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“Mr. Weber confirmed it. After the attack at the manor, Mr. Cain sent his men to obliterate the houses that had spurned his proposal. Last night was werewolves night. Many died, civilians and werewolves alike. Mr. Sheridan is having a hard time doing damage control right now.”
“I can imagine that.”
“It can’t be helped, unfortunately. The rest of our force and wolves of the loyal houses had been deployed to Cain’s stronghold.”
“Are you positive that Cain is hiding in there? For all I know he could be anywhere by now.”
“He made a deal with Faye Farrow to loan him a yacht. I suppose it was part of his contingency escape plan. However, it didn’t work as he planned it. Farrow double-crossed him at last moment. Apparently, Farrow’s sister held a grudge toward Cain. Though I don’t have the exact details on how everything went down, suffice it to say the confrontation was so severe that Cain was forced to retreat to the factory.”
A grin lurked around Ethan’s face, so he put that one on. “Karma’s a bitch indeed.”
Grayson glanced over his shoulder. “Ah, so you know what happened between Cain and the Farrows?”
“Of course.”
“Tragic.”
“Again, karma’s a bitch.” Several years ago, Ethan heard that Cain defiled the precious flower of House Farrow, being the playboy he was with the right pedigree, deep pockets and powerful connections. Cain was out of control. Mia was a sweet, shy, convent-girl type and quite religious. Mia was set up to be a nun once she graduated from high school. It was unfortunate that Mia caught Cain’s attention. Cain brazenly courted her. Lavished her with shiny baubles, plied her with great promises and a shiny future. He asked for her hand in marriage. Ethan guessed the Farrows must have thought a marriage alliance with the Hunters would elevate their family into the upper social standing.
Like the slimeball he was, Cain broke the courtship once he bedded Mia and took her virginity. The poor girl was devastated. The family was deeply shamed. It caused such a scandal that Ethan was compelled to settle with the Farrows so they wouldn’t break from the pack. He even promised that Cain would be severely reprimanded.
He forbade Cain from entering the pack territory for two years and cut his allowances from the Hunter’s treasury. Two years gone by and Cain hadn’t learned anything.
He should have killed his cousin back then.
If he did, though, he wouldn’t have met his mate, Susan.
“Uhm, Mr. Grayson,” Susan asked in a quiet voice. “Do you happen to know about my brother, Jesse? Is he okay? Cain locked him in the dungeon in the factory.”
Ethan reached for her hand and squeezed it gently. He doubted Grayson had that kind of information considering Susan only confessed to him this morning.
“Your brother was imprisoned by Mr. Cain?” Grayson sounded surprised. Ethan hadn’t shared this info with his beta either.
“He was infected by the Alpha Strain. I worry if he’s all right.”
Grayson traded glances with Ethan. “I can find that out once we arrive at the location. The factory is under siege as it is now, the skirmish fights are still going on. Once I have the latest update, you’ll be the first one to know.”
His mate hung her head in disappointment.
“Don’t worry,” Ethan reassured. “Everything is going to be all right.”
“I hope so.” Susan forced a smile. She tried to look brave, but Ethan could see in her eyes. She was at the end of her wits.
Ethan couldn’t resist pulling her into his arms, giving her the comfort she desperately needed. He hadn’t told her that once a person was infected with the Alpha Strain, there was no antidote or cure. He dearly hoped that Cain might have come up with a breakthrough. Or Jesse was as good as dead.
It was a slim possibility.
Susan didn’t need to know this now. She would need his support more than ever.
He hoped Cain could give him the answer they needed.
Then after that, Ethan would kill him with his bare hands.
The convoy approached the abandoned warehouse location one hour and twenty minutes later. Others had dubbed the place “the factory.” She had eavesdropped bits and pieces of conversations from people around her during her detainment in Cain’s lair. Cain was raising a private army with manmade werewolves to seize power in the Underworld and used her as a pawn. It didn’t end well on Cain’s part, judging from how the events unfolded.
Their ride passed a roadblock set by the local sheriff’s deputies. Sookie craned her neck watching the exchange between Grayson and barrel-chested man in uniform that seemed to be the sheriff. The sheriff acted like it was no big deal and let their convoys pass. When Sookie caught the sheriff’s gaze she instantly understood. The sheriff was also a werewolf. He had an unnatural glow in his eyes when he conversed with Grayson and he didn’t even bother to hide his large canine fangs. Sookie was sure the sheriff wouldn’t reveal such details when he interacted with regular humans.
Sookie wondered how deeply the weres infiltrated human society? The Underworld Ethan had talked about was bigger and more far-reaching than she had ever thought.
