Jasper nodded curtly and drove through the entry. Pea gravel flung up around the tires as he led the other two cars toward the impressive pack house where Alpha Demetrius Sier ruled over the Ironbrand wolves. They parked in a line of cars out front, and the squad followed their leader inside.
“I think we’re underdressed,” Jasper said in a low voice.
Inside, a few dozen wolves clad in cocktail dresses, suits, and blazers were chatting and drinking white wine from crystal glasses. Whatever event they were celebrating, it wasn’t an everyday occasion.
“Black still blends in,” Camden assured him. “Spread out and see what you can find. Meet back at the cars in fifteen minutes.”
Everyone nodded to him before separating. They were practiced at fitting in no matter what situation arose. Camden had no doubt they would each cover a different area and come back with as much information as they could muster. But Camden’s job was to head straight for the heart.
“Excuse me,” he said, flashing a bright smile at a young blond woman. “Alpha Sier is expecting me. Can you tell me where I might find him?”
Her eyes went wide, and her mouth opened slightly in surprise. He often felt like his appearance was detrimental to his ability to blend in and be a good soldier, but there were times when being attractive helped him get information. Clearly, this was going to be one of those times.
“He should be coming down any minute,” she said breathlessly. “The engagement party is supposed to start at ten o’clock sharp.”
Camden thanked the woman for her help and checked his watch as he headed for the base of the spiral staircase, knowing that would be where the alpha would make his grand entrance. It was only two minutes until ten. Plenty of time for him to observe the assembled crowd.
At first glance, everything appeared normal. But underneath the polite chatter and merriment of the event, Camden could sense an uneasiness amongst the wolves. There were no obvious clues as to why, but it was clear to him that they were not as happy about the impending nuptials. For most packs, getting a luna was seen only in a positive light. Lunas were jointly responsible for the welfare of the pack, as well as supporting the alpha in defensive strategies. If the pack objected to a luna, that could only mean that the alpha wasn’t the type of man who shared power readily. This luna was sure to be window dressing meant to cover up problems within the Ironbrand pack.
The sound of shoes on the staircase pulled his attention away from the crowd as the alpha and his future bride descended. Alpha Sier was a proud man with dark hair. He was clean-shaven and wearing a tux that was probably more expensive than Camden’s car; exactly the kind of man Camden avoided. But his appearance was nothing compared to the woman beside him.
Flora.
It had been years since Camden had seen her, but with one look at her, he was transported back to their time together. The time when he had rejected her in the worst possible way, when he had been too immature and ignorant to treat her the way she had deserved.
Flora’s pale-yellow dress brought out the highlights in her brown hair. At first glance, she was just an ordinary girl, not the kind of woman that men fell head over heels for. Her beauty had always been subtle and quiet, something that snuck up on you when you weren’t looking for it. Camden had been with other women over the years, but none had ever compared to her.
She was smiling, but Camden could tell it was forced. Her true smile was dazzling, but this one was strained. Her dark eyes flickered around the room uneasily. She was clearly aware of how she was perceived by the pack, but was trapped in her situation. Who could say no to the alpha?
When she reached the bottom of the stairs, Demetrius released her immediately so that he could greet his guests. She stood in place, unsure of where to go or what to do as the pack clapped for their alpha. With their entrance made, the alpha seemed to have forgotten about his betrothed, leaving her standing unaccompanied.
Camden, recovering from the shock of seeing Flora, was overcome with rage. He knew he had no right to feel protective of her after how he had rejected her so brutally, but he couldn’t stand to see her treated this way so publicly. More than that, he was appalled that her parents were trying to marry her off to a man like Demetrius. He wasn’t sure what had prompted their investigation into him, but whatever it was couldn’t be good. He couldn’t stand by and watch as she tied her life to a man like this.
Flora had been scanning the crowd, looking for a familiar face, when she suddenly caught sight of Camden. She did a double-take, and Camden could see the same shock he had felt reflected back at him. Her eyes widened, and then a crease appeared between her eyebrows. She looked back at her fiancé, but he was paying her no attention. She took a tentative step toward Camden, and when no one made a move to draw her back into the crowd, she took another. Camden tilted his head toward another door, and Flora followed him.
They entered a small study, and Flora shut the door behind her softly. The chatter in the foyer was muffled by the heavy oak door as they faced each other, uncertain of how to begin.
“What are you doing here?” Flora asked.
“I’m here on orders from the alpha,” Camden said. “What areyoudoing here? Why aren’t you in Silverrose?”
“I live here now,” she said quietly.
Camden’s mind was reeling. How long had it been since she moved away? Why hadn’t anyone told him?
Why would they tell me?he asked himself.No one knows about my connection to her. I made sure of that.
“You shouldn’t be here,” Camden said. “Alpha Sier is being investigated for wrongdoing. You aren’t married yet, so you can still escape the consequences of whatever he has done. Come back with my squad and me. We’re leaving in—” he checked his watch “—three minutes. We can figure the rest out later, but we need to get you out of here.”
Flora looked appalled at the suggestion. She snorted derisively and shook her head.
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” she replied. “Why should I?”
“Weren’t you listening to what I just said?” he snapped. “Your fiancé is in trouble, and he’s about to drag you into it with him. You aren’t safe here, and we’re running out of time.”
Camden looked around the room they were in. There was one door that led back to the foyer, another door that looked like it led to another room, and a third door with a frosted windowpane down the center. Sunlight was shining through the glass, and he knew it would lead outside.
“I’m not any safer with you than I would be here,” Flora said. “I have no idea where you’ve been all these years, or what you’re doing here now, but I’m certain that I’ll be better off if you leave.”
