Read Howling for Freedom :: The Alpha's Inquiry(1/2)

Clara Wilson stepped into the cozy coffee shop, her black trench coat billowing slightly as she pushed the door open. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries enveloped her, but her focus was entirely on the man behind the counter—Noah Smith.

Her icy blue eyes, sharp and unyielding, scanned the room before locking onto him. As the Alpha of her pack, she carried an air of authority that was hard to ignore.

"Mr. Smith," she began, her voice cool and measured, "I'm here to investigate some irregular pheromone activity reported in this area. I trust you'll cooperate?"

Noah, though visibly uneasy under her intense gaze, managed a polite smile. "Of course, Ms. Wilson. Whatever you need."

Clara's eyes lingered on his face, searching for any sign of deception. She noticed the slight tension in his jaw, the way his fingers fidgeted with the edge of his apron. But there was also a calmness about him that intrigued her. "You seem... composed," she remarked, her tone laced with curiosity.

"I try to be," Noah replied, his voice steady. "Can I get you something to drink while we talk?"

Clara's gaze shifted from him to the half-finished coffee on the counter. "Is that your handiwork?" she asked, nodding toward the cup.

Noah followed her gaze and nodded. "Yes, it's a new blend I'm experimenting with."

"It looks... impressive," Clara admitted, her voice softening just a touch. She stepped closer, her presence almost overwhelming in the small space. "Mind if I try it?"

"Not at all," Noah said, picking up the cup and handing it to her. Their fingers brushed briefly, sending a jolt of electricity through both of them. Clara's breath hitched, but she quickly masked it with a sip of the coffee. The rich, bold flavor surprised her, and she couldn't help but smile.

"This is good," she said, her eyes meeting his again. "Really good."

Noah's cheeks flushed slightly at the compliment. "Glad you like it."

Clara set the cup down, her gaze never leaving his. "You're full of surprises, Mr. Smith."

"And you're full of questions, Ms. Wilson," Noah countered with a playful smirk.

Clara chuckled, a rare sound that seemed to lighten the air around them. "Touché."

For a moment, they stood there, the tension between them palpable. Clara's mind raced with unspoken thoughts, her Alpha instincts warring with something deeper, something she hadn't felt in a long time.

Noah, for his part, felt a strange pull toward her, a desire to know more about the enigmatic woman who had just walked into his life.

"Well," Clara finally said, breaking the silence, "I think I've taken up enough of your time for now. But don't think this is the last you'll see of me."

"I wouldn't dream of it," Noah replied, his voice low and teasing.

Clara gave him one last lingering look before turning to leave. As the door closed behind her, Noah let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He glanced down at the cup she had sipped from, a small smile playing on his lips.

Clara, meanwhile, walked down the street, her mind still back in the coffee shop. She couldn't shake the image of Noah's calm demeanor, his warm smile, the way his touch had sent a shiver down her spine.

She knew this was just the beginning, and for the first time in a long while, she found herself looking forward to what came next.

Clara Wilson stood in the dimly lit storage room of the coffee shop, her heart pounding as she prepared to collect another sample of Noah Smith’s unique pheromones.

The air was thick with the scent of his signature aroma—cedarwood and iron—and it was making her ice core tremble. She clenched her jaw, determined to maintain her composure.

“Alright, let’s get this over with,” she said, her voice steady despite the storm brewing inside her.

Noah leaned casually against a stack of boxes, his piercing blue eyes watching her every move. “You’re the boss,” he replied with a smirk that sent a shiver down her spine.

Clara approached him, her fingers gripping the small device she used to collect the sample. As she raised it to his neck, her hand trembled slightly. She cursed under her breath, hoping he wouldn’t notice.

But he did. His voice was low, almost a whisper, as he asked, “You okay, Clara?”

She quickly withdrew her hand, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “I’m fine,” she snapped, her tone colder than she intended. “Just focus on staying still.”

Noah raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her reaction. “Relax, I’m not going anywhere.”

Clara glared at him, but there was no real heat behind it. She couldn’t deny the magnetic pull he had on her, no matter how much she tried to resist it. As she stepped closer to finish the test, their bodies were almost touching. She could feel the warmth radiating from him, and it was both comforting and maddening.

“There,” she said, finally stepping back. “Done.”

Noah didn’t move, his eyes locked on hers. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

Before she could respond, the sound of Ethan Davis’s voice echoed from outside the door. “Everything alright in there? Need any help?”

Clara seized the opportunity to escape the tension-filled room. “We’re good,” she called out, her voice slightly breathless. She turned to leave but paused at the door, casting one last glance at Noah. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still.

Then, without a word, she walked out, leaving Noah alone in the storage room, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

Clara Wilson stepped out of the coffee shop, the crisp evening air brushing against her skin. She didn’t go far, though. Instead, she slipped into a narrow alleyway, her back pressed against the cold brick wall.

Her eyes, a piercing ice-blue with faint vertical slits, scanned the street outside the café. She wasn’t just watching; she was waiting.