Chapter 7: The Wolf Fights Back
I had spent my entire adult life believing strength meant never needing anyone.
That was the lie.
Strength wasn’t standing alone.
Strength was knowing exactly what you were willing to lose.
And I was willing to lose everything before I let anyone touch Emma.
I locked every door.
Closed every window.
Called Officer Daniels.
Then I called people I hadn’t spoken to in years.
My brothers from the road.
The men who knew the meaning of the wolf.
By midnight, three motorcycles pulled into my driveway.
Jake.
Mason.
Ryder.
Old friends.
Family.
Jake looked at me.
“Never thought we’d see the day you called for help.””
I nodded.
“Neither did I.””
He looked toward the house.
“Who are we protecting?””
I looked through the window at Emma sleeping.
“My daughter.””
Nobody questioned it.
Because some bonds weren’t created by blood.
They were created by choice.
Rose stood beside me.
“You shouldn’t have to do this.””
I looked at her.
“Yes, I should.””
She shook her head.
“No.””
She touched my vest.
“You spent your whole life thinking you were dangerous.””
I stayed quiet.
“But you were never dangerous, Cole.””
Her eyes moved toward Emma.
“You were a shield.””
The next morning, Marcus made his move.
Not directly.
Men like him never did.
He sent a message.
A location.
An abandoned warehouse outside town.
A trade.
The memory card for Emma’s safety.
Daniels wanted to come.
I refused.
“Cole, this is exactly what he wants.””
“I know.””
“Then why go?””
I looked at him.
“Because if he thinks I’m predictable, he’s already lost.””
I entered the warehouse alone.
The door slammed behind me.
Marcus stood under a hanging light.
“You came.””
“Yes.””
“Where’s the card?””
“Safe.””
He smiled.
“Still protecting people.””
I stepped forward.
“You’re not like your brother.””
His expression changed.
“You don’t know me.””
“I know enough.””
He laughed.
“My brother was weak.””
“No.””
I shook my head.
“He was human.””
Marcus’s smile disappeared.
“You think you understand family?””
“I do.””
“Your family abandoned you.””
The words were meant to hurt.
They didn’t.
Because they weren’t true anymore.
“No.””
I looked at him.
“My family found me.””
The warehouse doors opened.
Marcus turned.
Confusion crossed his face.
Because behind him stood Daniels.
And behind Daniels were my brothers.
Marcus looked back at me.
“You set me up.””
I smiled.
“No.””
I stepped closer.
“You just never realized the wolf never hunts alone.””
His confidence broke.
The police moved in.
But Marcus wasn’t finished.
As officers grabbed him, he laughed.
“You think this is over?””
I stared.
“What did you do?””
He smiled.
“You should ask Rose.””
My blood froze.
I ran.
When I reached home, the front door was open.
Too open.
“Rose!””
No answer.
“Emma!””
A small voice came from upstairs.
“Cole!””
I ran.
Emma was safe.
But Rose was gone.
On the table was a note.
My hands shook as I opened it.
*I’m sorry. I had to go.*
No.
Not again.
Not another goodbye.
Below that was one more sentence.
*I know who has the last piece of evidence.*
Then a name.
A name I had never seen.
*Daniel’s sister.*
I stared at the paper.
Daniel had a sister?
Why had Rose never mentioned her?
My phone rang.
I answered immediately.
A woman’s voice spoke.
“Cole Walker?””
“Yes.””
“My name is Lily Voss.””
I froze.
“Who are you?””
A pause.
Then:
“The woman who knows why Adrian Voss never wanted Emma born.””
The line went silent.
May you like
Then Lily said:
“And the woman who knows why Rose had to disappear again.””
