Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 183: Lyre: Do You Sense It?

LYRE

The moment we hit the Fiddleback subdivision, the arcana changes. It’s darker, but strangely clean despite the undercurrent of blood magic seeping the land.

I notice the house before Jack-Eye points it out, because it glows like a beacon of bright arcana.

"That’s where they had us stay," he says, as expected.

On the outside, it looks no different from the others. I’m sure the wolves wouldn’t be able to sense how unique this particular domicile is. Perhaps even Fiddleback didn’t know.

The moment we enter, the smell hits. It’s not a physical scent—nothing the wolves would notice. But it’s like a lingering odor clinging to the threads of arcana, mixed with sweat, wolf musk, and the unmistakable residue of werewolf sex.

One scent stands out with embarrassing clarity.

I glance at Aaron from the corner of my eye. "You worked hard."

The flush crawls up his neck like wildfire, starting below his collar and racing across his cheeks. He scratches at his head, fingers tangling in his red hair.

"I was—" he starts.

I wave a dismissive hand, already uninterested in his explanation before it begins. Something else has caught my attention.

"Owen," I say, cutting Aaron off mid-stammer. "Do you sense it?"

The angel-descendant’s silver eyes narrow, his jaw tightening as he gives a single, grim nod. "Yes."

"Sense what?" Aaron looks between us as the blush slowly recedes. "What are you talking about?"

Owen just smacks him on the shoulder and moves deeper into the house, methodically checking rooms.

with a scowl.

bothering to explain

he follows. I’m sure he’s trying to think up a way to explain this

"Getting close to potential informants is

expected. But he overestimates my interest. This isn’t new information about the

"Mmm."

to the source of that strange energy signature. It’s too orderly, too perfect—like someone took the chaotic weave

is empty of personal effects, outside of what the

stronger. The room reeks of

his throat awkwardly. "There was nothing serious between

to stare at him, genuinely surprised by the comment. "Why

face does something complicated—relief mixing with what might be disappointment.

hope, so I don’t. We can always settle it later, if it comes down to it. But not in the middle

Priorities matter.

return my attention to the room, extending my senses beyond the physical as I inspect the threads of arcana, perfectly

sense it before? Another in his territory should have

silver eyes

twist down.

gaze sweeping the room without focusing on anything physical. I

does that—inserts himself into my space like he belongs there. But I don’t

does that, though. His fists are tight,

way to tell how long it’s been this way, or how many people have touched it.

isn’t impossible. Unlikely, though. Especially in this

talking about?" Aaron interrupts, his breath tickling my ear. as he gets even closer.

reason, his scent is getting on my nerves, especially mixed as it is with the history of this

I tell him