Long Road Home by Chandra Ryan Page A

difficult. “They’re not unheard of. I’ve met other Wolf truckers over the years. There is a handful of Wolves out there who are loners and nomadic.”
    “I need someone I can trust. We’ve made a lot of progress, but it’s a fragile progress. A nomadic Wolf is more likely to betray us than someone from our pack. You were exiled, but you have blood here. Your friends are still here. You would never betray them.”
    Drew had a point, but he hadn’t managed to sell Hank on the idea of coming back. “There are people I care about here, but it’s not like this place is all sunshine and rainbows for me. The past is in the past, but it casts a shadow. You seem like a good Alpha, but I’m not sure I’m ready to walk through the shadow for you.”
    “I understand what you’re saying. You’re not sure if you trust us. We threw you away once, what’s to stop us from doing it again?”
    He laughed drily at how close the comment struck to home. “Something like that.”
    “We might be start on a trial basis. You could work for us without officially rejoining the pack. Of course, Ryker would be keeping an eye on you during the trial. If it goes well and I prove I’m not the Alpha Magnum was, we can revisit the idea of you coming back to the pack.”
    He nodded. He didn’t like the pack’s Enforcer, Ryker. The thought of the man checking up on him filled the pit of his stomach with dread. He understood the need for extra security, however. “I could work with those terms.”
    Drew breathed out a sigh that sounded remarkably as if it were filled with relief. “Good to hear.”
    “When would I start?”
    “Today soon enough?”
    He glanced up at Drew. He couldn’t be serious. Could he? “Today?”
    “My people need food.” His smile held a hint of strain. “A lot of food. I’ve found a local farmer, and we’ve come to an agreement but, for obvious reasons, I can’t have him deliver. His food does me no good sitting on his property.”
    The nervous energy plaguing him through this entire meeting calmed. He could make the run. As he gave himself a second to think it over, he realized he needed to make the run. He did have blood in Los Lobos, and he couldn’t live with himself if he let them go hungry. “I’ll do it.”
    “Best news I’ve had all day.” Drew pulled a map out of his desk and circled a section of land. “McKay’s farm is here. There’s an access road right here.” Drew put a red X where the road would be. “GPS isn’t great at giving directions out here in the middle of nowhere. You good with a map?”
    He glanced over the routes from Los Lobos to the farm and picked the most efficient one. “Yeah. I’m good. Never did trust GPS. Seems there’s always a story on the news about them sending people off bridges and into cornfields.”
    “I’ll call Thom and let him know you’ll be there.”
    He hadn’t looked up from the map. “It’ll take a couple hours to get there and a couple hours back, but it’s early.” He looked down at his watch. “I can have it done by one o’clock.”
    “Good. We’re expecting a storm this afternoon.”
    He couldn’t help but smile. Could Drew Tao actually be concerned for his safety? “I’ll be sure to drive carefully,” he said in a teasing tone.
    “You’d better. We need the food.”
    His smile disappeared instantly. Of course Drew hadn’t been worried about him. He was concerned for his pack’s well-being. Hank had been away from Wolf politics for too long if he hadn’t figured the truth out on his own. He shook his head at his own idiocy. “Can I take the map?”
    “Sure. I’d hate for you to get lost.”
    “I know. The pack needs the shipment. I heard you.” Though he didn’t understand it, his voice held a sharp note of disappointment as he said the words. Why should he care if Drew cared more about his pack than him? Alphas worried about their packs. It was in the job description.
    Drew stood up and walked around his desk.