He glanced around the room at the distinctive powders on the floor and started to understand why the human had taken the break in so personally. Thanks to the thief, men like this one in the mug shot would be able to go free, and all because of some stupid pills. Remembering why he’d come, he focused on his sense of smell and began separating the several scents in the room.
Finally, he was able to get past the woman’s scent and the hundreds of different drugs and pick up the scent of the werewolf. He recognized the scent from the one in the woods. Well, at least they suntil had only one traitor to deal with. Being careful of his step he left the wrecked room and walked out of the crime lab. They thanked the officer and walked back to the car. “So?” Tony asked, wanting to know what he had found.
“It’s the same scent as the kidnapping,” James told him and Tony was silent as he started the car.
“So where to next?” Tony asked as they left the parking lot.
“Well, your dad wants me to check out the local hot spots to see if I can put a face to the traitor. Since it’s getting pretty late the best place to get started is probably Lupin’s,” he explained. Tony nodded, started the car, and drove towards the exclusive werewolf bar.
The bar descended into complete silence as soon as James entered. All eyes followed him with fear, suspicion, and blatant mistrust as he and Tony walked up to the bar and ordered a couple of beers. “Damn, remind me never to bring you along if I want to go unnoticed,” Tony said shaking his head and James gave him a weak smile as they sat down. Once the crowd decided James wasn’t there to kill them and rip them all to shreds they began to go about their business.
James began the slow task of separating each individual scent and connecting it to its owner. “So, when this is all finished are you going to stay or take off again?” Tony asked him. James brought his attention back to Tony for a moment and shrugged.
“I don’t know, I haven’t really thought about it,” he told his friend, taking a drink of the untouched beer that sat in front of him.
“Well, I for one would like to see you back for good,” Tony told him, taking a drink. James nodded as he continued to identify the scents. “No one is nearly as fun as you are. Chris is okay, but, I don’t know, it’s not the same since he is Lacy’s mate and all,” he added and James laughed.
“You only think I’m fun because I was the only kid that didn’t kiss your ass because you were the alpha pup,” James corrected him and Tony smiled, taking another drink.
“That’s basically what I said, but not so colorful, and they only get worse the older I get,” Tony added with a look of irritation.
“Yeah, because being adored is so horrible,” James teased and Tony shook his head.
“You should try it, people always wanting to be your best buddy and agree with everything you say. If I told them to eat silver they would do it!” He grumped and James laughed again.
“No thanks, between the angry mobs and women wanting to tame the big bad wolf, I’ve got enough on my plate,” James replied with a look of disgust and now it was Tony’s turn to laugh.
“Tame the big bad wolf eh?” he asked suggestively and James shook his head.
“It’s not as good as it sounds,” he told his friend and Tony smiled.
“Looks like there is a couple over there that wouldn’t mind trying,” he teased and James looked over his shoulder to see two women staring at them, practically drooling. He narrowed his eyes at them with a scowl, but they didn’t respond like he wished. Instead of paling and nearly fainting, they simply giggled to each other.
Tony laughed harder. “Yep, your right, it sucks to be you,” he teased and James glared at him. Tony finished off his beer and leaned back in his chair. “I have missed this James; I really want you to stay. A lot of time has passed, I am sure the pack can forgive and forget,” Tony pushed and James shrugged. That was one thing he didn’t think the pack could do honestly, he thought as he finished about a quarter of the scents around them by then.
“I don’t know Tony; I really don’t like staying where I am unwanted,” he replied, taking another drink of his beer.
“Well, you’re wanted in our family,” Tony stated. “For the most part” he added so quietly that it was barely a whisper. James looked at his friend confused.
“Now what exactly does that mean?” James demanded.
“You heard that did you?” He asked looking sheepish and James nodded, leaning closer towards his friend.
“Yes, I did, now tell me exactly what it meant,’ he insisted. James started to worry; did he burden them too much with his problems? Which of them could have a problem with him? He glared at Tony who was obviously very hesitant in discussing it.
“You have to swear you won’t tell anyone! Hell she doesn’t even know that I know,” Tony explained and James nodded even more confused. Who could this she be, Lacy or Sandy? He had thought he was on good terms with both of them; they both seemed excited to have him back in town. Tony took a deep breath and let it out slowly, “It’s Lily, she really can’t stand your guts,” he admitted.
“The human?” James asked with a scoff, yet irritated by the mix of feelings he felt. One part was relieved it wasn’t Lacy or Sandy because he could care a less if the human didn’t like him while the other was curious and bothered by the idea of her disliking him.
“Don’t call my sister that! She has a name so use it,” Tony shot at him, looking so angry that it surprised James. Did he really consider that human to be as much as a sister him as Lacy?
“Alright… sorry man,” he apologized. “So why does Lily hate my guts? I just met her a few days ago,” he asked, finishing off his beer. Tony shrugged, his anger disappearing as quickly as it came.