Connor stood up, kicking the table as he walked to the door. It slid open automatically, and he made his way to the room next door, the one behind the mirror.
“Shenandoah Clan?” Killian asked. “Have you heard of them, Alpha?”
Grant shook his head. "Cady Vrost will know more; we can ask her and get any records we can from the High Council. But can you trust his information? What if you walk into a trap?"
“Something’s off,” Connor said, tapping his finger on his chin.
"I know," Killian said. "He's hiding something. Why not give up the ringleader and get an even better bargain? He's going to end up at the Lycan Siberian Prison anyway, whether it's for trespassing or being part of The Facility. He could only get a better deal if he helps us."
Connor thought for a moment. “Alpha, your security’s pretty tight here, right? You can trust all your people?”
“With my life,” Grant replied.
“What about the Lycan Siberian Prison Facility? The High Council?”
Grant’s jaw tensed. “I can’t be certain. They’re not under my control.”
“If he snitched and the ringleader got wind of it, then they could get him at the prison,” Connor finished.
"He's scared," Grant added. "Could the ringleader have something on Booth? Something he’s hanging over his head to control him?"
"Maybe Booth's protecting someone else," Killian said. "Could be the ringleader's threatening to hurt someone Booth cares about if he snitches."
"I think Booth's hoping we'll either find the ringleader without it getting back to him that he ratted or we won't be able to use the info at all and the ringleader stays free," Grant deduced. "Either way, Booth and whoever he's protecting, if anyone, stays alive."
“Motherfucker,” Connor cursed.
“So, can we trust his information about Shenandoah?” Killian asked.
“Only one way to find out,” Grant said.
***
“No, absolutely not.”
“Please, Connor?”
“No,” he said firmly. “You are not going with me.”
“But you can’t go alone,” Evie whined.
They were standing in front of his truck, arguing. He had been loading up the back with his duffel bag and supplies when Evie came down to the garage, her packed bag in hand. Last night, he told Evie what he could about what they found out from Booth. Then, he told her about the trip. She said she understood, kissed him, made love to him, and then they both fell asleep. He woke up and began to prepare for the trip, hoping to give her a last kiss before he left. He didn't think she'd assume she was coming, too, but here she was.
"It might be dangerous," he reasoned. "We don't know what to expect. According to Cady Vrost, the clan is isolated and secretive. They live out in the sticks in the Shenandoah Valley in West Virginia, and we barely know anything about them. They haven't updated their records in years." Cady Vrost had told them the last known Alpha was Clifford Forrest. He didn't have a designated Beta, Lupa, or even heirs.
“Or they could be your clan,” she pointed out. “And they’ll welcome you with open arms.”
Grant and Killian agreed it would be better if they didn't let anyone know about their suspicions, since they weren't one hundred percent sure it wasn't a trap. They didn't want to raise any alarms and come in full force, lest they rile up the clan and risk war. So, they thought it was better for Connor to go alone. Quinn would be monitoring the situation the entire time though, as he rigged Connor’s truck with a dashcam and put a tracking and listening device on his phone.
"Please, Connor, I don't want to be without you," she said. "I can't stay in your hotel room, watching TV and eating room service all day. I'll go bonkers!" Evie was on the verge of tears, and something inside Connor was ripping him up. "Fine," he relented. "But you stay close to me and follow what I say, okay?"
Evie squealed in delight and kissed him on the cheek. “Road trip!” She tossed her bag in the back and ran to the passenger side seat.
Connor growled. He really shouldn't be taking her, but he had a hard time saying no. Besides, it was a long trip and he didn't want to be without her either. Six hours non-stop to West Virginia from New York, which was why he was leaving at the butt crack of dawn. He hoped he wasn't going to regret his decision.
Chapter Nineteen
Evie watched the scenery turn from the city streets of Manhattan to the highways of Pennsylvania and Maryland to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. She had lived in the flat plains of Kansas her whole life and then moved to the urban jungles of Manhattan, so this was way different from anything she'd seen before. Everything was big and green and majestic. They were also going up the mountain roads, and she could hear her ears pop as they climbed higher and higher. Along the way, she saw all kinds of wildlife, even a family of black bears by the side of the road. She wanted to stop and take pictures, but knew Connor was on edge and moody.
She pouted and slunk deeper into the seat. A couple of hours ago, he'd snapped at her and she snapped right back at him. Over what, she couldn't remember. But she was sore and tired and hungry, and he was being a grumpy wolf. She snuck a look at him. He was staring at the road, eyes forward, and she couldn't help but watch his handsome profile. Her eyes traced down his aquiline nose, firm lips, strong jaw. Her eyes moved lower to his shoulders, down his tattooed forearms as the muscles flexed while he shifted gears. She bit her lip. Was there anything he did that wasn't sexy?
Connor slowed the truck down and pulled it to a small gas station. He cut the engine and faced her. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly.
Evie unbuckled her seatbelt and scooted closer to him, cuddling up to his side. “It’s okay. I know you’re nervous.”
“Nervous?”
“We could be meeting your clan, right? And maybe … your family?”
"Sure," he said. "I should go pump some gas. According to the GPS, this might be the last station until we get to Winter's Creek." He kissed her on the forehead and slipped out of the truck.
Evie bit her lip, wondering what Winter's Creek, West Virginia would be like. It was a town deep in the Shenandoah Valley, and, apparently, where the clan was located. It was isolated, and Evie couldn't find a lot of information on Google about it. From the few photos she saw online, it seemed like a typical township with a little Main Street, but most houses were on acreages or farms, spread out and far and few between. According to the GPS, they were almost there, maybe thirty more minutes on the backcountry roads.
Connor had explained the plan. He would go to Clifford Forrest’s house and ask him if he knew anything about The Facility. As a Lone Wolf, it would be easy for him to just come to town without having to announce his arrival. Quinn was also tracking their movements and would be listening in on audio the entire time.
Did Connor even want to know if he had family left? Evie was sure the Alpha would know. Maybe if he saw Connor, he’d recognize him.
“Ready?” Connor asked when he jumped back into the driver’s seat.
"Ready," she said, placing her hand over his.
Connor started the engine and put the truck into gear. They sped down the one-lane highway and eventually veered off onto small country roads. It was breathtaking out here, especially now that they were in the middle of spring. Everything was so green and smelled so fresh.
The robotic GPS voice led them down Main Street. It was quaint, with small shops, houses, and cafes lining the street. They turned right and drove past identical little bungalows. Eventually, it turned into a country road again and there were fewer and fewer houses.
The air around them changed as they got farther and deeper away from the town. Evie felt a shiver run down her spine. Were they getting closer to the clan?
Finally, they saw a small post box with 8 Garden Lane painted on it. That was the address the Lycan High Council had on file for Clifford Forrest.
Connor maneuvered the truck onto the dirt road. Evie squinted and saw a house in t
he distance. As they drove closer, she realized how big it was. It was a classic, two story country-style home with all white paneling and a wraparound porch, plus a balcony. It looked old but well-maintained. Parked outside was a couple of vehicles, including a black Dodge Ram that was quite similar to Connor's.
Connor parked right next to the other truck, and, for some reason, Evie felt goose bumps rise on her arms. Silly, she thought. Black Dodge Rams were common, especially in these parts. Why would she have such a reaction to what was obviously a coincidence?
"Stay here," Connor said. "I'll have audio on, and Quinn will be listening." He switched on the small earpiece in his palm and put it in his ear.
“All right,” she said.
Connor gave her a nod and then slid out of the driver’s seat. As she watched him walk up the porch steps, a small, niggling feeling scratched at her brain. “Stay here?” she huffed out loud to no one in particular. “No way.”
She opened the passenger side door and hopped out, then strode in the direction of the house. Connor was already at the front door, but he wasn’t moving. She slipped in beside him and put her hand into his.
“Dammnit, Evie,” he cussed. “I told you to stay in the truck!”
“I’m not letting you do this alone,” she protested.
“It could be dangerous,” he said. “I can’t protect you if I don’t know what to expect.”
“You’re worried about nothing!”
“How do you know?”
She slammed her foot on the floor like a child. “I just do!”
Noise from inside made both of them whip their heads toward the door. Soft voices and heavy footsteps were approaching.
“Shit,” Connor cursed. He tried to turn, but Evie gripped his hand hard to prevent him from leaving.
“Don’t go,” she said. “Stay and see what happens.” Her heart was pounding in her chest, but she wanted to know, too.
The lock turned, and Evie went still, though her heart continued to hammer in her chest. She gripped Connor's hand and watched his face closely. The wooden door swung open.
“Who the fuck—”
Connor tensed visibly and then went very still. Evie looked at the figure standing in the open doorway, and she had to do a double take just to be sure she wasn't seeing things. She started from the bottom, scrutinizing the man's well-worn work boots up his faded jeans to the tight white t-shirt molded around a broad chest. His shoulders were wide, and tattoos curled up his neck and down the bulging muscles of his arms. She gasped as she went higher to the ruddy beard and the familiar face with green eyes.
Only the man standing toe-to-toe with Connor wasn't just familiar to her, he was an exact mirror image. Same height, same face, same nose, same high cheekbones, same square jaw under the thick beard. And a Lycan, of course, she could tell, just like she could when she first met Connor. There was only one thing different: the other man was missing her Connor's scar.
Both men stood there, not budging. Evie herself couldn’t breathe or move. Was this really happening?
Finally, mirror-Connor turned his head and braced his arm on the doorframe. "Momma," he called, his voice rough. "I think you should come out here!"
"What is it, Jackson?" a feminine voice answered from somewhere inside the house. "I have my chicken on the stove, and you know I can't just leave that." Soft footsteps approach them, and a small, older woman with reddish blonde hair ducked underneath the mirror-Connor's arm. "Now what's so important that—" She let out a gasp, and her eyes went wide as saucers when she looked up at Connor. She didn't move for what seemed like forever. The wooden spoon in her hand dropped to the floor, the clattering sound breaking the silence.
"C-C-Connor?" she said, her voice breaking. "Is that …" She reached out slowly as if she were afraid he was going to disappear into thin air if she touched him. When her hand landed on his cheek, she let out a cry and launched herself into his arms. "Connor, it really is you!"
Connor’s face was still inscrutable, but he wound his arms around the tiny woman clinging to him. He swallowed, then relaxed.
The woman was full-out sobbing, her body trembling as she wept and bawled. Evie looked over at mirror-Connor—his face was pale, and his expression was that of complete and utter shock.
“Momma, c’mon now. Let him breathe,” he finally said and gently pulled the woman off Connor.
She gasped and stepped back, her eyes shining with more tears. “I can’t believe … you found us. You came back. But how?”
A muscle in Connor’s jaw ticked. “I don’t know. I mean …”
“It’s a long story,” Evie interjected.
Familiar green eyes stared at her. “Oh my, I’m so sorry. I’m just so …” She wiped her hands on her apron. “I’m Lily. Lily Forrest.” She nodded to mirror-Connor. “And this, as you can probably guess, is my son, Jackson Forrest. He’s Alpha of our clan.”
“I’m Evie King,” she said, extending her hand. “Alpha,” she said with a reverent nod.
“I think you should come in,” Jackson said. “You’re both welcome in our home.”
"Thank you, Alpha." She looked up at Connor. "May we follow you in a minute? I need to talk to Connor."
Lily looked worried for a moment, but Jackson tugged at her arm. "All right, we'll be inside. Oh, my fried chicken! I should check on it! You'll stay for lunch, right?"
Evie nodded, and Lily and Jackson disappeared into the house. She turned to Connor, touching his arm. "Connor?"
His back was stiff and his jaw tense. "I think we should go." He shook his head. "No, Quinn, it's fine," he said, and she realized he was talking into the comm unit in his ear. "I said it's fine, we're driving back now."
“No!” Evie protested. “We’re staying.”
“No, we’re going,” Connor said. “Shut up, Quinn…no…” He let out a growl and tossed the earpiece away.
“We’re staying,” Evie said, planting her hands on her hips.
“We’re going.”
“No, you stubborn ox,” she said. “We’re staying. We need to find out more.”
"Find out what?" Connor said in a terse voice. "They obviously knew about me. And they let them take me …" He let out an angry growl and slammed his fist on the wall, causing the white paneling to break under his hand.
“Connor, you don’t even know what happened,” Evie said, tugging on his arm.
"And I don't wanna or need to know." He was really angry now, and Evie's lungs were choking from the heaviness of the air around her.
“Hey!”
They both stopped and looked toward the door. Jackson was standing there, arms crossed over his chest. The scowl on his face was so much like Connor’s. Evie still couldn’t believe there were two of them.
Jackson walked out onto the porch, stretching up to his full height. “If you’re done destroying my house, asshole, then you should come in. You shouldn’t keep a lady waiting, especially your mother.”
Connor snorted and turned away. “We’re not staying.”
Jackson huffed. "Look, stay or not, I don't give a fuck. But you should listen to what she has to say before you make any judgments. You don't know what she's been through."
Evie looked at Connor with pleading eyes. “Connor, c’mon. Let’s go in.”
“Fine.”
Jackson nodded. "I swear, though, if you break her heart, I'm gonna break your face."
***
They followed Jackson into the house, and he led them to a large, airy kitchen. Lily was standing by the stove, watching over a cast iron pot as the oil bubbled. The smell of delicious frying chicken filled Connor's nostrils. Much like the outside of the house, the kitchen interior was old and worn but clean and well-maintained. Lily obviously kept everything in order and took pride in her kitchen.
"Have a seat." Lily motioned to the chairs around the large table.
"I'll watch the chicken," Jackson said as he urged his mother to sit down as well.
"Would you
like some coffee? Tea?" Lily asked.
"We're fine," Evie answered for them.
Connor was still holding his tongue, unable to speak. To say that he was in shock was an understatement. The moment he saw Jackson, everything he knew had flipped upside down. A twin. He was a twin. And Jackson was Alpha, which meant … Clifford Forrest was their father. Where was he, then?
Evie glanced at him, then turned to Lily. "I know this must be a shock."
"It is … I never thought I'd see my baby again." She laughed. "Well, not a baby. But you were a baby when they took you. How did you escape?"
All eyes turned to Connor. "A man helped me." They waited for him to explain further, but the pain gnawing at his chest made it difficult to talk.
"Lily," Evie began. "If you don't mind, could you tell us what happened, please? You said someone took Connor?"
Lily nodded. "My husband, your father, was Alpha of our clan. He was a wonderful man, and he did what he could to protect us. The Shenandoah Clan has always preferred to live out here in isolation because our wolves … well, they tend to be more aggressive and unmanageable. It's easier to let lose without too many humans around." She paused. "You and Jackson were only eight months old. Eight months and twelve days," she said, her eyes wistful. "A group of Lycans came. Lone Wolves. They were asking for help, for shelter. There were storms and flooding, you see. Cliff gave them shelter out in our barn." She nodded to the red structure in the distance. "But … that same night, they came in. Barged into our home and they went to your room. One of them had both of you in his arms. We thought they were trying to kill you."
Evie gasped and gripped his hand tight. "Then what happened?"
"We fought them, but there were too many. Five against two. Cliff managed to take out the man holding you both, and he dropped Jackson. But one of them, this huge red-haired man with a thick beard, got your father and …" She sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I tried … he tried, but we couldn't and …"
"Shhh …" Evie got up from her seat and embraced Lily. "I'm sure you did all you could."
All for Connor: The Lone Wolf Defenders Book 3 Page 16
