Chapter 16

Samuel POV

I dialed Edward's number for the third time, grinding my teeth as it went straight to voicemail again. The modern interior of our North Portland mansion felt suddenly confining despite its spacious design.

"He's not answering," I told Lucius, who paced near the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking our manicured grounds.

"Do you think he's in trouble?" Lucius asked, his usually gentle features creased with worry.

"No, I think he doesn't want to leave her house. He's too focused on watching her—it's more important to him than whatever's happening here."

The sound of measured footsteps drew our attention as our father strode into the living room, his tailored suit marking him as Portland's successful real estate developer rather than the powerful werewolf Alpha he truly was.

"Watching who?" he asked sharply.

Lucius startled at the sudden question. "Oh, um, just a new girl at school."

"We believe her stepfather and mother are abusing her," I added, keeping my voice controlled, professional. "She always has self-stitched wounds or bruises."

Father settled onto our leather sofa, his eyes calculating. "A new girl at Portland Public High. That would be Katherine, wouldn't it? She's the only recent transfer."

"Yes, that's her," Lucius confirmed.

"I'm sure she'll be fine," Father said dismissively. "Edward needs to be here handling Pack business."

"He's not answering his phone," I insisted, something protective rising in my chest at the casual dismissal of Katherine's safety.

Father's eyes narrowed slightly. "I'll speak with him when he returns."

Lucius cleared his throat, attempting to change the subject. "Have there been any updates about potential threats to the Pack?"

Setting aside his real estate development papers, Father's expression darkened. "There are wolves in the Port District. Not from our Pack. They don't cross the territorial boundaries into our area, but they're lingering at the edges. As if they're trying to understand what's happening here."

"But there are humans living here," I said, tension building in my shoulders. "How could they think launching an attack in a city like Portland is a good idea? Innocent civilians could get hurt."

"Precisely," Father nodded. "I'm heading to the Peace Accord headquarters in Old Town to meet with these rogues. You three will remain in North Portland until further notice."

"Why can't we come with you?" I questioned. "We could help ease tensions."

Father's expression became guarded. "It's better if you don't show your faces."

The hesitation in his eyes triggered my suspicions. "What aren't you telling us, Father?"

Lucius stepped forward. "If you don't tell us yourself, you know we'll find out from other members of Portland's supernatural community."

Father's shoulders tensed before he finally admitted, "I believe these rogues are targeting you specifically."

The revelation hit like ice water. "So the threat is real? Those other Alphas terminated our alliances because they didn't want to be associated with us in case they were killed. We thought they were just being paranoid."

Father walked to the window, gazing toward downtown Portland. "They weren't paranoid. The Pure Blood Alliance believes triplet Alphas will be the end of their packs or species. Many don't like the fact that we produced triplets and agreed to let all of you take over the Portland Northern Pack instead of just designating the eldest."

"We have no interest in ruling the supernatural world of Portland," Lucius protested.

"They don't know that," Father countered. "That's why you need to stay away from the boundaries, and why I need to know where you are at all times." His gaze hardened. "Edward is too close to the East Side boundary now. I think he needs to come back, away from that girl's house."

"I'll tell him not to go near the East Side anymore when he returns," I promised.

"No," Father's voice carried the unmistakable weight of Alpha command. "I want you to find him. Bring him back. I already know there are Rogue Wolf Pack members prowling near the Port and East Side boundaries. But we're only seeing werewolves right now. We don't know what other species are out there."

Exchanging a glance with Lucius, I grabbed the file that had been delivered earlier by a Peace Accord liaison. Minutes later, our SUV was speeding through Portland's rain-slicked streets toward the broken-down East Side neighborhood Katherine called home.

The house was empty. We tracked Edward's scent through Katherine's backyard into the forest preserve, finally reaching a coastal trail I'd never explored before.

"Where does this lead?" Lucius asked.

"I don't know. I've never been on this coastal path before. We've had no reason to come to this forest preserve."

We followed the trail until we heard voices—one unmistakably Edward's. Approaching carefully, we reached the treeline overlooking a bay where fog danced across gray waters against vibrant pine trees.

There they were: Edward standing on the path while Katherine sat on an outcropping rock, hands braced behind her, face turned toward the setting sun, camera beside her.

"Do you always come here at night?" Edward asked.

"You mean on this coastal path?" Katherine questioned.

"Yes."

"I guess so. You've met my parents, right?" she asked sarcastically.

"Makes sense. It's not safe here at night."

"Safer than my crappy house," she admitted.

Edward sat beside her on the rock.

"Stop staring at me," she said without looking at him.

"How do you know I'm staring? Your eyes are closed."

"Because I'm a fucking genius," Katherine quipped, making Edward chuckle.

"Staring isn't a crime."

"What's happening here?" Lucius whispered.

"I don't know," I murmured back. "They're actually getting along, and she's not cold to him like at school."

Their conversation continued, revealing Katherine's love of art, her surprising affinity for wolves, and glimpses of her horrific home life. When Edward leaned in to kiss her, something primal surged through me as I watched her respond, their silhouettes melding against the fading light.

My wolf clawed beneath my skin, jealousy and desire mingling as I watched Edward's hands cup Katherine's face. My breath caught, heart hammering against my ribs. Every instinct screamed to rush forward, to claim what was mine—ours—as much as his. The possessive heat spreading through my body was unlike anything I'd experienced, even with previous relationships.

When they finally parted and Katherine announced it was time to return, mentioning Rogue Wolves patrolling the area at night, Lucius and I retreated to the forest entrance to intercept Edward.

"Enjoy the little show on the trail?" he chuckled when he saw us.

"Father says we must go back now. All of us. There are Rogues and possibly Pure Blood Alliance members prowling near the boundaries," I said, handing him the file Ava Hudson had passed to me. "I brought this because you've been asking about it. I figured you wouldn't want Father to see it."

Edward opened it, flipping through the pages hungrily.

"What is it?" Lucius asked.

"Everything we need to know about Katherine. And her past supernatural mentors."

"Anything interesting?" I asked, trying to mask my own burning curiosity.

"She's moved many times. Her mother has had many boyfriends. Only one stepfather, David. Katherine's biological father is unknown." Edward's eyes narrowed with determination. "That's where we need to dig deeper. We need to find out who her father is."

"Why?" I questioned.

"Because we just fucking do. If you don't want to, fine, I'll do the damn thing myself," Edward snapped, stalking toward our SUV.

"I think he's more invested in Katherine than either of us now," Lucius observed.

"That's because he just spent the entire afternoon with our mate. We haven't had that luxury," I replied, following Edward while fighting the lingering heat in my veins. The image of Katherine's lips on Edward's was branded into my mind, triggering possessiveness I hadn't known I was capable of feeling.