CHAPTER FIVE

VINCE

“Yo, take it easy, man.” Levi, my third in command, speaks from the back seat.

I briefly lower my eyes to the meter and grunt softly as I step on the throttle. Levi falls silent, and I’m grateful he finally understands. Welsh, my second in command and best friend, sits quietly beside me. He understands my fury in times like these.

The next words that would escape my lips should be me roaring at Barrett or punching his face. Who would abuse a pregnant woman so much that she loses her baby?

‘He deserves to die.’ Conan growls loudly in my head.

I’m glad we share a side on this, but something flashes back in my mind. A feeling I hate to acknowledge. 

What if I snap and lose control? What if I end up hurting an innocent person?

Only Barrett will pay for his crimes, along with that fool Gusto and any other wolf who stood by him. They’ll all face justice. My knuckles whiten as I clench the steering wheel. 

I cut sharply left, hearing Levi grunt as he slams into the door. I don’t look at him or Welsh, keeping my eyes locked on the road. The closer we get to Malrock, the stronger my fury grows, simmering like a volcano ready to erupt.

My mind keeps drifting to the deals Lori mentioned Barrett is making with northern packs, and it only fuels my anger. His power has clearly gone to his head, far beyond what I last heard from one of my men who was monitoring his ways. 

I make it my responsibility to monitor every Alpha in the South. As the largest region in the country, we’re a prime target, especially with the northern packs launching targeted attacks and rumors of an alpha collaborating with them.

As we near Malrock’s gates, a man steps in front, arms raised, ordering me to stop. Without hesitation, I slam the throttle, the engine growling in response. The bulky figure leaps aside, barely avoiding the impact. 

The road from the gate is straight, and we reach Barrett’s house in a few minutes’ drive, and the car jerks to a stop as I hit the brakes.

“Barrett!!” I yell.

Levi says something, but I’m too focused, marching toward the front door to hear him. There’s no guard in sight, which strikes me as odd, but I ignore it, shouting his name even louder.

“Barrett!!!” 

No one responds as I ascend the front stairs. I shove the door, but it’s locked, resisting my attempts. I push harder, channeling my fury into the effort, yet the door remains stubbornly unmoved.

“There’s no one here,” Welsh says behind me.

I pivot sharply and march to the right, heading towards the back of the house. It’s eerily empty back there, which only adds to my frustration. For a moment, doubts about Barrett’s whereabouts flicker in my mind, but I shove them aside, refusing to let my anger fade. 

‘He’s probably gone to a secret meeting with one of those northern packs,’ I reason.

I return to the front of the house to see Barrett standing confidently beside his car, holding the door ajar, a smug smile on his lips. Just as I stride toward him, ready to confront him, a figure steps out. It’s Garf, a member of the Supremes. 

The Supremes are the governing council for all werewolves. They are ancient, century-old werewolves, with every country having its own council. Ours is the largest, made up of six members. They’re said to never get personally involved with any alpha to avoid bias in their judgements.

My eyes widen in shock as I halt in my tracks. Garf’s grin curls at the corner of his wrinkled lips. The way he and Barrett lock eyes on me feels off, as if they were just talking about me.

Barrett remains unfazed by the rage he saw in my eyes, now replaced with a calm contemplation as I tilt my head.

Why is Garf coming out of Barrett’s car in Malrock?

Something tells me he knew I’d be here, but how could they predict when I’d come?

“Hello, Vincent Burrows.” Garf’s husky voice greets. 

“Hello, Garf,” I respond.

“It’s a surprise seeing you here.” His voice is dubious.

“I’d say the same for you,” 

A woman emerges from the other side of the vehicle, whose eyebrows tighten as she gazes at me, but I ignore her. Garf’s grin widens, and he nods at Barrett, who steps toward the front door flanked by his guards. 

I glance at Welsh and Levi, who are studying the exchange with prepared stances, ready to pounce at the sight of danger. I quickly step in front of Barrett, blocking his path to the door. 

“No one is going anywhere until I get answers.” I snap.

The two guards move to me, but Barrett raises a hand to stop them. Welsh and Levi remain unmoved, knowing I’d smoke the guards effortlessly. He locks eyes with me for a moment, then he sighs and turns to Garf behind him. I don’t see Garf’s face as Barrett’s large form covers him. Barrett nods slightly and turns to me again.

“Ok, since you want to do it out here,” Barrett speaks low but confidently.

“I want Lori back, immediately.” 

“Did you know she was carrying twins?” I ask, ignoring Barrett’s words and feeling my fury rise fast.

“Do you know that she’s carrying my child?” Barrett counters, his eyes passive, like what I said doesn’t matter.

“So you knew.” My eyes widen.

“Is that the lie she told you?” The woman, who is behind Garf, says loudly.

I glance at her briefly and return my gaze to Barrett, ignoring her again. Barrett tilts his head to his left slightly and grins, eyes still fixed on me.

“This isn’t your fight, Vince.” He says. “It wasn’t yours when you took her from me, and it’s still not yours now.”

“She’s with me now. Under my care.” I blurt out. You’ll have to deal with that now.”

“I want her back.” 

“The blood debt says different.”

“It’s not superior to his right as the father of the unborn child,” Garf says, stepping to Barrett’s side.

I scowl at Garf. If the Supremes weren’t protected by an ancient magic that makes them untouchable, I would’ve snapped his neck for supporting Barrett on this. I’m also certain he knows about Barrett’s shadiness. 

“It’s a Supreme order, Vincent.” Garf declares, “Bring her back at once.”