Chapter 196
The morning sun barely filtered through the smoke-stained windows of the packhouse when Jake and I started our investigation. The remnants of last night’s terror still clung to the walls—the faint charred scent, the blackened scars marring the east wing.
Jake stood by the map of our territory again, shirt sleeves rolled up, looking maddeningly handsome even in grim circumstances. His hair was tousled, his stubble darkening his jawline.
I might’ve stared a little too long.
"Like what you see, Luna?" he teased, a wicked smirk curving his mouth.
I flushed, heat creeping up my neck. "I'm just wondering how someone with such messy hair became Alpha."
He chuckled, the sound low and warm, and strode toward me. Every step he took felt deliberate, predatory. When he stopped in front of me, he reached out and gently tugged a strand of my hair.
"Says the woman who drooled on me last night while sleeping."
My jaw dropped. "I did not!"
Jake laughed outright, that rare, rich sound filling the office.
I swatted at him playfully, but he caught my wrist, pulling me closer.
"Don't worry, Ayla," he murmured, eyes dancing. "I like it when you drool on me."
"Jake!" I gasped, scandalized and amused all at once.
He kissed my forehead, then finally—mercifully—stepped back toward the map, all business again.
"Alright," he said, voice still carrying a hint of amusement. "Let’s find our traitor."
I straightened my spine, forcing my mind into focus.
The attack had to be someone who knew the packhouse well. Someone who could slip in and out without raising alarms.
Jake and I sat side by side, going over every name, every possible suspect.
"Granger?" I suggested cautiously.
Jake shook his head. "He’s a pain, but he’s loyal. Old-school. If he wanted to challenge me, he’d do it face-to-face, not like this."
I sighed, twirling a pen between my fingers.
"What about outsiders?" I asked. "Anyone new asking too many questions?"
Jake’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "We've had a few newcomers lately. But nothing that screamed threat."
Sophie burst into the room without knocking, her energy a whirlwind.
"Hey lovebirds," she grinned, flopping onto the couch. "Got anything juicy for me to help with?"
"We’re brainstorming suspects," I said, offering her a tired smile.
Sophie perked up immediately, swinging her legs off the couch like a soldier reporting for duty.
"Oooh, can I make a list? I have opinions."
"Only if you promise not to put Mr. Rogers on it just because he stole your favorite parking spot," Jake said dryly.
Sophie sniffed indignantly. "He’s suspicious."
I laughed, feeling a little lighter.
Fatima joined us moments later, carrying a tray of coffee. She handed me a cup with a wink. "You’ll need it. Alpha's grumpy when he's solving crimes."
Jake shot her a mock glare.
Fatima just grinned and sipped her coffee.
Together, we spent hours combing through patrol logs, visitor lists, and supply inventories. Jake was meticulous, his mind sharp and fast. I admired the way he noticed tiny inconsistencies I would’ve overlooked.
He caught me staring at him again at one point and arched an eyebrow.
"Focus, Luna," he said, smirking.
"I am focused," I protested. "Just... multitasking."
"Sure," he drawled.
I stuck my tongue out at him, and he laughed quietly.
By midday, we had a few leads—small ones, but still something.
A missing maintenance worker named Thomas. Supposedly out visiting family, but no one had actually seen him leave.
A delivery that had been signed in the day before the festival—but no record of what had been dropped off.
Both suspicious.
Jake stood up, stretching his arms over his head, his shirt riding up just enough to flash his taut stomach.
I averted my eyes quickly.
Not quickly enough.
Jake caught me staring, again.
"See something you like, Ayla?"
Sophie groaned dramatically from the couch. "I’m leaving before I start gagging."
Fatima cackled and grabbed her arm, dragging her from the room.
Jake prowled closer once they were gone.
"You’re easy to distract today," he murmured, voice thick with amusement.
I poked his chest, pretending to be stern. "Focus, Alpha."
He caught my hand, pressing a slow, deliberate kiss to my knuckles.
My knees almost buckled.
With a final wink, he turned serious again. "Come on. Let’s track down that missing worker first."
We headed toward the worker cabins at the far end of the territory, the air crisp and cool.
Jake's hand brushed mine occasionally as we walked. Every time he did, a shiver ran through me.
The cabins were quiet.
Jake knocked on Thomas’s door, but no answer.
He tried the handle—locked.
Frowning, Jake pulled a key from his pocket and unlocked it.
Inside, the cabin was neat. Too neat.
Everything was packed away. Closet empty. Bed stripped. Nothing personal left behind.
Jake swore under his breath.
"He ran," I said, heart sinking.
"Looks like it."
"But why?" I asked. "If he’s guilty, running makes sense. But if he’s not...?"
Jake didn’t answer. His jaw was tight, eyes cold.
We searched the small space carefully. It was only when I peeked under the mattress that I found something.
"Jake," I called softly.
He came over, kneeling beside me.
There, taped to the underside of the bed frame, was a small, burnt piece of paper.
Jake peeled it off carefully.
It was a torn scrap from a map—our territory map. The east wing circled in red ink.
My blood ran cold.
Jake’s expression turned lethal.
"This wasn’t random," he said quietly. "It was targeted."
We exchanged a look. Whoever had set the fire had planned it carefully.
But Thomas wasn’t a mastermind. He was a low-ranking worker. If he was involved, someone had either bribed or threatened him.
Jake slipped the paper into his pocket.
"We’re not dealing with just an angry pack member," he said grimly. "This is bigger."
I nodded, heart thudding.
We left the cabin, Jake’s hand finding mine again as we walked back.
His grip was firm, reassuring.
"I’m proud of you," he said suddenly.
I blinked up at him. "For what?"
"For being here," he said simply. "For standing beside me through all this."
Warmth bloomed in my chest.
"You don’t have to thank me for that," I said. "You’re stuck with me, remember?"
He smiled that rare, breathtaking smile, full of love and fire.
"Good," he said, tugging me close. "Because I’m not letting you go."
We stopped there for a moment, in the crisp afternoon air, surrounded by pine trees and the quiet hum of our pack recovering behind us.
He leaned down, kissing me slowly, tenderly, until the world faded away.
When we finally pulled apart, Jake rested his forehead against mine.
"We’ll find whoever did this," he promised.
"And we’ll make them regret it," I whispered.
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