Moss and lichen covered boulders sprawled in the rockery of mother nature. There was no trace of civilisation in the wilderness apart from a worn out path that snaked through the blanket of grass. Because Hunt's spirits were up high like the mountain he was keen to concur, he cared little about the wet mud that stuck to his boots and the backpack that dug into his shoulders.
He had missed the mountains, his time there was invaluable. He always came back home feeling more refreshed.
The trail changed from the soothing ambience of nature to a haunting and dense forest. It was obscured by bushes and fallen rocks and sloped high into the valley. The path halted and a cave appeared. Ivy wound round the cave and concealed the entrance that was a jagged opening.
His brother Ruhn was already standing outside the cave guiding it. He grinned when he saw Hunt.
"I was beginning to think you weren't going to make it."
"Are you kidding? It's the harvest moon."
"Well, good thing you're here. The whole pack's waiting inside."
"Is everything secured?"
Hunt asked sternly. Ruhn rolled his eyes, his brother was always concerned about security. He didn't blame him, after the last incidence a few days ago where a tourist had wandered deep into the forests and through their mountains during their shift, they had taken caution to prevent their location being known by humans and other supernaturals alike.
"They're doing another sweep of the forest as we speak."
"Okay."
Ruhn Adler was Hunt's immediate younger brother. They were only two years apart and were as different as light and day. Where Hunt had golden blond hair and jarring emerald green eyes, his brother had grey eyes the colour of the sky and raven black hair the colour of midnight. Their build was also different. Ruhn was taller, with lean muscles. He had the agility of a monkey and the speed of cheetah.
He was the fastest lycan Hunt knew. Which was why Hunt put him in charge of security and doing perimeter sweeps. It was what he was good at.
The Ortu Lunae pack was the Adler's history and heritage. Hunt came from a long line of purebred lycans Alphas.
His father, grandfather and great father were all Alphas. And Ortu Lunae was the oldest traditional lycan pack in Aron City. Their pack history was connected with the City's, that was how old they were.
Purebred Lycans were different from werewolves.
They were stronger, more powerful and they didn't die as easily as a werewolf could. And most importantly they could control their shifts. Werewolves were human beings that had been changed into wolves, although most times the werewolf genes is passed down.
Lycans on the other hand were humanoid wolves.
Hunt's pack had managed to keep their lineage as pure as they could, even going as far as mating with only lycans. Anyone who mated with werewolves, their pups were considered not to be purebred lycans. It was an old tradition, one that Hunt had tried to eradicate but still stuck with the pack. Lycans were rare and the prevention of interbreeding was making their numbers dwindle.
They had a few pack members who weren't purebred lycans, but nevertheless they were accepted by the pack.
That was how the problem with Lila had started. Hunt never expected to find his mate, it was a rare occurrence. The once who did were lucky if they found mates, even more luckier if the mate was a lycan.
Lila was a werewolf. Her grandfather had been bitten when he was young and the werewolf genes was passed through her family line. His parents opposed, he was torn on what decision to make and Lila became depressed. They had not expected him to find his mate. Nor did they want a Luna the pack would consider a weakling.
Inside the light of the cave was dim although being lit by two small fires in the corner of the cave. Hunt could spot a few supplies scattered around the cave. Most of the them loved to stay outside in their full form, but they liked to gather in the cave for pack meetings and any other thing.
His Beta Suna, walked up to him the minute he entered.
"Glad you're here. I have news."
She said as she followed closely behind him and watched as he peeled off his backpack. She was quite smaller than him and many others in the pack but she was also well respected among the pack. Not only because of her ferocity in her full form but because of how good she was at being Beta.
"I've had a long day at the office and it was quite a ride getting here. Can it wait?"
He begged as he started peeling off his shirt too. That was one thing he loved about being in a cave far away from the outskirts of the city.
He had the freedom to do anything he wanted.
"No, it can't. That case I told you about a few weeks ago? Well we found another one."
Suna worked with the FBI, special cases. And she was very good at her job. Her tenacity and knack for cracking odd cases made her stand out. But many in her field didn't know that her being a Lycan and a supernatural gave her the advantage. And they would never know.
But a case had been bothering her for a few weeks. A body had washed up ashore on the city's only beach and it was puzzling. Autopsy reports didn't show that the person died of drowning, or any other thing. In fact there was no medical theory that could prove the cause of death. All they knew was that the body was completely drained of blood. And the body looked like a husk.
How it happened was a complete mystery. And Suna had been restless.
"Another one? Where?"
"Closer to the city. A few people saw it, a news station picked it up but we managed to keep it low."
"Is it a real threat?"
He asked as he raised his eyebrows and the look in Suna's eyes showed that she considered the threat real.
"I need the pack soldiers. I have a lead and I need them to trace it. But I also know how you feel about using the pack soldiers for personal usess so I had to ask."
Hunt shook his head and he placed his hand on her shoulder.
"No, Sura. You're my Beta. You don't even have to ask."
"Thanks Hunt."
She said. The two of them talked for a few more minutes. She updated him about everything going on in the pack before leaving him to check if the perimeter sweep was done.
Like it was his tradition, Hunt went around talking to members of his pack, trying to learn their struggles and everything going on with them.
It was one of the reasons his pack had remained so strong for years. the feeling of togetherness that they all embodied. Something that couldn't be said for most werewolves.
The usefulness of a pack had been lost to most of them but at least they were wise enough to keep the secret. Which was why turning a human into a werewolf was prohibited and punishable under their laws.
"Hunt!!"
Ruhn called out loud from the mouth of the cave.
"Is it time?"
He asked as his brother walked closer, a silly grin on his face.
"Yes, it's time."
"He didn't tell you where he was going to?"
Lacey shook her head as she paced around Aidas's dark office. She had come straight from work. Donna had kept her busy with meaningless things as she pestered her about the where Hunt was.
"I'm telling you! Nothing. I just got to work and I didn't see him. He didn't even clear out his schedule."
"Hnmmm." Aidas said as he stroked his chin. His velvety button down shirt had about three buttons undone. And Lacey could see his pale smooth chest peeking from the opening.
He was in his office as always. They rarely met outside his dark office or during the day. She either came over to his castle or the club which had become his new favourite place.
"Hmm? Is that all you'll say?"
She asked incredulously. It had certainly been strange enough for her. She had worked at Crete Inc for only week and Hunt was already disappearing.
Aidas didn't say a word. That was another thing about him, his ability to be silent for really long periods of time.
"But, that's not even the strangest thing. I asked Donna the receptionist and she says it happens like almost every month. He goes and comes back as he pleases for a few fays."
Hunt's electric blue eyes shot up to look at her.
"She said that?"
"Now you're interested?"
Lacey scoffed as she rolled her eyes.
"Yes, she did. She didn't seem fazed out at all."
"Hmmm. What's today's date?"
"October 1st. Why?"
She asked as she folded her arms.
"Hnmm. Don't worry. I think I understand. Keep a closer look on his movements though."
Lacey sighed. Aidas didn't seem to be impressed with anything she was giving him, almost as if he found her incompetent. But he wasn't complaining yet so at least she was safe.
"I will. I have to go. I promised my Dad I'll see him today."
"Oh. How's he doing?"
Adidas asked out of the blues. Lacey was surprised. He rarely cared to ask how her father was doing. He was more concerned about the mission than anything. Even her own safety.
"He's better. Thanks."
"Good. I'll text you when I need to see you. I don't want you being traced here."
"I can be traced?"
Lacey asked with a kook of bewilderment on her face.
Adidas shrugged.
"It's possible. Hunt is a ruthless human being. And he won't stop till he gets to the bottom of things."
"Crazy bastard."
Aidas murmured under his breath and Lacey raised her eyebrows.
"You know, he's not that bad! I know I've spent a few days with him but I think you're just exaggerating."
Aidas eyes shot up to glare at Lacey.
"Ugh! How can you be so gullible? He's a wolf in sheep's clothing. A monster."
Lacey rolled her eyes.
"He's a nice guy and a great boss. His employees love him too."
"He fooled you."
"What exactly did he do to you to make you so angry?"
She cocked her head and folded her arms but Aidas ignored her as he looked towards the windows in his office. They were tightly shut, like they always were.
"I don't expect you to understand. But be very careful with him. He's the one you should be afraid of. Not me."
His voice was grim. And his words sounded like a very serious warning. For some reason Lacey felt chills down her spine and she watched him closely.
Even though it was dark and the lighting was dim she could still make out his well chiseled face caught in the classic frown. She had never really seen him smile, or laugh.
"I'm not scared of you."
She said as she gulped hard.
Aidas looked at her slowly, his eyes lazily roaming over her body in a way that was painfully sensuous.
"Oh darling. You should be."
He replied lowly in a husky voice that was sexual and chilling at the same time. Lacey took several steps back as she stared into Aidas's face.
She blinked quickly and regained her composure.
"I've gotta go."
She turned to leave, rushing hastily to the door and bumping into a woman in the process.
The woman was taller than Lacey and Lacey didn't look down to check if she was wearing heels or she was just tall.
Her face was deathly pale but she was strikingly beautiful. Straight waist length purple hair and large grey eyes framed with long lashes and a full lip painted with blood red lipstick.
She was wearing nothing but leather and it stuck to every inch of her body. Like a second skin.
She practically gawked at Lacey, her stare was very unsettling.
"I'm sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going."
Lacey muttered as she scurried away.
Aidas watched Azure closely as Lacey left. The look on her face, the flare of her nose and the hiss that was building up in her tongue.
He could sense her burning question.
"She's not human?"
Azure said with a hiss as she turned back to look at Lacey with a predatory glance.
"It seems so."
Aidas sighed.