Chapter 138 Casted Doubts
885words
I buried my nose into the forest floor. Although faint, I would recognize that scent anywhere. I recalled how potent it had been, burning into my nostrils when he was pressed against me in the hallway of the pack house. The scent was somehow both exhilarating and cruel. Jaxon mind-linked me, his head cocked to the side. "What did you pick up?"
He stared at me for a moment longer before approaching and rubbing his wolf's head under mine in support and comfort. My lungs burned for air, and I sucked in a punishing breath. "Christian's scent. It's everywhere," I explained.
Like clockwork, Jaxon pushed his nose down and started searching, turning over every stick, every leaf, every rock along the path. "There's nothing," he finally replied, looking at me quizzically. Suddenly, I felt my wolf scratching inside. She was livid. She knew what she had smelled, and she didn't like being questioned. While faint, it was definitely his scent. He had to be here. But where?
Without another thought, I opened the mind link to Beta Don. "Don, come on," I repeated anxiously, like a broken record. "So much for a night off, huh?" Beta Don taunted back. A part of me felt guilty for interrupting him after I had given him orders to take the rest of the night off. But at the same time, he was second in command. If anyone would know if Alpha Christian had returned to Midnight Moon territory, it would be him without a doubt.
"I know, I'm sorry," I responded sweetly, hoping to keep my nerves tightly under wraps. "How long ago did the trackers return to the pack house? We're picking up a scent out here. Has Alpha Christian returned by chance?" I asked.
Beta Don let out a bone-chilling growl, and Jaxon looked up at me. We both knew Beta Don wasn't exactly Alpha Christian's biggest fan. But he was Sophia's mate. He was going to have to get over it sooner or later... and by sooner, I meant like tomorrow sooner.
"No. The coward has yet to return," he replied in a low, aggravated voice.
"Are you... positive?" Jaxon asked, but we both knew better. If someone had crossed the borders, they would have been seen by now.
"Am I positive?" Beta Don scoffed. "Look, if he returns, you'll be the first to know. Now... any heir news?"
I swallowed the lump in my throat. Doctor Raymond must have the results by now. Part of me radiated excitement while the other part was filled with nerves and concerns. "Look, if he returns, you'll be the first to know," I shot back. Two can play this game, I thought to myself.
"Very funny, Luna," Beta Don responded, and then the link went silent.
Jaxon and I ran the perimeter of the border in record time, soon returning to the pack house. I heaved a sigh as I shifted back into my human form. I couldn't shake the feeling. My nerves crackled inside like electricity shooting through my veins. I knew he had been here. Jaxon picked up on my uneasiness as he draped his arm around my shoulders.
"Hey. It's going to be okay. I have my best men on guard. We'll know as soon as he crosses into territory. It'll put your mind at ease, you'll see," he explained.
"Jaxon. I know what I smelled. It was him. I'm sure of it. I just don't know why or how," I replied, clenching my jaw hard.
"Makes no difference, little wolf," Jaxon said, placing a soft kiss on the side of my head as we continued walking toward the pack house. "He's Sophia's mate. I can't, and I won't, stand in the way of fated mates."
I knew he was right. Sure, Alpha Christian was undoubtedly a creep, but he was her mate. "Should we go find Doctor Raymond?" Jaxon asked, raising his brow at me.
Taking a deep breath, I plastered a wide smile on my face. "He'll find us. Calm down. Whatever happens, we're in it together," I said and pushed up on my toes to pull Jaxon into a sensual kiss.
I felt like I was getting lost—every feeling, every worry, every thought disappearing as his tongue massaged against mine. I pulled back and placed another small kiss on his lips. "I should go find Sophia. She must be a bundle of nerves for tomorrow."
Jaxon groaned as he pulled me closer to his hard body. "Don't be too long," he joked.
I pushed off him and turned on my heels, heading in the opposite direction of Jaxon's office to make my way to Sophia's bedroom. As I passed through the hallways, I noticed the stares of familiar pack members burning into the side of my face paired with hushed whispers. I chose to ignore them. Regardless of what was to happen, I wouldn't take the spotlight from Sophia and Alpha Christian.
I took a deep breath and knocked on Sophia's door, waiting for her to answer. A few moments passed, and still there was no answer, so I knocked again—harder this time. Still no answer. I gritted my teeth and knocked once more, but this time, I turned the knob and let myself in.
"Knock, knock, stranger," I called out.
