Page 21 of The Last Ultimatum: Part 1

Aiden snorted. “Six? There’s a lot more of us than that.”

“But will there be? That’s what Westin Force fears the most right now. They are going around to all the major Tribes to warn everyone. If they had arrived yesterday, I would have insisted you stay put in King territory.”

As if just realizing we were still there, the Alpha turned all his charm our way.

“Ladies, my apologies. I hope we haven’t scared you. This is all just precautionary. Your own father will be dealing with much the same soon. I’m afraid I’m going to require my son for much of today. I assure you, despite what you’ve just overheard, this territory is well protected. You are safe here and free toexplore. I have no doubt you’ll find everything up to the high standards the Kings are known for.”

And with that, Aiden and his guards followed the Alpha, shut the door behind them, and we were suddenly free.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

“Well, today just got a whole lot better,” Kayla whispered.

I giggled, linked my arm with hers, and quickly left the house.

“They’ve had me cooped up for days. All I really want to do is go for a run,” I confessed.

“He did say we were safe within territory, and no way could we miss the stench of this place and venture outside Tribe lines.”

“Kayla, you’re awful. I have to try to find something good about this place and this situation. I’ve been so mad that I’ve been acting childish and I hate it. That’s not who I am.”

“Okay. Mindset change. Let’s run and clear our heads.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.”

We walked around looking for a way out. The way the buildings were designed created a circular pattern throughout the town, with the Alpha house in the very center. It made it very difficult to get around beyond the one main road that wrapped around the place.

“I’m so confused by this layout,” Kayla said. “I think if we walk between the buildings, we should get to the outer perimeter faster.”

Before I could stop her, she jetted off between two houses. I started to follow her, but it just came to another house. Walking around it brought me to yet another. It felt very intrusive, so I walked back to the road and continued down the path. I knew I’d catch up to her eventually or she’d follow my scent back to me.

Just like her parents, Kayla wasn’t just a badass warrior, but a skilled tracker, too. It always amazed me how so many people belittled scapegoats. If they only knew the truth.

I knew I needed an attitude adjustment. This was to be my life, my home, and I couldn’t just let myself be miserable for the rest of it. So as I walked, I took my time looking around, taking it all in.

Every building was an ugly shade of brown and Earth tones, but they matched the area and likely formed a natural camouflage for the town.

I hadn’t passed a single person, but that meant privacy.

And while there was the resounding stench of Campbells, there was also a very pleasant scent in the air. I breathed it in and my whole body shook. I had no idea what it was, but I knew I needed to find out. It made my mouth water, yet I didn’t think it was food, or at least no food I’d ever smelled before.

I continued to follow the scent until I heard male voices just up ahead.

“It’s just weird. Where is everyone?”

He parroted my thoughts exactly.

“The Alpha said they bus out the majority of the Pack, or Tribe, or whatever for work every morning before sunrise and they return in the late evening. It makes sense. Look around, there’s nothing here.”

“Do you really think the Collectors would even find them out here?”

“I don’t know.”

“There’s literally no one here.”

“Someone’s here and listening in.”

That voice resonated through my body and hit me straight in the core.

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