"Smells great, Mr. Huns," Kyla said to a middle-aged man presiding over the grill. Albert nodded in agreement, tipping his head in a silent greeting.
They'd just stepped off the dance floor, lured by the smell of the spicy meat sizzling on the grill and a fresh cooler of cold Budweiser wheeled into the lawn by Jamie McCarthy--the celebrant's son.
"Few more minutes." Mr. Huns promised, adding extra sauce to the meat. Being the owner of one of the most popular barbecue spots in Glasgow, Kyla wasn't surprised to find that he'd been commissioned to champion the grill for this occasion. It was his fort, and he was doing a damn good job at satiating their taste buds.
"You both go get yourselves some bottles of Budweiser. It would be excellent with the meat." He said, casting a fleeting glance at the few officers already circling the coolers. "You should hurry before those lousy drunks have it all. I'll save the juiciest part of the spicy ribs for you both."
She hooked an arm through Albert's. "That sounds great. Thanks, Mr. Huns. We'd better get right to it."
"Special Agent Torino!" The familiar voice of Police chief McCarthy stopped them in their tracks. He approached with a bright smile on his face, and old Henson behind him. "I see you've already met the lovely Miss. Kyla."
Henson glanced at their interlocked arms until Kyla reluctantly let go of him.
"Isn't she rather captivating?" McCarthy asked, causing a deep flush to appear on her cheeks as she came under their scrutiny. This didn't stop her from tilting her head to the side as she paused for his answer.
"She is," Albert said, after observing her for a minute. She did have the nicest curves that complemented the other parts of her great body--thin long legs, smooth skin, and a captivating face that was surrounded by a wavy mass of thick red hair. "She's beautiful." He concluded again, earning a hard glare from Henson and a self-satisfied smile from Kyla.
"We'll like to introduce you to some townspeople, Agent," Henson said without losing his glare.
"That's correct." McCarthy seconded. "The crème de la crème of Glasgow have shown a desire to officially meet the man who has been rumored to be their messiah. The spirits of our town's people have been raised aloft since the announcement of your arrival to Glasgow aired on television."
"Hmm," The amusement Albert had gotten from mentally rating Kyla fled from his eyes, to be replaced by discomfort and a great deal of uneasiness. He knew how good he was as an agent, but wasn't accustomed to being constantly reminded of it--nor did he like it. This was coming at a time he just wanted to do his job without calling too much attention to himself. It could be detrimental to the case, and he honestly felt at a loss if the killer would probably be more cautious of his actions.
"You both go ahead." Henson moved to pull Kyla gently to his side--away from Albert. "I'll have a word with my granddaughter and be with you lads shortly."
"That's fine," McCarthy gestured for Albert to come with him, crooning some more about the people he was about to meet.
Henson waited until they'd moved a good distance before casting his disapproving eyes on Kyla. "Why were you discussing with the agent?"
She shrugged. "The same reason every other person at the party has been trying to speak with him?"
"And the holding hands?"
"Grandpa," She groaned.
"You don't have to speak with him or any other male around, Kyla. You're here with a date." He cast a cautious look over his shoulder. Brad Statler was still at their table, looking bored as he forked salad from a food platter and transferred it to his bowl. "Be a little considerate."
"I'm sorry, grandpa." She sighed. "I'll get back to him right away."
"Sunshine," His voice softened. "Remember, it's a date, not a commitment to marriage. Give it your best, so you'll have an honest review about him by the end of the day. Furthermore, I don't want you hanging around the Agent. Remember, he's only here on official business, after which he's back to Silicone County."
'That's completely off my hands now.' She murmured to herself as her eyes flicked to the grill. Mr. Huns looked like he wasn't paying attention, but she could tell he was well invested in their conversation. Aside from his grilling abilities, he had a reputation for hoarding the best gossips in town.
"I hear you, grandpa," She gave his hand a comforting squeeze. "You should get back to them." She drew his attention to where McCarthy was busy showing off an uncomfortable Albert.
"There's so much talk about what he can do." Henson huffed. "I'll need proof, not mere talks."
Kyla sucks her teeth. "He doesn't look like he's enjoying the attention."
"Yeah," Henson agreed, a moment after observing a little more. "He looks constipated. I better join them before he's smothered by their foolish questions."
"Good idea, grandpa." She sent him a confident smile, and he went ahead.
"So," She turned to Mr. Huns. "How's it looking?"
"Perfect. I'll serve you that juicy piece I promised." He replied with a grin.
"My beautiful Kyla." Her stomach churned in disgust as she picked up the scent of the one who spoke.
She resisted the urge to groan as she turned to see his ever unpleasant face. He was actually a good-looking man who repulsed her nonetheless due to their past encounters. A sly smile was plastered on his face as he openly checked her out.
"I could scent you from the entrance, my queen. Looking delectable as always."
"Alpha Delano," She greeted with a stiff smile.
"Pfft, what's with the formalities, Mon Cherie? Delano would be just fine." He took her hand, about to drop a light kiss when he picked up another scent.
"Come," He straightened himself and steered her away from the grill to where they could have a word in private. "Who touched you?"
"Huh?"
"I'm picking up the scent of another man, Mon Cherie." He eyed her squarely.
"I was just with my grandpa." She rolled her eyes.
"No. Henson smells like coffee beans." He shook his head. "I don't understand why you waste your time with these men, I'm willing to make you my Luna."
She jerked up her chin. "I'm not your mate, Delano."
"None of these bloody humans is your mate either, yet you graciously allow them to hang around you like dogs on a bone."
"You don't even know what you're talking about."
"What I do know is that I've tolerated your rejection for too long, Kyla. Don't push me."
"Oh, fuck it, Delano." She hissed. "I imprinted on somebody."
He staggered back a little, shocked by the declaration. "You're lying."
"No, I'm not." She tossed back. "I fucking imprinted on someone already, so let me be."
The shock had gone out of his face, replaced with seething anger as he grabbed her arm.
"Who's he?" He demanded. "Give me a name!"
"You're hurting me, Delano."
"Is it Statler? That imbecile? I'll tear him to shreds, I swear!"
"Let go of me." Her sky-blue eye color was starting to turn black as she hung by a thread to sustain the fury of her wolf. Layla had never been one to suffer a fool, although she'll never do anything that would put Kyla in harm's way.
"Trust me, you want to avoid doing this here." He whispered, a smile dancing on his lips as he continued. "Your grandfather would suffer from a terrible heart attack if he finds that his precious granddaughter is one of the freaks he dislikes so much."
"Delano, let go---"
"Get your filthy hands off her," Albert said with a dangerously calm voice. They both turned to see his clenched jaws and tensed muscles. "I won't repeat myself."
Delano loosened his grip and Layla withdrew to the background, giving Kyla her eye color back, and full control of the body.
"It's his scent." He whispered back to her, not breaking eye contact with Albert. "I won't forgive this betrayal, Kyla."
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