Page 41 of Alpha Wolf's Arranged Bride
I expect to be told wolves are mobilizing in groups to approach Rose Hollow so they can take Jarrod, so I’m confused when Rex tells me the activity is going on just outside of Eccles. Instead of making sacrifices, they’re digging up a field.
Even more confusing is this reference to ancient powers…
“Scarlett?” Rex asks, his voice gentle as if he’s trying not to startle me. “Please, talk to me. This is really important.”
I look up at him, wondering what I can possibly say. I don’t know enough to explain things to him, and I don’t trust him enough to reveal the scant details I have.
Maybe I could at least tell him Jarrod could be in danger. I think Rex would do anything to protect him.
I hold in a groan as I realize that would inevitably lead to Rex finding out he’s Jarrod’s father. I was waiting for the right time to do that, but the longer we go on like this, the harder it is to say.
Ancient powers.
It disturbs me that these stories have leaked out of my pack and gone into the world, and that they carry enough weight that other wolves would think Eccles is a threat because of it. I thought it was a scary urban legend, a bogeyman-type deal. Something about a powerful force that can grant great gifts to an alpha or mage.
“Scarlett?”
“I can’t,” I answer, not even looking up at him. My mind is whirling with details, and there aren’t enough of them to make a clear picture.
I don’t know why, but I can’t shake the feeling that this has something to do with Vanessa…
“How do you know this, Rex?” I ask, looking up at him with suspicion.
“There were scouts,” he says uncomfortably. “They brought the information back to me.”
“Scouts from Rose Hollow?” I can’t keep the challenge out of my voice. “Why are we spying on them if we have a peace treaty—and a hostage?”
“You aren’t a hostage.”
A little laugh escapes my lips, and I shake my head. “Okay, if you say so. My question still stands—why are you spying on Eccles?”
“The scouts weren’t from Rose Hollow,” he answers, sighing. Rex lowers his head and runs his hand through his hair, looking at the floor as if he doesn’t want me to read his face.
“Where were they from?” I ask, surprised.
“I’ve said too much,” Rex says, shaking his head. “Not even my family—or the elders—know about this. The situation is far too delicate for me to share the details, especially with you.”
A spike of anger flares through me, and I can’t hold it in. “With me? Your wife? Or am I, in fact, a hostage?”
“If you’re going to define it like that, then I guess you are a hostage!” he snaps. “If you cared about the safety of Rose Hollow, then you’d tell me everything you know!”
“I don’t know anything,” I say, crossing my arms and glaring at him. “There’s nothing to tell.”
“So why did you ask me so many questions?” he counters. “You wanted to know if your uncle was there, and if there was a woman with him. That’s pretty specific, Scarlett.”
I narrow my eyes, biting my lip as I stare at Rex. I don’t know how much I should reveal to him, especially since I don’t even know who is watching my old pack for him.
What on earth is he involved in?
“Is she his mate?” Rex asks.
I shake my head. “I don’t know, okay? A couple of years ago, he started hooking up with a woman, Vanessa. They seem to have a strange relationship, that’s all. They practically go everywhere together. And if something is happening out of town, I’d expect the alpha to know about it.”
Rex tilts his head as if he’s trying to see me in a different light. “If there’s anything you can tell me, I really need to know,” he says gently. “I get it if you’re scared or protecting someone, but it would help a lot of people if you could just tell me what’s going on in Eccles.”
His words strike new waves of terror through me.
Help a lot of people? Who?
