Scarred Wolf Queen Chapter 43

**Briony's POV**

"Put me down!" I swatted Ethan's shoulders as he spun me around, my feet barely touching the ground. "I'm not a trophy!"

"You scared us half to death out there," he said, finally setting me down but keeping his hands on my waist. His body heat felt like a furnace against my skin.

"That was intense to watch," Layla said, pulling me into a big hug. "Now I get why you're always so restless. Standing there helpless while you faced all that was brutal."

Noah appeared, his eyes shining with pride. He ruffled my hair like when we were kids.

"Dad's face was priceless," he grinned. "When I pointed out your wolf, he looked like he'd swallowed a lemon whole. I've never seen him so speechless."

"Probably couldn't believe I could shift at all," I laughed.

Suddenly, Benjamin pressed against my back, his nose touching my neck as he inhaled deeply. He stepped away, and Maxwell and Christopher took turns doing the same thing. It felt oddly comforting, though definitely weird.

"What's with the sniffing?" I raised an eyebrow. "New greeting I missed?"

Before anyone answered, Prince Derek pushed through the crowd, his face lit up.

"That was incredible!" He grabbed my shoulders, eyes wide with excitement. "I've never seen my father's guards so... completely outsmarted. Your tactics were brilliant!"

He hugged me briefly, letting go the second a low growl rumbled behind us. His lips quirked as he glanced at the boys.

"Father's personal security team volunteered after hearing about yesterday," he added. "I think they regret it now."

My heart jumped. Those weren't ordinary evaluators but the Alpha King's own guards! And I'd outrun them for the entire session.

"I need food," I quickly said, "Feels like I ran three marathons back to back."

"Your wish is my command, Lightning," Christopher smoothly lifted me onto his back.

The lodge was already packed when we arrived - people everywhere, Alpha Adam's barbecue scent filling the air, music thumping from the backyard.

"Can you take me upstairs to shower?" I whispered in Christopher's ear. "I'm disgusting. Dirt and sweat everywhere."

"My pleasure," he said, voice dropping suggestively. "Happy to make sure you're thoroughly... clean."

He glanced back with a wink, and I finally caught his meaning, smacking his shoulder.

"Oh my god, stop!" I rolled my eyes. "Just take me upstairs so I can change. Your jokes are getting worse."

"You started it," he laughed. "But I'll complete this mission quickly, so nobody suspects what we're doing up there."

"You're impossible," I muttered as we reached the porch. I tried to escape, but his grip on my thighs was firm. Making a scene was the last thing I wanted, so I gave up temporarily. "Just hurry. Your mom probably needs you guys to play host."

"Mom knows exactly where we are," Christopher punched in the code for the third floor. "Besides, you're the star tonight, not us. The whole pack's buzzing about you."

"Yeah right," I scoffed. "I can't even apply for the Sentinels yet. With all those experienced warriors, nobody's going to remember my performance."

Before Christopher could answer, a familiar shrill voice cut through the air.

"There you are!" Victoria's voice grated like nails on a chalkboard. "The Alpha King's waiting for you and your brothers. You can't keep him waiting! He might want to hear our ideas for improving the pack! Where are the others?"

She completely ignored me on Christopher's back, either intentionally or because she genuinely didn't notice.

"Victoria," Christopher interrupted, "who am I?"

"What?" She blinked, thrown off balance.

"Who am I? Not a complicated question."

"You're the future Alpha, obviously," she laughed nervously. "What a weird question."

"My name? Which of the three am I?"

I suddenly realized - she couldn't tell them apart. I buried my face in Christopher's shoulder to hide my laugh, breathing in his scent.

"Lightning," his voice tightened in warning, "unless you want our joke to become reality, don't press against me like that."

I jerked my head up to find Victoria glaring at me, her eyes cold.

"You can walk on your own," she snapped. "Stop acting helpless for attention. It's pathetic."

"You still haven't answered," Christopher pressed. "Which one am I? Specifically."

She fidgeted with her dress, eyes darting around. "Well... you're..."

Footsteps echoed from the stairwell as Noah appeared, breaking the awkward moment.

"Chris, quit hogging my sister," he joked. "Where are you two sneaking off to? Party's downstairs."

"Just going to change before joining in," I explained, "Apparently I need an escort for that."

"See?" Victoria jumped in. "Even she admits you should be downstairs."

"We'll be down shortly. You should head back," Christopher said coolly, turning to input the door code while deliberately blocking her view.

"I could wait for you," Victoria suggested, suddenly desperate.

Everyone stared at her, confused by her persistence.

"Briony needs to clean up, and Layla's checking for injuries," Noah said firmly. "We'll join soon."

Christopher seized the opportunity to head upstairs, the rest of us following. The last thing I heard was Benjamin warning: "No access to the third floor. Hand off the door or it closes on you."

The door locked with a click. Ethan exhaled loudly: "She gets bolder every day. You guys better watch out."

"The funny part is she still can't tell us apart," Christopher turned to me. "And doesn't even try. Why would we pick someone who doesn't care which one of us is which? She only wants the title, not the person."

"Wait, she really can't tell you apart?" I slid down from his back.

"Most people can't," Maxwell sighed, "They see us as one unit, not individuals."

"Even we struggle sometimes when they dress alike," Noah admitted.

"How is that possible?" I stretched my legs. "You three are so different."

"Like how?" Maxwell crossed his arms.

"Your eyes, for starters," I said, like it was the most obvious thing. "That's the easiest."

"Our eyes are all green," Christopher objected. "Basically identical."

"No way!" I insisted. "Maxwell's are deep forest green. Christopher's are blue-green, like tropical waters. Benjamin's have gold flecks that catch the light. It's obvious!"

The brothers exchanged surprised looks. Benjamin explained calmly, "To everyone else, they're just regular green eyes. Nobody notices those details."

"And your scents are completely different too," I continued, confused by their reaction. "That's just the beginning."

"Hold up - their scents are different?" Ethan exclaimed. "To us, they smell pretty much the same!"

"What? How?" I looked at them incredulously. "Maxwell smells fresh and steady, Christopher is sweet and energetic, and Benjamin's is deeper with that hint of incense. When they're together, those scents create this really soothing combination."

I closed my eyes instinctively, breathing in that comforting blend. When I opened them, everyone was staring at me strangely.

"So from just scent and eye color, you can tell us apart?" Benjamin asked, his voice carrying a longing I'd never heard before.

"Of course," I shrugged, not understanding the big deal. We were friends; knowing their differences was just basic respect.

"Sweet Goddess," Maxwell whispered. "No one except our parents can do that."