My mother had eagerly agreed to join in the crusade, I think she'd been chomping at the bit to join in Mains' and my mystery for some time now. We came up with a plan for when we would work, Sherry agreeing to take on more responsibility running the shop. We would only be downstairs, so any one of us would be available to help at a moments notice. Luckily as the air chilled and school settled in the foot traffic had slowed, especially in the mornings. The BEta had taken little convincing when asked to spare Alex from training, both persuaded by the direness of the situation before us and Alex's proven inaptitude, "Kid, taking a few months off can't hurt." He'd joked, and Alex was relieved to be spared his weekly embarrasment as he got his ass handed to him by wolves half his size. The three of us spent nearly every morning poring through archives and photos, their ahrp minds offering new perspectives on things Mains and I had brushed off as unimportant coinci

I jumped out of bed refreshed before my early morning alarm ever sounded, the anticipation of the hunt waking me up and leaving me buzzing where I stood. I showered, keeping it quick but paying extra close attention to my hair and skin. Something told me it may be a while before I showered again, depending on how many days our journey kept us away from home. The close quarters I was promised with the Aloha meant I wanted to soak good scents deep into my skin, maybe that way they'd last longer. I scrunched my curls and hoped they would air dry in a nice pattern, before sauntering over to my closet to choose the day's clothes. Our mission was secret, filled with espionage and high stakes. I felt like the main character in a spy movie, one that Torrance would no doubt swoon over. I grabbed my favourite pair of distressed black jeans and a dark grey long sleeve shirt to go with it, throwing over it all a motorcycle jacket I hardly ever wore. I never wore them, but instinctively I grabbe

Rhodes' towering body took up most of the small motel bed, and I shimmied myself far over to the side to give him as much room as possible. Night had fully set in, and the effects of the long day we'd endured began to really set in. I felt my body relax despite the less than comfortable motel bed beneath me, but my mind was swimming with conflicting thoughts about the man now resting next to me. I could tell he wasn't asleep, though he lay still on his back a few inches away. He was likely tuned in to the link, hearing the reports from his people back home. I tried to focus on my breathing, quieting my mind and relaxing myself to beckon sleep. Deep down I knew it was useless, my whole body was lit like a live wire, mixed signals bouncing off all throughout my body. Rhodes shifted next to me, rolling over to his side and slowing his breathing. His back was to me, the haunches of his shoulders visible in the full light coming through the waxy motel curtains. I marveled at how fit he w

I woke up the next morning in my own bed, the sun streaming in through the windows. It took only a moment for me to register my surroundings, gather my head enough to shake me to consciousness. I leapt from bed, showering in record time and hastily throwing on the nearest clean clothes to my touch. Alpha Rhodes hadn't expressly said he'd wait for me to open the box, but he had hinted that should I make myself known during the proceedings he would include me in the process. I sped out of the house, car keys in hand and my hair still sopping wet. In mere minutes I had pulled up at the pack house, my hands wrapped around the heavy iron doorknocker. I stood on the stoop, the autumn breeze whipping around me. The chill of the air made itself known as my wet hair dampened my thin shirt. I shivered as the cold set into my bones, knocking once more. The door swung open and an exhausted Alpha stood before me, eyes thick with sleep."Did I wake you?" I asked, stepping into t

"I believe there's more to what Jonas has to say, little wolf." The Alpha said, "then we can move on to next steps."Jonas shifted in his seat, turning his deep black eyes to me once more and clearing his throat. He began his story much easier this time, no longer marinating in the fear of judgement. "My blood has run synonymously with the Blood pack for centuries, my uncles all upheld the Alpha seat, carrying out reckless brutality and unforgiving violence at the whim of tradition. My uncle never mated, never produced an heir, so the keys to the trade were passed on to his most direct family member - my older brother Lucian. He is ruthless, cold hearted and calculated. He will not stop until every drop of blood has been shed, man woman and child.""Your...your brother?" I stammered in response, feeling my eyes widen as I connected the dots."Yes, my very own. After about a year under his rule I stepped away from the pack. I became a drifter and liv