Chapter 65 Going to New York

*Eric Lockwood *

I woke up in a hospital bed feeling better after falling ill. Last night, I was having dinner with Jacob Johnson, the patriarch and brain of the Johnson fortune. We were celebrating the business transaction I closed for the High Lord Wolf as well as a partnership for my campaign as High Councilman.

We also discussed issues regarding Edward Lockwood's son and his youngest daughter, Sophia. I told him not to worry. Ethan Crowne will come crawling to his daughter once we find him.

Jacob and I, we were the same. Both our fathers loved to gamble while our mothers loved to party. Growing up, we watched our fathers squander our inheritance until there wasn't much left. When I reached seventeen, I took matters into my own hands. I had enough of the abuse from my father when he came home drunk and empty handed. I had enough of my mother coming home with her lipstick smeared and her bra missing underneath her clothing. I had enough of working as a temp in the office, being the laughingstock of all the wolves who were beneath me in rank. I couldn't wait to reach eighteen. I knew if I allowed my father to continue for another year, the Lockwood name would fall into bankruptcy.

I made sure my mother and father would be together when they left the house. It was the annual Christmas Ball of the Council of Wolves and of course my parents wouldn't miss out on a grandiose occasion like that one. I heard my father tell his Beta to have his Mercedes-Benz washed and waxed for that night. It was one of the few luxury cars we had left after he had sold most of the collection of cars my grandfather had left him. I waited for my parents to go upstairs and get ready for the party then I sneaked into the garage and cut the brake line of the car. Knowing my father's routine of drinking a couple of shots before leaving the mansion and his way of driving, no one would suspect he had faulty brakes.

When my parents left the mansion, I went back to the garage to clean up any brake fluid that may have spilled on the floor. I didn't expect my father's Beta to come to the garage that late at night. He saw me scrubbing the floor, something I had never done before.

"Eric, why are you cleaning the garage? Can't that wait until tomorrow morning?" He asked me.

"F-father o-ordered m-me to clean the garage to serve as punishment for my poor grades," I answered, hoping he wouldn't notice my stuttering response. However, he knew how my father was towards me and this type of punishment was not surprising. He sometimes even defended me from my father's abuse.

"I see. Well, it's freezing cold. How about this? You finish up with the floor and I'll help you with the rest tomorrow," he said. I heaved a sigh of relief and smiled at him. He believed me.

"Sure. I'm almost done with the floor anyway," I told him.

"Well, good night then. I was just checking why the garage light was on. I thought your father had forgotten to turn them off again. I'll see you in the morning, Eric." He bowed his head slightly at me and exited the garage, closing the door behind him.

After cleaning the garage floor, I made myself a bowl of popcorn and waited infront of the television. When our grandfather clock struck midnight with no phone call from the police, I assumed my plan was a bust. Defeated, I went upstairs, changed into my pajamas and went to sleep.

In the early morning, I woke up to the incessant ringing of the doorbell. I checked my bedside clock for the time and saw it was only 4AM. I scratched my head in frustration and ran downstairs to open the door. I thought it might be my parents who once again couldn't find their damn keys from being so drunk.

When I opened the door, I found my father's Beta along with some police officers. I froze. Were they here to arrest me?

"Eric, we have some bad news." My father's Beta puts his hand on my shoulder. "Your mother and father were involved in a car accident," he told me.

"Are they okay? Which hospital are they in?" I asked. I had rehearsed what I was supposed to say if the police called. I didn't expect them to come knocking at my door.

"I'm sorry, Eric. They didn't survive," my father's Beta answered.

I stood there, forced the tears in my eyes and made my lips tremble slightly. I was part of the drama club so I knew how to act mournfully without acting over the top.

"Sir, we need you to come down to the morgue to identify the bodies. We'll wait for you to get dressed," one of the police officers said, bowing his head slightly in sympathy. If the officer only knew. It was actually the happiest day in my life!

I felt no remorse for what I had done. When I assumed the position of Alpha and CEO of the Lockwood empire, I brought back the honor and glory to the Lockwood name. I forbade anyone and everyone of speaking of my parents. Yes, there were rumors that I had killed my parents owing to the fact I became so ruthless and career-driven to amass my fortune. Well, they didn't have any evidence to corroborate their stories.

Lucas growing up didn't have many friends because of that rumor except that little young girl named Harriet, the daughter of the accountant who embezzled millions. They left right away before any of the companies found out, mine included. If I had caught the discrepancies sooner, Harriet would have become an orphan at a very young age.

Then there was Michael's nosy parents. Tax evasion. They wanted to get me on tax evasion. No one can send me to jail. I showed them. They became another statistic under road mishaps.

The doctor suddenly came in and checked my vitals. "How are you feeling, Mr. Lockwood?" He asked.

"I'm doing very well, Doctor. I'm prepared to be discharged," I replied.

"Well, seems everything is back to normal. I just need you to take it easy for a while. I'll be writing down a prescription for migraine. If you suffer the same symptoms, make sure to rest in a cool, dark place away from sound and light and to take the medication I'll be prescribing you. I'll go and have your discharged papers arranged for you." He opened the door and left while a young man entered. He bowed.

"Elder Lockwood, I am Alpha Jared Johnson, son of Jacob Johnson. I am pleased to see you're doing well. My father is also doing well and will be discharged," he said.

"Nice to meet you Alpha Jared. The doctor is also preparing my discharged papers. I apparently suffered a migraine," I informed him.

"That seems to be the findings for my father as well as many wolves in my pack. Fortunately, they are well now. The pack doctors believe it is a bad reaction to the Blood Moon." He smiled at me. "My family and I will be flying to New York in the afternoon to attend the Christmas Ball. I know you have a flight booked on a commercial airline for later. I would like to invite you to fly with us on our private jet," Alpha Jared said. "Whatever business you have with my father, you can discuss on the plane."

"I accept your invitation, Alpha Jared. Thank you." I smiled back at him. "It will be an honor."

It's time for me to attend a party.

__________________



*Harriet Crowne *

I step out of the car and look up at my parents' old house. I have many fond memories in this house. Most of them included Lucas. He was my bestfriend.

I haven't been back since I left with my family when I was a little girl. Daisy wasn't even born yet so she doesn't know we have a house here in New York. When she was banished from the pack, I had sent her to find Lucas. I was hoping Lucas would direct her to my parents' old home so she had a place to stay, but he did better. He took my sister in to become part of his family.

Lucas always had a good heart and it hurt me so much when I left my bestfriend. It was more painful to hear that my father had embezzled money from his father and knowing Eric Lockwood, it was either we 'stay and die' or 'leave and live to see another day'.

In Europe, we moved around a lot until my father met Emmet Crowne. He was a financially ailing Alpha who needed a huge sum of money to bail him out. His son, Edward, was to be of age soon, and Emmet was afraid Edward would inherit all of his liabilities. My father, who had the money, saw it would be a match which would benefit both parties. I would become Luna, practically untouchable, and Edward would be awarded all the investments my father had put up. It went well until Daisy became the apple of Edward's eyes.

It wasn't my sister's fault. She was beautiful and outspoken, something I once was before I was taken away from New York. I never blamed her nor did I blame Edward for desiring her. I didn't love him and he didn't love me. We had a business arrangement for a relationship. However, I did have something to thank him for. He gave me three wonderful children who I love more than life itself.

I should have defended Daisy from Edward, but I had to stay for my children. I saw Ethan's angry reaction to the whole ordeal. Ethan couldn't believe I would allow Daisy to leave. He didn't know Daisy and I had spoken about her pregnancy before the ruckus.

"Daisy, are you sure Enrique will marry you?" I asked her. We were both in her room and she was playing loud music so no one could hear us.

"Yes, Hattie. He's getting everything prepared so we can leave," she answered. She had a small bag on her bed and was packing a few essentials with her.

"You will send me a postcard to tell me you are okay, right?" I sadly asked her.

"Of course, Hattie. You know I love you, but your mate is becoming a handful. If we don't leave now, he might kill me and Enrique. I can't let that happen," Daisy said.

"Alright." I rubbed her arm and smiled weakly at her. I took out a small paper bag I had hidden under my sweater. "Here are your fake ID's, some cash and bank accounts under the names of your aliases. I put in a million dollars from the trust fund Daddy had set up for us. I can't stop you from leaving so I'll help you in any way I can," I told her, handing her all the things I prepared for her. She tearfully gave me a hug.

"You are the best sister anyone could ask for. I love you, Hattie."

Unfortunately, Enrique didn't show up and Edward, he was livid. I was pacing back and forth in the living room while Daisy and Edward spoke in private. I had to come up with a plan B. She can't live on her own as a rogue. They will kill her and her baby.

Lucas's name suddenly popped up in my mind. That's it! I took a sheet of paper and wrote down his name and who to speak to for his whereabouts. It was no secret Lucas went into hiding and his last known contact was Alpha Connor in New Jersey. He would point her towards the right direction.

When Daisy ran out into the rain, I hugged her and told her it's going to be okay. There is someone out there who will help her. I put the piece of paper in her hand and she smiled at me then ran as fast as she could away from the territory.

That was the last time I saw her and now I will be seeing my baby sister soon. I open the door of the house and turn the lights on. I start taking the white sheets off the furniture. It was dusty. I glance at the group of people behind me. With me were four of Ethan's trusted men and my youngest, Kate. Her older sister, Maggie, was left in charge of the territory.

"Well, boys and girl, let's start cleaning this place up, shall we? This will be our home while we are here in New York."

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*Alpha Connor *

"So, boys and girl, where are we headed?" I asked Lucas, Ethan and Diana who were coming out of the mansion. Andrew was behind them, locking the door and making sure the security code was on.

"The Hamptons. There's a mansion there the High Lord Wolf has prepared for us," Diana replied. "Or we can stay at the Allen Estate which is also in that area. You guys choose."

"Wolf Mansion in the Hamptons?! The High Lord Wolf prepared the Wolf Mansion for us to stay in?!" Lucas asked, surprised.

"Yes Dad. Why? Is it haunted? It sounds haunted." Diana giggled.

"Dignitaries from abroad stay there when they have business with the High Lord Wolf," I answered her. "You mean, we get to stay at the Wolf Mansion?! I have always wanted to see that place." I turn around and face the people who were already in the cars waiting for instructions. Michael, on the other hand, was parking the brand new RV beside my men who were waiting to get in. We decided not to bring the truck knowing full well the rogues were scouting the highway for that truck.

"Listen up, we are all headed to the Wolf Mansion. I repeat, we are all headed to the Wolf Mansion in the Hamptons," I yell at them. The Elder sticks her head out of the Tesla's window.

"Dogs aren't allowed there, Connor," she yelled.

"Then we shall leave you at the side of the road, Elder," I yelled back. The old hag stuck her tongue at me again.

"Let's go! I'm starving!" Diana laughs at us, puts her arm around mine and leads me to their car. "I'm so excited. It'll be my first time in New York!"

"Andrew! What the?! Get inside the RV now!" Michael yells out the window. Andrew, who had been eavesdropping on us, scurries to the passenger side of the RV. I follow him with my eyes.

That mage makes one wrong move and I swear, I will kill him.