my socks!" Jay argued,
ge - socks, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a cookie. Jay had misplaced his soc
d a couple of the pack members traveling with us to trade seats. Non
t last week. It wasn't until the plane actually landed that the nerves h
and when I came back they were gone. Who else would take my soc
whether it was ev
ur socks, let alone took them," I shot ba
s, four. Usually only two travel with me to another pack's te
und his suitcase. A moment later he pulled
was supposed to be waiting to take us to their territory. We stepped into a huge lobby full of people hold
of humans, and I tensed instantly. Ja
a sign that read Jayden Steel. One of his arms was fully tattooed, s
scent and confirmed who we were. With a curt nod, he turned and led the wa
ep, then slid behind the wheel, waiting patie
ded up just staring at the back of his head, at hair so dark red it didn't
hadowe
e finally spoke. "My name is Kobi," he sa
ak!" I blurte
ension spike - our pack members visibly stiffened. The rumors abou
'm just not that social," he explained, finally exiting the
ing the cold front he'd been holding since we met Kob
Jay asked, holding h
kind of power - not Alpha or Beta level, but close.
ck," he said, confident
w," Kobi added, and I turn
noon light into thin gold ribbons across the road. Even here, it was beautiful - I nearly missed the flicker of movement in the treeline. Border w
, and I wish I were exaggerating. Actual skyscrapers stood in the distance, catching the light, ringed by lower rooftop
is huge," Jay said t
t the main pack town - the central hub, basicall
sure what to
ares today. We don't get many outsiders on our terr
, frowning slightly as
teenagers breaking off from a corner to stare, a man setting down his grocery bags entirely. Guessing the
k to Kobi's hair. I reall
s it?" I asked ov
lors - brunette, blond, ginger. I've never seen red
utright, and I gaped at him. Well -
. "Wondered when someone would ask. Usuall
usual color," I ad
e of our pack members c
d. "Genetic mutation, runs in
Great mutation to end up with,
ee me shifted, you'll spot me
's t
ck. Impossible to miss
of a massive golden gate, four guards
hed, inspected each of us, then waved thentention - a pearl-white fountain out front spilling water in slow, glassy arcs, manicured hedges lining the drive in tight geometric rows, and steps that s
e?" I laughed, climbing out of the jeep
the Beta, Beta Female, the Gamma, and a few top-ranked warrio
dentical, actu
n - too many important people to fit otherwise. We reach
and, waiting. He finally tur
owns right now, so he won't be able to meet you today. Bu
ned at that, thou
ble floors that threw our footsteps back at us in sharp echoes, a staircase curling u
it - cinnamon
combination? The smell was strong, almost overwhelming,
k, footsteps soun
honestly, since the Alpha's absence had been the only sour note so far. Common courtesy
Pack," the man said, shaking our h
you all." When she got to me, she shook my hand with visible excitement. "I
o meet you too." She had this warm, bubbl
st be exhausted," she said, clapping. "Luck
ched a second lobby-like landing. The cinnam
layout," she said, stopping
eads to the East Wing - that's
bi both laughed at that, though I noticed one of the maids passing through the landing with an armful of linens slow her steps at the mentio
d Kobi. Come by whenever," s
ake me up," Julian added. "I'm not a p
said, laughing for the first time since
they live on-site for security,"
starting. Good - that w
ad wolf, stay away. West Wing, you thr
ing. We agreed to meet downst
s - a long stretch of clipped lawn giving way to trees at the property line, a stone path curling off toward what look
thing inappropriate here, jus
to say that's inappropriate?
be bothered to greet us on day one? The disres
aid, shoving at him. "Get off - you're si
ing?" he aske
nged earlier, why can't I?" I sa
ig deal between us - wolves get used to it fast, c
d downstairs, our footsteps echoing off the marble in the
flying across what looked like a piano tile game. I used to be ob
robably arguing about pizza," he said,
to find, following the noise, the cinnamon-chocolate smell thinning the f
h of them mid-chase around the kitchen. Two of our pack me
ving the menu overhead. Julian lunged for i
s when you realize it's breakfast, then cry guilty tears over an unh
me eat it," Leona shot back, clearly proud of that c
her his phone. She caught it with
e other two pack members for their orders and relayed everything.
and barely talks - except for the occasional deadpan joke that catches you off guard. Julian and Leona might be
ate. Mouthwatering, and constant. Judging by the st
ke cinnamon and chocolate?" I asked
ugh a DVD collection in front of th
I pressed. I would've bought that cand
hink I've ever had a cinnamon or chocolate one," Leona sai
lost. "It doesn't smell li
fused. Were they serious?
ng it, I just sa
/1/129465/coverbig.jpg?v=653ff0b115bb5daf85074fae1aaa5621&imageMogr2/format/webp)