All thoughts of spending the afternoon in the cabin vanished. “Do you think it’s a trap?”
She tapped the phone against her palm. “I don’t believe so. Miss Emma never would have suggested we talk to him if she thought he would hurt me.”
“She didn’t give you all the information about your parents’ death, either,” I pointed out gently.
Chloe frowned, staring down at the screen on her phone. “I know, but I didn’t smell a lie on her when she talked about Carter. I think everything she said was the truth.” Her eyes lifted to mine. “Still, we should be prepared for anything.”
Chapter Nineteen
Chloe
Lachlan and Iremained silent as we walked through the woods. We’d discussed our plan before leaving the cabin. After we determined whether or not Carter was alone, Lach would hang back in the trees, watching, as I talked to Darrell’s son. In my gut I felt that Carter truly did intend to help us, but it would be stupid not to take precautions.
I lifted my head and inhaled as we drew closer to the area where Carter directed us. I could smell another wolf in the vicinity, but just one. Glancing at Lachlan, I gave him a nod and we split off, moving as silently as possible through the brush.
After circling the area, we met on the other side, far enough away from the clearing that Carter wouldn’t hear us.
“He’s alone,” Lachlan stated.
“I hoped he would be.”
“I’m going to move back around to wait. I’ll be watching and listening. Give me a couple of minutes before you go out to talk to him.”
I nodded. He disappeared through the trees, his feet making no sound in the leaves. The wind changed and I could smell Carter once again. That meant he wouldn’t be able to scent Lachlan’s location at the moment.
When enough time had passed, I walked toward the clearing and emerged from the trees, not bothering with stealth.
Carter’s face was turned toward me as I appeared. He looked a great deal like his father, tall and lean with dark hair and eyes. He inclined his head when he saw me.
“Chloe.” He looked around. “Where’s Lachlan?”
“He’s waiting for me in the woods,” I answered simply.
A small frown pulled at the corners of his mouth before it quickly cleared. “I suppose that was a smart move. I’m an unknown element.”
I nodded. “There are not many children who would turn on their parents.”
The frown returned, morphing into a scowl. “Then their parents haven’t done what my father has. Someone has to stop him, but I’m not strong enough.”
Moving slowly, I walked closer. “What has your father done, Carter?” I asked softly.
His eyes focused on me, dark and haunted. “You know he killed your parents. Emma said she’d told you.”
“Yes, she did.”
“He’s done so much worse,” Carter murmured. “And he encourages his friends to do the same.”
“Has he always been this way, Carter?” I asked.
“Yes. Always.” My surprise must have shown on my face because he released a harsh bark of laughter. “My father is many things, but first and foremost he’s a talented liar and manipulator. I don’t know how he does it, but no one can ever smell his lies.”
That explained how he managed to hide his inclinations from my parents. “What else has he done, Carter?”
“Emma said she told you everything,” he replied. I could smell the frustration and the anger emanating from his pores.
“She told me about the females of the pack, and about the stealing. Is there more?”
Carter nodded, his shoulders slumping. “He’s killed others. Males and females who defied him or tried to report him to the Tribunal. He’s not alpha enough to hold the pack according to our laws, but he’ll use any means necessary to circumvent losing his position. He has no honor.”
