Zara

I wasn’t sure what Alpha Kane was looking for. It was practically impossible to detect anything. Flashing lights and a crowd of dancing people made it difficult to concentrate. Although I could smell wolves throughout the club, it was diffuse and difficult to pinpoint.

Either there were many wolves here, or just one, who, unfortunately, moved very quickly. Unfortunately, I was betting on the latter.

Carter and Wade were the first to break away from the crowd and head in different directions.

Sophia followed Alpha Kane and me to the bar.

"You’ve got a good view of the VIP area from here," Wade told us over the mental link. "We can’t help you once you’re behind us."

"You’ll be close enough to come if we call you," Alpha Kane’s voice was harsher than usual. "Watch the doors and blend in."

"Are you ready?" Alpha Kane turned to me, his honey-colored eyes meeting mine. It was hard not to stare at Alpha Kane standing so close, but I managed.

"There’ll be plenty of time once we get Ryan," Nova murmured approvingly.

"Let’s do this," I breathed, my worried eyes burning into Alpha Kane’s. I felt his calm permeate our mental bond. Alpha Kane was certain of what we were about to do tonight.

His willpower was equal to mine, and I wondered how far he would go to get my brother back. Judging by the glance he gave me, he was willing to go quite far.

Alpha Kane extended his hand, waiting for me to step forward. My torso pressed against his, his arm resting on my shoulders.

I inhaled his intoxicating scent deeply, desperately trying to clear the scent of wolves from my nose. Though his cologne and woodsy scent were all I could smell, the cloyingly sweet scent still lingered.

I melted, pressed against Alpha Kane’s body, as if I were made for him. His fingers traced patterns on my shoulders, sending shivers down my spine.

Alpha Kane walked ahead, maneuvering between us and the scattered groups of people. Some danced as we passed, their wandering fingers brushing against my lower back. Though Alpha’s eyes blazed with anger, Alpha Kane took no action against the human whose hands wandered.

A small group of girls stopped Alpha Kane and me, their intense gaze telling me everything I needed to know. They were all lightly dressed, barely covering their buttocks.

Despite their attempts to flirt with Alpha Kane, the group of girls actually looked good. Even with the jealousy overwhelming me, I wasn’t one to pick on someone about their clothes.

We reached the back of the club and stood at the corner of the velvet rope. There were a few fewer people there, and the clothes were much nicer and more expensive.

The VIP area was filled with wealthy-looking people. Two guys at a table were wearing suits, as if they’d just returned from work.

A huge man stood at one of the back doors, keeping a watchful eye on everyone. He looked almost identical to the one at the main entrance. Both were larger than linebackers, with massive heads and arms like tree trunks.

The man glanced at our lines and, with a grunt, unclipped the velvet rope to let us through. Although it was difficult to detect his scent, I was almost certain he was human.

Somewhere deep down, I wondered what his parents looked like. What the... Could humans have created such a huge man?

"Focus on the task," Nova muttered, snorting at me in irritation.

"What are you doing here, fuck?" the big man winced, his voice as menacing as his body.

"I bet." Alpha Kane smirked, looking at the human with a mocking expression. My heart was pounding in my chest, but the big guy didn’t seem embarrassed. "You have a lot of. Do you have any fuck like that?"

"You have a lot. Mostly strays." The human chuckled, his face a grotesque, unyielding mask. "Most of them aren’t dressed very nicely. Never seen you before."

"Have you been here long, human?" Alpha Kane said the word "human" as if it were an insult. The smirk on his chiseled face remained intact, but his eyes gleamed dangerously.

I have to hand it to the guy; he definitely had balls. Not a single member of our pack and all in the Sterling Empire would look down on Alpha Kane. It was considered disrespectful, but that never stopped me.

I was sure the big guy noticed the murderous glint in Alpha Kane’s eyes. He knew who we were, and I was sure he knew his employers were werewolves.

He must have been used to dealing with us, hot-tempered creatures. The bouncer looked away, feeling the power radiating from Alpha Kane in dark waves.

Without another word, the bouncer stepped aside and led us into another room.

I’d never been in a warehouse before, but I’d always imagined it as a brightly lit, spacious space with people milling about, working on machines.

The back of the warehouse had been completely redone, and I wondered how long it had taken to get everything in order.

Dark walls, hardwood floors, and brightly glowing chandeliers. Large velvet sofas lined the walls, like a movie theater. Young men in tuxedos strolled around the room with trays of champagne and glasses of a dark red liquid that I hoped was wine.

The back half of the warehouse was partitioned off by a temporary wall.

Alpha Kane walked into the room without hesitation, as if he’d been there countless times before. There was a calmness in his movements that I envied. I ran my fingers along the hem of my dress, trying to calm my trembling hands.

The sickly sweet smell was much stronger here. Several people were sitting on the same couches, looking around the room. Some turned to look at Alpha Kane and me.

I could feel their gazes on my skin and somehow knew they were wolves. I couldn’t smell any specific scent, but some hidden instinct told me so.

"Relax, you look like you’re going to puke," Alpha Kane muttered over the mental link. I was acutely aware of the presence of four other beings in my mind and knew Sophia and the boys would overhear our silent conversation.

"No," I grumbled, resisting the urge to wince as I looked at Alpha Kane.

"Drink up, relax. Once they see your expression, they will know you."

Irritation washed over me, but I forced myself to keep a calm expression. A deep chuckle echoed in my head as Alpha Kane sensed my irritation. I let my excitement build, glancing around the club.

Alpha Kane led us to one of the velvet couches. Suddenly, Alpha Kane sat down on the couch, placing his hands on my hips and pulling me down. I landed in his lap, forcing a smile as he bit my chin.