This mollified Kyle and he returned to quietly following along with the rest of the group.
Suddenly Amy stopped. "Wait," she said.
Scout's skin prickled. Before Amy could explain why she had halted, a familiar sour stench wafted across Scout's nose. He tensed and shuffle closer to Killian.
Sensing his mate's unease, Killian asked, "What is it?"
"It's him," Scout mumbled. "He's here, somewhere."
The royal guard immediately crowded around the king and the prince. Scout felt bodies on every side of him like a massive wall. Never taking her eyes off the forest ahead, Amy took a few steps back so she could speak to Killian. "He's nearby," she whispered. "What do you want to do now?"
The king scowled and furiously pushed his way out of the crowd of guards. "Where is he?" he snapped. "I'll give him a piece of my mind for what he's put my family through!"
"Father, wait," Killian growled.
A hoarse laugh erupted from within the darkness of the trees. Every Whitewood pack member stood firmly, tense and ready for a fight. Scout gripped Killian's hand tighter. To his own surprise, he was more angry than fearful now. He glanced sideways up at Killian, whose eyes were blazing with fury.
"Warren!" the king shouted. "Show yourself, you bastard!"
The forest was dead silent for a moment. Not even a single leaf on the branches seemed to stir. Then three figures stepped out from the shadows.
Scout couldn't help but gasp. Killian was silent with horror. Beside them, Kyle had let out a sharp cry.
Just ahead of them stood the Silvercreek alpha, Warren. Beside him was the assassin, Thistle.
In between them, his knees scraping along the ground, his head sagging, and held up by one arm firmly in each of his captor's grips, was Stark.
