Chapter 14

They got back to the hotel that acted as their central location and checked in. They updated Charles on the news from the Tri-State pack and got no response from him about the original attack on that pack from Saranac, other than a distracted nod. Maya wanted to argue with him, but Garrett pulled her from the room.

"Now is not the time. We have pups to find. I'm going to do some investigating with my pack. I'll check in when I can."

"I don't think you should go alone. Where are Caleb or Rafe?" Maya worried Garrett would get into trouble and his pack wouldn't care that he was family.

"If you find them, Caleb will know how to find me. We were partners for years. Trust him."

She hugged him, hoping it wasn't the last time she saw him. "Be safe."

He slipped from view and headed out to the door. She turned to go back inside, determined to talk to Charles, when a voice stopped her. "Touching scene. I knew there was more going on between you than my nephew said. Are you mates?"

Linc Colvin's voice sent shivers of revulsion down her spine. She steeled herself and face the older male. "That is none of your business."

He towered over her. "That is entirely my business, little bitch. Everything that happens in the Saranac pack is my business. No one can mate without my permission."

"Don't you mean your alpha's? Isn't he the one in charge of the pack? Aren't you just his bitch, following his orders, doing what he tells you?" She couldn't resist the taunt, knowing it was risky, given his volatile temper.

He raised his fist, but another voice stopped him. "I know you're not about to assault another pack's female wolf, Colvin, correct?"

Two males stood in the conference room doorway. Charles, the Council Beta, and Duncan MacKinnon, her Alpha. Shit, she'd goaded another pack's Beta in front of other males. Not at all the actions of a professional. She should have known better. In fact, she knew better, but couldn't resist.

Linc slowly lowered his hand and a fake smile cross his face. "Of course not. I was just educated this wolf on what to expect when she joins Saranac after her mating is complete with my nephew. See you soon, niece-to-be."

He chuckled and pushed past her, leaving the foyer. She looked at her Alpha and Charles, who appeared startled. Charles recovered first, looking tired. "You'd better come inside, Maya."

She walked past them, and they shut the door. They sat around the table facing her. Duncan spoke first, looking sad. "Is it true? Are you a mate to Colvin's nephew?"

She nodded. "We felt the mate bond kick in. We've been fighting it, but it's strong."

Charles and Duncan exchanged glances. "Tell us which nephew to be very clear."

She was confused. "Garrett Colvin. Oh, goddess. Not Brandon. He's a nightmare."

They both looked relieved, but it was Duncan who spoke, reaching across and taking her hand. "Maya, that's better news. Brandon Colvin is a concern with his actions. But Garrett shares the Colvin blood. He is part of the pack and destined to be one of their top leaders. None of the Colvins have been anything but rotten to the core."

She shook her head and looked at Charles. "You know Garrett. He's worked for you for four years as an Enforcer. He's different."

Charles looked uncomfortable. "He is tougher than most wolves who come to me. His training in Saranac was … unorthodox, to say the least. He shows signs of torture and abuse from childhood. His worldview is very black and white, and he is dedicated to his pack. I don't think he will turn from them."

She sat back in her chair, folding her arms in front of her. "No, he knows they're up to something. He's going to find proof. Trust him."

"I can never trust him, Maya. I'm sorry. I will never accept him into Dirigo, especially not with his family so high in the Saranac leadership. He can never be a part of our pack. No one will trust him ever."

She stared at her Alpha. "Are you saying I have to choose between my mate and my pack?"

Charles stepped in. "That is a common choice when wolves from different packs have a mating bond. They have to choose a pack when they accept the bond, or they reject the bond."

"I urge you to reject the bond, Maya. You're about to take over as Den Leader here. If you mate him, you lose that and you lose your pack, your family. Is he worth it?"

She never considered that Garrett wouldn't be accepted in her pack. She always assumed he could join Dirigo and they could be together. But now, either way, if she wanted the mating with Garrett, she was going to lose her pack.

She shoved to her feet. "I need to go."

Duncan got to his feet. "Maya, please think about this. It's a big decision."

She blinked past tears and fled from the room. Was it really?

She raced outside and headed for her jeep. As she fumbled with her key, eyes blinded by tears, a hand came round her face and a sweet smell invaded her nose.

All went black.

* * *

Something had been bothering Garrett since Maya had told him that the borders were wrong in the map he was given. He had seen the borders as she reported them to be and there was a definite discrepancy between the two borders, but there was something else bothering him. Something that might be the key to solving this mystery. If only he could get to the map with no one seeing.

His father and uncle had given him a very plain map without a lot of topographic elements or landmarks, just the basics. They had a more detailed one in his father's office. He saw it when he reported in. But they were protective of it and he never got a good look at it. If he could check it out alone, maybe he could figure out what was bothering him.

When he got to headquarters on Saranac land, it was oddly quiet. A few Saranac enforcers were around, but they hurried about their business and didn't bother with him. There was no sign of his father or uncle, or his cousin, anywhere. An odd stroke of luck. He headed for the office and the door opened.

He slipped inside and headed straight for the map, knowing he didn't have a lot of time. He quickly looked at the details, searching for the landmark he hoped wasn't there. He snapped a quick picture and sent a text message.

"Find what you were looking for?"

His heart stuttered in his chest as his father's voice filled the room. Garrett looked up to see his father in the doorway. He walked further inside, closing the door gently behind him, a look of disappointment on his face.

"Yes, I did. Is this a series of mining tunnels?"

His father barely glanced at the map. "Most have collapsed, but a few caves are still accessible. I had hoped you would have forgotten about them, but you played there a few times as a child with that Wessex bitch."

"It's not on our land, but Dirigo's."

His father sat in the walnut banker's chair and propped one ankle on top of the other knee. He loosely folded his hands on his lap, the very picture of a casual and relaxed male. Only Garrett could see the muscle ticking in his jaw, the slight tension around his eyes. Garrett had grown up looking for the smallest telltale signs of imminent explosions and when to diffuse, when to cower, and when to escape.

He was done being a victim. He was fighting. For the pups. For Maya. For himself.

His father equivocated. "That's a debatable point. We claim the land, so does Dirigo. We're in discussions."

"The Council ruled against you."

"The Council can change their minds with enough persuasion. They've done it before," his father smoothly countered.

"Like they did with the Tri-State pack?"

His father sighed. "You heard about that? I told Linc it was a mistake to send you to the Council, and it was a mistake to involve you in this investigation. But he was convinced you'd found your mate. But you already knew she was your mate, from a month ago. Didn't you, son?"

Garrett bit back the angry reply, knowing it wouldn't help him. Calmer heads would serve him better. "Someone had to go to the Council. Should you have sent Brandon? You and I both know how that would have gone."

His father shrugged. "We might have been rid of him. He's caused more trouble than he's worth, though he has his uses. However, I suppose you're right. He might have brought the Council here, poking their noses in where we don't need them. We have you for that."

His father got to his feet slowly. "The time has come, son. You need to decide. Saranac or rogue. When I'm done with you, the Council won't take you back. So choose wisely. Keep in mind, your uncle has a welcome home gift for you."

Garrett's heart chilled at the words and the smile his father directed at him. "What gift?"

"Your uncle knew that your mating has been a bit—challenging. So we facilitated it for you. That's what family does. We're there for each other."

Holy. Fuck. His wolf rose sharply, threatening to take over. His father took an involuntary step back, possibly at the gold that Garrett knew was in his eyes, sensing the dominance that rushed out of him. Garrett throttled the wolf back and regained his center, even as his whole being was terrified for Maya. He locked down his emotions as he'd learned as an Enforcer and faced his father, but he let the wolf and his dominance remain in his eyes, along with the threat of death. His father shrunk back, stunned by Garrett's strength.

"Where is Maya?"