Secrets Behind the Betrayal

Chapter 2

I set my backpack down on the floor near the front door and turn to wrap my arms around my mother.

"I love you, Mom," I murmur against her shoulder, breathing in her pine scent.

"I love you too, honey."

She pulls away after a moment and smiles. I turn to hug my father and then Jay. Stepping back, I pick up my backpack and swing it onto my shoulder.

"I'll be home in a few weeks. I'll use the pack link if anything goes wrong and I'll check in every other day. Alpha Cory knows to expect us, right?" I direct my question to my father.

He nods. "I called him last night just to remind him and he is expecting you and Tori at their pack house in 3 days."

I nod. "Thanks, Father."

Turning, I open the door and jog over to the SUV where Victoria is waiting for me. We have a long drive ahead of us and it's time we get on the road so we make it in time. I toss my bag into the back seat and climb into the passenger side next to her.

She turns to look at me as she starts the car. "You ready?"

I smile and nod. "Let's go."

< < < > > >

Three long days later, we are passing the sign welcoming us into Heritage Falls.

Victoria yawns, "It's about time we got here. We don't even have time to stop at the house before we go to meet with Alpha Cory." She pouts a little with those last words.

I laugh at her. "It should only be a short meeting to introduce us to his high ranking members and to inform the pack of who we are and exactly where we'll be staying. It won't be all night."

"I guess you're right. Let's just get this over with."

We keep driving, heading to the opposite side of town. About 10 minutes later, we turn onto a long winding road bordered on either side by thick forest. We keep driving until we eventually exit the trees and pull up to a large house. Scratch that, it might as well be a mansion.

"Holy crap," I mutter as I stare out the window.

"This is even bigger than our pack house and I thought we had it good," Victoria says beside me.

Before I can reply, I notice two men walking towards us, an heir of authority surrounding them. They must be a couple of the ranked members we are meeting today. I guess Alpha Cory doesn't particularly trust us to be escorted by just any pack member. I glance at Victoria before opening my door and stepping out. She follows my lead a moment later and we both walk around the front of the car to greet the men as they stop a few feet in front of us.

I bow my head slightly as a sign of respect, but not enough to be submissive to them. Victoria does the same.

"You must be our visitors from Black Shade. Welcome," says the man on the right. He's tall and his body is well toned. His short brown hair is ruffled and his light blue eyes never leave mine. "My name is Ty. You must be Zena. Alpha Cory is excited to meet you."

I give him a small smile. "Hello." I glance at the other man standing next to him who has his eyes locked with Victoria. My eyes fall back to Ty.

Ty glances at his friend and smirks. "Let's go, Ian. Alpha wants to meet these lovely ladies as soon as he can."

The other man, Ian, snaps his head to face Ty, his curly blond hair bouncing a little with the movement. "Sorry. What was that?"

That makes Ty laugh. "I said let's get these ladies inside so the Alpha can meet them."