Page 21 of Forbidden Moon

“He’s batshit crazy. I can’t believe he hasn’t gone loup,” Caleb stated flatly, referring to the condition some wolves got when they lost control of their wolf and went on a rampage, slaughtering friend, family and anyone in their path.

Garrett had grown up with Brandon, after a fashion. Once his father decided he needed to be separated from Maya, he was sent to the western border and his other uncle for training. He spent years there with his cousin and uncle being toughened up, as his father called it. Having lived with his uncle, he could understand why Brandon was a bag full of crazy. His uncle was a sadistic, mean asshole who enjoyed tormenting anyone weaker than him, and lording his position over everyone he could. Fortunately, that part of the pack territory was sparsely populated, so he had few targets. Most young males learning how to be tough. It sucked. Garrett had welcomed going to the Council, even as he knew he was supposed to spy for his pack.

To be honest, Garrett wasn’t sure Brandon hadn’t gone loup at some point. There were some wolves who were crazy, unable to fully control their wolves without the presence of a stronger dominant. Brandon was never without his uncle or his father around, and he was fucking strong. Not as strong as Garrett, which had always been a bone of contention between them, but he was strong. Garrett thought he might even be stronger than the youngest of his uncles, Brandon’s father, which explained why he was sent here to be controlled. But what if he had slipped his leash?

“Did you scent him at the scene?”

Caleb shook his head regretfully. “No, but it would have been easier. We could blame him for slipping his leash. It takes a special brand of crazy to attack weaker wolves and pups. Or a powerful threat. Most wolves are built to protect, not kill. Your cousin would have been my prime candidate, but I didn’t scent him there at all and I don’t think he has the smarts to camouflage his scent either. So, unless he can coordinate this, which I doubt, he’s in the clear.”

Garrett let out a sigh, relieved his uncle and father hadn’t lied directly to his face. “So Saranac is not involved.”

Caleb only cocked his head. “We don’t know that. These enforcers didn’t know the land or landmarks. Makes me wonder if they were brought in suddenly as cover.”

“They knew some of it. They may have been assigned a different part,” he said, defensively, though a part of him knew it was a losing battle.

“Maybe. But where are the enforcers assigned to this region then, who know it like the back of their paws? Maya could tell you every landmark, I’d bet. And, if your wolves are as well trained as you say they are, they would know too. So where are they?”

A damned good question. “Maybe they’re out patrolling.”

“Maybe. We need to speak to them. All of them. Your father said some of them are at the north-eastern border, several hours from here. Does that match what you remember?”

Garrett shrugged. “I was young when I left. But you know our border with Dirigo is long. It makes sense that we have a satellite up north and have barracks up there. And we probably switch wolves assigned there periodically so they’re not so isolated. Other packs do the same thing. Saranac is not doing anything underhanded. We might be traditional and maybe a little old-fashioned, but we’re not evil.”

Caleb only looked troubled. “I hope you’re right and not blinded by pack loyalty.”

Garrett barked a laugh. “I know better than anyone how rigorous the training is under my family. And our Alpha is unforgiving of mistakes. But we’ve met plenty of alphas and packs who operate the same. Look at the Cascadia Pack.”

Caleb grimaced. “That alpha was an asshole. Almost killed his own son and heir. Treated women like commodities.”

“I could name several others. It was the traditional way. I’m not saying it’s right. Change comes slow to some packs.”

“It needs to come faster.” Caleb let out a breath. “We can’t do anymore tonight. Let’s reconnect tomorrow and figure out our next steps with the team. I’ll see you at the hotel.”

He melted off into the night, headed for the parking lot and the rental car he drove. Once he was gone, another figure appeared out of the shadows. It was his father.

“How is the investigation going, son?”

Garrett stiffened automatically and faced his father. His father’s expression had none of the pride or fatherly love Garrett had often tried to cultivate as he was growing up. Instead, it was stern, cold, remote, more like a commanding officer in the military than a parent. But that was the way of a pack. Strength and dominance was needed to keep the wolf in check, to ensure no one got out of line or went loup. A clear line of succession was needed to control the lower dominant wolves and provide added protection in case their controls failed.

“So far, as you predicted. Nothing led them back here.”

“Because there’s nothing to find, isn’t that right?” His father stepped closer, peering into Garrett’s eyes, sending out a wave of dominance.

But it was interesting. While Garrett felt the dominance wash over him, it didn’t force him to his knees, compel him to bare his throat to the superior wolf. In fact, if Garrett were to truly assess it, he would think they were even in strength or maybe Garrett was edging him out a little. Judging by the narrowing of his father’s eyes and the tightening around his mouth, his father was realizing the same thing and not happy about it.

To avoid the inevitable battle, Garrett bared his throat, acknowledging his father as superior. But it gave Garrett something to consider as he made his plans for where he fit in the overall hierarchy of Saranac and gave validity to the plan his father floated before about him being a potential leader in the pack someday. Judging by his own dominance, especially as compared to his father, which was just below the Beta, Garrett could compete someday for a top position.

But he let none of that show in his expression, keeping it carefully respectful as he kept his neck bared, despite his wolf growling in protest. “No, sir. Nothing to find. Only…”

His voice trailed off and his father let an eyebrow rise. “Only?”

“Caleb has questions about the enforcers we questioned today.”

His father rocked back on his heels thoughtfully. “Does he? What questions?”

“He suspects they don’t know the border well enough to have been stationed here very long and wonders if there are other enforcers we should talk to.” Garrett held his breath, wondering what his father would say.

His father slowly nodded. “Good observation. They have only been here a week or so. We rotate the den assignments along the border, the northern and southern border assignments, every few months. Since the border recently changed, they may not be familiar with the new boundary.” He gave Garrett a narrowed look. “Do you think your friend might believe that?”