Wolf Betrayed (Talon Pack #4)(4)

“He’s headed to the Talon den and asked you to join him and Brynn,” Maddox said. “You know that we’re not letting anyone go off alone outside the den, and while Finn and Brynn would normally be okay on their own as a duo, three would be even better.”

Charlotte’s eyes widened even as a slight thread of excitement wove its way through her. She didn’t normally get picked for assignments like this. Yes, she’d fought alongside others when needed, and even helped saved some of the Talon Pack members who had been too close to an explosion, but since she didn’t have a clear role in the Pack yet, those assignments were few and far between.

“Really?”

Maddox nodded. “He’s leaving soon, so meet him at the main sentry gate if you’re joining him. I’ll phone ahead to let him know.” He looked over at Bram. “Finn also said Kade was about to do an all call for the enforcers.”

Bram’s shoulders straightened. “At the Alpha’s home, or the enforcer’s place of residence?”

“At Kade’s,” Maddox answered.

“I’ll head over there right now.” Bram met Charlotte’s gaze. “Be careful, okay?”

She looked into his eyes and swallowed hard. She was always careful. There wasn’t another option for a wolf such as she.

“You, as well,” she whispered.

Her best friend left without another word, and Charlotte was left to stare at the closed door.

“Charlotte…” her mother began.

Charlotte shook her head. “I should head out. I need to stop by my place and change my shoes. Thanks for letting me know.” She quickly kissed her parents’ cheeks and left without another word. She hated keeping things from them, hating hurting like she did, but she didn’t know any other way to live.

By the time she made it to the gate, Brynn and Finn were already waiting. Newly mated, the two of them were wrapped around one another much like her parents had just been. Everyone in Charlotte’s life seemed to be finding a mate of their own, and while she couldn’t hate them for it, that little pang of jealousy still hit her every once in a while.

“You’re here,” Brynn said with a grin. She looked like her brothers and cousins, all strength and dark hair with wide blue eyes. Finn was one lucky wolf.

“Let’s head out,” Finn said quickly. “Gideon said he had something to show us, and since Brynn wanted to see her brothers, we said we’d go.”

Gideon was the Alpha of the Talon Pack, while Brynn was Gideon’s younger sister.

“Thanks for asking me along,” Charlotte said.

Finn studied her face. “I wouldn’t have anyone else.”

She let that seep into her soul and sighed softly. He believed in her, and that had to count for something.

They made their way over to the Talons in Finn’s vehicle, aware they were being watched. The soldiers that guarded the dens weren’t on the Packs’ side, but they didn’t do anything to provoke an attack.

Yet.

Though Finn could have probably found a way to evade those on his tail, he let the others keep up with him. That way, the world could see that they were just simple people going to meet friends. It was all a lie, and would always be one, but she would do her part and protect what was hers. After they’d entered the Talon territory and nodded at the wolves who guarded their home, Charlotte followed Finn and Brynn to the infirmary.

“Do you know why we’re here?” Charlotte asked. “I mean other than the fact that Gideon asked for us.”

Brynn shook her head. “Not really. Gideon just asked us over. Kade said he’d come, but I haven’t seen my family in a week so I asked if I could come instead.”

Charlotte nodded. “Everything is so secret these days, I never know.”

Finn shrugged. “It has to be, but I wanted you here.” He met her gaze. “I don’t know why, Charlotte. My wolf urged me to bring you with, and I listened to him.”

Her eyes widened. “That’s…a little spooky.”

Finn snorted. “Tell me about it. I never used to have this connection with my wolf but after the…procedure, things are different.”

The procedure that killed him, she remembered. But if Finn’s wolf thought she needed to be here, she’d listen. He was the Heir for a reason, after all.

They made their way into the building, and Gideon came toward them. He had to be the biggest man Charlotte had ever seen, and that was saying something, considering how big her cousins and uncles were.

“Good, you’re here.”

A man’s scream echoed off the walls, and Charlotte’s wolf moved forward, ready to fight.

“What the hell?” Finn growled.

“That’s why I wanted you here,” Gideon said with a sigh. “We have a new Pack member.”

Charlotte’s eyes widened. While it was not uncommon to bring in new members of the Pack, they were in the middle of a war, and turning a human probably wasn’t the smartest thing to do. Not that she’d tell a very dominant Alpha wolf that.

“Seriously?” Finn asked.

“What happened?” Brynn said.

Gideon pinched the bridge of his nose. “He is—was—a soldier, working under Montag.”

Charlotte hissed. Montag was the General who had killed dozens of wolves in the name of science. He tortured them to discover their secrets and was one of the loudest opponents against the wolves’ right to live at all.