THE ROGUE ALPHA’S FORSAKEN MATE

Chapter 11

Garrett was gone, but the weight of his presence lingered in the clearing like smoke.

My father turned to me, his expression unreadable. "We need to talk. Alone."

I looked at Kael. He gave me a small nod, and I followed my father back through the trees toward the house. Neither of us spoke until we were inside, the door shut behind us.

"Sit down," he said.

I didn't sit. "What do you know about Garrett?"

My father sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. He looked tired, older than I had ever seen him. "I know his father approached me months ago about an alliance."

"Months ago? Before I was even marked?"

"Yes."

I stared at him. "And you didn't think to tell me?"

"I didn't think it was serious. Garrett's father has approached other packs with similar offers. It's how he operates. He builds alliances through marriage, gains influence, expands his territory without war."

"So this has nothing to do with me."

"It has everything to do with you now." My father met my eyes. "But no. It didn't start with you."

I tried to process what he was saying. Garrett wasn't interested in me because of who I was. He was interested in me because I was a daughter of Ashford, because marrying me would give his family a foothold in our territory. I was a political tool, nothing more.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I didn't think it would come to this. I thought Declan would claim you. I thought you would be protected."

I flinched at Declan's name.

My father noticed. "I know you don't want to hear it, but Declan was the safest choice for you. He was known. He was from our pack. He would have kept you here, where I could protect you."

"And now?"

"Now you've been marked by a stranger with no territory, no pack, and no standing. And Garrett Voss is circling." He paused. "Do you understand how dangerous this is?"

I did. But something else was bothering me.

"When Garrett saw Kael today, he knew who he was."

My father nodded slowly. "I noticed."

"Did you know Kael before today?"

"No. I've never met him. I didn't even know his name until he said it."

"Then how did Garrett know?"

My father was quiet.

"That's what I want to know," I said. "Garrett recognized Kael immediately. He knew about Thornwood. He knew Kael was an Alpha. That's not common knowledge."

"I don't know the answer to that."

I looked at him. "You need to find out."

He frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Garrett is dangerous. You said it yourself. And now he knows Kael is here, and he knows exactly who he is." I paused. "If Garrett knows something about Kael's past, something we don't, then that's a problem. For both of us."

My father studied me for a long moment. Then he nodded.

"You're right."

He walked to the door and opened it. For a moment, he just stood there, looking out at the pack grounds.

"I'll go to the elders," he said. "I'll tell them what happened and see if anyone knows more about Garrett's family. But I need you to stay here. No more running off into the forest. No more secrets."

I nodded.

He left, closing the door behind him.

I stayed where I was for a moment, letting the silence settle around me. Then I walked to my room, grabbed my jacket, and slipped out the window.

I found Kael in the same clearing where I had left him. He was sitting on the fallen log, his elbows on his knees, staring at the ground. He looked up when he heard my footsteps.

"I thought you were with your father."

"He went to talk to the elders."

Kael frowned. "About what?"

"About Garrett." I sat down beside him. "Kael, how did Garrett know who you are?"

He was quiet.

"You said yourself that the fall of Thornwood was kept quiet. That most wolves don't know what happened. So how did Garrett Voss know your name, your territory, your status?"

Kael shook his head. "I don't know."

"But you have an idea."

He looked at me. "The only people who knew the truth about Thornwood were the Alphas involved in its destruction. If Garrett knows, then his family was involved."

I felt a chill run down my spine. "You think Garrett's father helped destroy your territory?"

"I think it's possible." Kael's voice was steady, but there was something dark beneath it. "I've spent three years trying to find out who betrayed us. I never had proof. Now I'm starting to think Garrett Voss might be the proof I've been looking for."

I reached out and took his hand. He didn't pull away.

"What do we do?" I asked.

Kael looked at our joined hands. Then he looked at me.

"We find out how Garrett knows about me. And then we find out why."

But for now, we still have the elders to face.