Waking up the next morning, the group washed and dressed before meeting outside of their rooms to head downstairs to the small dining room that was situated next to the bottom of the staircase. Walking in, Alessia greeted the old woman, ''good morning ma-am'' she said politely, ''do you remember us?''


    Staring at the she wolf, the woman grumbled, ''of course I do, you stayed herest night! I''m not senile you know!'' as she indicated to two small tables before disappearing into the attached kitchen. Blushing slightly, Alessia slipped into one of the chairs, the men joining her just as a young woman in herte teens came out carrying a trayden with a tea pot, cafetiere, a bowl of sugar and some mugs. The teenager had waist length long ck hair that was streaked with blue, a rock band t''shirt was thrown over ripped skinny jeans and she had well worn trainers on her feet.


    ''Good morning'' she trilled excitedly as she ced the tray on the corner of the table, doling out the mugs before cing the tea, coffee, and sugar in the centre of the table. ''OK, so we do a full-on fried breakfast that is to die for, or we have cereal for the boring people in life, or you can get like some muffins and stuff if you are feeling a bit continental'' she chuckled with a wink as she tucked the tray under her arm and whipped out a notepad and pencil. Licking the tip, she looked around expectantly at the group awaiting their order.


    ''Uhh, six fried breakfasts to die for?'' Nathaniel replied questioningly as he looked around the members spread across the two tables. Everyone nodded as the teenager wrote down their order before smiling again.


    ''Good choice, grandma will get them made and I''ll bring them out to you as soon as they are ready'' she said before turning around and heading back to the kitchen. Pushing the door open, she yelled, ''Grandma! Six of your death inducing fry ups!'' as the old woman grumbled back an inaudible reply.


    ''Well at least the woman isn''t here alone'' Daniel muttered as he peeked over at the door.


    Soon enough, the teenager appeared again, holding two tes in her hands, a third bnced on one of her arms. She deftly ced them in front of Riley, Daniel and Rowan before hurrying back for the remaining three tes that she gave to the three youngest members.


    ''OK, so, do you need anything else? Ketchup? Brown sauce? My phone number?'' she teased with a wink at Riley that caused the older werewolf to choke on his mouthful as Daniel roared withughter. ''No? well you just holler if you think of anything'' she said ''especially you handsome'' she added with a giggle toward the flustered Luna as she hurried back to the kitchen.


    ''Hey, you still got it mate'' Daniel said as he pped the warrior on the back, the others smothering theirughter at Riley''s embarrassed face.


    Finishing their food, the group stood up, heading back upstairs to collect their belongings before returning to the entrance hall where the old woman was waiting.


    Rummaging in his pocket, Daniel pulled out some bills that he handed to thedy with a smile.


    ''Thank you ma-am for your hospitality'' he said as the woman tucked the money into her apron.


    ''You evere through here again, youe back here and stay, you hear'' she croaked as she hobbled to the door and pulled it open for them.


    Biding her farewell, the warriors exited the cottage and set off through the rest of the town toward the calling countryside.


    The following days brought nothing but disappointment to the group as they searched every town and small pack that they could find. Alessia showed her brother''s photo to as many people as she could and though a few thought that they recognised the good looking warrior, none knew what had happened to him other than he had passed through briefly.


    Dejected, the six travellers kept searching, Landen trying to keep up morale as Nathaniel became more and more withdrawn, e on mate, plenty more ces to look'' he said with forced enthusiasm.


    Sighing, Nathaniel nodded, ''yep, next town,e on!''


    Rowan, who was walking beside Alessia looked over at her, ''we''ll find him you know'' he said softly.


    The she wolf gazed up at him, ''how do you know?'' she asked, her defeated attitude swirling around the pair like a suffocating cloud.


    Winking, Rowan replied, ''because finding people used to be a speciality of mine.''


    Alessia nced up at him curiously, ''exactly what did you used to do before you joined Silver Cross?'' she asked causing the warrior to cough awkwardly.


    ''Uhh, like I said, I was paid to search for and find people... and things'' he muttered evasively.


    Their conversation was interrupted by low threatening growls, gazes darting up, the group took a defensive stance as ten Rogue wolves stepped out of the thicket around them and began to prowl toward them hungrily.


    The tearing of clothing and snapping of bones filled the air as the warriors shifted, Riley and Nathaniel pushing forward aggressively as Landen and Daniel took protective positions either side of them, pushing Alessia''s ck wolf behind them.


    The Rogue''s snarled, fixating on the Alpha and Luna, their teeth bared in threat. A loud growl shook the ground as Rowan''s grey wolf leapt between the two groups, his back to hispanions as he let out a warning rumble in his throat.


    The Rogue''s focused on the huge grey wolf in front of them, shock rippling through them before their earsy t and they bowed low to him, baring their necks in submission.


    Throwing his head harshly, Rowan indicated for them to leave, the Rogue wolves immediately turning tail and fleeing from the group, disappearing as quickly as they came.


    Shifting back, the group grabbed spare clothes out of their bags, pulling them on hastily before Alessia rounded on the warrior, hands on hips.


    ''What the hell was that?'' she demanded, ring at the man who averted his gaze.


    ''What?'' he asked innocently.


    ''Don''t what me Rowan, what did you do? I''ve never seen Rogue''s back down to a smaller group, let aloe submit! Are you some kind of.. I dunno, Rogue whisperer?'' she demanded exasperatedly.


    Rowan red at the floor, ''I have no idea what you are talking about'' he replied in a deadpan voice, ''maybe they realised that two Alpha wolves, two Beta wolves and a high ranking warrior were a bit too much to take on!


    Alessia snorted derisively, ''yeah and I can call birds to me just by singing'' she retorted.


    ''That would be an impressive gift'' Rowan said with a small smile, trying to divert the conversation.


    ''It would, but it''s a damn fairy tale just like the one you just told me'' the she wolf growled back.


    Daniel stepped between the two, holding his hands out to cate the aggressive she wolf, ''OK, lets just calm this down'' he said loudly before looking over at Rowan, ''though that was some weird s**t Rowan. I''ve seen and epted some crazy stuff about you, but I have to agree with Lessi, Rogue''s don''t submit to pack wolves unless they are a Rogue leader.. you want to tell us about your time before Silver Cross dude? Were you some kind of Rogue King?'' he asked.


    Rowan burst outughing, ''no, I was definitely not a Rogue King, or Rogue Alpha or any other kind of leader'' he replied in amusement. ''You are all aware of my past, did it look like I had a choice let alone control of others?'' he asked, a hint of bitterness to his tone. Nathaniel walked over and ced a hand onto Rowan''s shoulder, ''OK everyone, I think we should leave this for the minute, let''s not lose sight of our objective here'' he said.


    ''But..'' Alessia protested, her eyes narrowing in annoyance.


    ''Let it go Lessi'' Landen murmured in her ear, ''there are things about Rowan that he keeps close to his chest, he doesn''t just share his story with people without a whole lot of trust built!


    Swallowing, Alessia nodded reluctantly as the group picked up their bags and started to walk again, Rowan choosing to walk alone behind the rest lost in his own thoughts.


    Ahead they could see smoke rising into the air from a few chimneys that peeked out from behind a wall of trees. Making their way toward it, they found themselves in a small vige, the scent around them told them that the upants were a mixture of supernatural creatures like themselves.


    Walking through the small street, they passed a few stalls that were selling potions and ingredients, crones and witches bustling around buying goods with little interest in the neers.


    Suddenly Nathaniel stopped in his tracks, his pupils dting as he whispered, ''do you smell that?''


    ''Smell what?'' Landen asked sniffing the air and wrinkling his nose, ''if it''s dirty crone you are talking about then yes, I definitely smell that'' he added in disgust.


    ''No, it''s amazing'' the Alpha murmured, his eyes flickering to ck as his wolf started to jump excitedly in his mind, pushing forward to try and follow the intoxicating scent that was surrounding him.


    ''What does it smell like?'' Alessia asked as she too began sniffing the air in confusion.


    ''Honeysuckle'' the warrior breathed, ''it''s faint but it''s incredible! Nathaniel began to walk dazedly along the road, oblivious to anyone around him as he followed the mouth-watering fragrance. The others fell into step behind him, silently following him as he traced the aroma, his wolf getting more agitated as it grew stronger and stronger.


    ''Find scent'' his wolf was growling in his head.


    ''I''m trying'' Nathaniel replied to the impatient animal, his heart starting to beat faster as he zeroed in on the cause.


    Coming to a halt, he found himself in front of a coffee shop, a couple of patrons were sat outside under parasols. Walking inside, the warrior breathed deeply as the scent hit him full force, a young girl looked up and smiled at the group, ''hi, can I help you?'' she asked in a friendly tone.


    ''Um, we are just.. ''Landen started uncertainly before being cut off by a woman in her early twenties walking out from the back, her midnight ck hair pinned up in a bun on top of her head.


    ''Fi, did you ask me for brownies or cupcakes? It''spletely gone out of my head'' she said absentmindedly as she ced a tray of clean mugs onto the counter.


    Looking up, her eyes connected with Nathaniel''s as he stumbled slightly, ''MATE'' he whispered.


    Her own eyes widening, the young woman wrenched her eyes from his, looking at hispanions one at a time until they finally fell on Rowan. Her surprised look was reced by betrayal and then fury as she red at the warrior, ''YOU'' she shouted, pointing her finger at him, her whole body shaking with rage.