Chapter 26: What Do You Know?

I knocked on Zander’s door and got no response. Some random girl walked by and told me, “He went out for a walk on the nature path.”

I hurried out the nature path and started walking fast.

When I found Zander, he looked like he had slept poorly like me. Even his outfit was yesterday’s clothes. Guilt hit me in the gut seeing him looking so out of place.

I remembered my news and said, “I’ve got something to tell you.”

He scoffed and said, “I don’t want to hear anything else from you. You’ve said enough last night.”

I told him, “Please just hear me out. This isn’t about last night. I found out something important.”

Zander’s face turned into interest and he asked, “What did you find out?”

“My ring’s inscription said the name Jenny on it. That was Ash’s mom.”

Understanding dawned on Zander’s face. His features turned to a look of determination.

“I think we should ask around about my parents and Jenny Wisteria's connection. They seemed tied together for some reason and it's strange.”

I nodded my head in agreement and followed Zander, trying to keep my distance. He didn’t want me around clearly.

We went to the kitchen to start asking around. A few members were there drinking coffee and chatting. I came up to one girl who looked at me with a friendly smile.

“Hey Cleo, I hear your wedding is coming up.”

“Yeah it is, but let’s talk about something else.” I looked at Zander and then back at her before continuing. “Would you mind telling me some information?”

“Sure. I’m happy to help.”

I thought of how to word it without it coming off as suspicious.

A few seconds later, I asked, “Do you know anything about Jenny Wisteria's connection to the Underwoods?”

The girl's face changed into an angry scowl and said, “I refuse to talk about either of those topics. Don’t ask me again.”

Zander stepped in and said, “Why are you being so secretive? You must know something if you won’t talk about it. Tell me.”

I watched as he got closer to the girl. The girl glared at Zander and said, “Get the hell away from me. I’ll drag you out of our pack myself. You don’t belong here anymore.”

No way would I let Zander hurt her. I gently grabbed his hand and motioned for us to leave.

He groaned and stomped out of the room like an upset little kid. I shook my head at his behavior, and we headed
for the living room. Maybe someone there would be more helpful.

Zander immediately walked up to a guy around our age. He asked, “How did Jenny Wisteria know my parents?”

The guy looked around nervously. He looked like he wanted to bolt out of the room.

Shortly, he said in a quiet tone, “Okay. I can tell you what I know. But keep it between us.”

“That’s fine with me,” Zander said.

The young man said, “Jenny was married to Maurice, but I heard Jenny was close to your dad and made your mom quite jealous. Jenny was a very desirable woman of the pack back then.”

“Is there anything else you know about their connection to each other?”

The guy looked at Zander and said, “That’s all I know.”

“Thank you for your help,” I told him kindly.

There was one other member in the living room, and she looked quite young. The girl was at most seventeen or eighteen. She was reading a book on vampires.

I went up to her and asked, “Hey, do you know anything about the Underwoods and how they relate to Jenny Wisteria?”

She gave an apologetic look at us and said, “Sorry, I don't know anything."

After walking around, we came to the gym and spotted a few members hanging around.

Zander came up to one guy with spiky black hair and asked, “What do you know about Jenny Wisteria and my parents?”

His eyebrow raised and he stopped pedaling on his exercise bike. “It depends on who’s asking. Did you know her?”

Zander and I shook our heads. The guy seemed to take this in and looked around, as if he was in danger for speaking about the subject.

He sighed and said, “I know some things about her. Jenny used to date your dad back in the day. Then Jenny found out her mate was Maurice later on. I’m not sure she ever got over your dad though. First love and all that.

“Wait, Jenny dated my father? Were they serious?" Zander asked with worry in his voice.

"They were serious and almost got married. But Jenny's parents forced her to be with Maurice."

Zander asked, “Do you know anything else about this?”

The guy swallowed nervously and said, “Yeah…I do. But I don’t know if I should tell you.”

Zander grabbed the guy’s shirt collar and said, “You should tell me. They were my parents dumbass.”

“I’ll tell you what I know.” He paused and looked over at me and then back at Zander. “I heard they were good people to the pack and always helped on hunts. But I also know there was a marital problem later on. My mom said she heard your dad hit your mom once in public.”

Zander looked horrified and asked, “Why did he hit her?”

The guy shrugged and said, “I’m not sure. My mom was going to check on yours but couldn’t. Your dad led her away from seeing eyes.”

“Thanks for telling us all this. It’s helpful.”

“No problem.”

I thought about Zander’s parents and their connection to Jenny. Suddenly, I remembered I had left my ring in a hurry. It was in the kitchen last time I looked. I laid it on the kitchen island.

Zander followed me to the kitchen, and we saw Maurice walking away in the opposite direction. I searched for my ring and couldn’t find it where I left it.

A realization swept over me. What if Maurice had taken it? A chill went down my spine. Why would he need to take it?