Page 7 of The Alpha's Chosen Outcast

“Because he won’t bring home any Were women,” Samuel, a rail-thin man with a mop of red hair that never seems to tame, adds.

“And you think I’m going to change all of that with a snap of my fingers?” I wipe my hands and crumple the napkins onto my plate.

“Maybe the part about not telling people where we’re going, but you being Alpha isn’t going to change Luca being a man whore,” Austin bursts out laughing after he says it.

We all laugh along with him for a few minutes. Luca crosses his arms and leans back in his chair, giving us the stink eye. He comes back to the conversation.

“Okay, fine, my proclivities aside, youaregoing to change things, right Trey?”

I take a deep breath and clasp my hands together, looking straight at Luca.

“I have my plans,” I say in a low voice, “but they need to remain quiet, Luca. So do us all a favor and shut your fucking mouth.”

Luca’s smile drops, and he tries to stare me down. I may not be Alpha yet, but I still have power. I stare back at him and assertmy will. As my father’s second and the heir apparent, Luca can feel it. He hangs his head in the tiniest bow of concession.

“That’s what I thought,” I tell him.

I stand up and start walking toward the door. I have an account with the owners, and they charge it weekly, so I don’t have to pay at the front like everyone else—the privilege of being a Hanover.

Before I can make it to the door, though, my path is blocked by two large figures— Raymond and Melissa Cauley.

“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Cauley. I’m actually headed out,” I point to the door behind them.

“We know, but we need to talk to you,” Raymond sounds urgent.

I know they will make a scene if I don’t have this conversation with them. I can see the tears building in Melissa’s eyes.

I move them over to one of the booths by the door, closer than I was before to escape, but still not there. Time to get this over with.

“What can I do for you?” I look between them.

Raymond puts his hand over Melissa’s and looks up at me. “Are there any updates on our daughter’s case?”

I have to work hard to keep my voice calm. “No, there aren’t any updates, I’m sorry.”

“It’s been five years. Are you still even looking for her?” Raymond sounds pissed. Shit.

“Yes, Mr. Cauley. Heather is in exile, and she violated the laws by not notifying her Alpha that she remains an acceptable number of miles away. We’ll keep looking until we find her, or until—” I stop short.

“Until you find her body, right?” Melissa’s voice shakes.

“Yes. I’m sorry, but yes. After this amount of time, we do have to assume that something sinister may have happened.”

“I don’t believe that,” says Raymond, “I refuse to believe she’s gone. I’d know. I’d feel it.”

“I understand that,” I tell him. I have to be straight, though. “After three years with no new leads, we usually advise the family to presume that the missing person is dead.”

Melissa breaks out into a loud sob. I see Austin and Greyson heading over, and I feel instant relief at the backup. Greyson puts his hand on Melissa’s shoulder and guides her to the back of the restaurant, where the fireplace is.

“Let’s get you a hot cup of tea, okay?” She nods and wipes her eyes.

I turn back to Raymond. “Look, I’m sorry to have to be so blunt, but it’s the way it is. We’ve already kept your daughter’s case open longer than we usually would. If she’s alive, she doesn’t want to be found.”

“I’m still never going to accept that she’s dead until I see a body. I won’t have a funeral.”

“And that is your right. But I’d expect you’d want your wife to have some closure.”

I look over at the back of the restaurant, where we can see Greyson settling Melissa into a chair and Austin handing her a steaming cup. Raymond’s eyes follow me, and then he scrubs his hand down his face.

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