Alpha Scent (Amber Woods Shifters)

by Rose, Arabella

  “Mr Buchanan, this is Luke my combat warrior, thirty years of service and this is Brianna, the best tracker in the country, she has been with us for two years now. Is there anything you would like to ask them before we proceed?”

  “Yes, I would like to ask Brianna what she was doing before she came here, where did you work before?” Marcus rumbled.

  Brianna shifted in her seat, trying not to show any nerves, she could do this it was a professional work meeting, nothing more. She had suppressed a growl when he asked her what she had been doing before this, he knew damn well what she did. Ok you want to play wolf, bring it on! Raising her head she met his gaze.

  “I have had various jobs over the years, but decided to use my true skill as a tracker two years ago and have had many successful cases”

  See how you like that

  “What does your pack say about that?”

  Marcus noticed the small flash of pain in her eyes and could have kicked himself, it was obviously very personal.

  “I don’t belong to a pack” she quietly spoke.

  Shit! she had been on her own, unprotected for how many years, at risk. Lone female wolves should always be part of a pack. It was the male’s duty to keep them safe, females were the precious gifts of continuing the wolf line. He wanted to take her straight back to amber woods, welcome her into the pack and keep her safe for all eternity. His wolf agreed. Murdoch interrupted them, obviously feeling an underlying tension.

  “All our employees are lone wolves, once they step inside the organisation they become a very tight nit family, in some respects being a pack”

  “That’s right, we are just one big happy family”

  Luke wrapped his arms around Bri’s shoulders but dropped them suddenly at the alpha vibes of aggression coming off Marcus. Taking the hint he sipped his coffee. Brianna was feeling completely pissed off, this was not going to work, better to back out now, then she could go on the run again, maybe there would be another organisation willing to take her in. She was sure Murdoch would give her a good reference.

  “Murdoch, I think it would be better if you put another tracker on the case”

  “What? You’re the best damn tracker I’ve got, why would I do that?” he bellowed.

  Marcus was on his feet in an instant towering over the table, glowering down at her boss.

  “Speak to her like that again and you will be having your meals through a fuckin straw for a week” he snarled.

  Murdoch gulped, nodding his head in apology. Brianna had never had anyone come to her defence before, she fought her own battles, but hearing the possessive tones in Marcus had goose bumps appearing all over her highly sensitized body. Clearing her throat she stood as well.

  “Look, Murdoch you already have me working flat out on the Mckenzie case, I’m working double as it is, it would make more sense to get another tracker”

  “No, I want you” Marcus spoke firmly.

  She did not miss the hidden message in his words and her body bloody well caved and sent her arousal sky high. She watched as Marcus inhaled and holy crap her eyes were drawn to his huge bulge in his jeans. Prying her eyes away she focused on her boss as the voice of reason.

  “Find another tracker Murdoch, if you pull me off the Mckenzie case there will be hell to pay, not from me but from him. His pack is bad enough on revenge without adding me into the mix”

  Murdoch sighed, rubbing his hands over his face, his expression suddenly weary. Luke shifted in his seat.

  “You can do both Bri, you really good at what you do”

  Her frustration came out as a snarl.

  “I’ve only got one fuckin nose Luke, I can’t be in two places at once”

  He held his hands up in surrender, raising a quizzical eyebrow at her. He had never seen his partner so worked up, what the hell was up with her. One look at the huge alpha and he had some inclination, but he would ask her later, now was definitely not the time. Brianna huffed out a large sigh and moved away from the table, pacing the room, hands on hips. Deciding to try a different tactic she turned quickly, only to run into a wall of muscle and that delicious scent her wolf just wanted to roll around in. Marcus blocked her path and her view of the rest of the room. His eyes were glowing a beautiful yellow shade of amber, reaching out he stroked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

  “I want you baby” his voice was so gentle.

  Her lips parted, her tongue moistening her dry lips. His eyes flashed a darker shade, the sexual energy coming off him was intense. Falling under some kind of trance, an ancient system clicked into place, her wolf jumping up and down in happiness. The sound of someone clearing her throat had her stepping back quickly, walking around to the other side of the table.

  “Alpha? May I speak with you alone?”

  The voice of reason as always, Connor had directed a question at Marcus. He wanted to growl at the beta for interrupting him and his mate but knew he was right, he needed to get away from her scent for a minute or two just to clear his head. Never taking his eyes off her he nodded once at him.

  “We will leave you alone for a while, just press the button on the wall when you are ready for us to return” Murdoch politely spoke.

  Marcus watched as his mate walked away quickly out of the room, he wanted to bring her back, never let her out of his sight, it had taken him two years and he finally found her, it was fated to be in this room, in this moment. Sighing when the door clicked shut he turned to his beta, folding his arms over his chest. Connor was a good friend and would always be honest with him, maybe that’s what he needed now. At six foot, just under the height of Marcus, his build was of a true beta, muscles bunched ready for anything. He watched as he pushed his curly brown hair back off his face, it was permanently unruly lying just below his chin.

  “May I speak honestly alpha?”

  “I’m counting on it”

  “What is going on between you and the tracker Bri?”

  Marcus leaned against the table, crossing his legs in front of him. He knew he could rely on Connor to keep conversations between them safe.

  “Two years ago, I came across her working in bar, it was when I was travelling back from the alpha meeting in northern England. I knew the minute I saw her that she was my mate”

  He paused to look at Connors reaction.

  “Your mate? Holy shit. That’s great Marcus. But I take it things were far from great?”

  “Yeah, to cut a long story short, I practically pounced on her when she left work, the mating call took over, her body was so responsive her wolf wanted my wolf so badly”

  Connor crossed his arms over his chest.

  “What happened?”

  “Believe it or not she knocked me on my back and hightailed it out of there, and until today that was the last I saw of her”

  Connor just stared at his alpha for what seemed an eternity.

  “She knocked you on your back?”

  “Yes and don’t you dare tell anyone, she has hidden alpha blood, I saw some of that before when she tried to overpower me. Shit! There is no way I am letting her out of my sight again, I want her on this case, maybe just to get her up to amber woods to claim her. I don’t want her tracking something that is targeting females, I want to know she is safe and within pack territory”

  “Then how are you going to convince her of that?”

  “Sign the deal, offer double the money, she will have to relocate to amber woods anyway for the case, but once up there I want her as my mate, by my side, not putting herself at risk. She will probably have to bring Luke with her, although he’s pissing me off with how close he is too her, he is of warrior class and they are hard to come by with his amount of experience”

  Connor placed his hands on the back of the chair.

  “Ok, alpha, I will do everything in my power to keep her safe, the pack will as well, do you want them to know she is your mate?”

  “Not yet, I don’t want her freaking out with people congratulating her on findin
g her mate, that part is up to me”

  “Fine, no problem, when the time comes, I will be right behind you”

  “Thank you Connor, now go get the shady wolf Murdoch back in here, sign those papers and get the hell back home”

  Connor laughed as he walked to the door, his alpha certainly had a way with words.

  Brianna pushed open her door with more force than necessary, Murdoch had given her a headache with his pleading for her to take the case. Feeling even more frustrated, she had told him to contact her when Marcus had made a decision. Until then she was officially off duty and she intended to get very drunk down at the local shifter club, maybe meet a rough and ready wolf up for a night of pleasure, help her take her mind of that damn sexy alpha.

  Growling she stripped off her clothes and headed into the shower. The water was soothing, relaxing her tense muscles. Using her favourite soap she lathered it up into white bubbles before scrubbing it across her skin. Her fingers touched her thighs and images of Marcus flashed in her mind, causing her core to clench with unspoken need. The sensation caught her off guard as she gasped leaning on the tiled wall. Get a grip Bri, you can’t have him. It will only bring pain. A single tear fell down her face at the memory once again of the females of her pack watching their mates slaughtered. She had hoped that over time the memory would fade but sadly after fifty years it was still strong as if it had only happened yesterday. Switching the shower off, she wrapped herself in a large bath towel. She needed some female company to help drown her sorrows. Picking up her phone she rang her friend Lizzy. She worked at the organisation as event’s organiser, secretary, admin worker, just about anything she could put her mind to. She was a submissive wolf but she should have been an alpha with her direct no nonsense approach to life. After the third ring she picked up sounding breathless.

  “Hello?”

  “Lizzy, it’s Bri, are you ok? You been out for a run?”

  “You could say that” she purred.

  “Oh dear god tell me I have not interrupted you having sex”

  A growl sounded on the other end of the line and Bri assumed she had guessed correctly.

  “Wait a minute”

  Bri listened as her friend spoke to someone, followed by rustling of sheets, and a door closing, before she picked up again.

  “Sorry, I’m all yours now honey, what’s up?”

  “Seriously you ask me what’s up? I thought you were refraining from sex until you found your mate?”

  Her infectious laugh lifted Brianna’s spirits.

  “Oh well that might be another fifty years, and I can’t go that long without some physical contact, besides Luke is a kind of bed them and move on guy and that’s exactly what I need, and I needed some release, It’s been a while”

  “Luke? You’re sleeping with my partner?”

  “Oh bri, stop being like that, you know you two will never get together in that way. You don’t know what you are missing though, those warriors are hung like a ……..”

  “Lizzy, for the love of god do not finish that sentence, I will never be able to look him in the eye again!”

  Again her laugh echoed down the phone.

  “Ok, what do you need?”

  “You up for a night of fun and frivolity?”

  “Does it involve alcohol?”

  “Yes”

  “Does it involve hot shifters up for some she wolf fun?”

  “Yes and yes! Please say you will come?”

  “Oh honey I already came, three times actually, but to answer your question I would love to, where to?”

  “What about crimson moon?”

  “Wow, a little bit rough and ready bri? I thought you were more of a crescent stars kind of place?”

  “Yeah well the last time I was at crescent stars, I ended up with some fuckin computer nerd with his own business who talked all night about how much money he made and how he should have his own pack because of his skills in management”

  “Oh no, that will not do, ok crimson moon it is, maybe we can get you hitched up with a sexy wolf who likes it rough?”

  Brianna laughed at her friend’s comments, maybe that’s exactly what she needed, find a willing partner, take the edge off, have a clear start tomorrow and move on to another case, one where she did not have to think about six foot one wall of muscle, who sent her nerves on fire.

  “Ok pick you up at seven?”

  “Seven sounds great, see you then honey”

  Brianna relaxed a little. Turning to her wardrobe she debated what to wear. Slutty or sassy? Was that the same thing? Maybe she would wear both? Pulling out the perfect outfit she smiled at the night ahead of her.

  3

  Marcus and Connor had spent the last two hours going over the security systems until they were both satisfied that the case would be treated with upmost confidentiality. Murdoch had been cooperative, to the point where he had arranged a late dinner in his office.

  “So, what do you think Mr Buchanan, I assume that all is to your standard?”

  Marcus pushed his empty plate in front of him, the food was actually not bad, the steak had been done rare just how he liked it.

  “Yes I would be happy to use your service, on one condition”

  Murdoch took a long sip of his brandy before facing the alpha.

  “Which is?”

  “I want Brianna and Luke on the case, nobody else, or the deals off”

  “I am sure that can be arranged, I will have to reschedule some of her work and reassign another team to the Mckenzie case”

  “Do what you need to do, we are prepared to pay double as I am sure my Beta has already mentioned. When is the earliest she can be released from her current duties?”

  Conor smirked at the impatience in Marcus words, Murdoch had no idea that this rapid push to close the deal was more about getting Bri onto pack territory where he could claim her. The beta in him wanted to get on with the case, but he was worried that Marcus would keep her restricted from certain tasks, leaving most of the work up to Luke. The warrior was definitely the one they needed on the case, but he worked as part of a team and that meant Brianna as tracker.

  “Give me a day to sort things out. I am sure they can leave tomorrow. Do you plan to drive up with them or we can send them after they are released from current duties?”

  Marcus was getting really impatient, shit, his ancestors would have just slung her over his shoulder and carried her home. Even though times had changed, there was no mistake of the ancient call of mates. It was ingrained in every wolf DNA. Pulling a hand through his hair he stood up.

  “We will leave with them, the territory is dense and the roads hazardous unless you know the area”

  “Very well, you are more than welcome to stay in the accommodation block tonight. All of our wolves have their own suite of rooms, so that they can be called upon at a moment’s notice”

  “Thank you it has been a long drive today”

  “I will show you to your rooms, if you will follow me”

  Marcus and Connor kept a steady pace behind Murdoch. The building was huge, he pointed out various rooms of interest, probably just to keep the conversation going. The gym and pool was kitted out to the highest standard and he was pleased to see that they gave their wolves an outlet besides work. Murdoch, placed his palm to a scanner, which released a door into what looked like a private hotel.

  “When you are ready to leave in the morning, ring down on the private line so we can release the doors”

  Connor bristled a little, his security stance evident.

  “Any other access route in or out?”

  “No just this, is there a problem?”

  Marcus looked down at Connor, seeing his train of thoughts across his face.

  “I think my beta is just being cautious which is his job, we are used to freedom and lots of open space”

  “Ah, I understand, I am afraid that palm scanners are standard to access the buildings”

  “Don’t worr
y, we are grateful for your hospitality”

  Connor let out a low growl which Marcus immediately stopped with one look. Shaking his head slowly, they continued down the hall.

  “Luke, can I have a word?”

  They both stopped on hearing the warrior’s name. Luke could have cursed when he saw his boss, for fucks sake he was off duty, did the man never have down time? He smiled at the memory of his own, taking pleasure in sweet lizzy, she certainly had stamina which is why he had gone back for main course and dessert. Having just had the most powerful orgasm in a long time, he was sated and had planned to spend the evening watching the game on TV. One look at Murdoch’s face and he was sure his plans were just about to go down the shitter.

  “Hey boss what can I do for you?”

  “The company is taking the Buchanan case on, you and Brianna are on the case, you are due to leave tomorrow”

  “And what about Mckenzie?”

  “I’m reallocating another team”

  “Well good look with that one, that guy gets pissed when his coffee is not the right temperature”

  Murdoch sighed, clearly impatient with his employees tone.

  “I will handle Mckenzie. The alpha and his beta are staying in the accommodation block tonight and will head back with you as early as possible”

  Luke acknowledged them with a curt nod.

  “Can you let Brianna know, she needs to be up to speed”

  Luke averted his eyes for a second, he knew Brianna had gone out with Lizzy and was probably on an all night bender. The alpha towering over every one was watching him intently. Ah shit, Bri is going to kill me.

  “I will tell her first thing in the morning”

  “It needs to be tonight Luke, I want her prepped and ready”

  Marcus scented the wolf’s lies rolling off him, a bitter smell, he stepped closer to him.

  “Well the thing is she’s kind of not here”

  “Hell Luke, where is she?”