Chapter 07

BETA CARTER POV

"Hello?" I called out after Lindy, and I entered the Beta house.

"We're in here, Tony." Kim's voice called out, the sound coming from the family room.

We found a large group of curious smiles inside the room—almost unnerving, if I had to be honest. Lindy stayed slightly tucked behind me as we stepped into the room.

Kim's expression dropped instantly when her eyes landed on Lindy holding me.

"What the fu.ck is she doing in my home?" she hissed, springing to her feet. Jealousy was fueling her irrational advance on us with the vicious intent to confront my mate.

I felt Felix push through the bond, letting out a warning growl as we tucked Lindy closer behind us. "Think wisely, Kim. I'll rip you to shreds if you touch her." The threat was real. The room felt heavy.

"I told you I don't want her in my home. It's disrespectful to the family."

"You want to compare disrespect?" I challenged back.

"Mom! Dad! Enough. Mom, sit down." Matthew intervened, trying to calm both of us down.

I watched in predatory silence as Kim stepped back and reclaimed her seat on the plush leather recliner. I then entered the room to make a quick survey.

Everyone was freshly showered and in loungewear. I looked at the clock overhead, confirming that it was only after four p.m. It was a little soon for loungewear and a fresh shower. This was odd to me. I knew everyone in this room; better yet, I knew how preemed they kept their image in the pack. This was out of character for them all.

"Why aren't any of you dressed? Also, why is everyone freshly showered? What's going on?"

The room froze, and glances were exchanged. I silently took it all in. I could feel Lindy alongside me. She was often underestimated but tended to understand people and their intentions with extreme precision. Perhaps because she was frequently mistreated? That wouldn’t happen again, however. Not with me by her side.

"We went for a family run and got muddy. So, we decided to have a night in once we returned. We ordered pizza if you want to stay, Dad." Matthew responded to the group.

"You went for a family run? Through the woods behind the house?" I asked. I could feel that Felix was pacing. We already knew the SUV was still warm and covered in fresh red dust from miles away, out of the pack lands. They were lying, but about what?

"Are we not allowed anymore, Tony? Does Miss homewrecker wish to take that away from us now, too?" Kim spat in bitterness from Lindy being in the house.

"Watch how you speak about her. Final warning." Felix pushed his aura through with each word.

"Yes. Will everyone calm down?" Brittany sighed as she curled deeper into Ryan, who had remained stiff and quiet until then.

I squinted in suspicion. Ryan is the most arrogant charmer I’ve ever met. He was rarely silent. I sensed his wolf was unhappy with him, but Felix was met with a wall from the other wolves. Another red flag!

"Where is CC?"

"How would we know? She doesn't involve herself with us. Your guess is as good as ours." Brittany shoots out quickly. Her eyes stayed trained on the movie playing.

"I think I remember her heading out before we all left. Why?" Matthew added nonchalantly.

"Because I want to take her to dinner. Lindy and I want to share our news with her. Any idea when she's coming back?" I observed Matthew—the warmth of the SUV still at the forefront of my mind.

"I have no idea. I'll tell her to call you if I see her again," Matthew shrugged.

"If you see her again? She still lives here, does she not?" I narrowed my eyes in suspicion.

"He just means that she makes herself scarce around here. She's always out. Stop the inquisition, Tony." Kim clarified with a scoff of annoyance. "So, if we see her, we will tell her."

"Yeah. You do that." I turned to leave but stopped and re-entered the room. I tossed the signed divorce paperwork on the table in front of Kim. "These are signed on my end. Have them signed and delivered to Kane by tomorrow morning, or I will kick you the fu.ck out of this house and empty your bank accounts by noon. Clear? I'm done with your bullsh.it delay tactics."

I didn't bother to wait for a response. I reclaimed Lindy's trembling hand and led her out of the house.

Something wasn't sitting right with me. Carissa didn't have any friends; Brittany and Matthew made sure of it. She had few places to wander where she would feel welcomed, and Lindy was the main one.

"That was— weird." Lindy finally broke the silence when they got into their truck.

"It sure was. We need to head to Kanes and talk all this out. Something isn't lining up right."

As I reversed into the street to leave the driveway, I saw Matthew watching us go from the front window. This action only confirmed the gnawing in my belly. Something was wrong.

I needed to figure out where CC was. I needed Kane's help.