Hunted

Chapter Two

Adam:

None of them spoke as they filed out of the Alpha's house. The visit, while not unpleasant, had definitely been unsettling.

They stayed quiet when they climbed into the car and Jeff pulled away from curb. It wasn't until the Alpha's house was no longer visible behind them that someone spoke.

"How do you suppose he knew?" Fran asked.

"I don't know, but we're going to have to be on guard even more than usual," Jeff replied.

"Does that mean we're not staying?" Lisa whined.

"We'll stay for now, but we'll need to keep a close eye on the situation," Jeff said.

"Good," Lisa said. "I like it here. The woods are pretty. I'll bet they're fun to run in."

The familiar feeling of guilt welled up in Adam's chest. It was his fault that his family was on the run. His fault they had to resort to half-truths to keep from being found out. His fault that he was the only friend Lisa had ever had.

If he'd been more careful, Adam could have protected himself. They probably would have had to leave their home pack, but they wouldn't have needed to be on the run.

Turning in her seat, Lisa gave him a soft smile. "I'm sorry, A. I didn't mean anything by it."

Adam forced himself to return the smile. "It's okay. I know you didn't."

"I've never met an Alpha like Knox," Lisa said. "He was really nice."

"Yes, he was," Jeff said.

Adam understood the suspicion in his father's tone. The last time an alpha had been nice to him, it had been an act. An act that he'd fallen for and had almost cost him and his family their lives.

It wasn't a mistake any of them was going to make again, especially not Adam.

Cameron:

"You wanted to see us, Dad?" Cameron said as he stepped into his father's study with Colby and Carver on his heels.

When Knox looked up, Cameron was confronted with eyes nearly identical to his own. Of all of his parents' pups, Cameron was the one who most resembled their father. That, combined with the fact that he was the oldest, was supposed to be an indicator that he was meant to be the next alpha.

Unlike some packs, the title of alpha was passed down from father to son. Something Cameron was glad of. If being alpha would have meant challenging his father for the position, he probably would have left the pack.

Knox gestured to the large leather couch. "Have a seat."

Cameron and his brothers immediately obeyed. As soon as they were settled, Cameron caught the sweet scent of fresh baked cookies with a hint of cotton candy underneath.

When he'd first noticed that smell a few hours ago, he'd been hopeful his mother was making cookies. A trip to the kitchen had dashed his hopes as much as it had confused him. Even more confusing was that none of his brothers had been able to pick up the scent.

Now, as he sat on the couch of his father's study, Cameron found that amazing smell was at its strongest. Trying to be discreet, Cameron inhaled, frowning as he did. Beneath that sweet scent was the stench of fear, and he barely managed to suppress the growl that threatened to erupt from his chest.