“Except, it’s tainted.” She studied the victim, then shook her head. “Something’s familiar. Like I’ve smelled it before. However, it also kind of reminds me of Vex.”
“He’s dead.” But I caught the subtle hint of smoke in the air, too. “Another hybrid?”
“Perhaps.” She didn’t sound convinced. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s a scent from that bar.” She shook her head, then continued her perusal, checking the girl’s neck for a claiming mark, and froze. “Alaric,” she whispered, her blue irises flaring as she caught my gaze, then gestured down to the female’s throat.
I followed her line of sight to find what she wanted to show me without bringing anyone else’s attention to it.
“Fuck,” I seethed through clenched teeth when I spotted the bruising on her inner thighs. It pointed to the very likely possibility that she had been raped. Which seemed like a hell of a coincidence considering that a big part of our investigation included a sex trafficking ring.
I swallowed the bile in my throat, then continued examining the scene with my shifter-given senses.
A variety of scents marked the poor girl, some of them shifter and familiar. That made me frown. I sniffed again, noting the scents of my own wolves on the girl.Because she’s in our lands?I wondered, inhaling again and catching the rusty old stench that could only be related to one species.
Vampires.
Why the hell does she smell like a vampire?
Makayla scowled, likely arriving at the same conclusion. I could almost taste her confusion and anger, which… was strange. I shook off the bizarre sensation to refocus on—
Another scream rent the air, turning my attention toward a hysterical Savannah. Hardt immediately pulled her into his arms, his low voice hushing her as he consoled her.
My eyes narrowed as several other packmates gravitated toward him for strength, like he was some damn beacon of light in this morning of darkness. Even the damn sun seemed to illuminate him from above.What the fresh hell is this bullshit?
“It’s all right, Savannah,” he cooed in what should have been a soothing tone but came off as patronizing. “Tell them. They need to know.” His tone held a note of authority.
I almost snorted.
It sounded like a damn mouse trying to mimic a lion.
I cleared my throat, my instincts driving me to take charge and speak. “What is it, Savannah?” I infused just a slight alpha rumble into my voice, the sound meant to call for attention while also offering a soothing undertone of protection to it.
Hardt’s expression told me he didn’t appreciate me inserting myself into the conversation.
I let him see just how much I cared about his opinion with a quick look.Fuck. Off.
“Th-that’s Kristen Whiting. She was staying with me. When she didn’t come back to my house after her run”—she broke off as a fresh bout of tears cascaded down her cheeks—“I-I thought sh-she left to go home. She’s from the McKenzie Pack.” The last part came out on a whisper, her slender shoulders curling in defeat.
Well, at least that explains why I smell my pack on the girl,I thought, somewhat relieved but also devastated for Savannah.
“McKenzie?” Makayla repeated, her lips curving downward into a frown. Her blue eyes were pensive when they met mine. “Alpha Bortex,” she whispered low enough that only I heard her. “This blows my theory to hell.”
I nodded in agreement. If people from Bortex’s pack were also being targeted, it was highly unlikely that someone among them was seeking revenge by poisoning the alphas and taking the girls. Which left us back at square fucking one. “Shit.”
The smell of vampire hit my nose again, and I moved over to finish inspecting Kristen’s neck. It took a little searching because of all of the bruising and swelling, but eventually I found what I was looking for—two small punctures just to the left of a major artery. That explained why her skin appeared ashen. However, the bite marks were smaller than normal.
My fingers flexed, my instinct to grab a stake hitting me square in the gut.
A vampire was onmyland. Aroundmypack. Unacceptable.
My wolf snarled and snapped, ready to tear them limb from limb.
I need to hunt these leeches down and put them in the ground.
Makayla leaned close, her floral scent replacing the vampire stink, and before I could stop myself, I inhaled deeply. Her natural perfume softened my anger and pain. Or perhaps it was just her nearness that caused me to relax.
“Where’s the nearest vampire coven?” Makayla asked.
“About fifty miles away,” I replied, my mind already forming a strategy for a search patrol.We’ll head west, then—
