He inhaled sharply, sucking in the outside world’s aromas. Roses and lilies mixed with freshly cut grass and pine needles. The familiar smell of wolf and fairy made his heart swell with everything he’d ever longed for. He’d been searching for this place for what seemed like an eternity.
This was home.
His home.
Taking in a second deep breath, he gagged and coughed on something rotten. He’d sniffed something similar while roaming the woods on the outskirts of the farm. He couldn’t place the scent, but whatever creature created it, they smelled worse than a skunk.
One of the men bent over and lifted a blanket, uncovering a body.
Okay, perhaps he smelled death, but even so, this stench had a different flavor. It was as if someone sprayed perfume in order to cover up a bad smell, only it masked it instead of getting rid of it.
One of those men out there wasn’t a werewolf. Dayton concentrated on communication with the Alpha, Chaz. He wasn’t hard to miss by the way two of the men bowed to his decisions, but the third man definitely didn’t respect his Alpha, and that man wasn’t who he appeared to be. A strange glow emitted from his skin. Dayton didn’t think everyone could see it, or they would know this creature posed a threat.
“This is the second Royal Fairy that’s been murdered,” Chaz said. “Aron, is this where you found him?”
Aron nodded.
Aron seemed to be the source of the nasty wet-dog smell. “I haven’t moved him,” Aron said behind a clenched jaw. “I found him on my rounds and immediately got you.”
“We tightened the security,” one of the other men said. “There are only a dozen people who can come and go as they please.”
“Whoever killed Ralph and this fairy has to be on the farm,” Chaz said.
“Where’s Cheryl?” Aron asked. “I stopped by the house to see her, and your father said she was running errands. I’m concerned for her safety.”
“My sister can handle herself,” Chaz said.
“So she keeps telling me,” Aron said with a sharp tone. “She needs a strong wolf. I don’t understand why she keeps rejecting me. I know we’re—”
“Not the time or place,” Nico said, pointing to the body. “Bite marks are identical to Ralph’s. It’s got to be the same beast.”
“Yeah. That ugly-ass creature in the woods,” Aron said, folding his arms as he turned his body. “Something’s not right with that animal, and we should put him down. He’s probably out there, waiting for his feast. The only question is how does he keep crossing the property line.”
“That is the conundrum, isn’t it,” Nick said.
Interesting that the three brothers hadn’t filled in the other wolf about capturing him and locking him in the cabin.
“Chaz, can you hear me?” The barrier around the cabin was stronger than Dayton anticipated. He punched his mind through the thickness. “Chaz?”
“Who the fuck is that?” Chaz knelt in front of the body, lifting his head. He locked his focus on the cabin in the distance.
“The name is Dayton, but you know me as Norse.”
“I’m not in the mood for games. Show yourself.” Chaz growled. It was a warning, not a threat.
Dayton had to make a choice. He could either lie to Chaz and face his wrath later or tell him the truth.
Dayton glanced over his shoulder. Cheryl was immersed in red dust and ten books. He smiled, enjoying how she came into one of her many new magical powers. He swirled his finger, creating an opening in the dust covering the cabin that hopefully only he and Chaz would see, though he suspected she would be able to as well if she knew what she was looking for.
“Find the blue dot on the outside of the cabin. Once you see it, let your mind’s eye create a hole and you’ll see me and your sister.”
“I’m going to kill you if you laid a finger…” Chaz stood, smoothing down the front of his jeans. “You’re the wolf.”
“I’m the wolf and Norse, but I don’t really have time to explain it all right now.” There was that, and the fact that as Chaz came into his fairy powers, he’d figure some of this out on his own. “I think there is a traitor standing next to you.”
“These are my brothers.” Chaz growled again.
Dayton understood his loyalty. “Only two are your brothers. I’m guessing the one with the longer hair and the one who looks like he’s a boy are your brothers. The other one, he’s hostile.”
“So am I. Especially when someone is killing fairies on my property.”
“That someone isn’t me, and you have to know that now.”
“I don’t know how long this person has been dead,” Chaz said. “You could have killed him—”
“Take a good whiff. You know damn well that’s a very fresh kill. Send everyone away and let me show you something. It will prove I’m on your side.” Dayton had enough pussy-footing around.
Chaz patted the man with longer hair on the back and pointed toward the house. “Go get Coral. Time to take the wrap off.”
“We promised Cheryl we’d give her the full length of the fairy dust magic,” the man said.
“Nico. Just do it,” Chaz said. “Drew, you go with him, and Aron, I need you to go get my father.”
A long silence filled the air as the three men took off in different directions.
“All right, Dayton. Show me.” Chaz’s voice boomed with authority.
“I have one question first.” Talk about not the time or place. “Cheryl doesn’t find Aron attractive, does she? They were never a couple, were they?”
Chaz cocked his head and snarled. “Keep your hands off my sister.”
Dayton bit back a laugh. “That’s for your sister to decide.” Dayton flicked a small section of the red knowledge. “This is just some of what Cheryl
