Chapter 24
Lucas
Handling the situation in London had taken longer than I assumed it would.
I'd spent the last two weeks deep in work, without a moment's rest. To make matters worse, I couldn't reach Alison, and all my efforts to do that were abortive.
The moment the plane touched down in New York, I powered on my phone, expecting a flurry of messages from Alison.
Instead, I found only one, sent over a week ago:
Don't contact me again.
Five words that felt like a physical blow. I stared at the screen, reading and rereading the message as passengers filed past me. What the hell had happened in the weeks I'd been gone?
"Sir? We've arrived," the flight attendant reminded me gently.
I nodded, gathering my things on autopilot, my mind racing. The car was waiting as I exited the terminal, James leaning against it with a grim expression that made my blood run cold.
"What happened?" I demanded, tossing my bag into the trunk.
"Get in first," he said, glancing around the crowded pickup area. "We need to talk privately."
Once inside the car, with the privacy partition raised, I demanded answers immediately. "What happened while I was gone? The letter," I growled. "The one I sent with Elijah—did Alison receive it?"
James's silence was answer enough.
"Tell me," I demanded, voice low and dangerous.
"Elijah was intercepted on the Black estate grounds. He was attacked, Lucas. Knocked unconscious and left in the woods. The letter was taken." James's eyes darkened. "We believe it was one of Victoria's people, disguised as estate security."
My fist crashed into the car door with a loud clang, denting the metal. "So Alison never knew why I left. She never knew about Victor's plans."
"No," James said grimly. "And there's more." He swiped the tablet, bringing up another image. "Our sources inside the Black household say Victor visited Alison not long after you disappeared. He had photographs of you and Victoria together."
"That's impossible," I hissed. "I haven't been near Victoria since the engagement party."
"We think the images were doctored. Along with a fabricated report accusing you of targeting Alison for the Black fortune."
The pieces slammed into place. Victor had made his move the moment I was out of the way, using my absence and Victoria's cooperation to poison Alison against me. And with my letter intercepted, she had no reason to question what she was shown.
As my mind was roiling, James handed me a tablet.
"What am I looking at?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at what appeared to be an invitation–not addressed to me–to some gala. The name Victor Chen leapt off the screen. It was Victor Chen's gala.
What the hell did this have to do with the message I'd just received from Alison?
"From the information we gathered," James began, "we believe Victor plans to propose to Alison at the gala. He's been shopping for engagement rings—looking for the best."
"What the hell are you talking about?" I snapped, my wolf stirring beneath my skin, a low growl curling in my throat as fury surged through me. Alison was mine. No one else was allowed to have her. That would never happen.
But would she accept his proposal?
I looked back at the invitation. The gala wasn't for another four hours. That gave me time.
She can't go to that gala. I had to see her—face to face. I had to set things right. She needed to know I would never hurt her. That Victor was a manipulative bastard who would stop at nothing to steal what was mine.
"Where is she now?" I asked, struggling to control the storm building inside me.
"At the Black estate. With Leo," James replied. "Word is, once she says yes, Victor would push for a quick ceremony."
Of course he was. The faster he tied Alison to him, the stronger his position against me became—both in business and in the supernatural hierarchy. With the Black family's influence behind him, Victor could challenge my territory, my pack, everything I'd built.
But more importantly, he would have Alison. My Alison. And Leo, my son.
"Lucas?" James prompted when I remained silent. "What do you want us to do?"
"Take me to the Black estate. Now!"
My stern voice told James I wasn't in the mood for any further discussion. I needed to see Alison and set things right. She must know Victor has manipulated her. James drove as fast as he could, getting me to the estate in record time.
I didn't wait for the car to fully stop before I stepped out, jaw tight, fists clenched. The Black Estate stood behind its wrought-iron gates, proud and pristine in the late afternoon sun — a gilded prison holding everything I needed to make right.
The security team spotted me instantly. Two men I'd known for years moved to intercept, their faces guarded.
"Caleb," I called, striding toward the gate. "Open up. I need to speak with Alison."
Caleb didn't move. His partner, Roland, kept a firm grip on the walkie at his belt.
"You can't go in, Mr. Hawkins," Caleb said stiffly.
I frowned. "Is she inside?"
"I can't confirm that."
My jaw tightened. "Cut the formality, Caleb. I've been here multiple times before. You can't tell me you won't let me in."
"I know, sir," he said quietly. "But I have strict orders. No entry. For you, specifically."
"For me?" I took a step closer. "You're saying I'm banned from the property? Why?"
He looked down, then back up with genuine regret. "No explanation was given. Just that under no circumstances is Lucas Hawkins allowed past this gate."
A muscle ticked in my jaw. "I need five minutes. I just want to talk to her. You know me — I'm not here to start anything."
"I do know you," Caleb said. "Which is why I'm asking you — don't make me follow through if you try to force your way in. It's out of my hands, Lucas."
Rage simmered just beneath the surface. My claws itched to come out, and it took everything in me to hold them back. I stepped back, exhaling sharply, and turned on my heel.
James was already waiting by the car, his expression unreadable.
"They locked me out," I said, swinging the passenger door open. "Won't let me near her. No reason given."
He raised a brow. "So what now?"
I sank into the seat, heart pounding, then looked at him with grim determination. I thought of the night I'd spent teaching Leo about his wolf heritage, of the tentative trust Alison had placed in me, of the kiss we'd shared outside her bedroom. All destroyed by Victor's manipulations.
"We're crashing the gala."
I opened my eyes, my decision already made.
James's eyes widened. "Crash the ceremony?"
"If that's what it takes."
"And do you think that will be enough to finally get Victor to stop?
"No, which is why we'll be attacking on two fronts. Business and personal."
"Sir?"
"On the business front, I want Victor's company dismantled," I said, my voice cold with determination.
"Call our lawyers. I want every contract scrutinized, every partnership challenged.
Find his weaknesses and exploit them. And leak the truth about the UK cyber attack—that it bears all the hallmarks of Victor's previous corporate espionage. "
James nodded, making notes on his phone. "And the personal track?"
"I'm going to get my family back," I stated simply.
"How do you plan to approach Alison? She believes you betrayed her."
"First, I need to find out exactly what lies she was told," I decided. "I need to see those photographs, that report. Then I can counter with the truth. After I get her out of that ceremony, I'll let her know the truth."
"It won't be easy. Victor will have security—"
"And I'll have my pack," I countered. "I know there isn't enough time, but I want you to start preparation immediately. Get our people on the catering staff, the security team, and the guest list. I want eyes and ears everywhere."
James nodded, a small smile playing at his lips. "A wolf hunt."
"Exactly. And Victor is the prey."
And Victor would learn that some bonds cannot be broken—not by distance, not by time, and certainly not by lies.