“Uh…” I shook my head. “Right.”
“That’s it? Right? I just handed you the entire case on a platter, and you can’t even give me a sarcastic response?”
“Ass,” I grumbled.
“That’s better. Now, what do you know?”
Sadly, less than him it seemed. And didn’t that bust my chops. I’d been working this case since it’s infancy, and I hadn’t put together near as much. “What I’m trying to figure out is how these two know each other. Brittany was set to mate with one of our own. She and David have been paired up for a while now. And, last I saw, they were blissfully happy. So, Ditton’s presence is here is disconcerting. When you walked in, I was checking her scent. She reeks of him. And not in the I hate you, let’s kill each other way.”
“You mean in the bumping uglies sort of way?”
I grimaced. “For lack of a better term. Every scene so far matches this situation. But Brittany was the first one to have a mate out there.”
“Or soon-to-be, anyway.”
“Right.” I strode over to Ditton and stared down at him. “So, why is he here?”
“Guess she was having a little fun on the side.”
I shook my head. “Not Brittany.”
“Clearly, yes, Brittany.”
“No,” I snapped. “You didn’t know her. She was dedicated to David. They were sickeningly sweet together.”
Knox shot me a droll look. “What does that have to do with anything? You can be dedicated to someone and still get your rocks off with a stranger.”
I didn’t even want to know. Ignoring that statement, I walked toward her front door and studied it. Just like Knox had said. No forced entry. “So, she lets him in. They become intimate with one another, and then what? Rip each others’ throats out?”
“Would appear to be the situation.”
I turned back to Knox. “But why?”
“That’s what we’re here to figure out, isn’t it?”
Nodding, I strolled around the room and eyed the debris. The cops had done exactly the same thing when I’d first arrived, but who knew, maybe they’d missed something. They didn’t know Brittany like I did. Except, everything seemed normal—other than the complete demolition of the room.
I rounded the corner of her footboard and stopped. “What’s that?”
“What?” Knox asked.
“There. Under the duvet. There’s something green. You see it?” I waved over to the nearest cop. “Hand me some gloves.”
“Uh, ma’am, you can’t touch anything.”
I turned and unleashed the full brunt of my stare on the young cop. “Gloves. Now.”
The man practically squeaked under his breath as he handed over a pair. And this was why I was here. The police hadn’t a clue how to handle werewolves or the supernaturally-inclined society.
Footsteps approached from behind before Knox’s overwhelming presence shadowed over me.
Ignoring his hovering, I crouched and peeled back the blanket, my head cocking as I studied what appeared to be—“Is that…mistletoe?”
Knox lowered beside me, his thigh brushing against mine. Oddly enough, I didn’t feel an urge to push him away.
Instead, I leaned forward and plucked the wreath of mistletoe up from the ground, the thistles sharp against my skin. “Odd.”
“What do you mean? It’s just mistletoe,” Knox murmured.
“Sure, but did you see any other Christmas decorations?”
He stole a glance around the room. “Not a single piece.”
“Exactly. So why would she have mistletoe?”
He turned, and our gazes met. This close, I could count his eyelashes. And his scent…I leaned into him and inhaled, reveling in his woodsy aroma. Part of me was tempted to brush my nose against the thick column of his throat, see if every inch of him was equally delicious.
“Rumor?”
The sound of his voice dragged me back to the task at hand. Clearing my throat, I lowered the mistletoe back to the ground and rose.
Knox took my cue and followed. “What are you thinking?”
“I don’t know.” I blinked and shook out my head, my thoughts a bit fuzzy. All this death was finally getting to me—that had to be it. No way in hell I was attracted to Knox. “But I think it’s time to report to my father. And you with your brother.”
A crooked smile tugged on Knox’s lips. “Please, Eli doesn’t have a clue I’m here, and doesn’t care about all this.”
“Wait, what? Then why are you here?”
Knox turned and pinned me with a stern stare. “Because someone needs to give a shit.”
“And that someone is you?”
“Maybe.”
I shook my head. “I don’t buy it. Why are you really here?”
He leaned forward, a wicked grin spreading across his face as he held my gaze. “Maybe I’m here for you.”
“Doubtful.” I laughed. “Fine, if you don’t want to tell me, that’s your prerogative. But I, on the other hand, do have an alpha I need to report to. So, if you don’t mind…”
Knox stepped back. “By all means.”
I reached for the mistletoe, this time conscious enough to use gloves. It was evidence, after all. “I’ll show this to my father.”
“The mistletoe?”
“There’s something off about it. You don’t feel it?”
“It stinks of magic, but that’s about it.”
I froze. “It what?”
“It stinks. You can’t smell it?”
I lifted it to my nose and inhaled. But the only scent I could pick up was Knox’s. “I can’t smell anything but you,” I growled.
“Kinky,” Knox teased. “Let me know if you or your father turn anything else up.” With a small salute, he turned and strode out of the room.
Finally, I could breathe again. And sure enough, the mistletoe stunk of magic.
Curious.
Want more?
Order Howling Under The Mistletoe on Amazon now!
About the Author
Gwen Knight is a Canadian girl currently living in Jasper, AB. She graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a degree in Archaeology and Geography. Her interests consist of playing in the dirt, designing elaborate snow forts, boating, and archery. She enjoys meeting new people and can be followed on Facebook and on Twitter. You can also subscribe to her newsletter here.
* * *
For more information:
Also by Gwen Knight
A Howls Viking Romance
My Viking Wolf
A Baby for the Viking Wolf
* * *
Wolffe Peak Series
Reach for the Sky
Whispers in the Dark
Sealed with a Kiss
Written in the Stars
* * *
Meet Your Alpha Series
How to Meet Your Alpha