I don’t blame her. I doubt I’d want the woman who was trying to steal my mate hanging around, either.
“Do you know where she went?”
“North, I think.” He coughs and glances back in the direction he came, eager to get away from me as fast as he can. “Look, I gotta go. Luna finds out I talked to you…”
She must be keeping her pack on a tight rein if they’re all this afraid to talk. Although it’s understandable when so many of them seem to have remained loyal to her scumbag ex rather than her.
“Wait.” I pull out a scrap of paper and scribble my number on it. “If you remember anything else, please call me. I just want to find my sister.”
He pockets the note quickly and melts back into the alley.
I need help. Maybe Luna can give me more information, but she’s not going to talk to me. I’ll drive back to Grey Ridge, talk to Cooper, maybe ask him to make some calls. She might be open to helping after everything her mate did to our pack.
“Carla?”
I spin around to find Luna Anderson standing behind me, flanked by two large men with stern expressions. She’s even more stunning, more elegant up close.
“Yes, Luna.” I straighten, every instinct screaming danger. “I apologize if I’ve alarmed some of your pack. I was just…”
Her eyes are pale blue, like ice, and she stares back at me, her expression devoid of any hint of warmth. I’m not welcome here.
“Asking questions you have no business asking.” Luna’s voice is deceptively calm. “In my territory, about subjects that don’t concern you without requesting prior permission.”
The last part may be true, but not the rest.
“My sister is my concern. And her life could be in danger.”
“Your sister made her choices.” Luna steps closer, and I catch a glimpse of the leashed fury beneath the woman’s controlled exterior. “Just as you’re making yours now.”
“I’m leaving. I can take a hint.” Turning, I take a step toward my car, but the two men move to block my path. “I won’t bother you anymore.”
Itching to get away from her, I hold my hands up in surrender, pretending to be submissive and eager to please.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible.” Luna’s smile is sharp as a blade. “You see, your little investigation has put me in a rather difficult position. Questions lead to answers, and some answers are better left buried.”
My wolf surges forward, recognizing the threat for what it is. An admission of guilt.
She knows where Beth is.
“I just want my sister back,” I say, backing away slowly.
“Oh, my dear.” Luna’s laugh is as cold as a winter wind. “You’ll be seeing your sister sooner than you think.”
The blow comes from behind, something hard connecting with the base of my skull. Pain explodes through my head as my legs give out, darkness rushing in from the edges of my vision.
The last thing I hear before unconsciousness claims me is Luna Anderson’s voice, distant and distorted.
“Take her to Black River. Leon can deal with her.”
CHAPTER 1
CARLA
The cold seeps through the thin mattress beneath me, chilling my bones.
Three weeks.
That’s how long I’ve been in this concrete prison beneath Leon Lennox’s house. Three weeks of wondering if I’ll ever see daylight again. Three weeks of slowly accepting that nobody is coming to help.
