Chapter 160
The morning was quiet, almost too quiet.The twins were happily playing outside under Sophie’s watchful eye. That left me with time on my hands and a growing curiosity that I couldn’t ignore.
Joseph seemed to be everywhere I looked today. I kept my eyes on him the man's presence screamed trouble and danger.Something about the way he carried himself—the calculated movements, the cold gaze, the barely concealed disdain for everything around him—screamed trouble. And I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was hiding something big, something that could explain why Tammy was the way she was.
As I moved through the house, I caught sight of him in the corner of my eye, standing near the garden with two other men. He was speaking in hushed tones, his body language rigid, his face hard. I ducked behind a nearby pillar, watching closely as he gestured toward the woods.
The men nodded, their faces serious. One of them handed Joseph a small package, wrapped in plain brown paper. Joseph pocketed it quickly, his movements swift and practiced, before dismissing the men with a curt wave of his hand.
What was he up to?
For the rest of the morning, I stayed on his trail, careful not to get caught. Joseph moved through the pack house with purpose, stopping to speak to various people—warriors, workers, even a few pack members I didn’t recognize. Each conversation was brief, but his demeanor was the same: cold, commanding, and always in control.
The more I watched, the more suspicious I became. He wasn’t just here to visit Tammy; he was conducting business, and whatever it was, it didn’t seem aboveboard.
By midday, Joseph retreated to his room, shutting the door firmly behind him. I lingered in the hallway, pretending to dust a nearby table as I waited. Time ticked by slowly, and I was just about to give up when the door opened again.
Joseph stepped out, locking the door behind him before striding away without so much as a glance in my direction.
This was my chance. I knew it was wrong but I felt like I needed to take a look just for a second.
My heart pounded as I approached his room. I glanced up and down the hallway, making sure no one was around, before reaching for the doorknob. Locked. Of course.
Biting my lip, I pulled a hairpin from my pocket and got to work. It wasn’t the first time I’d had to pick a lock—my old life had given me plenty of practice—and within moments, the door clicked open.
I slipped inside, shutting the door softly behind me.
The room was as cold and impersonal as its occupant. The bed was neatly made, the desk free of clutter, and the air smelled faintly of tobacco and leather.
I moved quickly, knowing I didn’t have much time. I checked the desk drawers first, rifling through papers and notebooks, but there was nothing incriminating—just schedules and meeting notes.
Next, I turned to the bookshelf, scanning the titles for anything unusual. Most were books on business and strategy, with a few novels scattered in between.
Then my eyes landed on the closet.
Something about it felt... off.
I opened the door, revealing neatly hung suits and rows of polished shoes. But my attention was drawn to a small wooden drawer built into the back of the closet. It was locked, and unlike the door, this lock looked much sturdier.
I crouched down, running my fingers over the surface. Whatever was inside, Joseph clearly didn’t want anyone to find it.
I reached for my hairpin again, but before I could begin, I heard footsteps approaching.
Panic surged through me as I realized Joseph was coming back. I glanced around, searching for an escape route, and my eyes landed on the window.
Without thinking, I climbed onto the windowsill, pushing it open just as the door handle turned.
I managed to slip out just in time, landing awkwardly in the garden below. My heart was racing as I crouched behind a bush, peeking up to see Joseph standing at the window.
He looked around suspiciously, his gaze scanning the area. For a moment, I thought he’d spotted me, but then he stepped back, pulling the curtains closed.
I let out a shaky breath, my mind racing.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. I couldn’t stop thinking about that drawer, about what might be hidden inside. But more than that, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Joseph knew I’d been in his room.
I tried to push the thoughts aside as I spent time with the twins, helping them with their crafts and reading them stories. But the unease lingered, gnawing at the back of my mind like a persistent itch.
That night, after the twins were asleep, I retreated to my room, hoping to get some rest. But as I opened the door, I froze.
There, on my pillow, was a single piece of paper.
My blood ran cold as I picked it up, unfolding it with trembling hands.
'Stay out of my business. This is your last warning.'
The note was unsigned, but I didn’t need a signature to know who it was from.
Joseph.
I sank onto the edge of the bed, my heart pounding. How had he known? I’d been careful, hadn’t I?
The note felt heavy in my hands, its message clear and threatening. Joseph wasn’t just suspicious of me—he was watching me, waiting for me to slip up.
For the first time since I’d arrived at the pack house, I felt truly afraid. Not for myself, but for the twins, for Jake, for everyone who might be caught in the crossfire if Joseph’s secrets came to light. I knew this man wasn't good ...he was dangerous. I wanted to tell Jake but I had no evidence and he would probably be disappointed I went snooping on one of his council members room.
But even as fear gripped me, a spark of determination ignited in my chest.
Joseph might have warned me to back off, but I wasn’t about to let him scare me into silence. Whatever he was hiding, I was going to find out. And when I did, I’d make sure he paid for every lie, every threat, and every moment of fear he’d caused.
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