“Do you have proof?” I questioned. “Any evidence of his actions?”
“No, but I know where to find it. My father…” he stopped and swallowed hard before he continued. “He likes to take pictures so he can look back and remember. He also records everything. He’s gotten complacent over the last two years. Somehow he’s convinced himself that he’s untouchable.”
My stomach twisted at Carter’s words. “Pictures? Of my parents? And the girls?”
“Of everything,” he reiterated.
Disgust and triumph mingled within me. “Where?”
“In his office in town. There’s a hidden safe. I’ve wanted to go inside and get them so many times over the years but the building is never empty and he has cameras everywhere. Not just inside, but all over town.”
My skin crawled at the idea of a pack leader watching the lives of his wolves, learning their habits and perhaps choosing his next victim.
“Well, you aren’t alone anymore, Carter. Lachlan and I can help. And my grandmother.”
At the mention of Sophia, his eyes shifted to the side.
“I know you called her, Carter,” I stated gently. “And I’m glad.”
His gaze came back to me. “I just wish you’d come two years ago.”
Guilt ate at my gut. “I do too, but we were all under attack then, not just this pack.”
“I know,” he admitted, his eyes never leaving mine.
I sensed Lachlan’s presence and turned my head. He walked into the clearing, moving cautiously. One look at his face and I knew that he felt guilty as well. I’d spent the last eighteen months dragging him away from the brink of oblivion while this pack suffered. I jerked my head, a short, single shake. This wasn’t his burden to take on.
Carter noticed Lach’s presence then and turned toward him. “Lachlan,” he greeted. He squared his shoulders. “Thank you for coming.”
Though Emma said that Carter was weak and he’d admitted as much a few minutes ago, I noticed he had little trouble meeting my eyes or Lachlan’s. If he were truly a beta wolf, he wouldn’t be able to maintain eye contact with us for such a prolonged period. The mystery of Carter Whelby deepened. He was clearly stronger than he let everyone else believe. Why wouldn’t he challenge his father?
Then I realized that he was just trying to survive. His father was surrounded by wolves that wouldn’t hesitate to kill him by any means necessary if they believed he was a threat. If Carter were removed, there would be no one brave enough or strong enough to take on Darrell and his officers.
“Can you get me specs for the police department?” Lachlan asked Carter. “And a map of the town with the locations of the cameras?”
Carter nodded. “Yes, but it’ll take me a few days to get it.”
“Be careful, Carter,” I said.
His mouth curved into a grim smile. “I’m always careful. That’s why it will take me a few days. With Darrell watching every move his pack makes while you’re here, we’re all walking on eggshells.”
I winced inwardly at the idea that the pack was terrified by my presence.
“We’ll need your help creating a plan,” Lachlan declared, bringing our attention back to him. “Are there any wolves here you can trust to help us?”
Carter’s expression was sad when he shook his head. “They’re too frightened of what Darrell might do to them. Or their children.”
I bit back a growl. Only a monster would threaten a child. “Gram will find a way to help us.”
Lach glanced at me. A look that clearly statedwe’ll talk about this later. It seemed he wanted to keep some of our plans separate from Carter.
“I can’t stay any longer,” Carter said. “It’ll raise questions if I’m unreachable for any length of time. I’ll call you when I get what we need. Just sit tight.”
I waited until he was a few feet away before I called his name. He stopped and turned back toward me. “Thank you, Carter. For calling my grandmother and helping us now.”
His jaw tightened and his entire face changed. He no longer looked weak or beaten down. Carter Whelby was strong, determined, and smart—an alpha wolf forced to hide to save the shifters he cared about. He chose to do what was necessary to help his pack rather than allowing his pride to dictate his actions. He could have easily challenged his father, ending up buried beside my parents and leaving his pack unprotected and isolated.
“I’m only doing what’s right,” he replied before turning and disappearing into the trees.
