Alpha Scent (Amber Woods Shifters)

by Rose, Arabella

  “Look, if I am right, we have one week to find them, which is not a lot of time. I think I can get us a lead but I will need to run some checks”

  “What do you need Brianna?” Connor asked.

  She was aware that Marcus was watching her intently, almost waiting for her answer, but to hell with it, she was brought in to do a job and she was bloody well going to see it through.

  “On our way up here yesterday I accidently bumped into a shifter in the service station. The same scent that lead me to Anna was all over him, at the time it just had my wolf curious, which is why I followed him, I memorized his vehicle and licence plate. I was just going to do a routine check but I am nearly hundred percent sure that he is linked. Once we have his details, we need some enforcers to track him”

  “That can be arranged, we can keep a safe distance and once we know the location we can have other enforcers watch the area, learning the layout etc” Connor answered.

  “I will also need to get a hold of one of the syringes they had been using, we need someone to check the mixture so we know exactly what is in it and more importantly if there is any side-effects to the women”

  Marcus sat on the table in front of her, long legs crossed, his arms matching.

  “Michael can run analysis on it at the hospital and let us know exactly what we are dealing with”

  “Good, and once we have our location and drugs used then I can lure them to me in the hope they will try to add me to their list of females”

  Marcus pushed off the table so fast she took two steps back.

  “Like I said before baby, not a fuckin chance, when that time comes you stay here where I know you are safe, my men and I will take the place down”

  “Oh and do what? run in there ripping throats out blindly? Marcus, as soon as they see you attack they will slaughter your females without even thinking about it, and be damned with ritual, because fuckers like that have no honour or loyalty, they act on pure instinct, and to hell with the consequences. It does not matter if it’s someone’s mate or child, they exist to cause pain to those we love”

  Brianna had not realised she had been yelling until the room was silent. She had made the fatal mistake of letting her past encroach on her work and she was so annoyed at herself for letting her emotions go. Turning to the room, she could only feel waves of reassurance and loyalty. She was damned if she was going to cry in front of a group of men. Pushing her way through the group she ran all the way back to the guest house.

  10

  Lizzy nearly dropped her cup, jumping as the door slammed open and Brianna stormed in looking thoroughly pissed off.

  “What’s got your panties in a knot?”

  “Men!”

  Lizzy placed her cup down and stood in front of her.

  “Ok what did he do now?”

  Brianna was throwing her laptop and phone into her bag with so much force lizzy swore it was going to come through the bottom.

  “Why do they insist on storming in their claws unsheathed ready to tear out throats instead of logically having a clear safe plan that means we get the women out unharmed?”

  Lizzy laughed heartily.

  “Oh Brianna when will you learn, male wolves will never be gentle in anything they do, their answer is to dominate, flex their muscles and come out winning!”

  Brianna threw her bag over her shoulder, punching some numbers in her phone, balancing it between her ear and shoulder. Lizzy raised an eyebrow in speculation. Her eyes followed her friend around the room as she raised her phone to windows and scowling.

  “Bloody hell, it’s like stepping back to the stone age here, I can’t get a signal we are so deep in the forest! Look, I need to check in with Murdoch and get him to run a trace on a vehicle. I am sure we passed a town on our way here?”

  “Yes, I think it was called crescent falls or something, probably about 10 miles back or something?”

  Brianna grabbed the SUV keys, pushing her phone back in her bag.

  “Tell Luke, I’m checking in with headquarters, where I can get a signal, then I will be back”

  “Wait! What the hell Brianna? What bloody vehicle and do you think that is such a good idea after Anna was nearly taken yesterday?”

  “Oh for god’s sake Lizzy you are starting to sound like that annoying alpha over there. I can take care of myself and I need to get this information. If you want you can come and I will fill you in on the way there. I will even buy you the biggest bucket of coffee you can handle!”

  Lizziy’s eyes shot up to her eyebrows.

  “Sold to the she wolf right here!” She laughed pointing to her chest.

  Heading out, they left a note for Luke explaining where they had gone. A slight niggle was forming in Brianna’s head but she squashed it down quickly, she was not bloody mated to the guy, therefore not part of the pack, and as a result followed her own rules. Driving along the dusty exit road, she looked in her rear view mirror, that little doubt was starting to grow, an unexplainable feeling that had her rubbing her chest at an unfamiliar ache.

  Marcus growled loud at the raucous that had developed in the room. Every single one of his pack stood to attention.

  “I am your alpha and I will not stand for disorder in the pack. Once we have the vehicle checks and we can track the bastard, then I want enforcers on two watches to whatever location he leads us to. Get the layout, guards, security, weapons, I don’t want anything missed. As for Brianna leading us in, I do not want that to happen, I am going to claim her tonight and as such she will be your alpha female who is to be protected at all costs.”

  Tristan sat down heavily on one of the chairs.

  “Marcus, we fully understand and every single one of us would give our lives for her as your chosen mate and our alpha female. But she did make a valid point, if we go in there in our usual manner, we could potentially put our women at risk”

  Marcus looked around the room, at each male as they lowered their heads in submission.

  “Connor what do you think?” he sighed.

  His beta stood and walked to stand in front of him, arms folded.

  “I think that her plan would work but we need to compromise with her to ensure her safety”

  “Fine, we wait to get our location, assess the threat then plan ahead, I will talk with Brianna. Until we know what the hell this fuckin wolf cult is up to I am having Brianna moved into the alpha house and Lizzy moved to the pack house. Luke? I am sure you will safe in the guest house still?”

  Luke nodded quickly.

  “Unless I grow a pair of tits and wear a skirt then yes I think I will be fine, thank you”

  Marcus run his hands through his hair in frustration.

  “You are dismissed, you have your orders, as soon as we have a location we move”

  Each of his wolves growled in unspent energy, before leaving the room, leaving Luke and Connor.

  “Look, I Know I’m not pack but we want to get these bastards as much as you. Brianna has been a tracker for two years and the best I have ever worked with, she has never failed in any case and she is passionate about her work, she may come across as a little abrupt sometimes but that’s because she has been a lone wolf for many years now, she has never had to answer to anyone but herself. Just trust her, she knows what she is doing” Luke spoke gently.

  “I do trust her, I may not have known her long but she is my mate and I will do everything to protect her. When was the last time she was in a pack?”

  Luke walked to the door, hand on handle, eyes staring at the floor.

  “That is not my story to tell Marcus, I am sorry”

  “What about Lizzy, she does not talk about herself much?” Connor asked.

  “Come on guys what am I, Dr Phil? Again Lizzy has her past like we all do, and I respect that”

  Luke walked out of the room, giving a huge sigh of relief. Yep Lizzy had a past which involved screaming in pleasure only two nights ago with her legs wrapped around his waist. That little bit of
information, will be completely respected and forgotten. Taking the two steps at a time he walked into the empty house. The women had been here, but their scents fainter now. Pulling the fridge door open, the slight breeze as result caused something to flutter down off the table. Picking up the piece of paper, he rolled his eyes.

  Just fucking great, oh the alpha is going to love this.

  Crescent falls was a one road town. Much of the infrastructure were the essentials, a bar, post office, grocery store, garage and few other diners and cafes. It was definitely not designed for tourists, this was built for the local shifters, privacy was everything. Brianna pulled into a parking bay having had her ear chewed by Lizzy for the full ten miles, god the woman could talk.

  “Ok, I need Wi-Fi and coffee, surely they have that here?”

  Lizzy jumped out of the car, smoothing her leggings and tunic top down, whilst also inspecting the heel of her knee high boots. Brianna smiled at her friend, she was glad she had chosen plain jeans and strappy top, with her plain black cardigan. Flat shoes complimented the practical ensemble. It was the tracker in her, the need to move fast when needed and not have to worry about landing on your backside on the pavement making a complete fool of yourself.

  “What about that one there Bri? Katies coffee shack, it has a Wi-Fi sign?”

  “Sounds good, I just have to try call Murdoch first though, give me a second, I don’t want to do it in the café”

  Lizzy nodded, leaning against the car door, taking in the scenery, Murdoch picked up on the second ring.

  Brianna where the hell you been? I was going to send another team after you!

  Relax, it’s just been a busy twenty four hours and the signal is crap up here. Lizzie and I have just come into the local town to get Wi-Fi.

  So update me

  Typical Murdoch, no how are you, did you get there safely, how’s life? Nope just straight for the proverbial jugular. Brianna brought her boss up to speed.

  Shit, that’s crazy Brianna, but quite possible. We have had no movement on the Mckenzie case but I will feed this most recent information. Give me the vehicle details and I will do a check now then ring or email back.

  Great, the sooner the better.

  After passing on the details, she ended the call.

  “Come on, caffeine addict, I did promise you coffee”

  “Yes you did, a bucket if I remember rightly”

  The café was quiet, but Brianna guessed it was still early and the lunch time rush was not stampeding the place yet. They had a few glances of curiosity but generally people got back to what they were doing. Taking a seat at the far corner in a wide booth, they fought over the one menu before hearing a gentle laugh.

  “There are other menus you know”

  “We like to share!” Lizzy smiled.

  Brianna looked at the young woman that had approached them. She assumed she was a young shifter of about thirty years. Her kind face, framed in a neatly trimmed brown bob. The sapphire of her eyes such a stark contrast.

  “Excuse my friend. Hi I’m Brianna and this is Lizzy”

  “Nice to meet you both, I am Katie, the owner and that man over there…..”

  She nodded at a tall shifter, with long blond hair, filling the coffee beans into the machine. His eyes were on his task, but Brianna could see the sideways glance he had for the woman.

  “That is Justin, my mate. So are you just passing through?”

  Lizzy looked at Brianna with a ‘oh hell what do we say’ look.

  “We are staying with the amber woods pack for a little while”

  “Oh, with Marcus? You will be well looked after there then. He is my mate’s long term ally. Justin is alpha of red stone woods on the other side of the valley. When those two get together the bloody air crackles with ‘let’s see who has the biggest muscles and can grunt the loudest”

  Brianna and Lizzy collapsed with laughter, tears streaming down their face, she really liked this woman already.

  Marcus was grinding his teeth as he looked at the speedometer for the tenth time. As soon as Luke had said they had left to contact headquarters in crescent falls he had exploded. After everything they had discussed, and the risks on female wolves she had still gone and done what the hell she wanted, did the woman have no sense of preservation? Gripping the steering wheel harder he glanced across at Connor who had wanted to come along as soon as he heard that Lizzy had also left.

  “You think they are in one of the coffee shops? Luke said they needed a better internet connection to contact Murdoch?” Connor asked.

  Indicating right, Marcus drove over the old bridge, with the road sign informing them they were entering crescent falls.

  “Knowing their love of coffee then I would say that was a yes. But that narrows it down to five. Which ones have Wi-FI?”

  Connor shifted in his seat.

  “Only two, wilderness café and katies coffee shack, we could ring Justin, he will be with Katie anyway, knowing that she did not want to give up work with all the female wolves disappearing. If she is there then he will be also, he might have seen them”

  “Do it, I’ll head there first anyway”

  Marcus slowed down as he entered the small town he had grown up in, before his father had taken over amber woods and they moved further into the forest. He knew it like the back of his hand, every shop owner, the best steak house, the best beer supplier. He stole a quick glance at Connor, listening to the conversation. Connor ended the call.

  “Yep they are in Katie’s coffee shack”

  Letting out a long sigh of relief, he drove the small remaining distance and pulled in next to Brianna’s SUV. He noticed the tyre pressures were a little low, making a mental note to get one of his men to check them. Walking through the door, his mates scent soothed him and he could hear her gorgeous laugh. Nodding at Justin on the way in, he and Connor walked to the back seating area. The smell of coffee was overpowering to his wolf nose, how the heck Katie could work in here all day was beyond him.

  Brianna had been laughing at Lizzy on her theory of why female wolves should all be alphas due to their higher level of intelligence based on the fact that they don’t grunt, pick their backside, or have a caveman attitude of ‘me man, you woman’. She loved Lizziy’s approach to life, it was always so vibrant, despite the fact that she saw herself as a cursed wolf. Brianna knew better, her amazing powerful gift was unique to her and had helped her out a few times when she had locked herself out of the van or her room. Feeling a warm tingling pass through her, she looked up to see her intense alpha heading toward her. When did I start calling him my alpha? Lizzy followed her gaze and she noticed a faint blush develop across her cheeks when her eyes fixed on Connor. Marcus slid in beside her and Connor took the other side beside Lizzy.

  Neither men spoke just grabbed a couple of menus and discussed amongst themselves what they would eat. Brianna raised an eyebrow at Lizzy who shrugged her shoulders.

  “Is there something you would like or are you just passing through?” Brianna asked impatiently.

  She watched Marcus place his menu down, fold his arms across his chest and turned to stare at her.

  “Well Baby, there is something I would like, how about an explanation why you left without permission?” his low gravelly voice had her wolf growling.

  “Excuse me? Permission? I don’t need your approval to go places Marcus, I had work to do and needed a better signal”

  Marcus looked over at Connor, a silent communication passed between them. Connor took Lizzy’s hand much to her delight.

  “Come on baby girl, how about a tour of crescent falls coffee shops?”

  Lizzy blushed again at his small endearment before looking at Brianna, who smiled knowingly.

  Standing with Connor she turned to get her bag.

  “Is there cake involved?”

  “There is always cake involved, especially for you, I think you will need it to absorb that bucket of coffee you have just consumed”

&nbs
p; “That’s the second one actually but I can always go one more”

  “Seriously? Girl you will never sleep, cake and something caffeine free might be better for you right now”

  “Caffeine free, what’s that?” she asked mischievously.

  “Come on, before you try to bribe Katie for a fix” he laughed.

  Brianna watched them both leave enjoying how they were so at ease with each other. It would be good for Lizzy to have some stability in her life. Her nose twitched at the luscious scent of pine wrapping around her reminding her that there was another issue to deal with. Mimicking Marcus she folded her arms, tilting her head, waiting.

  “So, out with it what’s got you in a foul mood?” she snapped.

  As quick as lightning he had her pulled onto his lap, locking his arms around her, his nose tucked into her neck sending sparks down her spine. Her core burned with a need to be filled completely by this man, a primal urge started to take root. His teeth grazed her skin, before biting her neck, harder than yesterday. She knew he was marking his territory, staking his claim and that had her wolf yapping and chasing her tail, so carefree. Eventually he pulled back, pushing her hair out of her eyes.

  “My foul mood began the moment I realised my headstrong mate left pack territory without any protection. Brianna, you know the fuckin risks out there at the moment, what if this wolf cult managed to get their hands on you?”

  Brianna snorted, before realising how inappropriate it was.

  “I wish they would then I could find where they were hiding your pack women and kick the shit out of the kidnappers”

  Marcus grabbed her chin with his strong fingers. His heated stare, had her swallowing hard. She knew she was being a bitch but she did not know why, this man had been nothing but kind and attentive.

  “Do not joke about that Brianna, you are not to take them down, your job is to locate, like I said my men and I will bring them to justice”

  Growling she squirmed to get off his lap, which rewarded her with a large pulsing bulge pressing into her. He groaned, kissing her temple.