“Then it’s settled.” Prince rose to his feet and glanced at his watch. “Cole, devise a plan to get your packmates off the property for the afternoon. Be sure to let the young woman helping us know to keep this a secret from everyone, including her mate, until we decide our next course of action.”
Austin stood up and circled around his chair, resting his hands on the back. “Maybe nothing happens and we’ve wasted our time, but it’s worth a shot. If anyone’s watching my land, then they’re doing it right now. Especially when they notice that one of their men has gone missing. This is the best opportunity we’ve got. If we can’t catch one tonight, you two can sleep in the heat house, and we’ll try again tomorrow.”
Prince and Church exchanged an awkward glance.
“How many beds are there?” Church inquired.
Austin chuckled. “I’ll pretend we have business matters to discuss, which may or may not continue through tomorrow. We’re facing a pack war, so they’ll respect our privacy and won’t challenge me with questions. The heat house doesn’t have windows, so if we have spies on the property, they won’t know you’re there. I take your safety seriously. My pack won’t discuss your visit with anyone on the outside; they’re familiar with security protocol.”
Austin took a deep breath, the smell of stale cigarettes clinging to the stagnant air.
As if reading his mind, Lorenzo pulled a cigarette from a soft pack tucked in the pocket of his cotton shirt. “And what if a rogue sees us enter the property?”
“I’ve got two wolves on guard; no one is going to see you unless it’s from the main road. Leave your cars here, and I’ll drive. Duck down if that’s your concern, but I don’t think we’re dealing with the Shifter FBI.”
The light flashed by the door, signaling someone was requesting entrance.
“Are you expecting anyone?” Prince asked.
Austin shook his head and moved toward the door. He wasn’t on the best of terms with the owner of this place, but he’d spoken with the bartender about making sure no one disturbed them. Through the peephole, a distorted image of a young man was peering back at him.
“I don’t know this guy.”
“Let me see,” Church said, shouldering Austin aside. He cupped his hand around his eye and then suddenly jerked his head back, staring at the door for a silent beat.
Austin tensed. “You know him?”
Church unlocked the door, and they stepped back. “What are you doing here, Lakota?”
A young man with Native American features and blue eyes stared back at them. His hair wasn’t as long as Church’s—just past his shoulders.
“I see you still haven’t dropped that habit,” Lakota said, nodding at the cigarette in Church’s hand. “I spoke with Mother this morning and took the first flight out when I heard what happened.” He folded his arms and lifted his chin. “I’m here to protect Hope. I’m here to be my sister’s watchdog.”
Church tucked the unlit cigarette back into his pocket. “You shouldn’t have come. Your mother wouldn’t want you in danger. Your parents wouldn’t want you down here.”
One eyebrow arched into a sharp angle. “My parents are the ones who encouraged me to come. They revere family as much as you do, and they respect my wishes to guard my sister. My father shattered a lamp when I told him what had happened to Hope. Anyhow, I called your house, and Caleb told me you were here.”
Lakota was the son Ivy had given up for adoption. Austin had met him a few times when his parents brought him down to visit her, but he’d been just a boy then. Church treated him like a son. He was about twenty now and had grown into a strong man.
Church gave him a brief hug and patted him on the shoulder. “You have impeccable timing, Lakota. I’ll be away on business for a day—maybe more. I need someone to look after my family while Caleb manages the pack. You know your mother; she’s headstrong and doesn’t always listen to him,” he said with a laugh. “Keep them inside no matter how insistent she is to leave. She gets suspicious when I’m away, and I don’t want her looking for me and giving me something else to worry about.”
Lakota smiled and put his hands in his pockets. “No worries.”
“How long will you stay?” Church asked.
Lakota lifted his chin, the same stubborn chin that belonged to his mother. “Until the war is over.”
Pride twinkled in Church’s eyes, and both Austin and Prince greeted Lakota with a short bow. It was good to see a spirited wolf ready to protect his family. His adoptive parents had raised him right.
Church looked down disapprovingly at Lakota’s sandals and red T-shirt with a wolf’s head in a snarl. “Where is your coat?”
Lakota snorted. “Coat? I just came from three feet of snow and wind that will freeze your piss before it hits the ground. Your winter is my spring.”
Church shook his head and laughed. “Come, have a drink before we must leave.”