Chapter 7

• JaxI paused for a moment at the door, noticing the tantalizing scent again, but the feeling continued to exacerbate so I shuffled out the door after the other two males, completely ignoring any comment Zeke may have made in protest.
• The scent faded the further I walked from the house, and I had this odd urge to go back, like I had forgotten something. I pushed the feeling away and caught up with the other two. We continued walking down the path in silence for a while, me savoring my brownie while Asher shot me a pleading look, knowing Zeke would be able to hear us with his sensitive ears.
• Finally, Reese broke the silence once we were far enough away not to be overheard.
• "So, you want to tell us what all of that was about? I mean, don’t get me wrong, I agree with that everything you said, but you kind of rushed out of there. In fact, it looked like something was bothering you all night." Reese stated.
• We continued talking as we walked down the rough-hewn path towards our dwellings for the time being. The trees surrounding the path all seemed to be a blur while I walked on mindlessly, lost in my own thoughts and not really paying attention to either of my friends.
• Asher agreed, nodding his head, "Yeah man, I could tell there was something going on too. What happened in there? Zeke seemed like a total douche canoe, but we are getting what we wanted right? I do think we should have upped the timeline though. I cannot wait to meet my gorgeous mate."
• I rolled my eyes at Asher, though I was impatient as well, then looked at Reese when I responded, "I am not really sure. Something was bothering me from the moment we got there, but it is like it was just out of reach. Something just seemed off, and there was this heavenly smell that I could not find the source of for the life of me..." I trailed off, looking at the path in front of me.
• Asher laughed, "Yeah, did you see all that food? We demolished it man. I do not think I have ever eaten anything that delicious before."
• Reese took notice of my disinterest in continuing the same line of conversation and rolled with the diversion Asher had provided, "It beat anything I have had for a long ass time. Nice job calling him out about his mate, by the way. I was interested in meeting the she-wolf that his guards kept going on about too."
• "I am still pissed that fucker has been living it up, while we have been busting our asses, and then, to find out he has had a mate for damn near the whole war." I growled.
• Asher agreed, "It is bullshit man. I would have loved to sit on my ass while everyone else did the fighting."
• "Wasn't he supposed to join us after he secured the vulnerable in his territory? Why didn't he follow through with the elders' plans?" Reese added.
• "I do not know about any of that. That is for the elders to handle," I said, shaking my head and running my hand through my dark locks, though not for the first time, I internally questioned their guidance.
• I continued, "I am more interested in Zeke's reaction when I brought up his mate. Did you guys notice that too? And, he did not have a claiming bite either."
• I looked around, noticing that we were getting close to our lodgings for the night. Asher nodded his head, agreeing.
• Reese grimaced, "That begs the question, who was the girl the males were talking about earlier? I did not see anyone else or notice any sign of a female in that house."
• I nodded gravely, adding, "And why did he tell us he was mated if he is not truly? He is hiding something, and I am worried we may be too late if we wait for long."
• We reached the point in the path where we needed to split up, the sudden heavy topic casting a somber mood among us. The trees surrounding us just a few steps off the path, seemed to whisper softly in the wind as we stood there for a few moments in silence weighing the words just spoken.
• I started, "I am heading there in the morning to find out about my sister anyway," running my fingers through my hair, I continued, "I am going to do some snooping around. See if I can find any sign of the girl the guards were talking about. One of you want to come with me and serve as a distraction?" I asked.
• Asher agreed, "Yeah man! I got you on distractions, and I want to help. Sounds great, see you here first thing tomorrow?" he finished.
• Before I could respond, Reese stated, "That sounds like a good plan. I will hang back and try to pump the guards for some more information. Jax, maybe try asking your sister if you cannot find anything while you are there tomorrow morning."
• I acquiesced easily, "Alright guys. We have a plan. Let's meet back up here tomorrow for lunch to go over everything we find."
• Both males agreed and said goodnight before heading in opposite directions to turn in for the night. It had been a long journey, and we still had a way to go now that we had arranged a means to resettle the she-wolves back throughout the territories. I continued down the path until I reached my own abode for the time being.
• I entered, made my way to my room, and undressed, climbing into bed. I did not have energy for much else tonight. I felt myself begin to relax, happy to have a plan and excited, yet anxious, for the prospect of seeing my baby sister again for the first time in nearly two years. How much will she have changed? Will she want to return with me to the Northern Province?
• Though Ryker had kept me updated on her safety and whereabouts all this time, two years was a long time, and I had not kept in contact like I should have. Would she be angry at me? Blame me for our parent's death? With those thoughts weighing heavily on my mind, I closed my eyes and allowed myself to be pulled under.