Chapter 69: The Night Hunt
Stone's Point of View
Stone let out a deep breath as his shoulders relaxed. Audrey had stepped into the pack house, and he finally felt that some worry had lifted from him. She was safe now, and that thought gave him a small measure of peace. The heavy burden of concern slowly left him, and he could focus on what lay ahead.
“What is next, Alpha?” asked Alistair in a simple tone, noticing the ease in Stone’s posture. “Now, we go hunting,” Stone replied firmly. “We hunt Carina down, and I want her alive.”
A dead Carina would not give him the answers he needed. Even if she were gone, her silence would only keep the truth hidden. Stone had to know if Carina was at the center of everything and whether she had help behind her plans. His mind was set on learning the truth, and killing her was not an option.
The pack quickly changed their gear. They took off their shorts and shifted into their beast forms. With a solemn nod, they plunged into the dark woods.
Stone then gave clear orders:
“Guinevere, stay near the house. Gawain, check a two-mile area around it. Alistair, go east, and Gunner, head west.” Finally, Stone said, “I will go north into the city. I am sure Carina's hiding there.”
Every order was simple and direct. His team understood that they had to cover every angle, and Stone trusted that by splitting up, they would find the vampire.
In just fifteen minutes, Stone reached the edge of the city. However, his keen senses found no sign of any vampires or bloodsuckers. He then ran west along the city’s border for about thirty minutes, turned around, and headed east for an hour. Still, nothing came up. When he received simple “all-clear” messages from his team, he decided,
“I'm entering the twin city now.” Every step was taken with care, and the quiet streets of the city seemed to hide many secrets in the dark.
Stone moved slowly through the shadows. He strained his senses to catch the smallest sign—a whiff of cold, metallic breath or a faint smell that might mark a vampire. His eyes, ears, and nose searched every dark corner, every hidden path. For two long hours, he walked through the darkest streets and the most dangerous parts of the city.
He even passed through quiet suburban backyards before finally choosing to go into the town center. The silence of the night was steady, broken only by his careful and determined steps.
In a quiet backyard, Stone spotted a set of clothes left on a line. He quickly stole a piece of clothing and shifted into his human form. Now, barefoot on cool pavement, he walked slowly down the street. Even though it was a Monday night near midnight, bars were still open and alcohol was flowing. The air smelled strongly of beer, hops, and malt—a mix that reminded him of both life and the underlying decay of the city.
At a street corner, a woman with little clothing smiled at him and gave a wink. Despite her smile, the air around her carried the sour smell of old sweat. Stone simply crossed the street to avoid any distraction. There was no time for small pleasures. His mission was too important.
Soon, the great clock tower downtown struck midnight. At that moment, Stone detected the scent of a vampire and two humans—faces he had not seen in two years. His heart skipped a beat as memories and danger mixed in his mind. Gritting his teeth, he turned into a narrow alley to get closer. Even though he thought he might be chasing a false lead, Stone knew he had to check.
Before he could fully see them, he heard simple voices coming from a small group gathered around a body—or what was left of one. The sharp smell of vampire blood hit Stone hard and made him stop a few yards away. The scene was grim and every strong odor reminded him of his dangerous task.
A tall man with a lean build spoke first. “Well, well, David, look who is here,” he said in a mocking tone as he looked toward a shorter, sturdier man who was busy with the remains.
“One of our brave guardians is here. Hello, knight in furry armor.”
David, the shorter man, stood up and said simply, “Stop talking and clean up that body, would you.” The tall man spat and reached into his trench coat. He pulled out a plastic bag and began picking up the broken body pieces carefully with his gloves.
Then David turned to Stone, his black boots making heavy sounds on the pavement. “Why are you here in my city, Lycan?” he asked.
Stone did not like David’s tone. He knew the hunters did not care much for werewolves or lycans; they met only when forced. Stone usually let the hunters handle downtown matters and only talked when he had no other choice.
“I am looking for a vampire called Carina,” Stone said plainly. “Do you know her?”
David answered with a simple smirk, “Yes, who doesn't know that old bat? What do you need her for?”
Stone replied, “I need to question her. She must be alive.”
David added in a low voice, “If I catch her, she won’t get a chance to speak in court.” Their words were simple but heavy with meaning.
Stone reached out and grabbed David by the collar, lifting him slightly. “If you catch her, you will hold her until I arrive. If you cannot, then tell her to meet me at the Schubert Club Bandshell. Is that clear?”
David glared and said sharply, “Let me go, you mutt.” Stone growled and, with some reluctance, let David down. Still, David fixed his jacket and asked, “I will help if you tell me what you need with this vampire. What is she to you?”
Stone answered coolly, “I need her for questioning. I don't need you sniffing up my business.”
Then David raised an eyebrow and asked, “Is this about the girl your pack is guarding?” Stone bit his lip in surprise. How did David know about Audrey? His heart pounded for a moment before he could reply.
David gave a small smile and said, “So, it is about the girl? That is interesting.” He walked around Stone slowly, eyeing him up and down. “Why would a nearly immortal lycan be interested in a human? Your own laws is against mixing with humans. And you, being part of the Olde Order, could only mean one thing.”
Stone clenched his fists and said, “Do not tell anyone about this.”
David sighed and then smiled broadly, “So, she is your mate.”
Stone felt anger boiling inside him. He hated that they had figured out his secret so fast. If the hunters knew, the vampires would soon know too. Secrets were spreading, and Stone did not like that at all.
David kept moving and added, “You lycans and werewolves are very simple. You are so predictable. When it does not involve your mate or pack, you do not care about anyone.”
Stone struggled to keep his anger down. He did not want to argue with David—there was some truth in his words, but he had too much on his mind. Talking more would only bring in more trouble with the hunters. The less he said, the less he had to worry about.
Finally, Stone said in a clear voice, “Tell her she must meet me one hour before sunrise.”
Without more words, Stone turned and left. Behind him, the tall hunter lit a fire in a metal drum and put the vampire pieces in. The pieces sizzled and popped, and a strong, unpleasant smell filled the air. Stone pulled his shirt over his nose as he walked out of the alley back onto the street, leaving the grim scene behind.
Stone then spent a long time searching inside bars and clubs until all the lights were turned off for the night. He found nothing. After another hour of walking through empty streets, he suddenly caught a strange smell that did not belong to the normal night air.
His lips curled in a quiet snarl as he slipped into the dark shadows. He was downwind from the vampire. Although he could not tell exactly where it was, he knew he had to move quickly and quietly. In his wolf form, he could run fast, but in human form, his speed was only average.
He needed a helper—a messenger, maybe—to trap the vampire. For now, he remained in his human form and waited.
He paused on an empty, lamp-lit street until a car passed by. Then he slipped away, moving slowly between cracks in the walls, past the doorways of closed shops, and along narrow alleys. Soon enough, his eyes caught a glimpse of a vampire standing in the dim light.