Page 2 of Chain Me Knot

“Career suicide—”

“My lawyers will destroy you—”

“You have no idea who you're dealing with—”

“I'm a personal friend of Commissioner Axel Turns. When he hears about this…” The prime snarls.

My growl silences them. I've heard it all before. Each word just confirms my suspicions. They're trying too hard, projecting too much confidence. Guilty alphas always do.

“There’s no sign of a basement entrance anywhere, Asher,” one of the tactical team reports, frustration evident in his voice as he enters the living area.

“That's because there isn't one,” Matthew spits, but I catch the sharp spike in his scent that betrays his lie.

I crouch in front of him, letting him see the predator in my eyes. My voice drops to a dangerous rumble. “My tech expert says there's an underground level. Where's the entrance?”

“Your 'expert' is wrong.” His expensive cologne can't mask the sour notes of fear.

“Soren doesn't make mistakes.” I lean close enough to see his pupils contract. “Last chance. Where is it?”

The prime's growing panic stinks. “I want my lawyer.”

“You'll get your lawyer,” I promise, my voice dropping to a dangerous place. “After you tell me where you're hiding the omega.”

Matthew Carmichael’s lips curl back, showing teeth in a sneer. “You’ll find this omega alongside the unicorns in my garage.”

The other two alphas snigger but one sharp look from me shuts them up.

My team filters back in, their faces telling me everything before they speak. “The house is clear. No hidden doors, no suspicious walls, nothing.”

I keep my expression neutral, years of practice hiding the doubt gnawing at my gut. Soren’s scans are never wrong. So where is this omega? Where are they hiding them?

The prime’s scent takes on a triumphant note. “Now, if you're done embarrassing yourself and the department…”

The soft whir of the central air cutting in drowns out the rest of his taunt. Sweet, floral honey mixed with bitterness so burnt it hits the back of my throat andkicks. The scent is impossibly thin, smoke on the wind, but there. My whole body becomes rigid, every instinct screaming to attention.

Matthew’s pulse jumps, a tell I wouldn't have caught if I weren't already on high alert. He’s noticed my reaction. More importantly, he'safraidof my reaction. The scent fades, dispersed by the air system, but it doesn't matter.

I detect the scent as well as the prime's micro-expression of panic.

That sweet honeysuckle and vanilla hooks behind my sternum and yanks me to follow the invisible trail, calling to parts of me I didn't know existed. Each breath brings a new urgency, my instincts firing in ways they never have before.

“Ash?” Soren's voice is distant despite his proximity. “What's wrong?”

“Do you smell that?” My voice sounds strange to my own ears. Rougher. I turn to my pack, searching their faces. “Either of you?”

Phoenix takes a deep breath, his brow furrowing. “Just the usual alpha bullshit.”

My boots are silent on the pristine floors as I stalk through the house, every muscle coiled tight. Each step increases the urgency thrumming through my blood until my skin is too tight, too hot. My brothers follow, their confusion palpable through our bond.

“Ash, talk to us,” Soren pleads, but I can barely form words. The scent is stronger now, pulling me toward the kitchen. Forcing each foot in a certain direction. Closer. Closer.

My fingers trail along the expensive marble countertops, every nerve ending hypersensitive as I search. The scent grows stronger near the butler’s pantry, and I'm inside before I consciously decide to move. I shove aside a row of glass canisters. They crash to the floor, organic quinoa and designer pasta spilling across imported tiles. The sound barely registers.

“Ash?” Phoenix's voice holds a note of panic.

I'm already emptying the next shelf, expensive spice jars joining the chaos at my feet. “That scent... can't you smell it?”

It's stronger here, definitely stronger. My movements become more frantic with each passing second, that scent driving me to near madness. Another shelf cleared; more artisanal ingredients scattered.

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