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“What do you know about Vanessa Bridges?” There was no time to waste, my question pointed and sliced with a harsh edge. I could see his reflection in the glass, the slight smile curling on his lip.
“I know nothing of her,” he said after a full ten seconds.
“I don’t believe you. It was obvious that you recognized her name.”
“You would be wrong.”
I allowed a deep and very heated breath to escape, trying my best to keep my cool. “What aren’t you telling everyone about the LaRue wolves? Are you frightened of them? Do you have some belief that they are preparing for a strike against the Wolfen?”
He chuckled softly, finally turning to face me. “I’ve lived almost three hundred years, Stone. During that time, I’ve seen the Wolfen challenged by several of our enemies, humans included. There have always been breeds of wolves hell bent on taking our position, killing many of our pack in order to weaken our fold. While they created turmoil, even fear, they were never able to gain any level of success. Why do you think that is?”
“Because the Wolfen are superior.”
“That is your wolf talking. The truth is we have proven superior because of the strength of our humanity, our love of life including humans.”
I walked closer, narrowing my eyes. “But you refuse to accept humans as either mates or even our friends.”
He laughed, his gray eyes sparkling in the sunlight. “I’m no fool, Stone. Humans cannot be trusted. However, humanity is entirely different.”
I watched as he walked toward a small cabinet, lifting the lid on an exquisitely decorated box, retrieving a cigar. He took his time snipping the end, sniffing the rolled tobacco. When he lit the end, he took a deep whiff of the trickle of smoke before taking a full puff.
“Two more Wolfen were killed including a lieutenant with the Denver police department. Lieutenant Bigalo.”
“I am aware.”
“He has no particular connection to the Montenegro Corporation that Max was able to find. He was also slaughtered by the rogue wolf instead of gunned down. That makes his kill personal.”
“Likely,” Markel said before taking a deeper puff.
I was beginning to think it was a waste of time coming here. “Vanessa Bridges has been looking for her father, a man by the name of Lucas Tremaine. Is it possible that he has a direct connection to the Wolfen, perhaps even the catalyst for why members of our pack are being killed?”
There was no reaction for at least thirty seconds. Then Markel shifted his head in my direction. “Things from the past should remain there, Stone.”
“That’s bullshit, Markel, and you know it. If you have information that will prove to be helpful in finding the person behind these murders, then you have a responsibility to tell the council.”
“My responsibility is the protection of our pack, Stone. Nothing more. Nothing less.”
I closed the distance, unable to stop the fury gripping every portion of my rationality. “Damn you, Markel. I realize that you have the fate of my life and that of every wolf in this pack in your hands, but I refuse to trail behind the rules of the council like some lapdog. You do know something. You’re also well aware that Vanessa is my rightful mate. Whether you consider that right or wrong, I no longer give a shit. Her father has something to do with these murders and with or without your help, I’m going to figure out what the fuck is going on.”
The man remained stoic, taking another puff of his stinking cigar. I shook my head, backing away, resisting the urge to punch my fist into his face. This was getting me nowhere. I turned sharply, storming toward the door.
“As I’ve said many times, things aren’t always as they seem. The rules of our kind were put into place for a single reason. Survival. While I realize that the newer generation of wolves has no respect or honor for their elders, there is a reason certain Wolfen were tasked with enforcing the rules.”
“Honor? You know exactly why members of our pack are being murdered by a rogue wolf that is likely nothing more than a pawn in an evil plan. You also know that I have promised my life in exchange for the woman I consider my mate. Yet you refuse to tell me anything. Tell me, Markel, does that truly lend itself to honor?”
When he didn’t answer, I snorted and walked to the door.
“If you mate with the human, Stone Keeler, you will be banished from this pack.”
His words hung in the air, much like I felt my life hung in the balance. I stopped short, taking a deep breath before answering. “Then so be it, old timer.”
Nothing could have prepared me for the man’s stonewalling, his refusal telling me everything I’d already known.
He was terrified of the LaRue wolves.
I took long strides toward my Harley, unable to control my emotions. As I climbed onto my bike, the sound of my phone was nothing but infuriating. I ripped it out of my jacket, glaring at the screen.
“Max. This damn well better be good.”
