Kenny looked shocked at Jaspers outburst, as did Beth, and the two glanced at each other wide eyed before standing down submissively. Jasper then let out a breath. Good. Now show me where his camp is.
The rogue followed behind the group as the two Betas led the way with Jasper in the middle. The trail was mostly hidden, which made sense. After all, the guy was a hunter, so he’d probably look for a spot that was furthest away from civilization.
They crossed a creek, passed under some enormous redwoods, and trudged through some blackberry bushes before finding the camp. His tent was pitched on top of a hill right under a tree. There was a pond just a little distance away, with a hunter’s blind located a little further into the woods. There was also a sack of food hanging from one of the tree branches, as well as what looked like the remains of a deer and some rabbits, though what was left was practically skeletal.
We already looked around. Kenny stood next to the tent. We didn’t find any useful scents aside from the local wild life.
But we did find something else. Beth motioned for them to keep following. Just passed the hunter’s blind was an open field. She led them towards the edge where the grass was tallest and pointed at a specific patch. At first, they didn’t see anything, but upon closer inspection, they noticed a small shoe hidden within.
Jasper knelt down to examine it more closely, though he made sure not to actually touch anything. From the looks of it, the shoe belonged to a girl. It was small and black, with a tiny bow on the front of it. It looked like the kind of dress shoe that a kid would wear to a party.
The Alpha then looked off to the left and squinted. It took Darren a moment to realize why. The pack was in that direction, though this part of the woods was out of their territory.
Did any of your search parties go this far out ? Darren decided to ask.
No. Was Jasper’s immediate response. He then turned to the Betas. Did you touch it ?
They both shook their heads.
Good. I want to turn it in to see if the police can find any fingerprints or DNA on it. The Alpha started wandering off further into the field. Did you guys find anything else ?
We already looked. Kenny followed him. But the shoe was all we could find.
Darren glanced around the location. It was just out of bounds of the Parkwood Pack’s territory, and extremely secluded from Red Point, making this the perfect route to take if someone wanted to leave without being spotted. They’re being snuck out. He said to himself, but Beth overheard.
What was that ?
Darren looked back at her more seriously. The kids are getting trafficked out of town through here. And Alfred, he saw, but he probably didn’t understand what was happening. That’s why his ghost didn’t stick around after we found his body. He turned around and eyed the deer blind. But that doesn’t make sense either. This place is located so far away from both towns, it’d be odd to see anyone out here with a kid, especially if the culprit was carrying them. And if the kids were conscious, they’d definitely be struggling, Unless….
Unless what ? Beth asked with less bite in her words.
The rogue rubbed his chin in thought. Unless the kids trusted whoever was taking them.
That can’t be. Kenny interrupted, having returned with Jasper. No one in the pack would ever hurt a fellow pack member, let alone a kid.
Oh really ? Darren scoffed at the man, then glanced towards Jasper. Do YOU believe that ?
The Alpha hung his head as his Betas waited for an answer, eventually he met their eyes. It’s possible.
No way ! Beth blurted. Who would do that ?
I did. Back when I was younger. Jasper pointed out as he turned away and trudged back the way they came. So if a future alpha can hurt other members, so any anyone else in the pack.
What’s he talking about ? Beth asked Kenny, who then turned towards Darren.
Darren just gave them a look and wordlessly followed Jasper.
It was beginning to get dark by the time the police arrived to investigate the area. Jasper had to make a call to Liam, notifying him of the situation, and then promptly drove to a local fast food joint for a quick dinner. He then opted to eat in the parking lot, not yet willing to head back to the Alpha’s house. Darren ate quietly in his seat, enjoying the free meal. Unfortunately that didn’t last long and they eventually had to return.
It was late by the time they entered the house. Liam had gone out to speak with the officers while Jasper left as soon as he figured he was no longer needed. At least, that was the excuse he gave Darren. The rogue knew the real reason he left was to avoid Liam.
Upstairs, Jasper began taking off his shirt, then stopped midway. Um…Maybe I could sleep on the floor tonight ?
The rogue instantly became suspicious. Why ?
Jasper shifted his feet and glanced away awkwardly. It’s just that…Well…It…I uh, I’ll be too comfortable on the bed.
What ? Darren asked, perplexed. Why would that- ? It then occurred to him that the man was trying to avoid admitting he was in heat. Sure, sleeping on the hard floor would help a little, but then Darren would have to put up with the guys scent all over the bed, and the last thing he wanted was to wake up after a wet dream and receive the same embarrassment that Jasper had suffered just that morning.
No. The rogue answered flatly. I enjoy sleeping on floors. With that, he went into the bathroom to change. Unfortunately when he came out, he realized his plan had backfired when he noticed the Alpha laying on the floor next to his usual spot.
What are you doing ? Darren demanded, slightly panicked. I’m sleeping on the floor !
So am I. The man replied as he lay on his back with his hands behind his head. I don’t want to sleep in the bed tonight.
Darren looked the shirtless Alpha over and considered his options. Either sleep on the bed and try to block out his scent, or sleep right next to the bastard and potentially get even more excited from his scent. Neither were optimal, but in the end he decided the bed would be safer.
Picking up his pillow and blanket, he tossed them onto the mattress and crawled in. The scent of Jasper was just as strong as he assumed it’d be, thus causing his body to heat up painfully. In an effort to keep his heat under control, Darren rolled onto his back and tried holding his breath. Unfortunately he could only do that for so long and eventually had to gasp for air.
The pillows were the problem. They were the only part of the bed that hadn’t been cleaned that morning, so they were soiled with the Alpha’s scent. Fortunately those could easily be removed.
What are you doing ? Jasper yelped as he was bombarded by falling pillows.
I figured a princess like yourself would need more pillows. Darren mocked as he got rid of all the items that stank of the man. Once he was satisfied, he laid back down, only to be smacked in the face by a returned pillow.
The rogue sat up, ripping the sack of cloth away so the scent wouldn’t overwhelm him. What the fuck ?
I should be saying that ! Jasper growled irritably as he too sat up. Why do you have to make it so hard to be nice to you ?
Darren replied by slapping the man in the face with that same pillow. You’re not being nice ! You’re being inconvenient ! He argued between smacks as the Alpha put up an arm to block the assault. If you were really nice, you’d let me stay in a separate room !
You know I can’t do that ! Jasper rebuffed as he tried to grab the pillow and failed, eventually he reached down for another one and retaliated.
As soon as Darren got smacked in the head, his anger ignited. The Alpha was probably finding this amusing, but Darren was genuinely irritated. Jasper’s scent was beginning to drive him crazy and having it purposely shoved in his face was the last straw.