双引THE STABLE was one of the alpha's pride. No one rides the horses like she does. Every person living in our territory knew how ruthless she can get." Lesley trod the path with ease. Her mount was skillfully jogging as though it memorized the steep road ahead. "It can say a lot about her attitude. She gets the final say if you guys are going in or not. In Lance's case, I think he's doing excellent."

Joaquin tilted his head to the right and chose not to listen in her words. Lance had always been an ace in any sport. The man can boast a twenty times per day. He is fully aware of his capability.


On the other hand, he's quite curious about what's going on inside Penelope's mind.

They are incredibly close but this resistance in intimacy with each other made him irritated for some reason.

"My aunt owns a farm. She owns a few studs and it goes by saying, I fullfil my summer vacation on being tossed around by those brutes. You've gotta learn how to tame them or else I'll lose the original shape of my jaw." Lance clucked his tongue before sighing. "This place has good resources, Leyl."


"That's the reason why I chose to stay here. This place have everything that you need. Plus, we don't need to worry about not finding our fated mates. The alpha hosts her matchmaking event every year. Those who are eligible and willing to participate has to live with another person for a month. She never failed. Every match has ended up all married and happy."

"Most wolf packs doesn't allow that. Marriage within the pack often stirs up problems where I used to live. Complicated family problems was one of the reason why I decided to quit." Samael grunted, "It's surprising to see how pack rules progress these days."


"Samael, aren't you... bonded with someone already?" Lance played with the straps in his hands. He had small dots of perspiration on his forehead. They didn't know what kind of sorcery did Irlan use to hide Lance's scent. Now no one can smell the magic in him, as well as his lies. It almost freaked Penelope. "Are you planning to move in the Crystal Lake?"

Samael looked like he didn't want to answer. His eyes were calm but the way he grinned made Penelope wonder what's in his mind. "I'm not bonded to anyone. Second, I don't have anyone at home. Yes, I do have exes... all of which won't concern anyone here. We all ended up in good terms. I don't leave a bad smell with my past relationships."

Lesley pulled her hair back in a pony tail. She paused for a moment then whistled loudly. "I'm going to help the kitchen prepare meals for everyone. See you guys at the bonfire later."

"Thank you for the time today, Leyl!"

"You're welcome." Lesley flushed crimson. "Everyone knows I'll be bonded to you."

"Bern, come here." Joaquin sat steadily on top of a white horse. Penelope move over to him and pat his back. "Do you need something?"

"Oh, I thought you'd like to ask the locals a little."

Lance's smile froze in his face. He turned towards Penelope and Joaquin. "Why don't we go by two's? Irlan, you'll go with me. I've always wanted to visit the girls' tent."

"Huh, I thought you were loyal to Lesley? You went all the way up here to be with her?" Samael raised a sardonic brow and mocked, "I didn't know you can be mean."

"It's none of your business if I whore around really. And I'm not going there to find side-chicks. I'm going to find this kid a partner for himself."

Penelope tugged at her horse' reign. "We should go quick before the sun starts to rest.'

"I'm having a headache simply by listening to them." Joaquin let Penelope lead the way. "Here, can we tie them both together?"

"I think I'll choose to hold it." Joaquin won't be able to guide his horse anyway. Penelope took the role and held his reigns for him.

"Then I won't be able to hold your hand for a while?" Joaquin made it sound like a punishment in his part. "I was hoping we can talk, Pen."

Penelope threw her head back to check if someone was listening. When she saw no one around, she warned him. "You'll have us blown."

Penelope confided to Lesley that her bond has been broken and now she accompanied Lance in the hopes of finding another prospect mate.

"Oh, sorry." He shifted his head and decided to face the other way. "We can start investigating now. So that we can get it done quickly. I'd really like to go home."

"Do you want to go home that bad?" This is Pen's first time going home and see his colleague's family since their death. She can't wait to ask them about how did things changed in the pack. "We should've let you stay home instead. I know you hate crowded places."

'I don't hate it.' Joaquin held himself back. 'Infact, I would like to explore Crystal Lake with you and finish this problem together. I just don't like how we have to act as though we don't like each other.'

"Do you know where to start? Where do you want to go first?"

"Here... I'll describe it to you." Penelope put the matter behind her and became excited as she blabber. "This is where we used to spend the day. Most of us plant crops. There were guys who work in business but no one really managed to be 'that' big. I know about your company, and how you managed to make it grow while working at home—"

"You're not giving Lance the credit. He did his best to make it grow. He knows what to do at those times when I couldn't even breathe properly." Joaquin sniffed the air and twisted his mouth. "Something smells funny in here."

Penelope almost teased him about how he's not used to living in the slums. Adarmus found him a heavenly place to stay. Penelope still can see how he cares for his son in his own way. Upon heaving a sigh, she noticed the foul smell that Joaquin had noticed.

It was thin yet very pungent. The traitorous scent of poison.

A group of young women walked past them. With all smiles and warmth, they asked how was the morning for them and did they enjoy the food served for breakfast.

Penelope could not look at their eyes straight. She had seen their faces in passing before. They were conservative women who were loyal housewives and devoted follower of the alpha.

They gushed about how cold was the water from the well not too far from them. Dressed in their evening clothes, they should smell clean.

How come they reeked the smell of a deadly disease?