25

Ryan’s POV

I knew I smelled something different the second the girls entered the hall.

My wolf was a little weak but he could sense it somehow, an odd scent that made something inside me clench intensely.

I couldn’t put my finger on where the smell was coming from as the girls started to line up, nor why it was affecting me.

I kept a cool face as I followed behind Alec along the lines, holding each one’s face up to see her clearly.

I was here to choose one to free along with Alec’s mate. It was a hard choice considering I didn’t know on what basis I should choose who gets her freedom. It felt unfair.

But my hunt for the source of the smell gave me the choice I needed to make as I continued to search for it.

It smelled so sweet it was making my mouth water. It was pulling me in, luring me to it like being tethered to a rope.

Honey.

The moment we got to the last two girls, it hit me hard and I recognized both the smell and who it belonged to.

I; or rather my wolf, also recognized one ot