“Are you sure that it was a letter of probate?” Benjamin navigated the backroads on the way back through Warthford.

  “I don’t know.” Nova sat back into the black leather and crossed her arms.

  “Nothing else, no name, no specifics?” Benjamin pushed.

  Nova squeezed her eyes in concentration. “Barron is the only thing coming to me.”

  “She must have really bumped her head.” Benjamin let some syllables fade into air, as he whispered.

  “Barron is good. Though, that could be a first or last name.” Amari tilted her head back. The gray cloth blurring as her eyes went unfocused. Barron was not a name she ever heard.

  “Not a common first or last name.” Benjamin glanced at the clock. “Let’s stop for lunch and I can get my assistant to research the name Barron with the local area databases. Maybe we will get lucky.”

  Amari watched the disappointment shrink Nova deeper into the seat. “Don’t give up, we still have options.”

  Nova nodded, but continued to stare out the window.

  Guilt swirled with fear, Amari turned forward in her seat.

  “How does Italian sound? I know a great hole in the wall makes the best homemade marinara around.” Benjamin looked between the ladies.

  “Thanks Benjamin.” Amari smiled. This man had surprised her with his dedication. He had shown up early this morning and escorted them through the different offices. Easily getting them through doors and interpreting jargon, despite being fruitless so far, Amari held onto a measure of hope with his assistance.

  “My pleasure. I get to take two lovely ladies around. It’s a perfect way to spend my day off.” An easy smile lit up Benjamin’s face.

  “Still, I am glad you are here.” Amari caught his eye before looking back over her shoulder. Squaring her shoulders, she forced all the optimism she didn’t feel into her voice. “What is your go to at an Italian place to test if it is any good?”

  Nova shrugged, placid features reflected in the glass.

  “Well if they have a bolognese then definitely that, but not every restaurant has that on their menu. I do like a good lasagna, though nothing beats grandmama’s.”

  “I do like a good lasagna, but I like my alfredo.”

  “Solid choice.” Benjamin’s features twisted. “Nova you aren’t allergic to anything are you?”

  “No.” Nova’s voice was flat.

  Benjamin’s eyes widened as his brows rose and he looked at Amari. Amari rolled her eyes, breathing deep. Keeping up morale was not one of her virtues.

  Benjamin pulled down an alley too tight to be two ways. The gravel lot behind the old brick building was filled with murky water filled potholes. “Hold up.” Benjamin’s door shut as he quickly walked around and opened their doors.

  “Thanks.” Nova mumbled as he held her hand as she jumped over the edge of a car eating hole.

  “Certainly.” Benjamin turned, gently lifting Amari from where she stood tight against the car. Only releasing his hold once, she was stable.

  Amari’s mouth watered as garlic, basil, and other savory aromas surrounded them. She held the door for Nova as Benjamin waved them on. The dim interior lit by yellowed chandeliers and sconces felt cozy. Slipping into a red, vinyl booth, Amari passed Nova a menu.

  “Do you think we will find someone from my family?” Nova’s words barely broke past the music.

  Amari laid down the menu. Hands flat against the plastic cover, she pulled her knee up onto the bench. Truth was always the best option. “I think that there is hope but if you are correct about probate, it seems unlikely.”

  “That’s what I thought.” Nova

  “But I think you can at least find more information about yourself?”

  “How would that help?”

  “I dunno. But maybe you will feel a connection or feel less alone?”

  “Yeah, maybe.”

  Amari sighed, she wasn’t an abandoned teen anymore, she should be able to do something. Staring blankly at the menu, she hoped Benjamin would find something.

  “What’s our next stop?” Amari stretched. A bag of leftovers swung at her side. Benjamin had been right, the chef had classic old country recipes.

  “Helena emailed a list.” Benjamin helped them into the car. Rushing around to his side as the hollow splatters increased in intensity. The interior light reflected in his dark hair before his hand raked them out. “She suggested we hit Merton. Actually one of our wolves’ maiden name is Barron. Not sure yet, but that might be a connection.”

  “Before we drive all that way today…” Out of the corner of her eye, Amari watched Nova shrink. “Not that we won’t go, but we would be cutting it close and it would potentially mean a long night. Benjamin, you didn’t sign up for that.”

  “I am keen for an adventure. Besides, I do want to know where this scavenger hunt leads us.” Benjamin clicked his belt.

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  “Okay, I’ll text the family to let them know what is going on.” Amari smiled at the half smile on Nova’s face.

  “Helena reached out for us, a junior associate will be staying late for us.” Benjamin glanced down at the navigation. “Mari’s right, we are not getting there in time for normal working hours.”

  “Thank you for staying late for us. I am Benjamin Morningstar, this is Amari Spesy and Nova Rao.” Benjamin held out a hand firmly shaking the smaller man’s hand.

  “Nicholas.” Nicholas nodded. Sweeping his arm, he ushered them into a small office off the entry way. “I am glad your assistant called, we didn’t know how to get in touch with Ms. Rao. We were coming up on the deadline for Mr. Barron’s probate. Mr. Williams had a standing date night, he is trusting me to assist you with the little bit of paperwork we need to handle.”

  “May I ask did you know Mr. Barron?” Amari glanced around the small office.

  Clean, if not a little cluttered, shelves lined one wall. Typical, uncomfortable waiting room chairs filled the wall near the door. Benjamin grabbed two, moving them closer to the desk for Amari and Nova. As they sat, he pulled up on the other side of Nova, and crossed his leg over his knee.

  “No, I did not. I only knew him by reputation. Mr. Williams handled the whole Barron family, when Mr. Barron became bedridden in the end, I think Mr. Williams went to his home to assist and to play a game of chess.” Nicholas slid a manila folder with hooks out of his desk drawer.

  “They were friends?” Amari shifted in her seat as she slipped down the slick leather.

  “Long time.” Nicholas answered absently. Holding up a page near his computer screen, he murmured affirmatives to himself. “Now to be clear you are Nova Laylah Rao?”

  “Yes.” Nova looked quickly at Amari as her elbow dropped from the arm rest. Curiosity rapidly transitioned to understanding. “Sir.”

  “Ms. Rao, may I see your ID? I need to make a copy for our records. Proof we found the right Ms. Rao.” Nicholas stood, lightly grasping the card. “May I grab you anything to drink? We have soda, water, coffee, tea?”

  Amari looked around. “No, thank you.”

  “Nova, how are you feeling?” Amari tucked her foot under her knee, shifting to feel more secure.

  “Surprised.” Nova squeezed her fists.

  “No urge to change?” Amari eyed the white knuckles against the green cushion covered silver arms.

  “I am good.” Benjamin teased.

  “I am too.” Nova laughed, her hands covering her mouth muffling her words.

  Amari leveled Benjamin with her best stern look, but her gratefulness broke her straight lips. With a breath, she could tell Nicolas would have an issue if a wolf suddenly stood in his office. “Okay, grab my hand if you need, Benjamin can cover us while I get you out of here.”

  “Sure can. We can talk shop until you get your fur in check.” Ben winked.

  “What do you think I expect?” Nova turned to him fully.

  “It depends on Mr. Barron. Did he want everything liquidated or do you have a house full of stuff down the street?” Benjamin shrugged.

  “Oh, you could have a house.” Amari reached for Nova’s hand.

  “I don’t know what I would do with a house.” Nova sank into her chair. Her head laid on the back of the low back staring at the ceiling.

  “I can help you handle anything you need. For a fee.” Benjamin failed to keep a straight face. “I hear you got some pull with Mari.”

  Nova looked at Amari brows nearing her hairline.

  “Thanks for your patience.” Nicholas pushed through the door. Circling the desk, he pulled his chair in.

  Amari breathed grateful for his perfect timing.

  “Okay.” Nicholas used two fingers to press her ID past the “# 1 Uncle” mug filled with pencils. His eyes scanned some papers as he flipped through the contents of the folder on his hand-me-down desk. “According to Mr. Barron’s will, he wanted to leave a portion of his funds to his long term nurse but the house and its contents would be left to family. If no family could show up within a certain time, the assets would be sold at auction and the proceeds given to the local fire department.”

  “Was he a fightfighter?” Nova smiled.

  “Yes. Thirty years, the last handful as Captain. From what I hear, he was a very respected member of the community.” Nicholas smiled. “May I have Mr. Morningstar review this for you? Or do you wish to look at it?”

  Nova nodded toward Benjamin and Nicholas handed over a pile of stapled papers. Benjamin slowly read each line.

  “Can I answer anything else for you?” Nicholas turned to Amari and Nova.

  “Did you find any other family?” Nova’s voice was quiet with hope.

  Amari’s heart squeezed as she saw Nicholas’ eyes dart to connect with Benjamin’s and then her own.

  “Mr. Barron was clear, I was to search within his branch of the bloodline only. I am sorry to say you are the only one that remains.” Nicholas spoke softly. “I heard that he lost his sister a long time ago.”

  “Lost?” Amari hated all the ways that word could tear at Nova’s heart.

  “That is what I heard.” Nicholas ran his finger down the screen.

  “Do you think that we would be able to see your documents?” Amari knew with a better starting point, Elias could get them more information with his network of researchers within days if not hours. Idly, she wondered if he found any more in the pattern from before or if he had moved onto predicting the most likely places the researchers would place cameras. Every pack would want copies of where the cameras were and were probably pooling information. The long pause shook Amari from her reverie and she turned her attention back to Nicholas.

  Nicholas swallowed. “I do not have physical files. I can’t give you access to our servers, but I can print them out.”

  “That would be lovely, do you at least have names you could jot down for us?”

  Nicholas looked at his screen. “Uh. Yes. I could do that.”

  “Thanks. I want to see if we can find some of the other branches if we go back a bit further or wider.” Amari grasped Nova’s hand.

  “I did a pretty thorough search, but it was narrow.” Nicholas defended.

  “We have a secret weapon.” Amari tried to appease the young man, not meaning anything by her comment. Elias was just better.

  Benjamin cleared his throat. “This all looks in order. Nova, if you sign this, you are taking possession of the property and its contents. This year’s taxes seem up to date but you will have to make some decisions moving forward, but there’s no rush.”

  “Thanks, Mr. Morningstar.” Nova rubbed her face.

  Benjamin pulled the documents back to his chest. “Benjamin.”

  “Benjamin.” Nova accepted the papers from Benjamin and a pen from Nicholas. Balanced on her knee, she scrawled her name on the line. “Can I see it?”

  “Here is the address.” Nicholas traded her. After slipping the pages in the folder, he held out a key ring with three silver keys dangling. “And the keys. You are free to do whatever you wish with it. Mr. Williams or I am here most days if you have any questions.”

  “Thank you Nicholas, you have been a great help.”

  “My pleasure. Please don’t hesitate to reach out. Ms Rao, I know you didn’t know Mr. Barron, but my condolences.” Nicholas shook each of their hands in turn. “His house is up first street. If you pop a U-ey, go through two stop signs and a light, on the third stop sign take a left. It is on the corner of First and Wallace Avenue. Small white house with black and red trim. Can’t miss it.