Her eyes lit up for a half second—reflex more than anything, not delight at seeing me, I was sure—and then narrowed the moment she registered my expression.
“Okay,” she said slowly, sitting straighter. “What happened?”
I didn’t waste time.
“One of the Hollow wolves—Hollis—was using his son to run messages to the ones who are attacking us.”
Her eyes widened, then narrowed. “Wait, Hollis?Aren?” Rowen didn’t look convinced. “Are you sure you have the right names?”
“Oh, I’m sure.”
Rowen’s expression became guarded. “Where is Hollis now?”
“He’s currently in a cell.”
Her frown was deepening. “Cell?” She took a deep breath. “And Aren?”
I recalled the boy from earlier, clinging to his mother, his hold on his little sister tight. “Aren is safe. Scared. Brand caught him before he could hand anything off…” I felt tiredness settle into my bones. “This time.”
Rowen cursed under her breath, then leaned forward, her eyes focused. “How long?”
“Solana—his wife—says two moons. Possibly longer. Claims Hollis wanted to ‘preserve the old ways.’”
Rowen’s face went hard. “So he’s a traditionalist? But what is he trying to sabotage? The Hollow hasn’t changed! Not even with the merge.”
“He would disagree.”
She leaned back, rubbing her forehead. “This is insanity,” she muttered. “Hollis…he’s so nice! And Aren wouldn’t say boo to a goose, and the little girl?” She looked at me. “She is adorable.” Rowen watched me as she finished speaking. “You look like I’ve said something to upset you, and you already looked upset…”
“I don’t think you know Hollis as well as you think you do.”
She rolled her eyes. “Well, I wouldn’t have said he was a traitor.” She pushed her hair over her shoulder, and I could imagine her grip was tight on the phone. “Fine! You got me.”
I got her? I was potentially about to lose her.
“Did you know he beats his wife?” I asked her softly, my voice laced with the anger I still felt.
Rowen froze, her eyes the only thing moving as she searched my face. “Wh-what?” She looked at me with confusion. “What are you saying?”
“Did you know he ties his wife to their bed and lets a stranger come into their bedroom and use her against her will?”
Her hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide with horror, tears shining in her eyes. “No!” she gasped. “Wolfe? No!”
I nodded. “He hit her in front of us.” I made a small sound of disbelief. “She still tried to lie for him.”
I looked at my mate. So strong. So fierce. So oblivious to what lay beneath the surface of her pack.
“Tell me,” she asked. “What have I missed?”
Everything.
“Your pack loves you?—”
“Don’t flatter me, Wolfe.” Rowen stood up abruptly, walking out of view, then coming back when she remembered she’d left the phone behind. She picked it up and started to pace. “Tell mewhat I missed.”
“When Stonefang Pack arrived that night, weeks ago, a female of your pack approached me and told me she’d lost her husband recently. She had three children?—”
“Lyra?” Rowen asked. “I know her well.”
