(Alaric’s POV)

’There~ .... it is coming from that side,’ Alex told me. I wasted no time and made my way. Even after concentrating so hard, the smell that was wafting was rather faint, coming and going. But that didn’t stop me. ’But why is it coming inside the mansion? Is that~ ... shameless woman in here? Is she trying to hide herself with others~ ... or is she plotting something?’ Several questions popped up in my head.

’We are getting near,’ Alex uttered as we both realized it was the way to Jacob Larson’s room. ’Why would that foul odour come from his room? Is he~ ....’ He didn’t get to complete his question as the door started to open.

"Mr. Alaric, what are you doing here?" Jacob asked me, his expression filled with surprise as he stepped out of his room. He wasn’t alone, though. There was that guy, Stephens, with him, Healer Hector and other healers. But what caught my eye was the other party. Garry Yates and his secretary were also present.

"I was just passing by," I replied coolly. "Mr. Yates senior, fancy seeing you again~ ...." I spoke.

"My pleasure, COO Everests. I just came to inquire about Chairman Larson’s health. I heard from my granddaughter that you and your family were invited to the dinner by the Miracles. Didn’t you go there?" Garry asked, his tone friendly.

"No, I had a meeting to attend, so I didn’t. But others have gone," I said, trying to whiff out who that stench was coming from. The smell of herbs and tonics, coming from the vampire king and the healers, was overpowering my senses. It was interfering with my search.

"Ahh~ ... work comes first~ ... I completely understand that," saying this, Garry then turned to Jacob and said, "You don’t need to walk me out on your own. You are still in your recovery period. Prof. Stephens can do that instead. You should rest now."

"Very well, then~ ... Have a safe journey, Garry. Fabian, escort our guest out," Jacob wished him.

’These two, I knew that they were well acquainted, but they looked a bit too chummy,’ Alex commented again.

With a quick nod in my direction, "COO Everests, it’s time to take my leave," Garry started to walk away with Fabian beside him, his secretary in tow. As the three of them passed by me~ .... I smelled the trace of that odour again. My eyes turned sharp as I gazed at their receding figures one by one. ’Why is that stench coming from them? I thought~ ... it was~ .... and which one is it coming from?’ Alex questioned.

I keenly observed the three. Fabian and Garry were talking about Garry’s granddaughter, Yelena, while the assistant quietly followed them. My eyes darted down, trying to look for any trace, but there was none. Just when I was about to turn my head to the other side, that’s when I noticed something~.... blood?

Garry, who was wearing a brown suit, had a bloodstain on the hem of his pants. To the naked eye, it won’t even be visible, and the people who could see it would probably think that it was just dirt, but~ ... with one glance I know~ ... I know it is dry blood. In my twenty-eight years as a Lycan wolf, I have seen more blood than anyone can ever imagine. So, I was sure it was dried blood. Dried blood of the woman who was one of the accomplices with those filthy vampires, who dared to touch Myra. It was Zara Long’s rotten smell.

I have been searching for the Longs for the past week, but there has been no sign of them. No one knew about their whereabouts. I even personally went to their house to look for them, but it was deserted. Though there wasn’t any human presence, from there and our earlier meeting in the HoD’s office, I picked up the couple’s bitter, rancid scent, so it was stuck in my mind.

’Garry Yates? Why does he have that wench’s blood on him? Is he behind all this? Mother has also pointed out some odd things about him and told me to investigate him. My mind raced with thoughts. ’But what can his motive be? Did he take them to punish them, or is he hiding them, trying to cover his tracks?’ Alex sounded suspicious. ’Something is definitely fishy.’

"Young Alpha Alaric? What are you looking at?" Jacob’s voice echoed beside me as I quickly snapped out of my thoughts.

"Nothing. I was just thinking, how did you and Mr. Yates senior get to know each other? He isn’t a local," I told him.

"Uhh~ ... Garry and I go way back," he mumbled vaguely. "He has helped me a lot."

"Really?" my brows arched, ready to touch my hairline. "Tell me more about it."

"Ummhmm~ .... it’s a long story," he said, sighing.

I was in a pinch now. The meeting was still on hold, and the time was almost up.

"I would like to hear it, unfortunately, I am in the middle of a meeting right now. The break is almost over~ .... so, I need to go," I said.

"Ohhh~ ... that’s alright. Go ahead," he replied.

I walked back to my room, and the first thing I did was to make a call, "Hello. I asked you to find out about Garry Yates. How is it going?"

"Young Alpha, I will have gathered the information and sent it to you by midnight," my subordinate Shade replied.

"Put a tail behind him. And check where he has been for the past three days. Attach the information to the report. Don’t leave a single detail. Got it," I ordered.

"Yes, young Alpha," the answer came as I disconnected the call. ’If Garry Yates is behind Myra’s kidnapping or has anything to do with it, then the danger has still not been warded off. I need to talk to her and warn her. Once the meeting is over~ .... I will need to make a visit to Myra.

To Be Continued . . . . . . . . .