Travis County, Texas
Hannah giggled against my ear as we stepped out of the bathroom, and I turned, trying to hush her. “There are kids,” I hissed, raising my brows. “Let’s not wake them, hm?”
In truth, they were on the other side of the house, but it was a good excuse — besides, theywereshifters. I had no idea if they already had their enhanced sense of hearing, but that was not a theory I wanted to test, and certainly not with Hannah.
Thankfully, she seemed to agree, already hurrying down the hall when I heard a third set of footsteps behind us. Frowning, I turned around.Iris?
“I’ll see you outside,” I whispered to Hannah.
As she saw herself out, I turned on Iris and folded my arms over my chest. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I demanded. I didn’t know my half-brother’s house that well, but I damn well knew that it was his office, and there was no reason in the world for this woman to be in it. Ever.
She didn’t even freeze, simply pausing in the hallway as she matched my posture, folding her arms over her chest. My wolf rumbled unhappily, his ears flipping back at her clear insubordination. At the very least, I couldn’t senseherwolf, submissive or obstinate, which was probably for the best. I didn’t need any fuel added to that fire.
“Can I help you?” she asked after a moment as ifshehad caughtmesomewhere I wasn’t supposed to be. She sniffed and looked past me down the hall. “You might want to freshen up before returning to the party.”
I flushed despite myself, using all of my willpower not to take a sniff as well. Ihadcleaned up after fooling around with Hannah — she was just trying to be smart with me. “I asked you what the hell you were doing in Remus’ office,” I growled, fighting not to bare my teeth in a snarl. “And you still haven’t answered me.”
Iris shrugged, clearly unruffled. “I was looking for the bathroom, but I saw a beautiful canvas inside, and I wanted to see if it was signed. That was all.”
I narrowed my eyes. “A beautiful canvas?”
“Yeah — the one with the waterfall and trees. I was curious if it was local, but I couldn’t find a signature without turning a light on, so…” She trailed off with a shrug.
I scowled. “Liar.” There was no way she could have seen that painting waking down the hall in this direction — not without walking into the room and looking around.
Iris raised a brow, not so much as flinching as I called her out. “What? You’ve never seen a piece of art you liked before?” she replied, sticking firmly to her story. “Well, that doesn’t surprise me about you.”
Suddenly, the painting was the furthest thing from my mind. Before realizing what I was doing, I stormed down the hall, reaching out as quickly as a viper to grab her by the elbow. She tried to jerk her arm back, and while I didn’t tighten my grip, I didn’t let go, either. I bared my teeth, no longer caring if it made me look a bit feral. This shifter had no manners. None at all. “You’re worse than a lone wolf,” I growled. When she sneered, I raised a brow, tempted to sniff for the faint scent of a pack. “Youarea lone wolf, aren’t you?”
Iris jerked her arm again, baring her teeth right back at me. “That’s none of your damn business,” she snapped, eyes flashing like dark clouds in a storm. “No wonder you’re just another alpha in just another pack, hm? Your social skills areatrocious.”
As if she has any room to talk.I stiffened and very carefully did not dig my nails into her skin, but oh.Oh.I wasn’t sure if anyone had ever tested my patience like she was right now. My wolf snarled again but didn’t make any further motions towards her; usually, he would be surging against me, insisting that we were paid the respect we deserved. I wasn’t sure what stopped him, but instead of thinking too hard about it, I settled on maturity.
That sounded good.
“Says the woman snooping around her host’s office,” I growled back, tugging her down the hallway. This had gone on long enough. I wasn’t particularly close with Remus, but I still wasn’t about to let rude wolves snoop around his things. Besides — the nursery was on the other side of the house. Who’s to say she wouldn’t bother them next? Or worse?
Iris didn’t struggle much until we reached the front door, and then she finally wrenched her elbow away, rubbing her arm. “You are seriously overreacting to me appreciating a piece of art,” she huffed, raising a brow.
For a moment, I almost felt like she was right — that Iwasoverreacting — but no. I’d walked down that hall more than once. In the direction she was going, she couldn’t have seen it until she stepped inside.Liar. What were you looking for?
I didn’t even address her, looking at the guard by the door instead. “She’s not allowed back inside, am I clear?”
“Crystal,” the large man said, turning his gaze to Iris.
She simply shrugged and opened the door, letting herself out without so much as a look back. I watched her as she walked down the gravel path, but she didn’t even pause. Allowing the guard to shut the door and resume his watch, I retreated to the office, looking around.That woman was looking for something. But what?
Nothing looked out of place. I wasn’t sure if she’d touched anything… but her story did not make sense. There was no physical way, so…What was she looking for?
I left after another moment, furrowing my brow. Nothing in the house seemed out of place, but… I didn’t know it that well. I paced to the other side of the house, taking a brief moment to poke my head into my nephews’ room, but Ryland and Rory were sound asleep. One of them snuffled, and I withdrew, not wanting to wake them.
Ugh. I should probably tell Remus about this…
When I got outside,one of the guards was speaking to Remus. I could see his face fall before he strode over to me.Guess I get no choice in this…
“Dale said you threw someone out of the party?” the alpha asked, his face unreadable.
I braced myself. “I did. I was coming out of the bathroom and saw her stepping out of your office — I assumed you weren’t allowing anyone self-guided tours of your home.”