As soon as Amanda turned the corner, Lucretia grabbed her forearm and pulled her with her.

?Did you have a nice chat?? she asked, sniggering close to the girl.

Amanda tried to get free, failing any attempt. Why did Lucretia have to find out about it? She was hoping everyone had forgotten about her.

?Do you know who that woman is?? Lucretia continued, narrowing her eyes and breathing close to Amanda's ear. ?Would you like to know more, ah??

?I don't care,? the other one replied.

She kept her calm even though she was looking forward to going back home. Wasn't it for her brother's position in the pack, she wouldn't hang out with the kids of the high-ranking people. They were a pain to deal with, and they used to treat her like a servant. She was better off alone!

?I just wanted to hear about the clothes they sell,? she continued. ?They use sensors and stuff... It seemed interesting.?historical

?You focus on the wrong thing, girl. Can't you tell her scent on your brother? Faint, as if they hadn't met for long, but it's still there.?

?What are you talking about, Lucretia??

She hadn't seen Renato in weeks. He had always been busy, so she couldn't have a chat on the phone - let alone be with him as close as to sense any scent.

?Your brother is seeing a woman.?

?Oh, yeah,? she murmured. ?I've heard rumours about that. What about it??

Was Lucretia so jealous? In the end, there had never been anything between Renato and her. Her inquiries had no right to exist in the first place.

Amanda knew - since it was obvious - what the other girl wanted. Yet, she also knew that her brother had zero interest in a spoiled teenager. She wouldn't inquire about every single woman he went out with, but she heard gossip every single time. She had learned how to avoid paying attention, for it always ended quickly and without any scandal.

Her brother was picky with women, or he was difficult to be with. Either of the two, his relationships never lasted enough to make their mother hope he was settling down.

?Aren't you concerned? That woman is from Norwich, and we're currently at odds.?

?I don't know what you want me to say, Lucretia. My brother is free to have affairs with whoever he wants. It's not the first time, is it??

After all, Samantha was beautiful and kind. She had talked with her for long, even if the woman was visibly wishing to take a break.

?She's an enemy??

?So what? He's just dating, not spilling our secrets or whatever.?

?Isn't he, now?? Lucretia chuckled, connecting the dots. ?But he's using her to know their secrets. My brother has been so happy with him lately. He brought much intel after meeting with that woman... I wonder who she is to know a lot, but she's certainly useful for our goals.?

?My brother isn't that kind of person,? Amanda muttered. ?He wouldn't use a woman like that.?

Even if his flings were short-lived, he had never taken advantage of the other party as far as she knew. They would talk about love, sometimes, and Renato had always insisted on mutual respect before anything else. He would always say she had to take care not to be taken advantage of and, as much as it could have been just a brother's worry, she had felt like he believed in his words till the end.

?How lucky for him, though. Isn't she gorgeous?? Lucretia continued, letting go of Amanda's arm. ?I understand why he's so willing to accept a risky mission. On one side, he's helping his pack. On the other, he's fucking a beautiful woman.?

?Lucretia!?

?What??

?Please, I don't want to hear about this. It's my brother's business. And, if it's a mission, you shouldn't talk about it with other people. It must be confidential, right??

?Oh, sure,? Lucretia said, rolling her eyes.

So, the woman Renato was seeing was not just from another pack, but she also was from Norwich. She only needed to find out who exactly she was, and then she could come up with a plan of action of her own.

Even if it was for a mission, she couldn't think about Renato being with another woman. Especially after noticing how he would lose track of his thoughts at the mention of her.

She was familiar with her scent, and now she knew her face. Next was to find a name.

?Aren't you curious about her, Amanda??

?Not anymore. She seemed interesting, but now I'd prefer to stay out of it. If my brother is involved, I don't want to be.?

?How odd. Aren't you dying to find out how often they meet and what he tells her to make her believe she has a chance with him??

?Why wouldn't she? Oh, don't tell me. I don't want to know anything. Let's go back; the others should be worried.?

?Worried about what? We're not alone in the woods.?

?Weren't you here to play video games and not court intrigues??

?Court intrigues? Your tongue suddenly got longer... Does your brother know that you talk back, now??

?No, he doesn't,? Amanda sighed. ?I'm sorry. Let's just go back.?

Luckily, Lucretia wouldn't remember about her too often. It mostly happened when she needed an excuse to get closer to Renato when he was busy with the affairs of the pack or simply avoiding Lucretia.

Amanda had to bear it for a few hours more, and then she could go home and rest from all that social fatigue. Still, for once, she had something nibbling on her brain... She wanted to talk with her brother, and his absence from home was suddenly meaningful.

He hadn't visited for weeks!

Once back, she would have called him. Or sent a text.

She wanted to see him so badly, even just for a meal. She didn't need to know everything about his relationship with that Samantha... Yet, she was curious about why he was hiding it so much. Just because they were from different packs?

It didn't sound right.