CHAPTER7
Isaac sat in his kitchen looking at the message on his phone.
Unknown:They’re due to set off at dawn tomorrow. Expect them around 10am. Paul leading team.
“Trouble?” Callum asked as he entered the kitchen carrying an insulated bag full of food. He set it on the table and took a seat opposite Isaac.
“They’ll be here in the morning.” He scrubbed his hands over his face. “With fucking Paul in charge.”
“At least it’s not Simon.”
Isaac snorted. “Are you implying I should be thankful?”
“I’m just saying it could be worse.”
“Fuck, you’re right.” He blew out a breath and sat back in his chair. “I just hate that fucker, and the last thing I want is to have him wandering around my house.” His wolf bristled, and even though Isaac had been an alpha long enough to keep his temper in check when provoked, having Paul and the HRU in his territory was going to push him to his limits.
They were searching for wolves who’d committed treason against the Shifter Alliance. That would give them carte blanche to do anything they fucking pleased, and as prepared as Issac was, the fear that they’d somehow find something incriminating wouldn’t leave him. “Is everyone ready?”
“Yeah,” Callum said, reaching out to grasp Isaac’s arm. “We’ve prepared for this. Everyone knows what to do and what to say.”
Come on, Isaac. This isn’t the first time we’ve had to hide people.
But this time it was Michael. The ex-alpha of the fucking McKillan pack. Paul would likely tear his home apart if he sensed the slightest thing out of place.
“I know,” he said instead, forcing a smile. His pack needed him to be strong and lead by example. But this was Callum, and Isaac trusted him not to say anything about what happened in this room. “The HRU think they can do whatever the fuck they like with no consequences.”
Callum huffed. “Because they can and do, all the fucking time.”
“Where are the boats?” They had two boats that were used to transport food and escaped candidates over to Jersey.
“A few of the Jersey pack came over with Sam. They’ve taken them back there for now.”
“Good.” Isaac relaxed a little. “So even if they go down to the beach, there’s nothing for them to find.”
“No.” Callum gave his arm a squeeze. “They won’t find them. They won’t findhim,” he added, voice soft, and Isaac looked up sharply to meet his eyes.
Isaac raised an eyebrow, but Callum shrugged, unrepentant.
“I’ve been your beta for long enough to know what he meant to you.” He sighed. “What he still means to you.”
Isaac breathed in deep, trying and failing to smell Michael’s scent on him. And how fucked up was that? He should be relieved, not disappointed. He eyed the bag full of food on the table. “I’m going to take that down to them.”
“I can take it. Ishouldtake it,” Callum said, but Isaac shook his head, making him smirk. “Remember to keep your distance.”
Isaac stood, towering over him. “Who’s the alpha here?” But he smiled as he said it, and Callum raised his hands.
“Just a friendly reminder. I know how forgetful you can be around him.”
“Oh, fuck off.”
Isaac grabbed the bag and left Callum at the table, his soft laughter following him out the door.
* * *
Voices sounded in the cave,the pack scent strong as Isaac neared the end of the tunnel. They might not class themselves as a pack, but to Isaac they still smelled like one. As he stepped onto the sand and rounded the corner, Michael came to greet him.
Isaac put out a hand to stop him from coming any closer. “Don’t. Paul and his team’ll be here in the morning. I can’t have any trace of your scent on me.”
