C5

"You are too slow, Zuberi Darkclaw, my wolf is ready to tear this whole pack quarters apart if you do not find the scent trail," Kade Fenrir growled, his large body shifting restlessly on the wooden bench outside the sacred stone library.

"I told you the Wolfspring Hollow pack file is completely locked down," I grunted, keeping my fingers moving over the spirit web network device on my lap. "It is like the boy does not exist in the ancient pack settlement records. Every scent link from Bloodmoon Lake has been scrubbed by silver-nitrate."

"That only happens if an Alpha leader or a Beta Commander orders the whole territory to shut their mouths," Kade said, his blue star eyes flashing with pure heat as he watched the library doors. "Who is the most powerful male wolf in that old settlement?"

"Grand Alpha Corwin Blackmaw's father rules that entire quarter," I replied.

"Then trace his blood line," Kade commanded, standing up suddenly as the mid-day sun hit his thick black fur vest. "My training circle starts now. Keep your eyes on Johnson. Send a mind-link if he leaves the stone hall."

I watched Kade run off toward the training pits, leaving me to dig through the old histories of the Midrealm Territories. There was absolutely no mention of a mutilated male wolf found at Bloodmoon Lake. For five winters back, everything was totally blank, showing only the proud trade routes of the Shadow Howlers.

Xavier—no, Kade was right. Someone with massive pack resources blocked the truth.

I looked up from my device and caught a sudden scent on the wind. It was pine mixed with old silver burns. Johnson Whitmoor walked out of the heavy library doors, his head low under his dark gray hood as he headed toward the communal feeding hall. His left leg dragged slightly, his slight limp making my chest tighten with a strange, protective anger.

Around the courtyard, several young male pups from the Western Alpha Syndicate started pointing at his scarred face, letting out low, mocking growls.

"Look at that ugly piece of rogue meat," one of them sneered.

I bared my teeth at them as I walked past, making the bullies whimper and tuck their tails. They had no idea what this beautiful male wolf had survived. If those Crimson Fang executioners had trapped them by the sacred moonwater lake, they would have died howling.

I rushed ahead, reaching the heavy oak doors of the feeding hall just before him, and threw them open. Johnson stopped, his aquamarine eyes wide with surprise as he looked up at my large frame. He gave me a tiny, shy smile, his throat bobbing as he swallowed.

"Uhm, thank you, Alpha," he whispered, his voice deep and smooth like warm honey.

"You are welcome, little wolf," I said.

He walked inside to get his raw meat ration, and I stepped into the line right behind him. Up close, he was tall for an omega, his head reaching my broad shoulders. His chest was hidden under that big cotton hoodie, but his long legs moved with a quiet grace despite his broken bone. When he tilted his head, the sweet scent of river-water and male heat hit my nose, making my inner wolf growl with instant arousal.

When we reached the pack provider, I threw down my bone tokens before Johnson could reach into his pocket.

"I am paying for your ration today," I said, leaning close enough to feel the warmth radiating from his skin.

"You do not need to do that," he murmured, his pink lips pouting slightly in a way that made my blood run completely hot.

"Then you can share your hunting catch with me next time," I told him with a low chuckle.

Johnson’s eyes lit up, a soft blush spreading over the silver scars on his cheeks. "Okay, next time then. Thank you, Zuberi."

He picked up his wooden tray, looking for a dark corner away from the rowdy pack circles, when Kade’s heavy scent suddenly flooded the room.

"Zuberi, I was looking for you at the shadow den—" Kade stopped dead in his tracks, his blue eyes locking onto Johnson. "I... sorry..."

Johnson smiled softly at Kade, which actually made the fierce Alpha turn red beneath his tan skin.

"Hi," Johnson said sweetly. "Zuberi here was kind enough to buy my food. Thank you again, Zuberi."

He limped away to a tiny corner table, pulling his book out. I couldn't stop staring at the way his chest moved as he breathed.

"You did that on purpose, Zuberi!" Kade growled, shoving my shoulder hard as we sat three tables away. "You should have mind-linked me! I wanted to give him his meat ration!"

"I was too busy looking at him," I muttered, my eyes still fixed on Johnson's beautiful aquamarine gaze. "He has the most stunning eyes in the entire Western Moonlands."

Kade crossed his massive arms over his chest, sulking like a pup who lost his favorite bone. "I claimed his scent first."

"We all found him together, Kade," I said softly. "Malakai and I want to protect him too. We are going to find the beasts who used silver knives on him and make them howl for mercy. I swear it on the Moon Goddess."

Kade sighed, his dominant aura softening into something heavy and desperate. "I just want to wipe the fear out of his spirit-wolf. I hate seeing him hide his face."

"Do not worry, brothers," Malakai Thornwolf said, suddenly sliding onto the bench next to Kade and tossing a hunk of roasted stag between us. "I just spoke to the elders at the Silvermoon Healing Lodge. They are preparing the rare moon-blessed salves to restore Johnson’s skin."

Kade looked across the room at Johnson, who was quietly chewing his food while reading his pack law text.

"Whatever resources the medicine men demand, Malakai, take it from my personal shadow den holdings," Kade whispered, his voice thick with raw male hunger. "Just heal his scars. Let his outer body be as beautiful as his spirit."

I looked at Malakai, then back at Kade. Both of them were staring at the hooded boy with completely dilated pupils, their breathing heavy and shallow.

It was crazy. We were three powerful Alphas of the syndicate, and we hadn't even scented him properly yet, but we were already completely infatuated with Johnson Whitmoor.

Kade suddenly stood up, his large hand gripping my shoulder so hard his claws dug through my shirt. "He is leaving the hall, and some rogue scouts are following him out."

He looked at me and I could not move.