Scarlett's POV

"Tasha! Channing! What do you have for us?" I call out to two of my trackers as I walk toward the pack land's northern border. They had gone out, following the unknown scent that the warriors had picked up. Cayden, Bree, Jacob and I are on our way to meet them as they return home.

They both shift from their wolves into their human forms as Jacob tosses them both a shirt and a pair of sweatpants.

"Well," Tasha says as she jumps into the sweatpants Jacob gave her, "it's interesting."

"Fucking weird is more like it." Channing says as he uses the t-shirt from Jacob to wipe some sweat from his face. "We lost the scent."

"What's unusual about that?" Bree asks. "Doesn't that always happen if you don't catch them? Their scent starts to fade as they get further away until you don't have it any longer?"

Bree, my Gamma, is another life-long friend, whose father was, you guessed it, my father's Gamma. Born only a few weeks behind me, Bree's parents decided to follow in my parents' footsteps and declare that as the eldest Bree, she would be the Gamma heir. Granted, once I became Alpha, I could have named whomever I wanted to the ranked positions, but it's tradition for those to be inherited positions just like an Alpha. Fortunately, much like Cayden, Bree and I have always been friends and being in a similar position herself (she's one of the only female Gammas in the country), she understands the pressures that I sometimes face. But, unlike me, she has Asher, her supportive, loving, can't-keep-his-hands-off-her mate. I'm happy for Bree and Asher, truly. They were childhood sweethearts, always hoping they'd find out they were fated mates. And then, on Asher's 18th birthday, just a few months after Bree's, they felt a pull toward each other like nothing either had ever felt before – or at least that's what they tell me. They knew they were fated mates. After we graduated from high school, they went to the same university (there was one stipulation that Bree's parents put on her inheriting the Gamma title - mate or no mate, she was going to college) and then the night of their graduation, they marked each other. (My parents put the same stipulation on me, but to be fair, my brothers and I were all expected to go to college if we ever want to inherit any of our parent's money, so I never felt like it was something that my parents or Bree's parents did simply because we're women.) And they've been deliriously happy ever since, and Asher, the son of two warriors, took to his new role of male Gamma, like a fish to water, never once trying to overshadow his mate or undermine me.

"That's just it – the scent starts to fade as they get further away. These scents just...stopped." Jacob says, shaking his head and throwing the now sweat-stained t-shirt over his shoulder.

"What?" Cayden, Bree, Jacob and I all say unison. Even when we're not actively using the mind link with each other, we're still linked to each other. I love my leadership team.

"He's right, Alpha. We had the scent, we had it, we had it but instead of slowly starting to fade, like Gamma Bree said, it just suddenly disappeared." Tasha explained, her already big, brown eyes, now the size of dinner plates.

Myself and my three ranked members just stood there, staring at Tasha and Channing, our heads tilted, brows furrowed and mouths slightly open, like we're dogs staring at a ceiling fan. After a moment, I shake my head, bringing us all back from our states of confusion.

"It just disappeared? I don't understand, how could that happen? Are you sure the scent wasn't starting to slowly fade but because you were running so fast in your wolf forms, you didn't notice it until it was entirely gone?" I ask, knowing the answer because these are two of my best trackers who know how to do their jobs and do them exceptionally well.

"Yeah, we're sure, Alpha. We went back over the area for miles, checking and double-checking. One moment, we have the scent and the next it's gone."

"Did you see or hear anything near the scent? Unusual footprints? Strange sounds?" Cayden asks as he runs his hands through is mop of curly brown hair, still looking confused.

Tasha and Channing glance at each other and then both take a deep breath. "We saw footprints, yeah. Human footprints."

"That doesn't make sense. There is no way humans can outrun two werewolves." Jacob replies.

"We know. But what makes it weirder is the footprints were like men's shoes. Not boots or sneakers, dress shoes. Like you'd wear with a suit." Tasha says, looking at Channing who nods in confirmation.

Suddenly, I feel my cell phone start to vibrate in the back pocket of the jeans I'm wearing. Pulling it out, I see a text message from Raul, asking if I'll be around this evening because he's in the area. I can't help but smile to myself as I type out my message to him that yes, I'll be around and I'll call him later because I'm dealing with some pack stuff right now."

"His reply only a few moments later, "Perfect. Hope it's nothing too serious. Dinner out at that new Italian place in your town and then dessert in your bedroom." He follows it up with an eggplant emoji and a happy face with its tongue sticking out. I feel my core becoming hot and slowly exhale, forgetting that I have five werewolves with me who can probably smell my arousal as it pools between my legs, knowing that Raul is planning to do with his "eggplant" and tongue.

"Raul?" Cayden asks with a sly smile. I know he worries about me being lonely and while he's certain I'm going to find my fated mate, he's happy for me that I'm at least having some fun until then. The others stand around, smiling their knowing smiles at me.

"Mind your own business." I growl at him. The growl is partly because I don't want pack members talking about my personal life (even though I already know they do), but mostly it's because I'm aroused now and can't help it. Cayden, knowing me better than anyone besides my own family, just snorts at me. "So, there are humans running around who are faster than werewolves and apparently they're well-dressed?"

"That's about the size of it, yeah." Channing says.

"Alright. Well, that's a new one. Beta Bree, add some more warriors to the patrol tonight and let's have some trackers on standby who can immediately go after the scent if the patrols pick up anything." I tell her, knowing that she's probably already making a list in her head of the wolves to add to patrols and the trackers to have ready and waiting.

"On it, Alpha". She says as she pulls her own cellphone out of her back pocket and begins texting someone. Like I said, we're always linked, even when we're not. The six of us turn and start heading back to the packhouse.

"Any ideas as to who or what this is, Alpha?" Jacob asks.

"No. Do any of you?" I have a suspicion, but I don't want to say it aloud until I can get more information. The five of them also claim to have no ideas. "Alright. When we get back to the packhouse, I'm going to make some calls. Cayden come with me and Jacob, call around to the neighboring packs and see if they've experienced this, too."

"Will do." He says, determined. Of the four of us, Jacob is the youngest; still 18, and as such, takes his responsibilities very seriously so no one thinks of him as still being a pup.

"You know something, don't you?" Cayden asks me in the mind link. I notice that it's just the two of us in the mind link, Bree, Jacob, Tasha and Channing aren't privy to our conversation."

"I don't know yet. But we're going to find out."

Chapter 3 coming soon

Chapter 3 – Meet the Parents

Scarlett POV

The six of us, myself, Cayden, Bree, Jacob, Tasha and Channing are heading back to the packhouse when I realize there's someone I should talk to before I start making calls, so I start veering to the left, heading to the area of our pack lands where individual homes stand for those people who don't want to live in the pack house.

"Alpha Scarlett? The packhouse is this way." Cayden says with a slight laugh as he points when he notices me going off course.

"Before I head back to my office, I want to talk to my parents. Cayden, come with me. Bree and Jacob, you're both good with next steps?"

"Yes, Alpha." Jacob replies

"You bet, Alpha." Bree says as she gives me a thumb up.

"Tasha and Channing, thank you for your hard work today. Stick around and keep yourselves available to the patrols and the other trackers who may have questions about the scent or want to go see the area where it suddenly disappeared." I say to the two trackers as I continue left, getting further away from them, my Gamma and my Delta."

"See you later, Alpha and Beta."

"Let us know if you need anything else, Alpha."

"We'll get this figured out, Alpha!"

Cayden and I walk alone in silence for a moment. As werewolves, we have enhanced hearing, but I can tell he wants to continue the conversation we started in the mind link, earlier.

"Your parents, huh?" Cayden asks, slowly and quietly.

I take a deep breath, "yeah. I want to talk to them about all of this before I make any pack announcements or start calling people in."

"Calling people in?" Cayden says, sounding rather stunned as he stops in his tracks. "What the hell is going on, Scar?"

"I have a thought as to what that scent may be, but it's so insane, I can't believe I'm even thinking it." I saw as I continue walking towards by parents' house. When we arrive at their house, built to resemble an old log cabin, I knock on the door. They must have sensed me coming because the door opens almost immediately, and there he is. My here. My mentor. The man who taught me everything I know about being a good Alpha, taught me how to fight and how to drive a car. The former Alpha of our pack. My dad, Alpha Zeb Lobo.

"Scarlett! The prodigal daughter returns!" He exclaims with a big smile on his face, as though he didn't just see me yesterday. "And Beta Cayden! To what do your mother and I owe this great honor?"

I can't help but roll my eyes at his rather hyperbolic, but still endearing reaction.

"Hey, Dad. Is it cool if we come in?"

"Always." He replies, his voice changing from exuberant to serious, as he picks up on the fact that I'm not swinging by to see my mom and dad. He opens the door wider, stepping out of the way to allow myself and Cayden inside. "I guess this isn't merely a social visit. What's going, Alpha Scarlett?" My father says as he goes into full-on Alpha mode, himself. My dad may be retired, but he still is and always will be an Alpha. And it's only in moments like this that he addresses me not as his daughter but as his Alpha. Fortunately, we haven't had too many opportunities for him to need to use my title in the time since my Alpha ceremony. Largely because of the amazing job Dad did as the Alpha of the Crimson Snow pack, so it's been a pretty easy transition for me.

"Is that my beloved daughter, my first born, the apple of my eye?" I hear my mother's voice call down from upstairs as my dad, Cayden and I move from the foyer into the living room, giving me yet another opportunity to roll my eyes and my parents' silliness.

"Hey, Mom. Yeah, it's me. I have Cayden with me." I call out.

"Lovetta, honey, you should come down here. It seems that our Alpha and Beta need to speak with us." Dad says. Neither one says anything for a few moments and I know my mom must be asking him, in their mind link, what's going on.

"I'll be right down. Alpha Scarlett, Beta Cayden, make yourselves comfortable." She calls down, using the same formality as my father when realizing it must be something serious. As the three of us walk into the living room, I see Dax, my youngest brother and my Lead Warrior sitting in an armchair, leaning forward with his arms on his legs. He's clearly overheard the conversation between me and our dad, and also wants to know what's going on.

"Hey, Baby Bro." I walk over to Dax and lean down to give him a hug. He growly softly at the term of endearment, but I don't care. He may be an adult now and a Lead Warrior, but he'll always be my baby brother.

"Hey, Big Sis." He says, returning my hug with his own. "Whatever this is about, it seems serious. Should I go or do you want me to stay?" He asks, looking anxiously between our father and me. I think for a moment. I don't want my suspicions getting around the pack, creating panic or chaos until I'm certain of what we're dealing with and Dax isn't a ranked member. Hell, I even sent Bree and Jacob back to the packhouse, only bringing my Beta with me. But is also my brother, someone whom I trust with my life and the safety of our pack. And as Lead Warrior, he's a good strategic thinker and, if I'm right, would play a pretty big part in any course of action. Particularly if it means new and additional fight training for our pack. If that ends up being the case, both he and Bree will have their hands full.

"No, actually you stay. It would be good to get your take on this." I saw as relaxes back into the armchair a bit, while still keeping his elbows on his knees, like he's already planning a strategy for whatever is going on. He's a lot like Jacob in that respect, I realize. Like Jacob, Dax, while an adult, is also still young and is determined to do his job well (which he always does), taking things very seriously as to not be looked upon as a pup. That's when she arrives. The woman who taught me about compassion, taught me how to care for a pack, also taught me how to fight, and how to make the best damn chocolate chip cookies on the planet. The heart and soul of the Crimson Snow Pack. My mother, Luna Lovetta Lobo. When she walks into the living room, she immediately gravitates to my dad's outstretched arm that pulls her close to side. The pull of the mate bond. Even after all these years, my parents are still mad for each other. If Cayden and I had just stopped in to say hi, she would have come and given me a hug, but much like my father, she differentiates between her daughter Scarlett and her Alpha Scarlett.

"Alpha Scarlett, Beta Cayden. Is everything okay?" She asks, her big green eyes wide with concern and her chocolate brown hair still slightly damp from a shower. It's like looking into a mirror and seeing my future self. And I'll tell you, I could do a lot worse. My mother still turns heads and is still a beast on the sparring fields. I've never seen her in an actual battle, but I have no doubt she can still kickass.

"Hey, Mom." I say as I sit on the couch with Cayden sitting down next to me. My dad sits in another armchair as my mom rests on his knee. "To be honest, I'm not sure. I wanted to talk to the two of you before doing anything else."

"What's going on, Alpha?" My dad asks seriously, the look of worry on his face, growing.

"Last night, our patrols picked up on some strange scents that they didn't recognize, around the pack lands. Earlier today, Tasha and Channing went out to follow the trail, which they were able to for a while, until the scents just disappeared." I look from my parents to my brother, making sure they're all hearing what I'm saying.

"That's not uncommon though. Scents disappear as they get farther away from us." Dax responds, now starting to relax back into the armchair, while still keeping his brow furrowed with concern.

"That's exactly what Gamma Bree said," Cayden chimes in, "but the tracker insist the scents didn't just slowly start to fade. They just disappeared."

I take a deep breath, "Tasha and Channing also said that there were footprints around the scents," I take a pause before saying one of the weirder things I've said in my life, "of men's dress shoes."

"Humans can't outrun werewolves, especially not in dress shoes." Dax says, just as confused as the rest of us were when we met up with Tasha and Channing at the northern border. Meanwhile, I haven't take my eyes off my father as I watch his countenance change from worry to confusion until finally landing on something I never thought I'd see in my strong, brave Alpha of a father – fear. And then he confirms my own fear.

"No, they can't." He says looking directly at me. "But vampires can."

Chapter 4 coming soon

Chapter 4

Raul's POV

Sliding behind the wheel of my Mercedes after I stop for gas and all I can think about is how much I want to slide into Scarlett Lobo. I told her that I was in her area, when I texted to ask if she was around tonight, but the truth is, I've been at my own pack all day. It's been about three weeks since we last saw each other and at this point, I need to feel her soft pussy around my dick so badly, I'm practically feral.

I know we're not fated mates – and she knows it, too. We've both known it since her 18th birthday. But that didn't stop us from celebrating her birthday is ways that including lots of kissing, licking, sucking and fucking, kicking off an ongoing "friends with benefits" relationship. Sometimes we see each other pretty regularly, other times we might several weeks or even a couple of months without seeing each other. Our packs being about a 4 drive away from one another factors into that-it's faster by wolf, but without a car, I can't take Scarlett out to a nice dinner in the human town-but even if we lived closer to each other, we'd still be in a relaxed situation where it's okay that we don't see each other all the time. And it just means that when we do see each other, we come together with bang since we have weeks and weeks of sexual frustration built up.

But, if I'm being completely honest, I was pretty bummed that Scarlett ended up not being mate, especially after we spent practically her entire 18th birthday party talking and dancing, nearly ignoring everyone else at the party. And I'd be lying if I said there haven't been times over the years that I've thought about asking Scarlett if we should take each other as chosen mates because even though it's not the bond of fated mates, there is something between us. But realistically it wouldn't work. We're both Alphas, leading our own packs and neither one of us are going to give that up, especially for a chosen mate situation. Hell, I don't think either of us would even give up being the Alphas of our packs for a fated mate. And even if we were willing to, it's not like our packs are next to each other. What would we do, live half the week at her pack and half the week at mine? We stay in our respective pacts and see each other when we have time, like we do know? That's not the way to have a relationship with your mate. But at the rate things are going, I may never find out what it's like to have a relationship with my fated mate. And that would probably be okay except that I know my pack needs a Luna and I need an heir. I can't just knock-up one of the other she-wolves I occasionally sleep with because pack law dictates that the only pups eligible to take over ranked pack positions are the ones that are the result of a mated relationship, fated or chosen. This is something my parents like to remind me of on regular basis.

I've let my mind wander to thinking about how much I'd like to have some pups, to picturing Scarlett naked, underneath me while I fuck her until she's panting, to wondering if my fated mate is even out there, to wondering if everything is okay over there at the Crimson Snow pack, remembering her text saying that she was dealing with some stuff and would call me later, when my cell phone starts ringing.

"Alpha Scarlett", I say, smiling as I answer the phone. "Getting excited for dinner?"

"Alpha Raul", she responds in her sultry voice that lets me know she plans on leaving me very tired, extremely happy and wonderfully sated at the end of the night. Or, knowing, early tomorrow morning. I realize that I've pushed my right foot on to the gas pedal, like my body is having a subconscious reaction to Scarlett's voice and is aching to get there. (Which, to be fair, it is.) I let my foot off the gas to slow back down a bit so I don't end up getting pulled over speeding. I don't really care about getting a ticket, I care about my Scarlett sex time being delayed. "What is your ETA?"

"My, my, aren't we an anxious little Alpha." I chuckle. And in reality she is little. At 5'2" it's almost hard to believe she's an Alpha. Up until you see her fight and then there's not question that the woman is all Alpha. She uses her small stature to her advantage – because she's small, she is quick and agile in a way that male Alphas generally aren't. But beyond that, she is also a smart and strategic fighter. I've seen her take down some of the strongest warriors out there because she used her brains just as much her strength. Thinking of what a badass she is is only making me again wish that she were my fated mate.

"For you? Always." She says and I can hear her smiling through the phone.

"Well, you don't have to wait to much longer, my insatiable little Alpha. I'm only about 30 minutes away."

"Can you drive faster?" She says, her voice sounding a little deeper and even sultrier. I suspect it's her wolf asking as much as it is her.

"Ruby? Is that you, little Alpha?" My own wolf Boris asks, pushing forward.

"It's both of us. We're both looking forward to dinner and dessert." Ruby practically purrs at me.

"If we drive faster, we might get pulled over and then it will just take us longer to get to you, thus delaying your satisfaction. And you wouldn't want that, would you?" I ask, teasingly. If I can't yet tease her in the bedroom, I'll tease her over the phone.

"Then drive as fast as you can without getting pulled over." Ruby says.

"Drive safely!" That time it's Scarlett. I can't help but smile that while she's clearly excited for a night of marathon sex, she is still concerned for my safety. It's another reason why our dynamic works so well – in addition to being crazy attracted to each other, we also genuinely like each other. I know if I ever needed anything, Scarlett would be the first one there. And she knows that I'd do anything to help her out if she ever needed it. I'm confident that if and when we both find our fated mates, Scarlett and I will remain friends and pack allies.

I chuckle as I say, "No worries, I'm being safe. But, hey, let me ask you...is everything okay over there? Your text said you were dealing with some pack stuff and then it took you a few hours to call...does tonight still work for you because if you have too much going on –" I say, trying to hide my disappointment that she may change our plans.

"Oh, fuck yes, tonight still works. Thinking about all the things we're going to do to each other is the only thing that has gotten me through this completely bizarre day." She replies.

I hope my exhaling in relief isn't too audible. "Bizarre day? What's going on, Alpha?"

Scarlett is silent for a moment before she responds, "It's too insane to get into over the phone, especially since you're not that far away. But, if you don't mind, can we talk tonight at dinner, Alpha to Alpha? Before we move on to turning each other into useless puddles on my bedroom floor, of course." I can tell she is trying to use flirtation as a way of covering up whatever else it is that's on her mind.

"We can ALWAYS talk Alpha to Alpha, Scarlett, you know that." I tell her sincerely.

"Yeah, I know. Thank you for that." She says and I can hear the appreciation in her voice. "Well, I had better finish getting ready so I'm ready to bounce as soon as you get here. I'd hate to keep you waiting." The flirtatious Scarlett returning.

"Oh, you'll definitely be bouncing later, Beautiful" I flirt right back, to which she laughs a true, full-throated laugh. It's not easy to get that kind of genuine laugh out of Scarlett so it's always satisfying when I can make it happen.

"I can't wait. See you soon, Lover." Her calling me "Lover" always makes my dick immediately hard and tonight is no exception.

"Go finish getting ready so I can focus on driving before you get me so turned on I get into an accident." I growl quietly as I start shifting around in my seat. After we hang up, my mind (and my wolf) don't wait before pulling up more mental images of Scarlett naked. Naked and bent over her bed. Naked with her legs wrapped around me in the shower. Naked and riding me while my hands fondle her perfect breasts. But of course, like any Alpha, I can't help but also worry about a friend who may be in trouble, thinking back to her request that we talk at dinner, "Alpha to Alpha." I don't know what's going on, but I do know I'll do whatever I can to help.

These are my thoughts when I pull up to the gate of the Crimson Snow Pack.

"Good evening, Alpha Raul." The warrior at the guard house says. " Are you here to see Alpha Scarlett?"

"Hey, good to see you. Yeah, I'm here to see Alpha Scarlett. She should be expecting me."

"I'll let her know you're on you're here on your way to the pack house."

"Thanks, man, Have a good night." I saw as I start driving to the pack house.

As I pull up and park in front of the pack house, my dick gets hard all over again, as I step out of my car and see Scarlett waiting outside the packhouse, leaning against the railing of the porch. Her long, chocolate brown hair is in loose waves down her back and I can see her bright green eyes from here. Her curves look perfect in a red dress that wraps around her body, showcasing her cleavage as it ties at the waist. Her legs, perfectly toned from all her time training and sparring, look they need to be wrapped around me as she stands in a pair of black stiletto heels. Before she has a chance to move even an inch, I'm out of my car and on the porch of the park house, pulling her toward me and taking her mouth in mine. I let my tongue slid into her mouth by means of saying hello and she happily returns the gesture.

After a few moments of allowing myself to enjoy the warmth and sweetness of her mouth, I pull away, "come on, Beautiful. Let's go the faster we leave and have dinner, the faster we can enjoy dessert." I growl at her. "You can tell me what's going on, while we get a bite to eat."

Scarlett lets out a brief chuckle and then a sigh. "It's funny that you should use the word, 'bite'". She says as she links her arm in mine as we walk to my car.

Chapter 5 coming soon.