Page 36 of The Mating Quest

As he skulked away, Ilana felt a kick of anger. “That’s it? Wait for me? You think he’s just going to sit there in the bunkhouse, reading magazines and eatingcandy?”

Both Ethan and Aiden looked at her. “Ilana, this is pack. Lupines listen to their alpha, and obey, or face theconsequences.”

“I’ll deal with him. My pack. My problem. He will be disciplined and it won’t be pretty.” Aiden tipped his hat. “I apologize for him thinking he could take liberties with you,Ilana.”

Ilana said nothing, but her nostrils flared. As the alpha started to walk off she called out. “Wait!”

Jumping off the fence, she hurried to catch up, Ethan following. “Aiden, what were you doing today?” sheasked.

The alpha’s dark gaze narrowed. “Roping cattle to vaccinate them.Why?”

“You get up close and personal with these cows,right?”

He frowned. “What are you gettingat?”

Exasperated, she pointed to his shirt. “Your scent. It’s different. You don’t smell like the alpha, like…lastnight.”

Aiden tilted his head. “Your pointis?”

“Your scent is uniquely you. But like all wolves, if you roll in something…” as he frowned, she hastened to explain, “or get close to something, that scent rubs off onyou.”

Ethan stepped forward. “Yeah. It’s how we learn at a young age to disguise ourselves. What are you getting at,Ilana?”

With both alphas staring at her, she felt uncomfortable voicing her theory, until she had the chance to mull it over. She shrugged, sniffed her armpits. “Nothing. I guess I need that shower more than I thought. I smell like I’ve been rolling in something aswell.”

Aiden grunted and walked off. Ethan gave her a long, thoughtful look. Then he told her he’d see her atdinner.

She felt the heat of his gaze upon her as she went inside thelodge.

Chapter 12

Dinner that night was casual,after the intensity of the pack running together. Pizza night. She ate with Ethan, Aiden, Nia, Ava and Ranger. Dakota had gone off riding with her new male friend, joined by Chloe and an attractive male she’d recentlymet.

The shower had been refreshing, but produced no ideas. Ilana felt they were close to solving the puzzle. She chose two slices of pepperoni and cheese pizza from the sideboard, grabbed the grated cheese container and returned to thetable.

“What happened to the cowboy you were going to discipline?” she asked the Mitchellalpha.

“He got what he deserved. It will be a while before he rides anything again.” Aiden gave a hard smile. “Either a horse or awoman.”

Ilana sipped her lemonade. “Do I want toknow?”

Ethan’s grim smile echoed Aiden’s. “Let’s just say that cowboy’s privates will be hurting for a longtime.”

She raised her brows. “You don’t messaround.”

“I don’t tolerate my males disrespecting any female on this ranch. Females should be protected,” Aidensaid.

Ilana shrugged. “Your house, your rules. But Mitchell, so you know, I can protect myself. Have been doing so for a longtime.”

“A long time,” came a familiardrawl.

She looked up and saw Nikita joining them at the table. Nikita wore jeans, a red-checked shirt and had her long dark blonde hair swept up in a ponytail, just like her twin. Nia and Nikita sat together, twobookends.

Curious, she looked at Aiden. “How do you tell themapart?”

He grinned. “Scent. Though it was a hell of a lot more challenging before we got mated and she got my scent stamped onher.”

Nia elbowed her mate. “And vice versa, Mitchell. Don’t forgetthat.”