The Challenge (The Pack 2)

I went back to the living room, scanning to see if I missed something. Like a note, a little voice mocked, or maybe a blood trail after the Hanleys came and kidnapped them away. I winced at the direction my thoughts took, shaking them off quickly before I freaked myself out.

I headed for the front door, hoping they’d gone to pick up breakfast or something. Nope. Dad’s Range Rover was in its normal spot, but I heard Monster shriek as I stood in the doorway. I darted toward the sound, my heart racing, as I skidded to a stop in front of the motel office.

Laughter spilled from him as my Dad made a goofy face, the remnants of their breakfast on the floor around them. Dad spotted me first and guiltily tried to hide the evidence of their fast food run.

I raised my eyebrow and said, “You better have saved some for me.” He relaxed as Monster jumped up and ran to hug me.

“You’re up!” His exuberance almost knocked me off my feet as I rocked back. “I thought you’d never wake up.”

“We decided to go get breakfast,” Dad confided. “So, you could sleep.”

“You’re a good man, Mr. Carter,” I teased, scooping up my sandwich as I plopped on one of the office chairs. It had wheels so I pushed myself off and went spinning across the room. Monster’s eyes lit up and within seconds, we were racing.

After a few near misses and one crash, Dad called a halt to our fun. “You’re going to destroy my office,” he insisted as we whined.

“Can I go see Wren?” Monster chirped, already at the door when Dad nodded his agreement. He raced off before I could stop him and I called after him, “Stay at the motel.”

Dad had a puzzled frown on his face and I sighed, knowing I had to tell him what was going on. “Wren has been meeting someone in the forest,” I told him, and his forehead furrowed. “She’s cutting across Navarre land, avoiding the patrols to meet someone at the Hanley border. We don’t know who, but it’s safe to assume it’s a Hanley.”

“You don’t trust her,” Dad stated and I rolled my neck, not wanting to give a definitive answer. Part of me did trust her and that part was the reason I hadn’t already demanded answers from her. “Help me out here, Bunny. Has she put Monster at risk?”

“We don’t know,” I answered honestly. “We don’t know who she’s meeting but she’s taken Monster with her.”

“That’s not okay,” Dad said firmly, standing up. “You should have come to me as soon as you found this out, Bunny,” he reprimanded and I cringed internally. I hated when he used that tone, especially when I knew he was right.

“In my defense, she hasn’t watched him since I did find out. Plus, we don’t know who she’s meeting or why.”

“But its possible she’s acting as a spy,” he declared and I had no choice but to nod. “Most of the Pack is out there right now surveying the area and making sure the Hanleys don’t have any tricks up their sleeves for tonight. If there’s a possibility Wren is sabotaging,” he paused, his face tight as he faced the reality that someone he cared for was possibly an enemy.

“Dad, I do trust her,” I interjected, unable to face the look of betrayal on his face. “We need to talk to her, but I don’t think she intends to hurt Monster or put the women here at risk. Not intentionally.”

“Even unintentionally, she’s responsible if something happens because of her actions,” Dad said heavily. “That’s what being an adult means.” I nodded, knowing what he said was intended for me as well.

Monster came running back just then, breathless. “She wasn’t there.” Dad and I traded glances and then he forced a smile.

“I guess that means you’ll just have to hang out with us,” he caroled, swinging Monster off the ground and spinning him in circles. I left as Monster yelled for him to go faster. The motel was eerily quiet as I walked back to the apartment to get dressed. Even knowing the Pack was out there in force preparing for the challenge that night didn’t ease my disquiet.

I shook off my discomfort as I reminded myself that Caleb wouldn’t fail the Pack and neither would Dom.

***

Nervous energy buzzed in the air as members of the Navarre community appeared, creating a ring around the clearing. Most had come as family units, which surprised me until Dom explained they were stronger together than apart. The shifters would all be here tonight and they were the Pack’s primary source of protection.

“Some of the women left last night,” Sam announced as she came up next to me. Her white knuckles the only indication of her stress, as she clutched Nicky’s hand.