Uncharted Bonds 2
“A well-known one apparently,” I retorted with optimistic sarcasm.
The last time I was at their place in town, I never picked up on this flock of cars. Whose were they? It was Springville after all.
However, the more I stepped down, the more I realized I recognized some of those cars in waiting. And, as if called upon by my fears, I watched the boy of my nightmare climb down a black G-wagon.
Higan Sinclair.
I halted my steps as my heart stilled. I hadn't seen him in so long yet suddenly he was right in front of me. The slithery discomfort coiled in my chest like a snake as I watched Higan step closer.
Even after months, my body still betrayed me. My heart stilled, then stuttered, as if caught in a moment it had long since lost the right to care about. I forced my breath to even out, reminding myself that he wasn’t anything to me, that I was stronger than the damage he'd done to me.
Whatever claim he had on me was non-existent.
But then a question rang loud. Why was he here?
More than that, why were they all here? I watched as other prominent pack members climbed down the cars, Including Higan's dad, Alpha Harris.
Higan barely glanced my way before turning toward the others but his irritation was clear to see. His stance was rigid under his leather getup and his jaw was tight.
But he wasn't going to acknowledge me. That much was clear. Fine by me.
The others filed into their designated vehicles, and I followed Khalid toward one of the waiting cars. I didn’t ask questions, but I could feel them buzzing in my head. Ethan’s pack was considerably smaller but it has nothing to do with Springville in the grand scheme of things.
So why were they being received like this? This wasn’t just a courtesy welcome. It felt planned.
I slid into the car beside Khalid, keeping my expression neutral as the door shut. The drive started smoothly, the scenery of Springville passing by in a blur.
Khalid shifted beside me, arms crossed as he eyed me with that teasing look of his. “You’re overthinking.”
I scoffed lightly, turning my gaze to the window, my hair gently grading my face. “I wouldn’t call it overthinking. More like analyzing.”
“Right.” He drew out the word playfully. He was amused. “So, are you analyzing why they rolled out the welcome mat?”
I hesitated, then exhaled. “It doesn’t make sense, does it? You guys are just visiting members from another pack, yet, here we are, getting an escort to your place like royalty.” I glanced at him. “Why do you think that is?”
Khalid hummed thoughtfully but I could feel his hesitation. “Politics or something else.” He stretched out, looking entirely too relaxed for the situation. He was putting on a faux sense of calm. “Higan’s dad is still in power. Maybe he sees Ethan as an opportunity.”
“Opportunity for what?” I frowned.
“Leverage. Alliance. Who knows?” He shot me a challenging side glance. “Either way, don’t let it get to you. You have more important things at foot.”
I pressed my lips together, not entirely convinced. There was something more to this, something I wasn’t seeing yet, something they weren't telling me yet. But I yielded, everyone was entitled to their secrets. I had mine too.
By the time we arrived at the mansion, my nerves had settled just enough for me to mask them. The house had retained its grandeur, elegant with a peculiar feel of ominous energy. It loomed over us like a silent observer, holding secrets behind its walls.
I still remember running here from Tess with Khalid. Who knew that would have spiraled into what it had? Seeing Ethan, getting kicked out, breaking down, the dream about the mark, Ethan's kiss. I flushed.
As we stepped out of the cars, Higan’s father was already waiting, a warm, almost too warm, smile on his far-from-aging face. His presence was different from his son’s. Whereas Higan was reckless with fire and fury, his father was airy with ease and charm.
“Harlyn, isn’t it?” His voice was a measured raspy baritone as he stepped forward. “You’ve grown since the last I saw you.”
I blinked rapidly, caught off guard. “You’ve... met me before?”
“Only briefly.” His squinted eyes lingered on me with glints of curiosity. “How have you been?”
Something in his tone made my spine stiffen. It was casual. Too casual. The kind of casual that wanted your guard down so he could probe.
Before I could answer, I felt a subtle shift in the air beside me. Ethan. It was odd, it felt like I just recognized him coming without seeing him. I turned slightly to look at him.
His posture was deceptively relaxed, but the crisp protruding coldness in his gaze said otherwise. He didn’t say anything outright, but the way his energy darkened was enough of a warning.
Higan’s father responded to the energy. His expression didn’t falter, but the curiosity in his eyes dimmed as he took a step back, his smile thinning. “Well, I suppose we should all get inside.”
I frowned slightly, glancing at Ethan. He didn’t look at me, but I could tell, that whatever had just happened, I wasn’t supposed to notice it. He just commanded an Alpha without words.
From the corner of my eye, I caught Higan’s expression. He looked utterly furious.
Not mere irritation, he was seething, as if something about the exchange had set him off. His fists clenched at his sides before he turned away abruptly, leading the way inside without another word.
Something was going on here.
And I was going to figure out what.