I should've known that today wasn't going to be a normal day.

Alexei's offer from last night still lingered in my mind. I had accepted. As soon as the man himself left, leaving only a hint of his scent in my room, I couldn't find sleep easily. I was sure my own body was rebelling. I lain stiff across my mattress, staring at the ceiling with doubt after doubt hovering close to my floating thoughts as I mulled over the man who wanted to help me.

Could I believe that he was offering help from the kindness of his heart?

He didn't say why he wanted to help. I couldn't detect the reason. He hid it well, so I could only think that maybe he had a reason but one he only wanted to keep to himself.

I imagined those burnt sienna eyes. There was a spark of determination in that single look when he had offered his aid.

What exactly could he be thinking? or planning?

I shook my head, dissipating all my inner questions like mist in a calm breeze.

I entered the Pack House, calling for Aella. When no response echoed back, I moved to the hallway, "Aella? Hello? Woman, are you there?"

I barely caught sight of Kian as he appeared from the corner, gripping my arm and hauling us off into the kitchen. I gasped when he rushed to the tall pantry, yanking the double doors wide open. He pushed me inside as he followed promptly, closing the pine doors behind him.

"What is it?" I asked Kian who suddenly froze.

His hand immediately covered my mouth as he shoved us deeper into the back of the pantry.

I pinched his nipple, but he effectively moved my wondering fingers, grasping it tight in his hand. "We're seriously going to get in trouble if someone finds us here. We're supposed to be patrolling right now." His hissed.

"This is your fault for dragging me here." I mouthed the words. Considering we were shrouded in the dark, I hoped he had perfect night vision.

When he flicked my nose, I knew he had seen it.

"Hush for a sec Pen."

Footsteps entered the kitchen. I held my breath.

Kian's grasp on my hand tightened as we perked our ears.

"Where's the bastard?" Tatum demanded.

I stared wide-eyed at Kian. Tatum? TATUM?!

There was no way we were getting out here without the man finding us.

"Trust me Tatum, you're not the only one who wants blood." Jude sighed, opening a drawer noisily. There was a sound of metal being moved around before he continued, "But we have to be careful. They know we've come into their Pack without permission. They're hesitating because they know they've done something to Allison-"

"Fuck that, I want that man and his sons dealt with. I've heard of the things they've done to my daughter!"

"I get it Tatum; I do but we have to play this carefully. Who knows what they've been doing for a whole year."

"I'm tired of waiting around on my ass-"

The pantry door was abruptly ripped opened.

Kian and I froze as Jude's narrowed gaze landed on us. "Out." He clipped.

I inwardly cursed Kian as we slowly exited like a pair of chastised children. Tatum scowled when he caught sight of us, "I scented you both the moment we walked in here. Try another place if you don't want to get caught."

I elbowed Kian. Of course. He was The Eye.

Man had eyes everywhere.

"I don't have time for two of my Enforcers to be hooking up when they're supposed to be patrolling the area." Jude gritted out, "Get out and do your duties." He pointed to the direction of the door. "This will be the last time you two will be scheduled to patrol at the same time."

"Won't happen again." Kian dipped his head apologetically before he grabbed my arm and led us out through the front door.

Once we were a good distance away, I yanked my arm from his grasp, "This is bad. Really bad. The Alpha thinks we're hooking up. We need to tell him that I wouldn't even touch you like that even if someone offered me boatloads of chocolate and just for your information, I freaking love chocolate Kian. That's fucking deep."

Kian rolled his eyes. I didn't blame him. He had already grown used to my antics. "Were you even paying attention to what they were saying?"

I had- "Shit, they finally got a whiff of those damn bastards."

I knew that Jude and Tatum had been trying to get a hold of Alpha Bennett and his sons' activities, but they hadn't been able to grasp onto much. Tatum had men that were always stationed close by to keep watch, but they'd been reporting the same information over and over again. Alpha Bennett hadn't left his Territory since Allison had been retrieved. He must've figured out what had happened once he stumbled upon his unconscious son.

Aella had given a full account on what had happened according to both Tatum and her mate's account of the situation. At first, I'd been horrified by the events.

How could anyone do that to someone?

Allison had been severely drugged with something that left her helplessly unconscious. Her blood had smelt all wrong, as if she had been riddled with poison. The Pack healer eventually identified nightshade in her bloodstream- a toxic plant that could paralyse the body and hailing death if one was to consume too much.

Allison had been fortunate. More than lucky. If she had a drop more of the nightshade, she could've died.

The plant wasn't common around the Territories and when Tatum discovered the fact, he rampaged for days.

Thank the Moon Goddess, Allison had tamed the man before he could do anyone some real damage. The man had been close to storming back to the Blue Cave Pack and murdering the Alpha family without a single thought.

"Yeah, but something else is going on."

I examined my friend's expression, noting the furrow between his brows. He fidgeted with those leather bands he kept on his wrists as he focused on a spot on the ground. Worry. He was worried. "What is it Kian?"

He swallowed hard. I watched as his Adam's apple bob. "I haven't heard a thing from my dad in a while. I'm not sure if something has happened to him."

"Kian." I whispered, empathetic.

"I need to go see him, in person."

"I'll come with you." I immediately replied.

Kian arched a surprised brow, "You'd really do that?"

I smirked, "Oh ye of little faith. Of course. You're special to me Kian, even if you make me want bungee jump right into an active volcano on occasion."

A small scoff left his lips, "You're really something Pen."

***

"You're not focusing." Alexei circled me for the tenth time.

I scowled, breathing hard. "I am focusing."

Alexei paused mid-step, "You're not focusing enough Penelope." He corrected.

I scratched the corner of my lip, distracting myself from wanting to choke him. I was one second from leaping to where he stood and wrapping my fingers around that pretty neck.

We'd been outside for an hour. We should've finished five minutes ago but the man was determined to see me shift again.

Sweat slowly dripped from my temple as I tried to urge my wolf to surface. There wasn't even a stir as I tried to reach for her in a whisper brush of welcome. She was either ignoring me or had enough of Alexei trying to pull her out. There was no doubt that she was still reeling from the last time she had surfaced. It was obvious her wolf was making a bold statement. She didn't want to appear in Alexei's presence for a time.

I sighed, massaging my temple. "I need a break. I feel a headache coming on."

"Maybe it's because you're not really embracing the wolf, Penelope. Every time I tell you to shift, I smell fear from you."

My throat tightened. "I can't help it. I'm trying Alexei."

"I know. We'll go over this again tomorrow-"

I stiffened when Alexei suddenly froze, tilting his head as he stared into the distance with narrowed eyes. Solkolov immediately rushed into our session, his expression grim as he neared us on silent steps. "There are Rogues on the West border." He announced.

Alexei nodded then turned to me, "Keep trying to shift."

"Uh, no way. I'm coming." I followed him.

I wasn't sure if he heard me, but he didn't stop or respond. He broke into a fast sprint. I adjusted my speed, chasing after him as both men deftly navigated through stretch of greenery.

The wind whistled as I leaped over a spread of fallen trunks.

It didn't take long to finally reach our destination.

"Isn't this cute." Solkolov drawled, halting a few metres away from the border.

On the opposite side, there were two Rogues. Both auburn wolves. Their jaws snapped in their direction as saliva leaked from their wide mouths. They had already become senseless, hearkening to their wolf's call. They hadn't yet crossed into the Territory's border, keeping to their side. At least they weren't dumb enough to trespass but they were still too close to the Pack as they treaded back and forth, snarling.

"Get out of here." Alexei calmly approached the border, until the toe of his boots edged the line, "If you're looking for trouble, you'll only find worse here. I suggest that you move along."

His words drifted over their perked ears like a buzzing fly.

Yeah, they weren't even listening.

"Oh for fucks sake." Solkolov clicked his neck, clenching his jaw. "Let's get this over with."

I watched as the wolves shared a glance before pouncing over the boundaries.

That was their death sentence.

I had seen Alexei in combat several times before, but I did not think there would ever be a day where I wasn't gaping like a fool when he easily grabbed the wolf mid-air by the neck and swiftly snapped it. The shattering of bone filled the air before the body dropped to the ground in a lifeless sprawl by his feet. Solkolov had taken a few seconds longer because he was playing with the Rogue. The Rogue was clearly pissed off by Alexei's playfulness.

The Rogue became messier in its offense, which delighted Solkolov.

I shook my head, "Oh that's cruel. Me likey."

Alexei scoffed as he joined my side, observing Solkolov dodge another paw to the face. "We'll be here for an hour if you don't end it already." He called out.

"I have the time." The man grinned in return, "It's been a while since I've seen this much action. I've been in too many meetings lately."

"Solkolov-"

Before Alexei could continue, Solkolov twisted in the air and grabbed the Rogue by the neck. Its growl ceased as he threw the animal down and crushed his windpipe. Its body violently jerked as a hiss of air escaped its lips one last time. Solkolov dusted his hands, poking the side of the Rogue's head with a cluck of his tongue. "Unlucky."

"Let's get rid of the bodies." Alexei pulled out a zippo from his pocket. Solkolov already had a flask of liquor out, dousing the bodies. Alexei flicked the flame and I watched as the bodies flared into colourful flames.

"That was uneventful." Solkolov sighed, disappointed.

I took one long glance of the burning bodies, taking in the scent of charred fur and sizzling blood.

I felt a trickle of fear knowing that I could be the one engulfed in flickering flames if I wasn't able to control my wolf soon enough.

Sure, for some indecipherable reason, my wolf hadn't injured Alexei or Jamison when they'd been in the mountains. Maybe she could sense their authority and hadn't bothered to try anything. I couldn't grasp any information from her or anything else for that matter, which made it all the more dangerous.

Alexei caught my eye, studying the troubled expression on my face. His attention slid to the burning wolf. The flames licked around its body, blackening the surrounding grass. Understanding crossed his expression. He shook his head as determined, sepia eyes found mine. "I won't let that happen to you."

I could hear the promise in his words. He really believed that he could keep me from following that path.

I looked away so he wouldn't see just how much his words affected me.