When I arrive at Erasmus Allen’s house, I am surprised that the other werewolves have all scattered. Where? For what purpose? Had the uproar earlier that I had opted not to concern myself with had been the knowledge of Roger’s death reaching the werewolves?
My heart is thudding loudly in my chest as I approach the house, walking carefully and quietly. I see no one, and taking a deep breath, I step forward and knock on the door with unwavering conviction. No one answers, but that does not stop me from entering the house. Immediately, a feeling of dread descends over me. The air is thick with secrets and something more sinister.
Before I take more than two steps, Erasmus appears.
“Leonard!” he says, greeting me warmly. “Have you heard the news then? Was he a friend of yours, the human who died?”
“He did not die,” I say stiffly. “To say he died suggests natural causes. You and I both know that is not the case.”
Erasmus gestures for me to sit in the armchair near the cold fireplace and offers me a drink before settling into his own seat. As he takes a sip of his brandy, I notice that he unwaveringly will meet my gaze, something I would not have thought the killer would do.
I place my mug on the table, not drinking a single sip.
Before I can speak, however, Erasmus leans forward in his seat. “All I know is that which I was told. I also know that you were the sole pack member to be out and about this evening. You were the only one with plans outside of letting one’s wolf run free.”
“Is that what the others are doing?” I demand. “Where are they? Why are you not allowing your wolf the chance to stretch his legs?”
“Why so many questions?” He chuckles. “I almost think that you have forgotten your place. You have spent too much time with those humans, I see. Nobles or not, they will never have your back, not like a werewolf will. We are brothers for life, bonding together, closer than brothers even.”
“What game are you playing?” I ask, my tone sharp.
“Why have you come to me with such a suspicious mind and a dubious heart? You do not have to fear. I will not allow any to believe for one moment that you have committed this act.”
I pierce Erasmus with a glare. “Because you know full well that it was not me who killed Roger.”
“Do I?” Erasmus chuckles and drains his glass. “If not you, which I do agree that you are not the killer, but who then?”
“You.”
My alpha smiles then. “And why would I do such a thing? Why would I take the life of an innocent?”
I can feel my blood pressure rising, but I cool it with a deep breath. He is playing mind games, and I am in no mood for it.
“I do not know your motivation for the kill, but to have killed a human and to do it in such a fashion… The humans will speak about this. They already are. They cannot learn about werewolves! Why would you put us all at risk?”
“Bah.” Erasmus waves his hand. “They have no reason to leap from one dead body to the existence of werewolves. Our secret is safe.”
“But not if you continue to kill humans in such a fashion.”
He flares his nostrils. “I wish to know why you presume to believe I am the killer.”
“I do not know your motivation, no, but perhaps he was getting too close to the truth. Mayhap he saw you transform into your wolf, so you panicked and killed him while in your wolf form.”
“Panic.” Erasmus laughs. “I do not panic, Leonard. Everything I do, I do for a reason, and you know me far better than most. Do I ever act rashly?”
“This kill could not have been more rash!” I protest.
Erasmus gives me a long hard look before leaning back in his chair again. “You no longer trust that I have the best interests of the pack at heart, do you? Do you not realize how much that wounds me? I would never do anything that would cause dishonor to come upon us. The Fierce Growlers are all that I have ever cared about!”
“I do believe that,” I say, and that is the truth. “But that alone could be motivation for you to take another’s life.”
Erasmus says nothing, but I am all the more certain now than ever before that he is the murderer. I thought perhaps that either he had committed the heinous act or else he had ordered the man killed, but now, I am certain that the one I am sitting with is a murderer.
My own alpha. Killed a human. No matter the reason why, the manner of death alone alarms me a great deal.
Why had Erasmus done this?
And even more important, will he do it again?