Following Willow’s and his mother’s scent, Jackson headed into the woods, debating if he should shift. If he encountered Josiah, then the size of Jackson’s wolf certainly would be superior to his uncle’s wolf, but a gun would more than even the odds in favor of his uncle. Deciding to wait until he had more information, he turned to Groose. “I want the men to spread out in the trees on either side of me…and make sure they conceal themselves from anyone approaching me on the path. Josiah has a gun, I don’t want to give him more targets to shoot at.”
“Do you want me to send a few of the men to scout ahead of us?” asked Groose.
“No, not yet,” Jackson replied. “I don’t know if he has others with him and the last thing I want to do right now is to let them know we’re here.”
“Understood. Uh, boss, I think I…”
“I hear it too, Groose,” Jackson muttered, holding up his hand, signaling everyone to halt where they were. “Let’s get off the path.” Ducking behind a wide tree trunk, he checked to make sure they were hidden before shifting his gaze back to the path.From the sound of it, someone was in a hurry, the question was whether it was friend or foe.
Using his wolf sense of smell, he sniffed several times before finally catching Willow’s scent, but as much as he’d hoped, his mother’s scent was not to be found. Fear curled around his heart as he continued toward his mother’s friend.
~/~/~/~/~
Impatiently hitting the button on the intercom, Reeve’s jaw was clenched so tight, he could almost feel his teeth cracking. Just as it had been on his first visit, the fifteen-foot-high iron gates blocked his way into the Blackwood Pack compound, requiring permission to enter. But this time, the delay in opening the gates was really pissing him off. If Jackson was right, Josiah was his for the taking, and that thought stirred his animal because they were now one step closer to claiming their mate. But first…
“Hello?”
“Reeve Nicolet.”
There was silence for a moment before the intercom crackled again. “Do you have an appointment?”
“Jackson called me…he’s expecting me,” Reeve growled.
“Just a minute, please.”
“No…you listen to me. I’m here on official High Council business, so open the damn gates or I’ll open them myself!” He was about to get out of his truck and make good on his threat when he heard the grinding of the gears. Waiting impatiently as the gates finally began to open, Reeve pressed down on the gas pedal and drove through, the sides of his truck nearly scraping them. Without hesitation, he sped up the road to the BlackwoodPack house, leaving a trail of dust for the rest of his men’s vehicles to drive through.
Reeve yanked the steering wheel sharply to the left as he took a curve at full speed, cursing as the truck’s back end began to fishtail. Quickly regaining control, he continued, intent on catching his quarry. Focusing his mind on Josiah, he was approaching the last bend in the road when he was confronted by a barrier of men strung across his path—enforcers by the look of them. Skidding to a stop, Reeve waited until one of the men approached the side of his truck. Rolling down his window, he said, “I have an arrest warrant for Josiah Silver Point. Where’s Jackson?”
“Not here,” Turk said, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Where is he? I need to talk to him right away,” growled Reeve, angry at the delay. When an answer wasn’t forthcoming, Reeve opened the truck’s door and stepped out. Digging out his wallet from his back pocket, he opened it and waved his badge at the man. “As I said, this is official High Council business…now you and your men better move aside or I’ll arrest the lot of you for obstructing me.”
Gesturing with his finger for Reeve to wait, Turk called Steel. After explaining the situation, he handed the phone to Reeve. “The Alpha Mate wants to talk to you.”
Putting it up to his ear, Reave asked, “Where’s Jackson?”
“He went after the gunman…”
“What the fuck! Why didn’t he wait for me?” Reeve snarled.
Ignoring the question, Steel asked, “How many men are with you?”
“About twenty.”
“Good…if it is Josiah, you’ll need them, especially if he isn’t alone. Turk will show you the path Jackson took.”
“How long ago did he leave?” asked Reeve.
“Thirty, maybe forty minutes ago,” Steel replied. “You’d best hurry if you want to catch up.”
“Will do.” Handing the phone back to Turk, Reeve turned to the four vehicles behind his truck, signaling their occupants to get out and join him. Once they were gathered around him, he said, “Listen up, the Blackwood Pack Alpha has already left so to catch up, we have to move fast. Any questions?”
“What formation do you want?” asked Eddie.
“Single file, for now,” Reeve answered. Then, turning to Turk, he said, “Ready when you are.”
Nodding, Turk headed for the trees at the farthest point from where they stood.
