"Sorry, sir, but I don't want to lead a clan."
"No, I understand." The man pulled a business card out of his pocket and handed it to George. "Once you get out of my territory, call that number. The man on the other end of that phone number is a good man, an alpha who understands unusual matings. Tell him I sent you to him. He'll help you out."
"Why would he do that?"
Alpha Barker sighed. Sadness flickered in his eyes. "Because he's mated to my son Carey, and I had to banish both of them from King City to keep them safe, just like you."
George's eyebrows swept up to his forehead. "You have another son?"
"I do, but very few people know about him. It's safer that way, safer for Carey. If word got out that I had fathered another child, Carey's life would be in danger."
"I won't say a word."
"You're a good bear, George Carver. I wish I'd been able to have you in my clan."
George felt bad for the guy, but not bad enough to stick around. He wanted out of Alpha Barker's territory just as fast as Leon could drive.
The bathroom door opened, and Leon walked out fully dressed. He paused for a moment when he saw Alpha Barker. "Problem?"
"No, as I was just telling George here, it's time for you two to go."
"What about the Carvers?"
Alpha Barker chuckled. "They have been taken into custody for questioning."
Leon's eyebrows lifted swiftly. "For what?"
"Fraud, identity theft, and conspiring to commit a federal crime by trying to steal money out of a bank by declaring someone dead who is not already dead." The man shook his head. "Damned if they didn't walk right into the police station with a death certificate for their son, who wasn't dead. The local sheriff can attest to that if needed."
Leon chuckled. "I knew you had a plan in mind when you started spouting all that bullshit back in your office, but I never could have dreamed it would be this diabolical. That was perfect. They hand delivered themselves to the authorities."
"Yes, I thought that was a nice touch." Alpha Barker grinned. "Okay, we need to get you two out of here. If you'll follow me?"
George was all for getting out of there. He was a little confused when Alpha Barker led them down a long hallway instead of taking them back up the stairs to his office. He started to grow concerned when they just kept walking.
"Where are we going?" he finally asked.
"This leads to a secret entrance just west of the estate grounds." Alpha Barker glanced back over his shoulder. "I expect you to keep this a secret. Only myself and my beta know about this entrance."
"I won't say a word, sir," George quickly said.
Leon agreed, although not as quickly. "My car is parked—"
"Sheriff Garret moved your vehicle. It's waiting for you."
Leon's eyes narrowed. "How'd you know about my car?"
"You really don't think I didn't know you'd come for George? I told you I had been expecting you."
"Yeah, I guess," Leon replied.
"I know a lot more about what is going on in King City than people give me credit for, and for you, that's a good thing." Alpha Barker paused in front of a door and punched a code into the numerical pad. When the door swung open, he glanced back over his shoulder and smiled. "This way to freedom, gentlemen."
George grabbed Leon's hand then followed the alpha through the door. He was surprised as hell when he stepped out into a fully furnished cabin. "I don't remember this place."
"It's my hunting cabin."
Wait.
