Chapter 202

The abrupt halt of the SUV left me disoriented, my surroundings blurred for a moment before snapping into focus. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks as I saw Kendrick sitting in the vehicle, his eyes locked onto mine with a sinister intensity.

I pushed my hair out of my fair, going into a sitting position when I noticed movement from beside Kendrick. Lucas sat there, his blue eyes piercing and displaying a wide range of emotions. Anger, confusion, worry.

I couldn't help but blurt out my thoughts.

"What the hell is going on?" I exclaimed, my voice edged with a mix of confusion and fear.

As I turned, my gaze met Lucas's again, and the knot in my stomach tightened. Why was he in this SUV with his father, and why had they thrown me in here like this?

I had just left my meeting with the relator. It had been difficult to go through the house, room by room and recounting all of the memories that I would be saying goodbye to.

As hard as it was, I knew it had to be done. Once the house was sold, I could finally find a way to move on. It would be so much easier without this burden on my back.

I waved goodbye to the relator and took my phone out of my pocket, intending to reach out to Lucas for a ride.

The evening air still echoed with the routine sounds of suburban life. It was comforting to feel the breeze on my face after spending all day inside.

As I pulled out my phone to send the message, a sudden disturbance seized my attention.

A black SUV roared into the driveway with startling speed, the screech of tires punctuating the otherwise calm surroundings.

I froze, unsure of what was happening. Who was this? Why were they approaching me with such urgency?

The vehicle came to an abrupt stop, and to my bewilderment, two burly men emerged. They've must've been at least six foot five inches tall, and they were made of pure muscle. Their gaze fixed on me with an intensity that set my nerves on edge.

Before I could voice a protest or summon the strength to resist, strong hands seized me.

"Let me go!" I shouted, trying to fight them off. But considering our size difference, there was no use.

The men ignored me, carrying me toward the black SUV.

The doors opened and I found myself being unceremoniously thrown into the back of the SUV.

Panic coursed through my veins as I hastily scanned the scene, desperately seeking answers in the strained expressions of both Lucas and Kendrick.

Questions swirled in my mind like a tempest—what the hell was this? Why was I being thrown around like this?

Lucas snapped at Kendrick and my wild eyes went all over the place.

"Kendrick," I started, frantically searching his face for an explanation. "If my father had anymore debt that I was unaware of—I can give you whatever you need once I sell the house. Just give me a few weeks to—"

"Oh hush," Kendrick commanded. "This has nothing to do with your father."

My brows pulled together as I grew more and more confused. If this wasn't about my father, then what was going on?

"My condolences, by the way," Kendrick continued, giving me a calm and careful look.

His subtle kindness shocked me.

He was... being nice?

What was going on. This wasn't the Kendrick I knew. Kendrick was cold and demanding, and even though he'd just had me thrown in this SUV, something about him was different.

He was looking at me differently... and I couldn't put my finger on why that was.

Did Lucas tell him something?

Lucas, visibly agitated, started yelling at his father, demanding answers. "Why are you involving Shana in this?!"

"Lucas, what did I tell you about asking me stupid questions." Kendrick rolled his eyes at his son, not impressed with his question. "You're starting to give me a headache."

"I'm serious," Lucas ground out. "I don't want you getting Shana dragged into anything without telling me first."

"Or what?" Kendrick raised an eyebrow. "I do what I want, son. Not even you can stop me."

"You don't think I can stop you? You don't know what I could be capable of. Afterall, I'm a Busch. Although you didn't raise me as a child, you raised me through my teen years. I also get what I want."

The genuine frustration in Lucas's voice offered a glimmer of reassurance.

Maybe this wasn't what I feared—a manipulation or a trap. Maybe Lucas was just as clueless as I was.

"I didn't know you had that in you," Kendrick said, half-surprised and half-amused. "It's about time you grew a backbone."

"I always had one," Lucas argued. "When it comes to Shana, I won't let you do anything stupid to put her in harm's way."

"Oh shut up, Lucas! Let me explain," Kendrick snapped, his tone cutting through the tense air. "You know the bare minimum. I have a plan, obviously I would never go into anything blindly."

I was more puzzled than ever. A plan? A plan for what?

"What's going on?" I asked again, my eyes shifting between father and son. The uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach grew.

Kendrick seemed to relish the anticipation as he spoke, "I have a plan, Shana, and you're a crucial part of it."

My mind raced with possibilities. Was this connected to the house? Were they plotting something related to the sale or, worse, something that involved my father?

I know Kendrick said it didn't involve my father, but I didn't know what else it could be.

"I don't want to be involved in any of your plans," I asserted, my frustration with Kendrick's machinations bubbling to the surface. "I've had enough of all your tricks and lies and schemes."

"There are no lies this time, except for the one you're keeping from everyone." Kendrick stared at me, that same curious expression there.

A chill went through me as my eyes snapped over to Lucas. He ground his jaw.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said, not understanding what he was referring to. "But I know that I don't want to get into any trouble with you, and neither does Lucas. We're both done with you."

His response was chilling. "You don't have a choice, Shana. I know your little secret—the one you've been keeping."

Confused, I glanced at Lucas, searching for answers. His face was a mask of frustration, lines etched with the weight of unspoken truths.

"I'm not keeping any secrets," I clarified.

"Oh, but you are." Kendrick's eyes dazzled with fascination. "You've been keeping a very big secret from everyone."

I frowned, not liking the tone of his voice. He was making me increasingly nervous.

Before he could elaborate, Kendrick dropped a bombshell.

"I know you're the White Wolf."

The words hung in the air, a revelation that sent shockwaves through me.

How could he possibly know?

The secrecy surrounding my abilities was paramount, and the mere suggestion that Kendrick had unraveled that secret sent a shiver down my spine.