Chapter 31 · Moonclaim - Chapter 31: Blood Sample

Alaric was already inside.

Leon smelled him before he saw him. Old leather and gun oil and the kind of cold that came off a wolf who'd stopped pretending to be human a long time ago. His father stood by the lab door with his hands behind his back like he was touring a facility he already owned. Two of his pack flanked him. One had Ivy by the arm.

She wasn't fighting. Smart girl. Her face was blank but her pulse was hammering so hard Leon could hear it from across the room.

"You disconnected my call," Alaric said. Not angry. Just stating it.

Leon stayed where he was, one hand still on the counter. The wolf inside him was pacing. It knew what was coming. "You didn't need to bring her into this."

"She brought herself." Alaric's eyes flicked to Ivy, then back. "The hunter's daughter. In my son's lab. I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation."

Leon said nothing. His claws were already pushing at his fingertips. He curled his hand into a fist and forced them back.

Alaric smiled. It didn't reach his eyes. "You've been working on something. A serum. I can smell it on you."