Nathaniel lived at the end of a cul-de-sac on the edge of Duke Forest. His huge, ranch-style home seemed to be part of the surrounding forest itself, in spite of the floor-to-ceiling glass windows which had been treated so no one could see inside.
I parked outside the Alpha’s house, and Liam immediately opened the front door. He strode toward the car, his eyes intent on my sister. The moment she stepped out, he was wrapping her in his arms.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I’m so sorry.”
“Hey. Hey, it’s okay. What’s wrong?”
“The night of the fire. I wanted to come to you, to help you. But when I heard what had happened, I turned.” He pulled away, his shoulders hunching as a flush swept up his cheeks. “I lost control and I’m sorry for it. Nathaniel’s second grabbed a few other wolves and they locked me in the basement.”
That basement must be seriously reinforced if it could hold an out-of-control werewolf.
Evie was murmuring to Liam and I looked away, meeting Nathaniel’s eyes. He nodded at me, glanced at Evie and Liam, and went back inside.
I followed him into the house, giving the couple a few moments of privacy. Although, Nathaniel could likely still hear everything they said.
I took a seat, watching as Nathaniel did the same, stretching his long legs out in front of him. The werewolf Alpha had the strangest colored eyes— a dark blue that lightened when he was fighting his wolf. Today, they seemed lost in thought.
Evie laughed at something Liam said as she walked in, and Nathaniel froze. Then he let out a low snarl.
The hair on the back of my neck stood up, I shot to my feet as Evie flinched.
“What the fuck, Nathaniel?” I demanded. He merely strode toward Evie, brushing past me as if I wasn’t shielding my sister with my body.
“You smell wrong.”
She scowled at him. “I showered, jeez. I can’t help it if it’s hotter than Lucifer’s balls outside.”
I cracked up. First, because it was the first time I’d seen a hint of my sister’s attitude since before the fire, and second, because those balls technically belonged to my grandfather, and that was fucking disgusting.
Nathaniel leaned close, catching her hands in his when she raised them to push him away. Next to her, Liam let out his own long, low growl of threat.
“Quiet, pup.”
Liam merely growled louder, and I slid him a look. My hand found the handle of my Nim Cub. I’d never seen a wolf shift that much and still remain human, but the sight of all those pointed teeth crowded in his human mouth was making me both nervous and queasy.
Nathaniel didn’t seem worried, so I took my attention off Liam long enough to glance at Evie. She was glowering up at the Alpha, who currently had his nose buried in the space between her shoulder and her neck.
No wonder Liam was pissed.
Nathaniel slowly drew back, releasing Evie’s hands.
“I’ve been wondering why there was something that struck me as wrong in your scent. I first noticed it the night of the fire, but now it feels like inhaling acetone.”
She frowned. “I can’t help what I smell like. If you don’t like it, don’t smell me.”
“Evie smells perfect,” Liam growled. He shoved past Nathaniel and stepped between them, until they were almost pressed together, Evie at his back, Nathaniel at his front. Since he’d shifted entirely back to human, and since I’d seen the way Nathaniel could control his wolves, I shoved my knife back in my sheath.
Nathaniel’s face turned blank as he took a large step back.
“You’re a new wolf,” he said. “Your sense of smell is nowhere near as honed as mine.”
Then he lowered his voice slightly as he addressed Evie, speaking over Liam’s shoulder as if he wasn’t there.
“There is something hidden beneath your skin near the back of your neck.”
I frowned. “What kind of something?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never sensed anything like it. But it’s close to Evelyn’s spine. Removing it could be dangerous.”
