Free Return of the Alpha by Natalie Shaw Page A

the Audi. He didn't want to risk being spotted.
    Where the hell was Drayton going? They were almost at the Maja/Terroun border. Could he be headed for Maja? Craven was desperate to pull over and call Louise. Now she had information on Marlow, she'd be itching to follow it up. He hoped she wouldn't do anything stupid. The call would just have to wait; he couldn't run the risk of losing the Audi.
     
    When they were within three miles of the border, the Audi pulled onto a side road. Craven followed. A huge purple and white sign announced that Hotel Arriva was a half-mile further along. Craven arrived at the hotel's almost deserted car park just in time to see Drayton walking into reception. He appeared to be alone.
    Craven had hoped Drayton might lead him to Rayma, but even if he was right, and Drayton was responsible, it was unlikely he'd be holding him in a hotel. As Craven walked across the car park, he spotted Drayton in the restaurant, which was to the right-hand side of the building. He appeared to be at a table by himself. Was he waiting for someone?
    Craven walked into reception, and made his way to the small bar from where he had a clear view of the restaurant entrance. He called Louise again. Still no reply.
    “Can I get you anything, sir?” The barman asked.
    “Just tonic water,” Craven said without once taking his eyes off the restaurant entrance.
    “Shall I charge it to your room?”
    “I'll pay cash.” He handed him a five pound note. “Keep the change.”
    Craven almost spat out the tonic when he saw the figure walk into the restaurant. It was Milton.
    What the hell was he doing here? Drayton must have chosen that particular hotel because he'd know that very few shifters would venture so close to the border. The vast majority of the hotel's patrons were human. They wouldn't care about or even notice a shifter from another pack. A more pressing concern for Craven was how Milton had managed to get through the border. Something was very wrong.
     
    Craven daren't go into the restaurant for fear of being spotted. Instead he made his way back out of the hotel so he could see through the window. It came as no surprise to find that Milton was sitting at Drayton's table. Craven had suspected Drayton was behind Rayma's disappearance, but if Milton was also involved, it was potentially much more serious.
    They spent almost two hours in the restaurant. When they finally emerged, Craven had to resist the urge to confront them. Even two against one, he fancied his chances. But he knew he had to bide his time. If he killed them now, he might never find Rayma. He waited until they had both driven away in separate cars before returning to his. He tried to call Louise again. Still no answer—he was beginning to worry.

Chapter 10
     
     
    LOUISE
     
     
    When my phone rang, I didn't need to check caller-ID to know who it was. Craven would have found out by now that Grosvenor had traced Marlow. If I took Craven's call, I'd be honour-bound to do as he asked. He'd want me to wait until he got back before I did anything. If I didn't take the call then he couldn't complain that I'd disobeyed him. I knew I should have waited, but I simply couldn't hang around Terroun, kicking my heels until Craven came back. He might be gone for days, trying to find Rayma. The lead which Grosvenor had passed on to me was solid, and I didn't want to let it slip away. It was risky, but the main thing I had going for me was I was a native of the Maja pack. Even though I'd left years before, nothing could change that.
    I could have requested backup, but that would have meant telling Hill or Grosvenor of my plans. They'd have insisted I waited for Craven or at the very least have alerted him to what I was about to do. I had to go it alone.
    I crossed the border without any problem, but I knew there would be guards patrolling the perimeter of the airport. The noise of the planes taking-off and landing was almost deafening. I was in human-form, so my