The Blood Moon

Coward

"You know who would remember what happened in that hour?" I asked, my voice reaching a screechy level as I realized that not only would I be booked for the werewolves' version of a guillotine if we couldn't prove my innocence, but apparently I'd also be the catalyst of a pack war.

I waited for a single second and when no one answered me, I spoke the obvious conclusion that was being ignored.  "Heather!"

I threw my hands out as the frustration burst from chest, but neither Kyra nor Everett seemed to feel the shockwave of my explosion.  Instead, they stood in various degrees of contemplation.

"She's not accessible right now," said Kyra, "and you're far easier to talk to."

"That and we have talked to her already," added Everett.  "Ryan and Heather were the ones that first reported Alpha Zachary's absence in the morning.  Heather told us about her assignment, which was given to her by the alpha several hours earlier, and then directed us to where she last saw him."  He then paused and shook his head.  "And that's where we found him.  His body was a short distance from Antonov's estate, half naked, filled with holes, and drenched in a deodorant serum."

"A deodorant serum?" I asked with a raise of my brow, my voice cooling as curiosity claimed me.  "Like someone took a can of deodorant and sprayed it on him?"

"It's a cheap potion that you can pick up in most mage-owned convenience stores."  Everett shrugged and crossed his arms.  "You'd think it would take a lot to trick a wolf's nose, but all you need is a giant vat of vinegar, baking soda, and a mage's special touch, and then you have a serum that can instantly nullify any scent.  I mean, we could have tracked him once he was reported missing, but it would have taken a few days before we would have smelled the decay and realized there was a dead body within our town limits."

"Makes Heather sound more suspicious to me," I said with a slight pout.

"She is a person of significant interest," stated Kyra.  "However, she is also the pack's new alpha mate and we cannot walk into an interrogation with her lightly."

"Alpha mate?" I inquired, my question more hesitant this time as I tried to meet Everett's eyes.

"Wolves have an innate ability to sense an optimum mate to couple with," answered the vampire.  "For werewolves there is a natural pull towards this mate.  Many theorize on why that is, but I suspect it has to do with their superior sense of smell.  Wolves can detect the slightest variations in pheromones and deduce whether a mate could be the perfect match for producing superior offspring.  The wolf community calls these special unions "bonded mates," but when it is the mate of an alpha, they inherit a certain level of political status by association."

"Alpha mates are untouchable," said Everett in a low growl, his eyes finally rising to meet mine, and though his gaze was marred by strands of his shaggy hair, it still pierced me in a way that sent a warm sizzle along my skin.  The sensation provoked a shiver that left me feeling flushed.  When I returned my eyes to his, I found a slight smile upon his lips.

"To attack an alpha is to pose a challenge," continued the werewolf, "to attack an alpha's bonded mate is to court death.  Which is why we are avoiding the political uproar that will ensue if we were to drag Heather in here."

"But," I said, now finding myself unable to look at the rugged sheriff, "you do think she has something to do with all this?"

"Our theories from the start have included both Heather and the Alpha Ryan," answered Kyra.  "Considering your run-in earlier in the day, their involvement seems even more likely.  However, this will be easier to navigate if we know the entirety of your side of the matter."