Claimed Without a Scent

Chapter 1 — The GauntletRhea's povThe locker door slams into my shoulder before I see her coming."Oops." Britney's voice drips with fake sweetness. "Didn't see you there, Rhea."I steady myself against the metal, books clutched to my chest. My heart pounds hard enough that I feel it in my throat. Around us, the hallway goes quiet. Not the kind of quiet that means people are minding their business. The kind that means they're watching.Stay calm, Sable whispers inside me. Don't give her what she wants.I don't. I straighten up, meet Britney's eyes for just a second, then turn back to my locker. My hands shake as I reach for my chemistry textbook. I hate that they shake. I hate that she can see it."What's wrong?" Britney leans against the locker next to mine. Her perfume is too strong. It makes my nose itch. "Cat got your tongue? Oh wait—you don't have a wolf, so I guess nothing's got your tongue."The girls behind her laugh. High-pitched. Cruel. The sound scrapes against my skull.

Chapter 3 — The HuntRyker's pov "You wanted to see me, Your Majesty?"I stand in front of my father's desk. The office is cold. It's always cold. Big windows. Stone walls. Everything designed to remind you who holds the power here.King Nico doesn't look up from the papers in front of him. "Sit."I sit. Colt stands behind me. Silent. Alert. Always watching.My father finally raises his eyes. "I have an assignment for you.""I'm listening.""The Howlers Pack." He slides a folder across the desk. "Ten years ago, they were wiped out completely. Every wolf. Every building. No survivors."I open the folder. Photos spill out. Burned homes. Shattered bodies. Blood-soaked ground.My stomach turns. "What happened?""That's what I need you to find out." My father leans back in his chair. "There was no warning. No distress call. No survivors to tell the story. The pack simply... vanished.""And you want me to investigate this now? Ten years later?""Before you take the throne, you need to unde

Chapter 5 — The TrapRhea's POV"Rhea, you've barely touched your food."Mom's voice pulls me out of my thoughts. I look down at my plate. She's right. I've been pushing the same piece of chicken around for ten minutes."Sorry." I force myself to take a bite. It tastes like nothing. "Just tired."Dad sets down his fork. "Long day at school?""Yeah.""Anything happen?" Mom asks. Her eyes are sharp. Concerned.I think about Ryker standing at the front of my classroom. About the way King—I mean, his Lycan—seemed to focus on me even though I never looked up. About Lila being dragged out screaming."Nothing important," I lie.They exchange a look. The kind that says they don't believe me but won't push."The prince seems to be spending a lot of time at the school," Dad says carefully. "That's unusual."My heart skips. "Is it?""Royalty doesn't usually concern themselves with pack schools." Dad leans back in his chair. "Makes me wonder what he's really looking for.""Maybe he cares about th

Chapter 7 — ProtectiveRyker’s POV“She signed up.”Colt’s words echo in my head as I stare at the list. Rhea Collins. Third name down.My chest tightens. King surges forward. MATE. OUR MATE IS FIGHTING.“When did this happen?” I ask.Colt checks his phone. “Registration closed an hour ago. Her name wasn’t on the list this morning.”“So she signed up last minute.”“Looks like it.”I should be happy. This is what I wanted. A chance to see her. To watch her fight. To confirm what King already knows.But something feels wrong.“We’re going to the school,” I say abruptly.Colt blinks. “Now? You have a meeting with—”“Cancel it.”“Ryker—”“Cancel it.” I’m already moving toward the door. “This is more important.”He doesn’t argue. Just follows.We drive in silence. My hands grip the steering wheel too tight. My jaw aches from clenching.King paces inside me. Restless. Worried. Something is wrong. I feel it.So do I.When we arrive at the school, students are everywhere. Talking. Laughing. C

Chapter 9 — InterruptedRyker’s POVOne second. I needed one more second.Her chin was in my hand. Her face was tilted up. Her eyes were almost—almost—meeting mine.And then her father appeared.Lucas Collins. Protective. Territorial. Taking her away before I could confirm what King already knows with absolute certainty.I watch them walk into the house. The door closes.My hand is still raised. Still holding the shape of her chin.King roars inside me. Furious. Denied. OURS. SHE’S OURS. GO GET HER.I can’t. Not like this. Not with her father standing between us like a wall.My hands curl into fists. Every muscle in my body is tense. Ready to fight. Ready to claim.But I force myself to stand still.“That looked intense.”I turn. Colt is leaning against a tree twenty feet away. Arms crossed. Watching.“How long have you been there?” I ask.“Long enough.” He pushes off the tree and walks over. “You almost had her.”“I know.”“Her father has good timing. Bad for you. Good for her.”I do