Chapter 18: 1
We pulled up in front of the house. To prove to Strix that the bond was real, I looked into her eyes when we got out of the SUV. The mate bond took effect immediately. It wasn’t yet sealed because she needed to accept it and we still have to mark each other.
We went inside and met the Barnette family of Clan Grey. They all seemed so nice, even Jason to my dismay. It was funny when Scott told them Strix and I were fated mates and Jason just about blew a gasket. Strix still wasn’t sure about it all. But I had faith she would come around.
Scott and Strix helped us look for the wanderer and I found that being near Strix allowed me to read the minds of those around me. I still found it odd but I was getting used to it. We found the scent we were looking for but it led us nowhere. Afterwards, we all talked for a bit before Kyle and I went home.
We got back to the pack house and informed the alpha of our search. Then we went to the kitchen for dinner. We had missed the pack meal while we were out. We made sandwiches and grabbed a couple of sodas each. After we ate, Kyle went to bed. I wasn’t that tired so I went to the gym. On my way there, I caught the scent again. The wanderer was back. I also smelled smoke. I looked around and saw a fire in the distance. I sent a call through the mindlink to get the fire put out as I ran towards it.
So he does mean to harm us. I caught two other vampire scents on my way to the fire but paid no mind to them. I needed to make sure that fire was put out. When I got there, people were running from their homes and I could hear the sirens from the trucks in the distance. Kyle and my father arrived shortly after I did. We made sure everyone got out of the homes that were now engulfed in flames. Some parents were still looking for their children and soon found them at the playground. We took everyone to the packhouse as the firefighters went to work putting out the flames. The whole circle was now engulfed. The playground would go next. Luckily, with the way we designed the town, only the nine houses in the circle would be lost.
The next dat was rough. Families lost everything. I told my father and Kyle about the two other scents I noticed last night. The three vampires, probably all wanderers, had made their move. We had no idea what their motive was.
The fire was out now. The families who had lost their homes would stay at the packhouse until everything was cleaned up and their homes rebuilt.
“Alpha, Alpha!” Rico shouted.
What is it, Rico?” Alpha Jacob replied.
Three teenagers went missing during the fire last night, two girls and a boy. They haven’t shifted yet, but will be shifting soon.” He said.
“Are you sure they are missing and not just off somewhere being teenagers?” My father asked.
“Yes, sir. They are missing. There are signs of struggle at each of their homes.” Rico answered.
“Who is missing,” I asked.
“Trevor, Jane, and Kat.”
“Has Beta Kit been informed that his daughter is missing?” Alpha asked.
“Yes, sir. He is consoling his mate.”
“Shawn, Kyle. I need you to ask the Barnettes for help. Go now!” Alpha commanded.
Kyle and I left immediately. When we arrived at the main house, Ben was waiting for us.
“I saw you coming. Did some idiots really take three teen wolves who are about to shift for the first time?” Ben asked.
“They sure did.” I answered.
“Don’t they know wolves can’t control themselves after their firs shift?”
“Guess not, but they may not even know they haven’t shifted yet.” I replied. “Can we speak with Donnie?”
“Yeah, he’s expecting you.” Ben said.
“You told him already?” Kyle asked.
“Yep. Plus, vampire hearing, he heard our conversation too.”
“Lycans have the hearing thing too.” Kyle said. “But thanks for the prep work.”
We went into the house and followed Ben to Donnie’s office.
“Welcome back boys. Ben told me you want help looking for some lost pups, is that right?” Donnie asked.
“Not just that.” I replied. “Three vampires came on our land last night and burned down nine houses as a distraction, while they kidnapped Beta's daughter and two of her friends. One of those vampires was the one we were looking for yesterday.”
“I see. This wanderer and his friends are wreaking havoc. They know packlands are off limits to vampires without an invitation. Why they would kidnap pups is beyond me. Ben did not see any of this happen just that you were coming to ask for help. Whoever this wanderer is, he has a gift for cloaking.When I find out who they are, I will banish them. And yes, we will form an alliance and help you.” Donnie spoke matter of factly.
“Thank you, I will let my father know and a treaty will be drawn up.” I said. “By the way, this means, until further notice, you and your family are invited to our pack any time you want or need..”
“Thank you, Shawn.” And with that, Kyle and I left.
When we got back to the pack, everyone was on alert. We did not know if the vamp trio would be back or what their plans with the pups were. Everyone was told not to go anywhere alone, not even in the human towns. We set up search teams throughout the day, but had no luck tracking the intruders or the pups beyond our land. The Barnettes came to help as well. They, too, had no luck.