Free Return of the Alpha by Natalie Shaw Page B

senses weren't as heightened as my wolf's would have been. Even so, I sensed the two guards before I actually saw them. They must have picked up my scent too, but their relaxed manner suggested they did not view me as an intruder—just as I'd hoped. By the time I was clear of the airport, I'd passed by at least a dozen more guards. None of them had given me as much as a second look. That gave me much more confidence as I made my way towards the city centre.
    The information I'd been given by Grosvenor had come from one of his long-term undercover agents. According to him, Marlow was living in an apartment block in the east of the city. I'd been dubious when Grosvenor first told me. Why would they allow him to live in an apartment? I'd have expected him to be held in a secure prison. It didn't make any sense, but Grosvenor assured me his source was reliable. He suggested that maybe Marlow had helped Milton in return for favourable treatment. I didn't buy that. Marlow had proven his integrity time after time, why would he sell out now? If Grosvenor's information did turn out to be correct, it would certainly make my life a whole lot easier. Trying to get past prison security would have been practically impossible alone.
    My biggest fear was that I would be recognised. It was many years since I'd been in Maja, so it was unlikely, but there was always the possibility someone might remember the daughter of their ex-alpha. After all, my father had been an extremely popular leader.
     
    I needn't have worried. I made it to the apartment complex without incident. There was no sign of heightened security in or outside of the building as far as I could tell. Still, I remained on high alert as I made my way through the lobby. The apartment I wanted was on the third floor. I took the stairs rather than the lift—more exit routes that way.
    Apartment 317 was at the far end of the corridor. I'd thought the room might be guarded, but there was no one outside the door. It all seemed much too easy. As I rang the doorbell, I could almost hear my heart pounding against my chest. If Marlow did live here, how would I feel when I saw him? I gave it a few seconds, and then tried the bell again. This time the door popped open.
    “Hello?” I called when no one appeared at the door.
    “Louise? Come in.”
    I recognised his voice instantly, and as I did, a million memories came flooding back.
    “Marlow?” I stepped inside. The door must have been opened remotely because the hall was empty.
    “In here.” His voice seemed to come from behind the door facing me.
    “Marlow,” I called again.
    “In here.”
    Perhaps he was ill or injured. Maybe he'd been confined to bed. That would explain why he'd been allowed to stay in the apartment, and why he had to open the door by remote. I was trembling from a mix of anticipation and excitement as I made my way over to the door. This was the man who'd saved not only my life, but Craven's too.
    “Marlow.” I pushed open the door.
    A bright flash of light blinded me. As I struggled to clear my vision, something dropped down onto me, knocking me to the floor. I tried to stand, but I was tangled in some kind of heavy netting.
    “So nice of you to drop in, Louise.”
    The words hit me like a sledge hammer. The voice cut through the clouds of my memories.
    “Layla?” My eyes were slowly regaining their focus.
    “They told me you'd lost your memory. Seems like you remember me just fine.”
    I did remember. I remembered how she'd once been my friend. How she'd betrayed my father—someone who'd only ever shown her love. How she'd been my jailer while I'd been held in the enclosure. I remembered it all.
    “Where's Marlow?” I glanced around the bedroom.
    “Marlow?”
    “I heard his voice.”
    “You must mean this.” She took a small digital recorder out of her pocket, and pressed a button. “Louise? Come in.” She pressed it again. “In here.”
    “What have you done with him?” I spat the