my socks!" Jay argued,

ge - socks, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a cookie. Jay had misplaced his soc

d a couple of the pack members traveling with us to trade seats. Non

t last week. It wasn't until the plane actually landed that the nerves h

and when I came back they were gone. Who else would take my soc

whether it was ev

ur socks, let alone took them," I shot ba

s, four. Usually only two travel with me to another pack's te

und his suitcase. A moment later he pulled

was supposed to be waiting to take us to their territory. We stepped into a huge lobby full of people hold

of humans, and I tensed instantly. Ja

a sign that read Jayden Steel. One of his arms was fully tattooed, s

scent and confirmed who we were. With a curt nod, he turned and led the wa

ep, then slid behind the wheel, waiting patie

ded up just staring at the back of his head, at hair so dark red it didn't

hadowe

e finally spoke. "My name is Kobi," he sa

ak!" I blurte

ension spike - our pack members visibly stiffened. The rumors abou

'm just not that social," he explained, finally exiting the

ing the cold front he'd been holding since we met Kob

Jay asked, holding h

kind of power - not Alpha or Beta level, but close.

ck," he said, confident

w," Kobi added, and I turn

noon light into thin gold ribbons across the road. Even here, it was beautiful - I nearly missed the flicker of movement in the treeline. Border w

, and I wish I were exaggerating. Actual skyscrapers stood in the distance, catching the light, ringed by lower rooftop

is huge," Jay said t

t the main pack town - the central hub, basicall

sure what to

ares today. We don't get many outsiders on our terr

, frowning slightly as

teenagers breaking off from a corner to stare, a man setting down his grocery bags entirely. Guessing the

k to Kobi's hair. I reall

s it?" I asked ov

lors - brunette, blond, ginger. I've never seen red

utright, and I gaped at him. Well -

. "Wondered when someone would ask. Usuall

usual color," I ad

e of our pack members c

d. "Genetic mutation, runs in

Great mutation to end up with,

ee me shifted, you'll spot me

's t

ck. Impossible to miss

of a massive golden gate, four guards

hed, inspected each of us, then waved the

ntention - a pearl-white fountain out front spilling water in slow, glassy arcs, manicured hedges lining the drive in tight geometric rows, and steps that s

e?" I laughed, climbing out of the jeep

the Beta, Beta Female, the Gamma, and a few top-ranked warrio

dentical, actu

n - too many important people to fit otherwise. We reach

and, waiting. He finally tur

owns right now, so he won't be able to meet you today. Bu

ned at that, thou

ble floors that threw our footsteps back at us in sharp echoes, a staircase curling u

it - cinnamon

combination? The smell was strong, almost overwhelming,

k, footsteps soun

honestly, since the Alpha's absence had been the only sour note so far. Common courtesy

Pack," the man said, shaking our h

you all." When she got to me, she shook my hand with visible excitement. "I

o meet you too." She had this warm, bubbl

st be exhausted," she said, clapping. "Luck

ched a second lobby-like landing. The cinnam

layout," she said, stopping

eads to the East Wing - that's

bi both laughed at that, though I noticed one of the maids passing through the landing with an armful of linens slow her steps at the mentio

d Kobi. Come by whenever," s

ake me up," Julian added. "I'm not a p

said, laughing for the first time since

they live on-site for security,"

starting. Good - that w

ad wolf, stay away. West Wing, you thr

ing. We agreed to meet downst

s - a long stretch of clipped lawn giving way to trees at the property line, a stone path curling off toward what look

thing inappropriate here, jus

to say that's inappropriate?

be bothered to greet us on day one? The disres

aid, shoving at him. "Get off - you're si

ing?" he aske

nged earlier, why can't I?" I sa

ig deal between us - wolves get used to it fast, c

d downstairs, our footsteps echoing off the marble in the

flying across what looked like a piano tile game. I used to be ob

robably arguing about pizza," he said,

to find, following the noise, the cinnamon-chocolate smell thinning the f

h of them mid-chase around the kitchen. Two of our pack me

ving the menu overhead. Julian lunged for i

s when you realize it's breakfast, then cry guilty tears over an unh

me eat it," Leona shot back, clearly proud of that c

her his phone. She caught it with

e other two pack members for their orders and relayed everything.

and barely talks - except for the occasional deadpan joke that catches you off guard. Julian and Leona might be

ate. Mouthwatering, and constant. Judging by the st

ke cinnamon and chocolate?" I asked

ugh a DVD collection in front of th

I pressed. I would've bought that cand

hink I've ever had a cinnamon or chocolate one," Leona sai

lost. "It doesn't smell li

fused. Were they serious?

ng it, I just sa