By the time we land at a private airfield in Virginia, I have two rental cars waiting for us; one for James and the other for Evangeline and me. I also made sure to book James into the nicest hotel in the area with plenty of money for food.
Evangeline tells me how to get to Kara’s house, and it’s not long before we drive up the long, winding road of her driveway. Her garage door is open, and Evangeline blows out a relieved sigh. “She’s home. Both of her cars are here.”
The second I park and get out of the car, an unpleasant scent hits me right in the face. “Fuck,” I growl, jerking around to scan the area.
Evangeline freezes, her expression alarmed. “What’s wrong?”
“Someone was here. An unmated male.” I run toward the open garage; her scent is everywhere, mingled with the male’s. “Kara!” I shout, fuming with rage. When I get into the garage, I see her phone lying on the floor.
Evangeline rushes in just as I pick it up. “Is that her phone?”
I clutch it in my hand. “Please tell me you can find her.”
When she doesn’t answer, I snap my head in her direction. She clears her throat and averts her gaze, almost sheepishly.
“What the hell are you not telling me?”
Biting her lip, she cautiously focuses back on me. “You said it’s an unmated wolf you smell?” By the expression on her face, she knows who it could be.
“Who is he?” I hiss, my insides trembling with the need to shift.
Evangeline tilts her head back and grumbles. “There’s only one person it could be.” She sets her eyes on me and huffs. “His name’s Nolan Lowe, alpha of the Rich Valley Pack and the Rich Valley Distillery owner. You might’ve heard of him since you’re in a similar business. I know a lot of your competitions aren’t just with wines, but liquor, too.”
Nolan Lowe. I know precisely who he is. We’ve never spoken, but I have seen him around different conventions. Besides Kara and me, he’s the only other shifter in our line of work.
“Why would he come here?” I ask, praying like fuck it’s not what I’m thinking in my head. I may not have spoken to Nolan, but that doesn’t mean Kara hasn’t.
Evangeline throws her hands up in the air. “Why are you going to ask that? You already know the answer.”
Anger builds in my chest, and I clench my fists. “So, they’ve slept together.” She doesn’t deny it, and it infuriates me more.
“They were seeing each other for a while,” she confesses. “Nolan didn’t know she was a royal, but I’m sure he does now since she can’t shield herself. He’s going to want that power, but even more so, he’s going to want her.”
“Not gonna fucking happen,” I hiss, storming back to the car. She may have the bracelet on to prevent a bond, but it doesn’t mean he won’t force himself on her. There’s no way she can fight back in her weakened state.
Evangeline rushes over to the car, and we both get in.
“What are we going to do?” she asks, her voice breathless.
I crank up the car and speed down the driveway. “You’re going to tell me where Nolan lives.”
Evangeline grips onto the door. “It’s not far, maybe about twenty-five minutes. When you get to the main road, take a left.”
Twenty-five minutes feels like a fucking eternity. We ride in silence the entire way there, and all I can think about are the millions of ways I can kill Nolan Lowe. Then, finally, Evangeline points at a vacant turn-off, surrounded by woods.
“Park there, and we’ll walk the rest of the way. I can shield the car so no one can see it.”
On both sides of the road, there’s nothing but forest. “Which way does Nolan live?”
She nods toward a narrow, paved road that reminds me of Kara’s driveway. “He lives about a half-mile up that way.”
I pull off to the side, and we both get out. Kara is close by; I can smell her. As soon as we step away from the vehicle, Evangeline waves her hand with a snap, and the car disappears.
Magic has always intrigued me. Evangeline rushes over to me and murmurs something under her breath. When she finishes, she huffs and nods toward the woods. “You’re protected. Nolan won’t be able to feel your presence.”
By the time we hike up the hill, and through the woods, the sky darkens. Through the trees, I can see bits of light coming from a large, modern-style cabin. When we get closer, Kara’s scent grows more potent. I try to locate her through the windows, but she’s nowhere in sight.
“Someone’s coming,” I hiss low. The sound of a car draws near, and I grab Evangeline to hide her behind a tree. Evangeline peeks around just as a small, black Mercedes pulls into the driveway. Before the guy gets out of the car, I have a feeling I know who he is. He’s not a wolf but a witch.
“Let me guess … Xavier?” I say to Evangeline.
Her eyes never leave him as he hops out and disappears inside. “Yes.” She swallows hard. “That’s him. I should’ve known he’d get mixed up with wolves.” Then she jerks her head my way. “No offense.”
“Why do you say it that way?” I question. “I know of other packs which have witches working for them.”
Evangeline nods in understanding. “I know that. There’s nothing wrong with witches working with wolves. It’s just the wolves in the Rich Valley pack are ambitious, mainly Nolan. Xavier’s power with his ambition is a deadly combination.”
“I want to go in there,” I growl.
Evangeline grabs my wrist. “Not yet. As soon as Xavier leaves, I can get you in. If we try now, I’ll have to go up against him. My magic is strong, but I honestly don’t know if I can defeat him. If I lose, we could both end up in some serious trouble.”
I stare at the house, my body shaking with the need to fight, the need to protect my mate. “I can’t leave her in there. Every second she’s with him, something could happen.”
Evangeline eases her grip on my arm. “I understand. I’ll do what I have to do.”
Keeping my focus on the house, I listen for Kara’s voice. But, instead, all I can hear are Nolan and Xavier. “I’ll give it some time in hopes that Xavier leaves, but if Nolan tries anything with Kara, I’m going in. I don’t care who’s around or who I have to fight. The fucker’s going to die.”
I stare over at Evangeline to make sure she understands, and she gives me a devious yet angelic smile as a glowing white light emits from her hands. “Don’t worry. I’ll be ready.”