Chapter 20: Chapter Twenty: The Hunt for Cain

Dawn broke over Lunar Heights, casting the city in a dull, golden haze.

Alex stood on the highest rooftop near the Crescent Fang den, staring out over the streets below. Cain was out there. Waiting. Planning.

But this time, Alex wasn’t going to let him dictate the war.

No more ambushes.

No more traps.

They were going to hunt him down.

Kara approached, adjusting the strap on her crossbow. “Scouts just returned. They found movement in the old trainyard.”

Alex turned to her. “Cain?”

Kara shrugged. “Could be. Could also be another one of his games.”

Alex’s jaw clenched. “Then let’s make sure it’s his last.”

The Crescent Fang wolves moved through the city like shadows, fast and silent.

Maya led a group toward the rooftops, scouting ahead for signs of rogue movement.

Lucas walked beside Alex, his fists clenched. “If we find him, we finish this.”

Alex didn’t hesitate. “No more running.”

Lucas smirked. “Good.”

They had been divided before.

But now?

They were hunting together.

And Cain wouldn’t escape them this time.

They reached the trainyard just before dusk.

It was abandoned a maze of rusted railcars, broken tracks, and looming watchtowers.

But the scent of rogues was fresh.

Alex raised his fist. The pack halted.

Kara scanned the area. “They’re here.”

Lucas flexed his claws. “Then let’s get this over with.”

Alex exhaled.

“Spread out. Find him.”

Then a howl split the air.

The trap had already been set.

Rogues emerged from the shadows, launching themselves at the pack.

Alex barely dodged the first strike, countering with a sharp claw to the ribs.

Lucas roared, taking down two rogues at once.

Kara fired a shot, dropping a wolf mid-lunge.

The Crescent Fang fought like a unit, pushing forward.

But something was wrong.

Cain wasn’t here.

Then Alex saw a lone figure watching from the highest train car.

Golden eyes.

Cain.

Alex locked eyes with him.

And Cain smirked.

Then he disappeared into the darkness.

Alex didn’t hesitate.

He took off after him, leaping onto the train cars and following Cain into the ruins.

Kara’s voice rang out behind him. “Alex, wait”

But he wasn’t stopping.

Cain had been running long enough.

Now?

It was his turn to be hunted.

Alex tore through the trainyard, his heartbeat hammering in his ears.

Cain was just ahead, weaving through the wreckage like a ghost. Fast. Calculated.

But not invincible.

Alex wasn’t the same wolf who had been chasing Cain’s shadow for months.

Tonight, he wasn’t the prey.

He was the hunter.

And Cain was running out of places to hide.

The scent of oil and rust thickened as Alex closed the distance.

Then Cain slipped.

It was barely a stumble a slight misstep over broken steel.

But it was enough.

Alex lunged, tackling Cain into a rusted train car.

They hit the ground hard, rolling through dust and debris.

Cain growled, twisting free. But Alex was already on him.

Claws clashed. Teeth snapped.

For the first time, Cain wasn’t in control.

And he knew it.

Cain snarled, swinging wide.

Alex ducked, countering with a sharp elbow to the ribs. Cain staggered.

Alex pressed forward, not giving him time to recover.

A left hook landed.

A claw to the shoulder Cain barely dodged.

He was fast, but not fast enough.

Alex’s golden eyes burned. “Not so fun when you’re the one being chased, is it?”

Cain wiped blood from his lip, grinning despite himself.

“Oh, Alex.” His voice was almost amused. “You think you’re winning?”

Then, before Alex could react, Cain moved.

Cain grabbed a metal pipe from the wreckage, swinging it with brutal force.

Alex barely dodged, but the distraction was enough.

Cain kicked him back, spun, and whistled.

The air shuddered.

Alex’s instincts screamed too late.

The explosion ripped through the trainyard.

Flames. Smoke. A shockwave that sent Alex flying.

By the time he hit the ground, Cain was gone.

Alex forced himself up, coughing through the smoke.

Footsteps. Lucas. Kara. Maya.

They reached him just as the fires dimmed.

Kara’s eyes were sharp. “Where is he?”

Alex wiped blood from his brow. Furious. Focused.

“He ran.”

Lucas exhaled, shaking his head. “Again?”

Alex turned toward the city.

“No,” he said. “He’s leading us somewhere.”

Cain was done playing games.

He wasn’t running.

He was setting the stage.

And Alex was going to end it.

His golden eyes burned as he looked at his pack.

“We find him.” His voice was calm. Cold.

Lucas bared his teeth. “And then?”

Alex exhaled.

“Then we finish what we started.”

Alex’s breath was steady, his heart pounding in rhythm with his steps.

Cain’s scent was still fresh, winding through the alleyways of Lunar Heights. Faint traces of blood. Sweat. Smoke.

Alex wasn’t just tracking him.

He was closing in.

Kara’s voice crackled through the pack’s radio. “He’s moving east, toward the tunnels.”

Alex pressed the radio. “Maya?”

“I see him,” Maya responded. “He’s fast, but not fast enough.”

Alex smirked. Cain thought he was setting the trap.

But this time he was walking into one.

The Crescent Fang wolves moved in formation, boxing Cain in.

Alex stayed on the rooftops, tracking his movement from above.

Lucas and Maya blocked the northern exit.

Kara and Ethan sealed off the alley behind him.

Cain was running out of options.

Alex exhaled. “Push him toward the main street.”

Kara responded instantly. “On it.”

Seconds later, Cain appeared darting onto the open road.

Alex dropped from the rooftop, landing directly in front of him.

Cain skidded to a stop, golden eyes narrowing.

“Well,” he muttered. “That’s new.”

Cain’s gaze flicked to the shadows.

He was calculating. Looking for an escape.

Not this time.

Alex took a step forward, claws flexed. “Out of tricks?”

Cain grinned. “Not quite.”

Then he moved.

Fast. Too fast.

Alex barely dodged as Cain lunged, aiming for his throat.

The impact sent them crashing through a storefront window.

Glass shattered. Dust filled the air.

They hit the ground hard, rolling, clawing, striking.

Cain was strong. Ruthless.

But Alex was better.

He caught Cain’s arm, twisting slamming him into the wall.

Cain grunted, blood dripping from his lip.

Alex didn’t let go.

“You’re done,” Alex growled.

Cain laughed, breathless but still smiling. “Not yet.”

Then he whistled.

A low growl echoed from behind Alex.

Lucas.

Then Kara. Then Maya. Then the entire pack.

Cain exhaled, finally looking at who surrounded him.

His rogues were nowhere in sight.

He was alone.

Alex tightened his grip. “This is over.”

Cain smirked. “You sure about that?”

His golden eyes gleamed.

And Alex knew Cain still had one last move.