Hope you guys like this chapter!
Logan
"Are those Saffron's?" Father demands, gesturing at the white underwear that's half-hidden in the bush.
I'll check. Beta steps forward, his nose twitching as his face moves closer and closer to Saf's panties. For a few seconds, I stay frozen in place, watching him in horror, and then I rush him from the side. My hand intercepts his muzzle while my shoulder connects with his side, sending Beta flying. He yelps in surprise and lands on his side before sliding across the grass. When he finally comes to a stop a few feet away, he looks up at me in surprise. What the Goddess?
"Explain yourself, Logan," Father demands, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"I'm not letting him smell my mate's panties." I block them from view.
You know, you could have just said so, Beta chuckles, getting to his feet. He shakes dust and loose pieces of grass off his brown fur and sits down on his haunches. There was no need to attack me.
"I didn't attack you." I mutter.
"What my son means to say is 'sorry'," Father stares at me pointedly. Then he crosses his arms and growls. "Well, go on. We don't have all day."
"Oh." My cheeks flush as he gestures at the panties and I realize he expects me to smell them. I take a step toward the bush and tentatively reach forward. My fingers almost graze the scrap of white fabric peeking out from the bushes before I stop. I can't do it. I'm not some creep who smells girls' panties, not even if that girl is my mate.
"Well?" Father snaps. "Logan, either you smell the evidence, or I will."
I gasp. Then, I cringe as I try to get the mental image of my father smelling my mate's panties out of my head.
"Stop embarrassing him, James." Mother clicks her tongue at Father. Kaitlyn snorts and covers her mouth with her hand, while Beta's chuckle echoes in my head.
"It has to be done, Anna," Father tells Mother softly.
"Then I'm sure either Kaitlyn or I would be happy to do it."
"No," I cry as my mind conjures up the mental image of Mother burying her nose in Saf's panties, too. Next thing you know, they'll be suggesting we all pass the panties around so we can take turns smelling them. "I'll do it."
I square my shoulders and turn my back on the others, blocking their view of the scrap of fabric. It feels soft and silky against my thumb and index finger, and I give it a gentle tug. It starts to dislodge from the bush, but before I can figure out what shape the fabric forms—and whether or not my mate wears a thong—I spot something else near the ground.
"What are you doing now?" Father demands as I abandon the panties and squat down to take a look.
"It's a sneaker," I cry in relief. I let out a whoosh of breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding and grab it. I hold it up like a trophy, while I search for evidence of its twin.
"We don't have time for this." Father snatches the sneaker out of my hand and inhales deeply. "It's definitely Saffron's... but it mainly smells like Jess. The girl's been missing three days, and Saffron goes and steals her shoes?"
"Of course not." Mother huffs. "Saffron didn't have any shoes, so Jessica was kind enough to lend her a few pairs."
"What do you mean she didn't have any shoes?" Father barks. "I would have noticed if the girl was barefoot."
"Her shoes had holes in them." Mother rolls her eyes. "So did her clothes. Sometimes I don't know where you're looking, James."
"Her clothes looked just fine to me." Father scowls at Mother. She glares back, eyes blazing, and I cringe. My parents fights always start out all innocent. First, they get mad, then it turns into a shouting match, and next thing you know, they're in each other's arms. I've been traumatized by it enough times that I'm probably scarred for life. No guy should have to see his parents' wild—and very public—make-out sessions. Ever.
"Guys," I shout to distract them, "I would have noticed if Saffron's clothes had holes."
My words have the desired effect. Since I've agreed with Father, this momentarily distracts Mother, who turns her attention on me. Her expression softens, whatever trance she was in with Father forgotten.
"Really, Logan." She sighs in exasperation.
"What?" I think back to the first day I met Saf, and those hot, baggy clothes she was wearing. I was way more focused on her body than the clothes covering it, but I would have noticed holes. I definitely would have noticed holes, especially if I could see through them to what lay beneath. "Her clothes looked fine. Everyone at school would have noticed if they didn't."
"Zara lent her a few things to wear to school." Mother shakes her head. "I told Saffron I'd take her shopping this weekend so we can pick up a few more things. The girl should have her own things."
"That won't be necessary," Father turns the sneaker over in his hand. "She ran away and she's probably never coming back."
"She didn't run away," I shout.
"Then what do you call this?" Father points at the evidence.
"She just shifted and went for a run."
"I'd have to agree with Logan," Mother adds. "Although the way you've been treating that girl..."
"Not this again." Father growls. He starts to bend down, and I cringe as I realize he's about to smell Saf's panties. To my relief, he bends lower and searches under the bush instead. "Speaking of clothes, there aren't any here."
"The lilac dress I bought her..." Mother whispers.
My heart hammers in my chest as I remember the silky, purple dress Saf was wearing. Father's right. It's not here, and I don't dare wonder why.
"I'm right. You'll see." Father tosses the sneaker to Beta. "Sam, can you track her from here?"
Beta inhales deeply and jumps to his feet. He turns in a circle, sniffing the ground around us, and then takes off into the forest. This way!
"Shift," Father orders, and we all lose our clothes and follow. Beta has to sniff the ground every few feet, which slows him down considerably, allowing us to catch up. He leads the way further into the forest, Father close on his heels, and Mother and I bringing up the rear.
Kaitlyn? She calls suddenly, and I look around. I can't even remember when I last saw her. Was she in the clearing the whole time? Did she shift when we did? Or did she just go home? I wouldn't put it past her. One time, she walked out in the middle of her shift at Joe's Pizza because she somehow forgot she was working.
Coming, Luna. To my surprise, Kaitlyn sounds like she's almost directly behind us. Mother and I slow to wait for her, while Father and Beta widen the lead.
Kaitlyn, go catch up to Alpha, Mother orders as soon as she comes into view.
Yes, Luna, Kaitlyn speeds up and races ahead. I start to give chase, but Mother intercepts me and slows her pace.
Don't mind your Father, Logan, she says fondly, keeping her voice low, so the others won't hear. You know how he is.
A pain in the flank? I ask and she snorts.
No. And your Father deserves a bit more respect, don't you think? Mother's tone is light and filled with remnants of laughter. I know he's a little hot headed, but it's all part of his charm.
Charm? I mentally roll my eyes, since I can't actually pull off that trick in wolf form. Is that why he accused my mate of betraying our pack?
Mother sighs. Your Father's been through a lot. It makes him a good Alpha, but it also tends to cloud his judgment.
I know. I sigh. You don't believe Saf would betray us, do you?
Of course not. Mother's voice doesn't hold a sliver of doubt. I like your mate a lot, Logan. Saffron's a really sweet girl and she's been through enough. She doesn't need us making it worse.
Tell that to Father.
I'll talk to him when we get home. Right now, lets focus on finding your mate. Then we'll have a nice chat and sort this whole mess out.
Thanks. We speed up and catch up to Kaitlyn, urging her to pick up her pace. Mother flanks her on the left, while I take her right, and we perk up our ears to help us follow Father and Beta.
The path we're on is familiar, and I realize where we're going long before we get there. It's the clearing—that same clearing the girls were in when they got attacked. I flash back to Jasper kneeling next to Zara and to Saf's bleeding, battered wolf. Then, I remember the Rogues, with their throats torn out, and wish I could tear them out all over again.
Logan? Mother asks in concern and lets Kaitlyn pass so she can move to my side.
It takes me a second to realize that I'm barring my teeth and that my wolf is emitting low growls. I force myself to relax and put my feet one after the other as they bring me closer to the clearing.
We're almost there when Father and Beta pull up fast, skidding to a stop as they're about to exit the forest. Kaitlyn crashes into them, which would be hilarious if we were anywhere else but here. I expect Father or Beta to at least reprimand her, but they don't even glance her way. Their eyes are locked on something or someone up ahead.
Saffron! Maybe she came here hoping it would jog her memory. My heart leaps, and I rush forward, only to stop again when the clearing comes into view. I finally see who it is the others are staring at, and it's definitely not Saffron.
Rate this chapter on a scale from ♥ (1) to ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ (10).
1. Who's in the clearing?
2. Any thoughts on Luna and POW?
3. How many people cringed in embarrassment over the white scrap of fabric?
4. Do you guys like the sneak peeks I'm posting on Instagram? Do you want me to keep doing those? Or would you rather I posted something else? [P.S. I'll try to get another STAWP update up this weekend.]
5. Wolf Pack Game: Comment with what you're reading now (one book or story per comment, please!). If you've read it, reply with👍/ 👎. Or 😍😻💕.