Page 7 of Anders (The Sunburst Pack #2)

To eliminate any extraneous scents that might give away something significant , he told himself.

Not because he wanted to seem more appealing to her.

The scent of something burning made his nose twitch as he approached Larissa and Malcolm’s front door.

Tactical assessment: Source appears to be kitchen. No signs of actual fire hazard. Likely just Larissa’s cooking, as predicted .

Before he could knock, the door swung open. Nick and Sarah’s young son, Javier, launched himself at Anders’s legs. Uncle Anders! You came!

Anders carefully extracted himself from the child’s grip, noting how the boy’s scent carried traces of both his parents plus an overlay of sugar that suggested not-so-secret cookie consumption. I did. And you appear to have been sampling dessert early.

Javier’s eyes widened. How did you know?

Because he notices everything, Nick said, appearing in the doorway. Come on in. Larissa only burned the first batch of rolls.

I heard that! Larissa called from the kitchen.

Anders entered, automatically cataloging exits. The house was a comfortable mix of Malcolm’s and Larissa’s styles—tactical maps hung alongside framed photos, weapons displayed with obvious care next to educational certificates and diplomas.

The twins, Conall and Quinton, were already sprawled on the couch, while Una helped Sarah set the table. Malcolm stood in the kitchen doorway, watching his mate with an expression that managed to be both amused and concerned as she pulled another tray from the oven.

These ones are perfect, Larissa announced triumphantly.

Absolutely, Malcolm agreed, though Anders noted the slightly charred bottoms of the rolls. Not that he’d mention it.

He hadn’t survived this long by pointing out flaws in an alpha’s cooking.

Despite the burned rolls, dinner turned out to be surprisingly edible. The conversation flowed easily, punctuated by Javier’s excited chatter and the twins’ good-natured bickering. Anders found himself relaxing slightly, though he maintained his usual awareness of his surroundings.

After the plates were cleared—but before dessert, Anders noted, suggesting the timing was deliberate—Malcolm and Larissa exchanged a look.

We have something we’d like to discuss with all of you, Larissa began.

Anders’s shoulders tensed automatically. Years of experience had taught him that such statements rarely preceded good news.

But Malcolm was smiling. As you know, we’ve been working on restructuring pack leadership. Making it more balanced, more inclusive.

And we want all of you to be part of that, Larissa continued. Officially, as our council.

Me too? Javier bounced in his seat, nearly knocking over his water glass. Anders’s hand shot out automatically to steady it.

The adults laughed, any tension broken by the child’s enthusiasm.

Of course, Malcolm said solemnly, though his eyes twinkled. You can be our special junior envoy.

Javier beamed, clearly having no idea what that meant but thrilled nonetheless.

As the others discussed the implications and responsibilities of council membership, Anders’s mind was racing through scenarios.

A formal council would need secure meeting spaces, communication protocols, information management systems…

Anders? Larissa’s voice broke through his planning. You’re in, right?

He nodded. Of course. Though, we’ll need to establish proper security measures for council operations.

Already planning protocols? Malcolm’s tone was teasing, but Anders noticed the approval in his eyes.

The conversation shifted to specific roles and responsibilities. Nick and Sarah would handle community relations. The twins would coordinate patrols and training. Una would work with younger pack members.

But Anders was only half listening. His thoughts kept drifting to his encounter with Etta that afternoon. The way she’d leaned toward him, her scent calling to him. That moment when he’d almost…

He shut down that line of thinking immediately. He’d nearly compromised the entire surveillance operation because his wolf couldn’t control itself around a potential security threat.

As if to make up for that lapse—one that, thankfully, no one else knew about—Anders pulled out his phone. Speaking of security, he said, perhaps more sharply than necessary, you should all see this.

He connected his phone to the TV, pulling up the surveillance feed from Etta’s house as Larissa handed around plates of cookies.

Once Anders had it up and running, the footage showed Etta returning home about an hour ago, pulling grocery bags from her trunk.

Good quality, Quinton noted. These the new cameras?

Anders nodded, fast-forwarding slightly to show Etta through her kitchen window as she put away groceries and began preparing what appeared to be a simple pasta dinner.

Watch how she keeps checking the exits, Nick pointed out. That’s pure wolf behavior.

But look at her face when she catches her reflection, Sarah added. Total surprise when her eyes flash in the light. She genuinely doesn’t seem to know what she is.

Anders had noticed that too, though he’d been trying not to focus on how the kitchen light turned Etta’s white-blonde hair to silver.

Could she be faking? Conall asked. Maybe she’s that good at maintaining cover.

No one’s that good, Anders said, with more certainty than he felt. Her reactions are too instinctive. The way she scents the air, the territorial behaviors—she’s not even aware she’s doing them.

Una leaned forward, studying the footage. But how is that possible? How could a wolf not know what they are?

Chemical suppression, maybe? Larissa suggested. There are rumors about research facilities experimenting with ways to control shifters.

But those rumors have always existed, Quinton said.

Always meaning our whole twenty-nine years? Conall rolled his eyes.

Nick snorted but also nodded. Those have certainly been among the urban legends I’ve heard all my life.

Maybe not so much legends after all? Malcolm murmured.

Anders’s wolf snarled at the thought of anyone experimenting on his mate. He forced the reaction down, reminding himself that they had no proof of anything yet.

Wait, Sarah said suddenly. Can you zoom in on her neck?

Anders manipulated the footage, enhancing the image as Etta turned to reach into a cabinet.

There, just visible at the nape of her neck, was a small mark. It could have been a scar or a tattoo, but something about its placement made Anders’s hackles rise.

I’ve seen something like that before, Sarah said slowly. When Vincent was alpha. There was a wolf who came to check on the security systems. He had a similar mark. I only saw it once, when he bent down to fix some wiring.

The room went silent. Anders’s fingers flew across his phone, capturing still images of the mark for analysis.

So she could be working with whoever that was? Malcolm asked, his voice tight.

Or she could be their victim, Larissa countered. If she really doesn’t know what she is…

Either way, she’s a security risk, Anders said, his tone harsher than he intended. He couldn’t let his wolf’s reaction to her cloud his judgment. We need to increase surveillance, track her movements, monitor all communications.

Agreed, Malcolm said. But carefully. If she is a victim, we don’t want to spook her. And if she’s not…

He let the implications hang in the air.

I’ll coordinate with the twins on patrol schedules, Anders said, mapping coverage patterns in his head. We’ll need eyes on her twenty-four seven.

I can help with that, Una offered. The newspaper office is right next to the community center. I can keep watch during my shifts there.

Anders nodded, noting how the others were already falling into their new council roles, offering resources and support.

We should also look deeper into that rental company, Nick suggested. SwiftStay Properties, right? Something about that setup feels wrong.

Already on it, Anders assured him, though he didn’t mention how he’d spent hours last night digging through property records instead of sleeping. The scent memory of Etta had made rest impossible, anyway.

What about direct contact? Sarah asked. She’ll expect the people we mentioned to give interviews eventually.

We maintain minimal contact, Anders said firmly. Enough to avoid suspicion but not enough to— He broke off, remembering how close he’d come to kissing Etta that afternoon. Not enough to compromise surveillance, he finished.

If anyone noticed his hesitation, they didn’t mention it. But he caught Larissa giving him a speculative look.

We should wrap this up, Malcolm said, noticing Javier falling asleep in Sarah’s lap. Anders, keep us updated on any changes. Everyone else, maintain normal routines but stay alert.

As the others gathered their things to leave, Anders remained focused on his phone, analyzing different angles of the mark on Etta’s neck. He barely noticed when the twins left, though some part of him automatically cataloged their departure.

Anders. Larissa’s voice made him look up. Everyone else had gone except Malcolm, who stood with his mate in the kitchen doorway. When was the last time you actually slept?

I’m fine, he said automatically.

That’s not what she asked, Malcolm pointed out.

Anders suppressed a sigh. I’ll sleep when we know what we’re dealing with.

You’re no good to the pack exhausted, Larissa said. Or to her.

Anders stiffened. I don’t know what you mean.

Please, Larissa snorted. I saw how you reacted when we suggested she might be a victim. Your wolf practically—

My wolf is irrelevant, Anders cut her off. The security of this pack is what matters.

Malcolm and Larissa exchanged one of their silent looks.

Just… Be careful, Malcolm said finally. With all of it.

Anders nodded curtly and took his leave, heading out with his phone still displaying the image of that strange mark on Etta’s neck.

But he didn’t go home.