Chapter 37: Scentless intruder
Kaden’s massive pitch-black wolf burst through the trees like a living shadow. A blur of sleek muscle and lethal power. His paws barely touched the ground as he raced forward. Each powerful stride sent leaves and twigs snapping violently beneath him. The wind whipped through his dark fur carrying the sharp scent of pine damp earth and crushed foliage. His golden eyes glowed with predatory focus missing nothing. Every broken branch, every disturbed patch of moss and every faint paw print told him exactly where the intruder had gone.
His mind connected instantly with Maverick through the pack link. ’Secure the forest perimeter. Check for any other intruders. Make sure no one escapes.’ He relayed the instructions with urgency. His focus was on the chase, just as it had been a moment ago, when he wasn’t with Yuki by the river.
Every nerve in his body was on high alert. He couldn’t ignore his instincts.
’Alright Alpha. I will also contact Xavier.’ Maverick replied immediately.
The name alone sent a flicker of irritation through Kaden but he shoved it aside. This was not the time for personal feelings. Xavier was one of the most promising young warriors. That explained his attitude and there was a good chance Xavier might be the next gamma too. ’Make sure the perimeter is secured.’
Maverick’s voice came through his mind shortly after. ’ They are moving out now. Should we inform the alpha in case we need the gamma.’ Maverick suggested that they sense the urgency of the situation.
Kaden rejected the idea immediately. It had nothing to do with his current relationship with his father. It was simply because they couldn’t bother Alexander with such a little matter.
Ravencourt was enormous and Alexander didn’t have to be bothered about a single intruder they weren’t sure posed any real danger. ’ Don’t inform my father yet. One intruder isn’t worth his attention.’ He cut off the mind link.
Kaden wasn’t the alpha yet although he had some authority in pack security, the one in control of the pack’s main force was the gamma. Kaden did have his group of elite warriors personally under his jurisdiction he used in cases of emergency which Maverick was part of in cases of emergency.
The chase deepened into the heart of the ancient forest. Trees blurred past in streaks of green and brown. The roar of the waterfall faded behind him, replaced by the thunder of his own heartbeat and the rush of wind in his ears. He could see the intruder’s tracks clearly now. Deep gouges in the soft soil and fresh claw marks on tree trunks.
A grey wolf came into view, it was unnaturally fast for a regular warrior which made Kaden more adamant on catching it, but Kaden was faster.
He was more determined to find this person. Crossing into Ravencourt’s strongest hold in their territory without detection and sneaking around the pack house was fishy and out of bounds for outsiders. An ordinary spy couldn’t pull that off
His muscles burned with explosive strength as he pushed harder. His hind legs launched him forward in powerful bursts that left deep craters in the earth.
A glimpse of grey fur flashed between the trees ahead. A low thunderous growl rumbled from Kaden’s chest vibrating through the forest. He charged forward with fangs bared, closing the distance in a blur of black fury. He was so close. The grey wolf sensed the danger and twisted at the last second spinning with shocking agility and slashing out with razor-sharp claws. They nearly caught Kaden’s face.
He jerked back just in time but the movement sent him crashing sideways into a thick tree trunk. Bark exploded outward from the force. A sharp blinding pain shot through his shoulder and ribs. Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth as he collapsed on the ground
The pain was so blinding he couldn’t hide it through the bond he shared with his brothers fast enough for them not to feel it. He could immediately feel Killian and Kieran trying to reach him through their bond. Their concern slammed into him like a wave. Kaden snarled and blocked them out completely. He needed to focus on the chase, his irritation peaked.
Who was this bastard?!
He pushed himself up ignoring the burning pain and continued the chase. The grey wolf had gained a small lead but Kaden refused to lose it. He followed the marks left by the grey wolf.
The forest grew denser. Branches whipped at his face. His paws pounded against the ground sending dirt and leaves flying. The intruder’s lack of scent was becoming more obvious now. No trail of fear or personal marker, there was nothing. That alone made Kaden’s instincts scream danger. He pushed forward relentlessly until the trees suddenly thinned. He skidded to a halt at the edge of a cliff, claws digging into the soft earth to stop himself. Debris crumbled and fell into the ravine below.
The grey wolf was gone. Like it vanished.
Kaden stood at the edge chest heaving. Golden eyes scanning the drop. The forest continued far below but the jump was too dangerous even for him. Frustration and irritation boiled in his chest. He had been so focused on the chase that he had missed the most critical detail. The intruder had no scent at all.
Something was very wrong.
He reached out through the mind link to his father, unable to bury the uneasy feeling any longer. ’Dad I feel like we have a breach of security. A spy might be hiding in the forest around the pack house.’
Alexander’s response came instantly sharp and alert. ’I will get the Gamma on it immediately and return as soon as possible.’
Kaden remained at the cliff’s edge for a moment longer. Blood was still trickling from his wounds. The wind howled through the ravine below. His golden eyes narrowed. Whoever that grey wolf was, it was no ordinary intruder. And the fact that they had come so close to the pack house especially with the Spring Festival approaching sent a cold warning through his veins.
This forest was going to be used for the festival. His gaze darted around, he couldn’t ignore the prickling feeling on his skin like he was being watched.
Without scent markers as long as the wolf didn’t make any sound and left no visible marks it could easily hide in the heavy forest cover.
Far away hidden by the forest canopy a pair of sharp eyes watched him from the shadows. The wolf lay low, cursing his luck for running into Kaden. That bastard was too fast. A voice cut through the wolf’s mind.
’Stay low for now. The perimeter is being surrounded. ’ a cold voice instructed.
’ Yes, alpha.’
