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|c.9|

last update Last Updated: 2025-01-20 06:17:08

Colton and Claire drove in a moderate, yet loaded, silence to Channary’s house. The tension in the air between them was palpable, though neither chose to address it outright. Claire stared out the passenger window, her fingers absentmindedly tracing circles on her jeans, her mind consumed by a flurry of worry and questions. Colton gripped the steering wheel tighter than necessary, his jaw set as he focused on the road ahead. The deeper they drove into the neighborhood, the heavier the unease settled between them.

When they finally pulled up in front of Channary’s modest home, Claire unbuckled her seatbelt in record time and hopped out of the car. The cool air nipped at her face as she jogged up the driveway, her boots crunching against the gravel. Colton stayed in the car, a strange look flickering across his face. His wolf stirred unexpectedly, its presence rippling just beneath the surface. Something was different about this place.

Claire reached the door and knocked briskly, glancing back at her brother. “Are you coming or just going to sit there?” she teased, her voice light in an attempt to mask her apprehension.

But Colton didn’t respond immediately. His wolf growled low and approvingly in his chest, the unfamiliar scent wafting from the house invading his senses. It was intoxicating—warm and sweet, with a heady mix of something he couldn’t quite place. It didn’t belong to Channary or any other wolf he’d ever encountered. His instincts screamed at him to investigate further, but he forced himself to stay composed.

Finally, he stepped out of the car, his movements slow and measured. The scent grew stronger as he approached the house, and his wolf fought to surge forward. What was this? As Alpha, it was his duty to know the scent of every pack member, including newborns, yet these scents were utterly foreign to him. It was wrong. Unnatural. But gods, it was also tantalizing. His wolf nearly salivated at the unfamiliarity, something that had never happened before.

“Did anyone answer?” he asked, his voice rougher than he intended.

Claire shook her head, a soft frown tugging at her lips. “No.” She sighed, stepping back from the door, her arms crossing tightly over her chest. “Maybe she’s already left,” she muttered, more to herself than to him.

Colton scoffed, his usual confidence returning as he glanced at her. “That’s not likely. I’d know if one of my pack members crossed the border.” His voice carried the conviction of his rank, though his mind was spinning with the implications of the scents. How could someone new have slipped through his awareness? He would’ve been alerted if anyone had entered without permission. Unless...

“Then what do we do?” Claire’s voice broke into his thoughts, pulling him back to the moment. She looked up at him, her eyes pleading for a solution.

He considered the question for a moment before replying, “First, we eat. We’ll sit down, talk this through, and figure out the next steps. Afterward, I’ll get my beta, and we’ll investigate this more closely.”

Claire tilted her head, studying her brother’s face. His normally sharp features seemed distracted, almost unfocused. Her brow furrowed as she asked, “What’s wrong with you?”

Colton glanced at her, his expression guarded. “It’s this house. Their scent. If they’re part of the pack, I should recognize them, but I don’t. And that doesn’t make sense.”

“Maybe you’re mistaken,” she suggested gently, though even she didn’t sound convinced.

“I’m not,” he said firmly, shaking his head. His voice held the authority of his rank, but there was an undercurrent of uncertainty he couldn’t quite mask. “I can’t be. Every scent is burned into my memory. This... this is something new. And I don’t understand why.”

Claire didn’t press him further, sensing that he was already mulling it over in his mind. Instead, she nodded and followed him back to the car.


The drive to the diner was quieter than before, both of them lost in their thoughts. Colton’s mind replayed the scent over and over again, trying to place it, but coming up empty. It was maddening. His wolf, however, seemed to bask in it, reveling in its allure. He clenched his fists against the steering wheel, his knuckles whitening as he fought for control.

Claire, on the other hand, kept glancing at him from the corner of her eye. Her brother was normally calm and collected, the picture of strength and composure. Seeing him so visibly unsettled made her own anxiety spike. Finally, unable to take the silence any longer, she spoke up.

“Where do you want to eat?” she asked abruptly, her voice cutting through the tension.

Colton blinked, shaking his head slightly as if to clear his thoughts. “What?”

“I asked where you want to eat,” she repeated, her tone softer this time. “I was thinking the diner in the middle of town. It’s been a while since I got our usual.” She smiled faintly, hoping to lighten the mood.

Colton chuckled, some of the tension easing from his shoulders. “The usual, huh? Haven’t had a greasy burger and fries in weeks.”

“Exactly,” Claire said with mock seriousness. “You’re practically wasting away without it.”

He smirked, and for a moment, things felt normal between them again. “Alright, the diner it is.”


When they arrived at the diner, the familiar jingle of the bell above the door greeted them, along with the mouthwatering scent of sizzling bacon and fresh coffee. The place was bustling with the lunchtime crowd, but they managed to snag their usual booth near the back.

As they settled in, Claire leaned forward, her elbows resting on the table. “Okay, let’s talk. What do you think is really going on with Channary?”

Colton hesitated, running a hand through his dark hair. “Honestly? I don’t know. But something doesn’t add up. Those scents... they don’t belong to anyone in the pack. I’m certain of that. And if they’re not pack, then who are they?”

Claire chewed on her bottom lip, her mind racing. “Do you think she’s hiding something? Or someone?”

“It’s possible,” he admitted. “But why? And how has she managed to stay under the radar all this time?”

Before Claire could respond, the waitress approached, balancing a tray on her hip. “Hey there, Colton, Claire. Haven’t seen you two in a while. The usual?”

“Yeah, thanks, Marie,” Claire said with a smile.

Marie nodded, jotting it down before disappearing into the crowd.

Colton leaned back in his seat, his arms crossed over his chest. “We need answers. And I’m going to get them, one way or another.” His eyes darkened, his Alpha resolve kicking in.

Claire reached across the table, placing a hand on his arm. “Just... don’t do anything rash, okay? She’s been through enough.”

He met her gaze, the tension between them easing slightly. “I’ll be careful,” he promised, though the determination in his voice left no room for doubt. Whatever was going on with Channary, he was going to get to the bottom of it.

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