The Alpha’s Forbidden Claim

CHAPTER 005

My fingers scraped through my hair whenever stress started to take hold because it was an old habit. My knuckles made contact with the heavy wooden door creating a dull yet firm sound. An unusual tension gripped my chest while an uncontrollable restlessness lingered inside me.

My work for the past month of traveling through the territories included meetings with Damon Cross from Stormhollow and Ethan Vale from Ashbourne. We had to confirm that the war’s aftereffects had not permanently damaged our packs. Warriors experienced a unique form of injury that required healing from their partners while most homes were already under reconstruction.

The war inflicted wounds that penetrated deeper than the physical devastation found on the land. We believed we had enough time to ready ourselves and protect our people from the peak bear assault. We were wrong. Blood was our payment for the war as we lost warriors and friends including my parents. But we fought back. Without the elders’ help, I might add. And we won.

We reached Willow Creek as we started our mission to recover our lost territory.

I struck the door more forcefully because impatience was now guiding my actions. The coward had hidden himself in his cozy little corner as we shed blood to defend our territory. I needed information about his activities during the last two years. Above all else my concern was finding out my sister's current location.

My second-in-command Ryker escorted her here to keep her safe. Garrett Mercer directly promised me he would ensure her safety. That better have been true. Any harm coming to her would have resulted in severe consequences.

I growled as I asked, “Where the hell is he?

Damon placed his hand on my shoulder to steady me. “Relax, man. He’s coming.”

I took a deliberate breath before scanning the entrance of the large packhouse. The flawless stonework and woodwork combined with the impressive architecture signaled its immense wealth. The flowers were what quickly drew my attention. Every color imaginable came to life along the pathway while their scents temporarily dispelled my frustration. The person who looked after these flowers possessed a strong appreciation for beauty.

The door finally creaked open. Garrett Mercer greeted us with the broad smile of a welcoming host.

“Welcome! His relief at our safety was evident as he moved to the side to welcome us in. “Come in, come in! I’ve prepared a feast. We will have food while discussing what lies ahead.

The future. Right.

I exchanged glances with Damon and Ethan. Damon and Ethan displayed the same look I thought I had which was slight annoyance hidden behind polite disinterest. But we followed him inside anyway. The air smelled deliciously of roasted meats along with fresh bread and sweet aromas although a stronger scent struck me.

Honeysuckle. Vanilla. Something else. Something I couldn’t quite name.

I looked around the room to find where the scent was coming from. Although the food emitted a pleasant aroma it wasn’t the thing that caught my attention. No, this scent was different. Familiar in a way I couldn’t place. It stirred something deep, something instinctual.

The servants delivered the meal after we sat down. The delicious spread before me should have captured my attention but instead my mind repeatedly turned to that elusive scent. The scent slipped away too fast for me to catch its source.

I’d find it. One way or another.

The dinner itself was... tolerable. I loaded my plate with food and ate quickly while monitoring Garrett’s actions. Garrett's warriors had been expressing admiration about his mate. Odd, though. No mark on his neck. No mention of her from him. She remained invisible to everyone's eyes.

I sat back in my chair while my fingers ran through my hair as I faced him. “Hell of a meal. I wanted to meet your mate and thank her for this.”

Garrett's body tensed up immediately after my words came out. He chuckled nervously while admitting he hadn't heard about the news. She had to leave early because she wasn’t in good health.

Lie.

He glanced around the table, gauging reactions. Damon and Ethan weren’t buying it either.

I filed the information away for later. I had to prioritize another urgent issue at this moment. You should have expected me to come back for my sister.

His grip tightened on his glass. “Of course. I took personal responsibility to make sure she received proper care.

I leveled my gaze at him. “Alpha Logan.”

He swallowed. “My apologies. Alpha Logan. As I was saying your sister received everything she needed here.” His voice trailed off as if he expected me to accept this explanation and move on.

Not happening.

My feelings of discomfort have remained unchanged since entering this house. If anything, it was growing stronger. The atmosphere here felt wrong and now I had to determine the cause.

But not tonight.

I sat forward. “Good. I'll arrive here early in the morning to meet her. During our time here we must address another important issue which concerns the need for mates for our returning warriors. Information I received indicated that Willow Creek had many single she-wolves available.

Garrett showed no skill at concealing his relief over the change in conversation topic. Although his enthusiasm felt fake, he went on to deliver a lengthy speech about the many unmarried women in our region and how they would gain from building stronger relationships.

Then he suggested a ball.

I almost laughed.

“Seriously?”

“Think about it,” Garrett pressed. The event will provide a relaxed celebratory space for warriors and our single women to meet. No pressure. Just an opportunity to connect.”

Girls liked that kind of thing, right?

An unspoken message passed between Damon and Ethan as we shared a look. Despite my reluctance to acknowledge it the proposal had its merits.

"One month from now," I interrupted Garrett mid-sentence. “Oakridge Grove. You handle the details. We’ll be there.”

Standing up I took the final brownie from the table. “We’re heading out. I will return tomorrow to get my sister.

I didn’t wait for a response. I walked down the hallway and exited through the door while Damon and Ethan followed me into the cool night air.

The events inside that house had left me with a disturbed mind. My instincts were loudly warning me about an unidentified danger.

But I would figure it out.

And I wasn’t leaving without my sister.