice that barely manages to hide her disbelief.

“Yep,” replies Earl.

Wanda, whose expression has only grown darker, practically snarls at her mate. “Jonathan is dead.”

Earl lets out a chuckle, the sound mocking. “No need to be jealous, dear . I know you weren’t too keen on the idea of my heir coming from your sister’s womb, but it is what it is.” He turns enough to catch her gaze, his voice going cold. “And Emily did a damn sight better than you did in the heir department.”

Wanda sputters. “But, Clay…”

“Is a fucking worthless beta,” he snaps. “You know damn well a beta can’t lead this pack.”

“But—”

“ Be quiet. ” He practically hisses the command.

Wanda’s mouth slams shut, but nothing can douse the fire behind her eyes. She’s pissed. An instinctual part of me wants to cower away from her, that look in her eyes another thing that’s eerily familiar.

Some buried instinct—or maybe memory—tells me coming here was a huge mistake.

And that’s before Earl’s cold, hard gaze finally lands on me.