Chapter 4: Under The Radar

Serena's pov

I walked closer to the door and took a peek through the curtain. I could see nothing through the frosted window, only shadows.

​I plucked up the courage and asked, "Who is it?"

​"Dean Myers. We live across the street."

​I hesitated, unsure of whether I should open the door or not. ​Then I heard another voice. It was a woman. "Yeah, we didn't realize anyone had moved in. We saw the light on when we were driving past."

​"Yes, just checking to make sure everything is okay," Dean added. ​Once satisfied the visitors had nothing to do with Malcolm, I pulled the door open a crack.

​I set eyes on a petite, red-haired woman.

​"I'm Melissa," she said with a warm smile. "And this is my husband, Dean. Nice to meet you."

​"Hello," I said, offering a little smile.

​Dean, who was standing behind his wife, cleared his throat. "Well, great. If you should need anything, don't you hesitate to drop by."

​"Thank you," I said with a nod.

​They flashed one last smile before he steered his wife off the porch, following closely behind her.

​Why did I choose to go rogue among other wolves? I should have known I couldn't hide here. I should have gone to the human world. In a big city, no one would bat an eyelid, whereas newcomers stand out in a town like this.

​Well, I would try my damndest to keep under the radar. But then there was Cole. He had completely knocked me off my feet. I couldn't stop thinking about him, but I knew I had to keep my distance-at least until I settled here first.

​My hand hovered over the bite on my neck. It was still a little tender, but thoughts of Cole had started making the mark pulsate. Oh goodness, this was going to be harder than I thought.

​Cole's POV

​I could feel Serena grow distant the moment I grasped her hand in mine. When she pulled from my grasp and made a run for the door, and then straight out of the house, I knew to let her go. I didn't chase her.

​I'll let her have her way for now. She won't get far. I'll find her.

​Our connection to her is strong, my wolf said, suddenly coming forward in my mind.

​"I know, Tanner," I replied aloud to him. "I've never felt this strong of a connection to any woman before."

​Yes, Tanner agreed. Hold onto this one. Don't let her go.

​I could feel my wolf recede back into my mind. He really liked her. He had never said anything like this about any other woman before.

​When I first set eyes on her on the beach, I had been completely speechless. I was drawn to her with a power I couldn't explain, as if I were under deep hypnosis. She made my blood run hot, and I wanted her. She consumed all my senses.

​She was a rare, ethereal beauty. Her pale blonde hair had a surreal glow that seemed to look like an electric halo around her head. Her skin was like silk, so soft and smooth.

​She will be my Luna soon.

An hour later, Beta Henry knocked on my study door.

​"Come in."

​Beta Henry stepped in, shutting the door behind him. "Alpha, the wardrobe you ordered for Serena has arrived. Would you like the clothes hung in the first guest room on the west wing, sir?"

​"Yes, please do that, Henry. Serena shall need them when she's back."

​"Also, I want you to do a little check. Please get her address and number. That's the only information I want or need, nothing else."

​"Yes, Alpha. I'll look into that now."

​"Great," I said, looking back down at my documents.

​I knew Serena wasn't comfortable talking about herself or her life. I could see that much; every time I had asked her the simplest of questions, she would freeze and go all wide-eyed. I wanted to respect her decision to keep things to herself. Unless she was in any emergency or danger, I wanted to start our relationship with her being able to trust me. Whatever she was hiding, I'm sure she'll feel comfortable enough to talk to me about it eventually.

​I sat on my balcony overlooking the ocean, which opened out from the lounge. It had been a long day. I had my head buried in company reports and documents all day, and I desperately needed to switch off. I had just requested the kitchen to bring me up some dinner and a drink.

​Within minutes, Joshua brought me my meal. Joshua was a very efficient, no-nonsense man.

​"Thanks, Joshua," I said as he walked towards the door. ​"You're welcome, Alpha," he responded.

​As I put my head down to tuck into my meal, I heard some commotion outside the lounge doors. My senses picked up some of the conversation.

​"Don't bother the Alpha now, he is eating," one voice said in a sharp whisper.

​"No, I have to... Alpha Cole would want to know!" the other voice hissed. It sounded like Maisey and Joshua.

​I stood up, my wolf grunting in the back of my mind as I left my plate of food behind.

​I know you need the energy, Tanner. I know you need the food, but I need to know what they are talking about, I said, speaking to my wolf in my mind.

​I walked slowly towards the door. Maisey stepped around it, with Joshua standing quietly behind her.

​"Alpha, I have something I need to tell you."

​"What is it, Maisey?" I asked, watching her brows furrow.

​"Alpha, the young woman, Serena... your... friend. Um, she was spotted at the beach yesterday."

​I nodded, gesturing for her to continue.

​"Well, you know Kyle? He said he—"

​"Who is Kyle?" I interrupted, my brows knitting together.

​"Oh, he's the guy from the beach. You know, the one who hires out the jet skis."

​"Okay. Continue."

​"Well, word has it she just appeared out of nowhere from the ocean. Apparently, she saved a drowning man, then returned straight into the water and didn't come back up."

​I kept my expression blank, refusing to let her see my racing thoughts. "Is that all?"

​"Alpha, Kyle said he couldn't scent her at all," Maisey rushed out, her voice dropping to a panicked whisper. "He thinks she isn't a wolf, but some other creature. He said she didn't seem normal. Just... be careful, Alpha."

​"Maisey, I appreciate your concern, but rumors won't get anyone anywhere."

​"But, Alpha, I—"

​"No, that is enough," I said, raising a flat palm to cut her off. "Please get back to your duties." I went back to my plate of food on the balcony. I ate without even tasting it. The news Maisey had brought had unsettled me a little, but I refused to believe mindless rumors. I knew one thing for certain: she was a wolf.

​There was no mistaking that feeling that had drawn me to her on the beach—that primal, undeniable mating call.

And the marking... no, she was definitely a wolf, regardless of whatever nonsense the beach locals thought they had seen.

​Pulled by an underlying current of unease, I took out my phone and tapped Henry’s name in my call log. He answered right away.

​"Boss, I have some news about Serena," Henry said before I could even speak.

​"Yes? Her address and number?"

​"Yes, I have that. Along with some other information that I think you should know."

​My grip tightened on the phone, my inner wolf, Tanner, suddenly on high alert. "And what is that?"