Page 48 of Knot Your Pawn

Unreal.

“Can I help look?” He steps closer, holding out his hand and I take it, before dragging him to the next room.

Our big new walk-in-closet looks as it always does, full of our clothes, but doesn’t smell anything like it’s supposed to.

I quickly get out and wildly pull Luca along to the next room. It’s where we normally store all our crafting supplies, across from Riley’s room.

Maybe the crafting room is what I’m looking for.

Maybe things will be better in there.

I glance Luca’s way and he gives me an encouraging nod. I nod back and open the door.

But the moment the door is open even a sliver, I know I’m out of luck.

Even this room is devoid of scents, nothing in there.

Still not home.

I pull the blanket up higher, wiping at the tears that are sliding down my cheeks.

Why is this so hard?

Why can’t I find home anymore?

Why is everything wrong?

“You’re shaking.” Luca uses his empty hand to tug the blanket around me more, like a mother hen, before he carefully touches my cheek. “Maybe the others are having more luck. Should we go take a look?”

He doesn’t drag me or move me, he simply waits for my answer.

Yes, I guess that makes sense. We should check with them.

Maybe they’re having better luck.

I do hope so because I’m not having any.

There’s a commotion in our nest room, Jorge is standing outside the door, staring inside, looking shocked. There are sounds of a struggle coming from the nest.

What’s going on?

I carefully walk over, my mates’ pheromones a mix of confusion and distress, not scents that are supposed to be in the nest.

When I look into the room, Jorge’s expression starts to make more sense. Caleb and Riley are holding Mathew, who’s got remnants of a pillow in his hands.

“Let me go!” He struggles in their grips, but they’re not budging.

There are flakes of pillow stuffing all over the nest room, among what looks like one or two torn blankets or curtains, strips of fabric.

I let out what feels like it’s supposed to be a laugh, but it doesn’t come out right.

Like everything else, it feels off.

But Mathew has the correct idea.

This isn’t our nest.

Not like this.