The Cowgirl Rogue

Chapter 14

"You don't know that," I replied. I shifted Lukas until I had a better grasp on him and kept my gaze on Penny. I didn't look at Brickson, knowing that his gaze was on me while I held the young male naturally as if he were my own. "He could be alive for all, you know."

Penny scoffed and held back an eye roll. She folded her arms across her chest and scowled. "And where could he be hiding out?" she asked, raising an eyebrow while she studied me, trying to find the secrets that I held. "He doesn't know how to be on his own and protect himself."

I didn't reply off the bat and shrugged my shoulders, trying to come up with a response that wouldn't give away too much information to both Brickson and Mercer. "True... but what if he isn't on his own?" I asked. I gave her a look that told her to trust me, and she slowly nodded her head to tell me that she did.

Penny sighed and moved a hand across her face. She was tired, I could tell, and I knew that this had been a strain on her. "Then, I hope that he is with people that he trusts."

"He is," I replied. "However, I am not at liberty to say where he is at." I glanced at Mercer when he scoffed and raised an eyebrow. "Yes? May I help you?" I asked. I cocked my head while I studied him, making sure that I kept my feelings in check.

"And how are you not at liberty to say where he is at?" he asked. "How do you know that he is still alive? I mean, you could be installing false hope into her." He gestured towards Penny, and I had to bite my tongue from lashing out.

"Because it is for his safety," I replied. "And it is none of your business as to what I should say and what I shouldn't." I narrowed my eyes and set Lukas down on the ground beside me. "So, I suggest you keep your mouth shut unless you want to deal with something you are not able to handle.

Mercer opened his mouth to say something, but he closed it and growled. He glared at Brickson as if willing him to say something, but he didn't.

The other Alpha stayed silent, letting Mercer fight his own battles. No, his focus was still on me and Lukas, who hadn't left my side. His jaw was set, and I couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking.

Did he know? Could he feel it? Or was it my mind playing tricks on me?

Someone cleared their throat, and we turned in that direction to see Corbin standing there with his arms behind his back. He had a soft smile on his face, but I could tell that he was nervous because he could feel the tension in the air. "I apologize for interrupting," he said, bowing his head. "However, we should be getting everyone out and into the vans. Miss Kellum is on a strict deadline and will have to report to the king in an hour or so."

I kept my face blank, not knowing that I was supposed to report to the king. I had no idea why he wanted to see me because most of our dealings were over the phone and not in person.

Corbin gave me a look as if to say to trust him. He didn't say another word and waited for me to agree or disagree with what he had said.

"Right," I said, nodding my head and turning my attention back to the Alpha before me because Brickson hadn't left my side. "I have to report what I have found to the king. That means, if you don't get out of my way, I will tell the king that you have been interfering with what I need to do."

Mercer raised an eyebrow. "And what will the king do?" he asked. "He hasn't been stopping by this pack in over a year, and I am sure that he will not be stopping by anytime soon."

I placed my hands on my hips and raised an eyebrow. "The king will visit," I replied. "You have no say in saying if he can visit or not." I nodded my head to my mate. "He doesn't either." I cocked my head and studied him. "Is there something that you are trying to hide from him?" I asked.

He raised his eyebrow higher. "Like..?" Worry filled his voice, and I could tell that I had gotten him nervous, especially since he was hiding something, and I couldn't help but wonder what it was.

I shrugged. "Haven't figured it out yet," I replied. "I'm going to, though." I paused and looked at Penny and Lukas before looking back at the Alpha to see his face turn pale. "For now, however," I gestured to Lukas, "I think it is time for me to take them and leave."

"And where are they going?" Mercer asked. He scowled and narrowed his eyes, and I could tell that he didn't trust me, which was good because I didn't trust him either. "Does the king know that you are taking them away from here?"

"He does," I confirmed. "However, you aren't the Alpha of this pack. You are merely a guest. You don't need to know this information."

"What about him?" Mercer asked, gesturing to my mate. "Are you going to tell him where they are going?"

"No," I replied.

"He is the Alpha of this pack. They are on his pack land."

"They aren't a part of his pack. They are guests." I glanced at Brickson and then looked at Mercer. "Or should I say, prisoners? They are being held here against their will. Are they not?"

Mercer scowled. "Fine," he said. "They can go, but don't think for a second that you had won this. You have not. I have a few... tricks up my sleeve."

I took a threatening step forward, and Mercer's scowl turned into a look of shock and fear. I bared my teeth, and my eyes flashed to a darker gray. "If you do anything at all," I threatened, "I will have your head. Is that understood?"

Mercer cleared his throat and shifted on his feet. He looked at Brickson, but Brickson didn't do anything nor say a word because his focus was not on the Alpha but still on the kid and me. He looked at Corbin, but Corbin shrugged his shoulders.

"I wouldn't do anything if I were you," he said. "You haven't seen her angry, and you don't want to see her angry."

Mercer huffed and ran a hand through his brown hair. "Fine," he said. "But if I hear anything different from the king, then I will get them back. Is that understood?"

I cocked my head and studied him. Curiosity filled my body, and I wondered if he was the reason as to why they were held here. "What do you mean?" I asked, and his face grew pale.

"Nothing, nothing," he replied. He cleared his throat and shifted on his feet, looking this way and that, not meeting my gaze any longer. "I didn't mean anything by it." He cleared his throat again and stepped out of my way. "Please, go get those pack members. You will find them gathered together."

I nodded and made a mental note about checking on Mercer's past and his dealings with others.

Maybe just maybe I can find enough information to get him locked up or at least have people on his butt to watch his every move. However, I needed to make sure that neither Brickson nor Mercer knew I was suspicious of him and whatever he was doing.