Chapter 41 Missing Sons

*Diana*

Just two more days and it's my birthday. I looked out through my window, thankful the sun had come out. I closed my eyes and basked in its warmth, hoping we'd get to our destination soon.

We've been on the road for more than two hours now. I had no idea what to expect at Martha's Vineyard although I knew it was a popular summer destination.

I also knew property at Martha's Vineyard wasn't at all cheap and I was surprised my father had property there even if we had never visited the place. I knew it was rude to have asked him how rich he was infront of family and friends, however I had the right to know about our financial situation.

"Diana, money is not a problem in your family. Your father has invested his money wisely and as for you, you yourself have no problems being his only heir." Onyx has a way of saying things without giving too much information. I looked at my father and shrugged at him, saying Onyx told me everything, when in fact my wolf didn't say much.

"Everyone's signaling to make a right. I think we're almost there." Ethan turns right and we enter a much thinner road which seemed to lead us to a private estate or a gated community. I could see the clear blue water of the ocean ahead of us. We were near a beach. Ethan let out a low whistle.

"Vacation homes in this area costs a lot of money. I should know. I tried purchasing one and it fell through. I must say, your dad is a very wealthy man. Taxes alone must cost your dad each year unless he rents the place. Well, I do know about the Lockwood empire though. One of the richest in these parts, but there is that one black sheep in the family. Your dad's brother, Chase. He's a gambler. If it weren't for your Aunt Athena, I would assume that Chase would run the family business into bankruptcy." Ethan obviously knew more than me. I was a bit jealous.

"You know more about my family than I do. I always thought I was a Sullivan. My nana and my granddad never treated me different and Uncle Mike and my dad treat each other like brothers. I would have never suspected I wasn't related to Uncle Mike."

"You don't have to be blood to be family, Diana. Sometimes the people you are related to are the first people to betray you." Ethan's words rang true. It was the story of my life in a nutshell.

"Yeah, it's sad to find out my grandfather and my dad's brother had my mom killed and tried to kill me and my dad. And all this hiding is really getting on my nerves. I mean, will they never stop?" Wouldn't they at least give me a chance and get to know me first? The half-breed?

"I don't think so, Diana. All I can promise you is this...I will kill them before they harm a hair on your beautiful head." I was stunned Ethan would say something like that. He didn't look like the killing type.

"You underestimate your mate, Diana. Ethan is well-trained, his wolf is very strong and he will definitely kill anyone who would try and hurt you, hurt us. However, before these miscreants have a chance to get near you, I will make sure I will detach their heads from their bodies." Onyx has always been out to get blood. I knew SHE was the killing type which makes me an accessory to murder. Go figure.

We finally see a house at the end of the road, very close to the water. It was a massive two story colonial home. I fell in love with it as we drove closer. All the cars drove on the bricked pavement as we entered the property to stop and park at the side of the house.

I jumped out so I could take in the view. The house was perched on top of a small cliff which had stairs that led to the private beach below. I walked to my dad who was stretching his legs.

"Oh my gosh, Dad, this is yours?!" I squealed, excited. "Why haven't you taken me here? It's so beautiful!" I gushed, holding on to his arm. He embraced me and looked out into the ocean.

"This house was suppose to be a gift for your mother. When we were together, she would always say she pictured us sitting at our backyard, just watching the ocean. At the back of this house there's a viewing deck just for that." I heard the pain in his voice again. I glanced at his face and saw the regret in his eyes whenever he spoke of my mother. He lost his mate and will never be the same again. "Here I go again with my sob story," he chuckled. "Anyway, it's time I give this house to you." He hugged me again and I turn around to face him with my mouth half open.

"YOU MEAN IT?! Y-y-you're going to give me this house?" I jump up and down, praying he'd say yes.

"Yes, pumpkin. Happy Birthday, Diana! Here are the keys." He hands me the keys and run to the front door so I could open it. This house is mine!

I finally find the right key and open the door. The furniture were all covered with white sheets. The floor was made of hardwood and the house seemed to go on forever. I walked to the back of the house to a sunroom which opened up to the viewing deck.

I open the doors and the cold wind comes rushing in. The deck was big. The were three couches shaped in a U and a firepit in the middle and two folded porch umbrellas to the side. I walked to the edge of the deck and looked down to watch the waves hit the beach below. It was paradise.

The others came in with their bags. I saw Ethan,  who had my carry-on with him, walk in. Everyone dropped their things on the floor and came outside with me to check out the view. Ethan instinctively walked to stand beside me and placed his arm around my shoulders.

"Oh wow Diana. This is something. Wow." I laid my head on his shoulder. I just wanted to stay like this, with him and just be.

I heard my dad cough behind us very loudly. Ethan quickly removed his arm and moved away to put some space between us.

"Good boy, Ethan. Best behavior remember." My dad stood in the middle so he could address everyone. "Now, people gather 'round. We have nine bedrooms in this place and a small guesthouse at the side. There are 6 bedrooms upstairs and 3 bedrooms in the basement." Wow! This house has a lot of space.

"I want the guesthouse," Elder Allen said.

"Through that walkway, Elder." My dad points to a thin brick path which had vines hanging on a pergola."Here are the keys." He hands Jonathan the key to the guesthouse.

"Diana, come see me when you have settled in. Come along, Jonathan." Jonathan picks up her things and follows Elder Allen to the guesthouse.

"The boys and I will stay at the basement, Alpha." Colt bows.

"Diana, you have the keys. Find the key that opens that door over there. The basement is actually built to be separate from the main house. It has a kitchen, a dining area and a living room space." I walk to the door, open it, and hand Colt a spare key. Ethan's men pick up their things from the floor to go to the basement.

"That means we each can have a room to ourselves upstairs." My dad's phone suddenly pings. He fishes his phone from his pocket and reads the message. I saw his smile turn into a frown.

"What is it, Lucas?" Uncle Mike asked. He also noticed the change in my dad's expression.

"Athena. She is on her way here via helicopter. She will message again once she lands safely so we can pick her up." My dad looked at Uncle Mike, doubt in his eyes. "This may be a trap."

"Well, we have to go and take a look. How about if it is truly her? We can't just leave her," Uncle Mike argued.

"You can take some of my men, Alpha Lucas," Ethan offers. "So you have back up. I'll make sure they are ready." Ethan bows, walks to the door of the basement and walks inside to talk with the boys.

"Well, it'll take her about an hour to get here. Come on, let's get settled in before we go and pick her up." My dad picks up his bags and walks upstairs. I follow him, so does Uncle Mike.

Didi pops her head out from one of the bedrooms. "I've called dibs on this one." My dad nods and points to a room at the far side of the house.

"Diana, that's the master bedroom. You take it. This is your house anyway. Michael and I will be here so we could guard the staircase." My dad and Uncle Mike take the rooms closest to the stairs that means Ethan can take the room next to mine. I giggle to myself.

I open the door to the master bedroom and squeal to see that my bedroom has a view of the ocean. It would be so erotic to watch the ocean while making love.

I fall unto the bed, looking up at the ceiling fan at the center of the room. I have to wait until tonight to be with Ethan again. I wish it were night already.

___________________

*Eric Lockwood *

I was waiting for Edward Crowne to arrive. I needed all the information I could get from him. I needed to know what was the purpose of his visit to Maine.

I had a strange feeling all of this was connected somehow. Athena and her sudden trip to Boston, Edward Crowne's boy and Lucas.

A well-dressed man walks inside the bar of the hotel I was staying in. He looked wealthy and powerful and he was walking toward me.

"Elder Lockwood, I am so sorry I am late. Traffic at the airport." He extends his hand for a handshake. I clasp his hand and shake it.

"Thank you for meeting me, Mr. Crowne. I know your time is valuable, but it seems there might be a connection regarding the events that are currently transpiring." I motion to the bartender to serve Edward Crowne.

"Oh, ah, scotch neat." The bartender pours Edward's drink in a small glass. "Elder, forgive me, I do not understand."

"My daughter Athena is looking for her brother, Lucas. She made an unexpected trip to the last person who saw him alive and flew directly here to Boston which means her brother must be here within this area. Maine is just a couple of hours away. Who are you looking for in Maine?" I watched his expression turn into utter confusion with my babbling explanation.

"My mate's sister, who I banished from the pack years ago, is believed to live in a small town called Portland. I believed my son had went to visit her and tell her to come home since he is now Alpha." Edward takes a sip of his scotch.

"Why Portland, Maine? Why did she go there?" Edward shrugged his shoulders at me.

"I have no clue as to why."

"What is the name of your mate?" Maybe there was a connection there.

"Harriet. She was the daughter of one your previous accountants. The one who moved to London many years ago."

Harriet. Where have I heard that name? I used to hear that name over and over again at one period of time in my life.

Think, Eric. Harriet, daughter of an accountant. I glanced at Edward Crowne. He looked like he was almost the same age as Lucas. Lucas had a bestfriend named Harriet in grade school, but she moved to London. That's it! That's the connection.

"Have you found your mate's sister in Portland, Maine?" Edward shakes his head.

"No. My men who were following her said she left the state last night and is believed to be here or within the vicinity." Shit!

"Were there others with her?"

"According to my men, they didn't see anyone with her." They must have not been sharing the same car.

"Edward, why are you looking for your son?"

"I plan to have him mate Sophia Johnson. However, I need to find him first."

"We seem to have something in common, Edward. We both have missing sons."