Page 75 of Wulf's Pack
Again. Not a question, but an accusation. I shrug as nonchalantly as Skylar did a minute ago.
“That’s awfully close to Vail,” Ralston says.
“I will never go back to Vail,” Skylar swears with the utmost conviction. “Not ever. For any reason.”
Johnson cocks an eyebrow at her. “Then what were you doing in Denver?”
“Visiting an old friend.”
“An old friend,” Johnson repeats. The dryness in her tone is impressive.
“The man that raised me, yes. I was kidnapped as a young teen, and he never knew what happened to me. I wanted to see him again and let him know that I was okay. We caught up. I introduced him to my mate. I promised him I was safe and happy, and we agreed to keep in touch. The next day we went to New Mexico to meet with an omega from another pack. Wulf and I had questions we thought he could help with.”
Another silence stretches out between us as the federal agents chew on Skylar’s response. Agent Johnson shifts her gaze to Nick. “Is she lying?”
An angry snarl rips from my throat. Before I can slam to my feet, Skylar tightens her grip on my thigh, tethering me to the bench. “Wulf,” she says softly. “It’s okay. She’s just doing her job, and you know I wasn’t lying.”
“She wasn’t,” Nick agrees. “Every word out of her mouth was the truth. Not even a hint of a lie.”
I’m still ready to rip Agent Johnson to shreds, but I can’t look away from Skylar’s steady gaze. She reaches up and places her hand to my cheek. A tiny bit of her calming influence seeps into me, making my body relax. When I let out a long breath, she gives me a soft smile, surprises me with an even softer kiss, then turns to the agents. “I’m not sorry they’re dead, but we in no way helped plan or carry out an attack on Victor’s pack.”
Again, it’s true. We told Samuel about Victor, but we didn’t have any part in planning Samuel’s revenge. The difference betweenwe didn’t help plan itandwe had nothing to do with itis subtle, but it’s the key to there not being any kind of lie in Skylar’s words for Nick to sniff out. The woman is genius. But then, she’s been raised by very shady people her entire life. I’m sure she’s picked up on manipulation techniques even if she’s never had the opportunity or been brave enough to use them until now.
Again, Johnson looks to Nick for confirmation, and when he nods, she frowns. Nora lets out a loud huff. “Are we good now?” she asks.
Johnson’s lips purse so tight the corners of her mouth turn white. Ralston’s shoulders slump, and he sighs. “Yes. I think we got what we needed.” He gives us both a sheepish smile. “Thank you for answering our questions.”
I want to tell the man off, but Skylar squeezes my leg again and says, “Of course,” the second I open my mouth.
After a couple of quick good-bye hugs and apologies from Nora, the group leaves. Just before they get out the door, Skylar calls out to them. “Was it the whole pack?”
They all exchange looks, and Nick says, “There were seventy-six dead. We don’t know how big the pack was, though.”
“Victor?” I ask, though I already know the answer.
Nick shakes his head.
“He’s not dead.” Skylar whispers more to herself than anyone else.
I hate the way her voice is shaking. Her fear leaves a sour taste in my mouth. Victor still being alive is unfortunate, but we’re a lot better off than we were. “He may be alive,” I tell Skylar, “but he’s lost three quarters of his pack, his home, and his weapons. His funds are frozen, and he’s now a fugitive.”
Skylar takes a centering breath and slowly nods. “You’re right. But there are still about twenty-five of them, and I guarantee they are his strongest. No doubt his inner circle, the original twelve, are still with him. They always have an escape plan, and they would have had no problem sacrificing the others in their pack in order to escape. They’ll regroup quickly, and they’ll be out for blood.”
Ralston perks up. “His inner circle? Could you provide us with a list of names?”
Skylar nods. “I can provide you with a lot more information than that.” She shifts her eyes to Nora. “I’m happy to tell you everything I know about Victor’s clan, if it will help you find him.”
Nora nods. “We’ll take whatever we can get. Can you come down to the FUA office?”
“I’ve got an appointment with a therapist soon, but I should be able to come after that.”
She glances at me for confirmation, though I don’t think she’s asking permission so much as checking to see if that worksfor me as well. I nod. “I don’t want to miss the meeting with the real estate agent, but we shouldn’t be much longer than your appointment with Enzo. We can go right after that.”
Chapter
Twenty-Five
Two hours later, I’m standing with Sophia’s brother Sean, Matt, and his architect friend in a partially-renovated apartment building. Built in the 1920s, it’s old but has historic charm. It’s four stories and has thirty-five one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. Sean walks us through a floor of the building that’s basically gutted, but Matt doesn’t look discouraged.
