Bloodbound to the Lycan King Chapter 67 67

Asher

The house Griffin leads to is no different from the others.

Griffin pushes the door open without knocking. No courtesy, not even a perfunctory tap. Interesting.

Inside feels bare, even more than a model ho. There are no photos. No art. Nothing personal. Even rrick's pretentious display of wealth had so semblance of life to it. This place resembles a vacant rental property.

There is furniture, though.

Wolf-Eye erges from what must be the kitchen with Victoria trailing behind. His shoulder brushes against hers, a short-lived point of contact, and it speaks volus. The faint whiff of her scent clings to him.

He catches my eye and winks, that insufferable smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.

"Where are the other two?" I ask Wolf-Eye, scanning the barren living room.

"Upstairs." Wolf-Eye jerks his thumb toward the ceiling. "The wizard doesn't like being around shifters. Gets the shakes." He drops his voice to a mock whisper. "I think we scare him."

Victoria chuckles.

"And Evan?"

"In another bedroom."

Confined. Good.

Griffin clears his throat. "If that's all, High Alpha, I'll return to Alpha rrick. We still have the banquet to arrange—"

I wave him off with a dismissive hand. His eagerness to leave is palpable, but I don't think it's from my display of dominance earlier. He seems more comfortable now that we're here.

Letting my gaze wander to Victoria, I ask, "Is this your ho?"

"Yes, High Alpha." There's a tightness around her eyes, and the faint scent of deception. "I hope it ets your standards."

I cast another glance around the clinical space. "It seems rather large for a single woman."

"It serves multiple purposes." Her eyes don't quite et mine. "Guest lodging when needed. Work space when the den gets crowded." She gestures vaguely toward a closed door. "I have a ho office through there."

The practical explanation doesn't align with the emptiness. A multi-purpose space would show signs of its various uses. This place resembles a blank canvas.

Strange. My assumption they brought here in order to show their legitimacy seems… wrong.

If they wanted to present their pack life as an acceptable twist of shifter society, it's a little too strange. Almost as if their families live elsewhere, and their presence here is little more than a performance.

There is too little life in this place. They have another purpose for inviting here.

Fenris grunts. Your brain has beco exceptional since accepting Violet.

"I'm surprised you aren't mated with a few pups running around by now," I tell Victoria, leaning into a side of I rarely access. My lips curve into a friendly smile, and I can see Wolf-Eye twitch.

He's always uncomfortable when I act, as he calls it, normal.

Victoria glances away. "Not everyone follows the sa path, High Alpha. I like my work."

"Of course." I keep my tone light, but file away her reaction. Another piece in this strange pack's puzzle.

Wolf-Eye clears his throat. "Victoria has been kind enough to offer her ho instead of putting us up at the den. Isn't she sweet, Asher?"

"Very."

Victoria's blush is expected, and Wolf-Eye slides an arm around her waist. She leans into him naturally.

For a woman who claims she would prefer work to pups, her body language says otherwise. She seems a little dazed by my beta's affection.

"Would you like to see where you'll be staying?" she asks, with a shy glance toward Wolf-Eye. "There are four bedrooms. One is for you, and your beta has already settled your guests into the others. The last is mine."

Wolf-Eye grins, pulling her a little closer as he says, "Don't worry, boss. You won't have to share."

His charm is irritating and inauthentic, but Victoria seems to love it. A soft giggle escapes her, at odds with her no-nonsense deanor at our first eting.

The performance is nauseating, but I keep the fake smile on my face. The mont I show any discomfort, Wolf-Eye will ramp up his efforts—it's his favorite amusent.

If he wasn't my beta…

But he is.

Unfortunately.

You share such a strange friendship.

"I believe I'll explore the place myself, if that's acceptable."

Victoria's eyes flicker behind . It's a microsecond of reaction before she plasters a bright smile on her face. "Of course, High Alpha. My ho is your ho."

"We have a couple hours before this banquet, correct?"

"Yes, High Alpha."

"Would you mind checking with Griffin about the hospital contact I requested? I'd like regular updates about my mate's condition."

Victoria's smile falters. A frown creases her forehead, and an acrid scent spikes off her.

Wolf-Eye spins her around with fluid Violet, lifting her chin as he brushes a kiss against her lips.

My eye twitches.

"You're a gem, Victoria," he murmurs. "Completely wasted in Fiddleback. What would they do without you?"

Her transformation is imdiate, her discomfort disappearing as she softens in my beta's embrace.

He plays her like a violin. You should take notes.

No.

Wolf-Eye's manipulation is effective, but his gestures are empty, lacking true affection. Violet and I have so much more between us.

Victoria remains silent for several beats, lost in whatever fantasies Wolf-Eye planted with his feigned respect and admiration. Then she blinks, returning to the present mont. Her smile, when she turns back to , seems more genuine.

"I'll contact Griffin right away, High Alpha. You should be getting your updates shortly."

I nod, watching her pull out her phone and step into her supposed office. The door clicks shut behind her.

"Subtle," I tell Wolf-Eye once she's gone.

He shrugs, dropping the charming facade as we head upstairs. He lowers his voice. "While you were at the hospital with our new Luna, I did a sweep of this place. Nothing out of the ordinary. No obvious traps."

"But?"

"But there's no way this is her actual ho. No personal items, not even a spare toothbrush in the bathroom cabinet."

I grunt. "That much was obvious."

"Oh? And here I thought I was being clever." He rubs the back of his neck with a sigh. "Sothing's off about this pack. They don't seem dangerous, but they're planning sothing. I can feel it."