Page 71 of Wolf Sacrificed

I flipped on my blinker and hit the brakes, slowing the car to a crawl as I turned down the dirt drive. I sighed and banged my palm on the wheel.

It would be hard to find men who were sympathetic to our cause without putting myself in danger, but it had to be done. We could dismantle my dad’s pack from the inside out. That had always been the plan Lincoln and I had. It was up to me to see it through.

I shifted in my seat, sitting up straighter as I drove down the winding drive in the dark. I’d stopped by a truck stop to take a quick shower to make sure I’d washed any hints of Sloane or Lincoln off me, so I arrived later than I wanted.

Dad lurked on the front porch as I got closer, his hands on his hips and his eyes zeroed in on my car. I pulled into my spot and killed the ignition.

Then I gave myself a three-count before climbing out. “You should have told me what was going on. We lost a lot of good men tonight.”

Dad stomped his foot on the wood porch so hard the whole awning rattled. “You saw no indication of any survivors?”

I shook my head as I marched up the stairs. “No. By the time I got there, the fighting was over. I would have been outnumbered and captured or killed. You should have had them wait for me. Maybe things would have ended differently.”

I stood toe-to-toe with him as I narrowed my eyes. “Why didn’t you?”

It wasn’t the first time he’d done something rash like this, so it wasn’t completely surprising, but the fact that he was getting so reckless concerned me. People did even crazier things when they didn’t care.

He flicked his gaze to mine, baring his teeth at me. “They should have been able to handle it.”

I huffed. “Sloane and Lincoln were ready for them. It’s like they were waiting to stomp them out and take on the Dennings.”

Dad jabbed a finger into my chest. “How did they know? How were they ready?”

I ground my teeth so hard my jaw hurt. Did he suspect? My heart pounded, and heat crept over my face. I needed to diffuse the situation.

“Lincoln’s not dumb, Dad. He knows you. He’s always been good at strategy, and Sloane is smart. There’s a reason her father selected her to lead the pack.”

His nostrils flared as he continued to glare.

I crossed my arms and tried to relax, but nothing I did would take the stiffness out of my neck. The muscles had knotted together.

“We underestimated them,” I said. “It’s not something we can do again. You can’t keep things like this from me. It cost us men. If they’d had a proper leader going in, things might have been different. They should’ve waited for me.”

It was a dangerous game to put the blame back on my father, but it took the attention off me, and I needed to know why he hadn’t confided in me.

Spittle flew out of his mouth as he seethed. “I’m tired of being one step behind them. Someone is helping them. I know it.”

I suppressed a shudder and continued to hold my father’s gaze. “Who? Someone in the pack?” I motioned with my arms. “Only a few people have access to the outside world. It would have to be someone in our house. A trusted member of our pack. Do you think that’s possible?”

I gulped, hoping I hadn’t said too much. If he truly thought someone within our circle was part of the betrayal, it would be a witch hunt.

I pumped my fists at my sides. “It’s also possible someone has a phone somewhere. The men are all over the place during the day hours. They could hear or see anything. I think we should look into it as a possibility.”

It would give me a reason to poke around at the houses, too. The other houses were considered beneath me, and I didn’t get many opportunities to go near them.

Dad wiped the back of his forearm across his mouth. “I’m not sure.” He pointed his finger at my face, getting it so close I was afraid he would stab me in the eye with it. “But I’m going to find out.”

I looked out at the pack houses that dotted the far corner of the property. “Anything you want me to do to help?”

It would give me a reason to go there and talk to people. Dad only had me here with the other enforcers who stayed in the main house. But the back houses were where not only prisoners were kept but wolves that my dad considered lower in ranks. Aka ones who he had obliterated and forced to swear their loyalty to us.

He followed my gaze. “No. I’ll deal with them. For now, spend some time with Fiona. She says you have been avoiding her. You’re young. What kind of boy avoids a beautiful, willing woman?”

One who had already found their mate. Or really, someone who had standards, even.

I arched a brow at him. “Dad, I’ve been busy. Things have been crazy.” I sighed.

He clapped his hand on my shoulder. “I know, I know. There are more important things to worry about, but an heir is important too, Sawyer. Soon.”

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