Chapter 162

Chapter 162
Erin's POV

For the next few days, I lived like a robot, mechanically working, mechanically breathing, mechanically passing each minute.

Jasper had taken leave, his desk sitting empty except for a slowly withering plant. He hadn't explained why, just sent a brief text saying he needed to handle "personal matters." Given his true identity, I suspected he'd returned to the Eastern Claw pack to report back.

Jason was gone too. After our last argument, he'd decided to go on a solo road trip to clear his head. "I need to think," he'd explained. "When I get back, we'll talk properly." I'd nodded, secretly relieved. I wasn't sure how to face Jason, especially after our fight.

The apartment was unusually quiet with just me there, only the sound of my breathing and occasional hum of appliances. I almost welcomed the silence—at least it gave me space to think.

That night, as I curled up on the couch half-heartedly watching an old movie, a frantic knocking broke the silence.

I stood up alertly, moving cautiously toward the door. Through the peephole, I saw a familiar young face—Lila, but looking nothing like her usual self. Her hair was disheveled, her face streaked with tears and fear.

I immediately opened the door. "Lila? What's wrong?"

She practically fell into my arms, her body shaking uncontrollably. "Erin... Marco... they took Marco!" she sobbed, her voice breaking. "Please help him!"

---

Pine Tree District looked even more dilapidated and dangerous at night than during the day. The grocery store on Moonlight Street was an old two-story building—a dimly lit shop on the bottom with residential space above.

I parked my car in the shadows at the corner, recalling Lila's story. After losing their parents, she and Marco had learned they had an uncle living in Seattle. When they first arrived, they couldn't find him. Later at the hospital, they finally made contact with this uncle, Tommy. He had initially seemed surprisingly friendly, but today he suddenly changed, forcibly taking Marco away.

I carefully approached the grocery store, keeping to the shadows. A few customers lazily browsed inside, while a tall muscular man—Tommy, I guessed—stood behind the counter. He wore a tank top stretched tight across his muscles, revealing tattooed arms, his expression grim. Even through the glass, I could sense the dangerous aura he exuded.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door. The bell jingled cheerfully, and Tommy looked up, wariness flashing in his eyes.

I pretended to casually browse between shelves while carefully observing my surroundings. Just then, a drunk customer bumped into a display of canned goods, sending them clattering to the floor.

"Hey! Watch it!" Tommy barked.

"Sorry, man," the drunk mumbled, unsteadily bending to pick up the cans, only to knock over more.

Tommy emerged from behind the counter, face dark. "Get OUT of my store!"

"I just wanted some beer," the drunk protested, his tone becoming confrontational. "You gotta be so damn rude?"

The atmosphere immediately tensed. I could feel Tommy's patience evaporating. His muscles tightened, broad shoulders leaning slightly forward—a stance ready for attack.

"Last warning," Tommy growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Get out."

The drunk foolishly shoved Tommy. "Don't be such an asshole."

Tommy's reaction was lightning-fast. He grabbed the drunk by the collar, effortlessly lifting him off the ground, then slammed him hard against a shelf. Products crashed to the floor as the drunk groaned in pain.

"Come into my store again, and I'll break your legs," Tommy threatened, his voice ice-cold.

The remaining customers quickly left, no one wanting trouble. Tommy turned to me, anger still burning in his eyes. "You too, lady. I'm closing."

"I just wanted to buy something," I pretended to be calm.

He approached me, his tall figure looming. "This isn't a place for you. Leave, while I still have patience."

I nodded, pretending to be scared, and quickly left the store. But instead of leaving, I quietly made my way to the alley behind the building.

The backyard was filled with boxes and garbage. I took a deep breath, carefully sniffing the air. Among the mixed odors, I caught a trace of fear.

Following the scent, I came to a small storage room. Through a crack in the door, I saw a woman enter with a tray of food, followed by the sound of metal clinking and low conversation.

"Please," a young voice pleaded—undoubtedly Marco. "Let me go home... my sister will worry..."

"Shut up and eat," the woman snapped. "You should be grateful we're feeding you at all."

I heard footsteps approaching the door and quickly hid behind a stack of boxes. The woman left the storage room, locked it with a key, then left the yard.

After making sure she wouldn't return, I approached the storage room's small window. Through the dusty glass, I saw Marco huddled in the corner.


---

I crouched outside the dilapidated storage shed, lightly tapping on the dust-covered window, my heart racing.

"Marco? It's me, Erin. Don't make a sound." I kept my voice low, eyes vigilantly scanning the surroundings.

The small, thin figure inside visibly jolted before quickly approaching the window. Marco's eyes gleamed in the darkness, his fingers gripping the window frame tightly.

"Erin!" he whispered in shock, his voice trembling. "Did Lila find you? Is she okay?"

"Yes, she's worried sick about you." I quickly surveyed the area, making sure no one noticed me. "Are you alright? Have they hurt you?"

Marco shook his head. "They haven't beaten me, just locked me in here. Uncle says it's for my protection." He paused, his voice dropping. "He promised I could go to school in a few days. Says it's not safe outside."

Bullshit. My wolf instincts immediately detected the lie. "Listen, Marco," I moved closer to the window, catching the scent of fear emanating from him. "I wanted to get you out now, but that might attract attention. Tonight I'll go back and contact people who can help, then come for you first thing tomorrow. Can you hang in there one more night?"

"I can," he nodded, looking disappointed but quickly putting on a brave face. "I'm brave."

"You definitely are." I heard footsteps in the distance. "I have to go. Remember, I'll be back tomorrow."

I quickly retreated into the darkness, watching Marco return to his corner. As I carefully made my way across the backyard to leave, a familiar scent suddenly hit my nostrils. My wolf immediately became alert—I know that smell!

Following the scent, I spotted a tall figure walking briskly down the alley. Instinct told me to follow. I quietly trailed behind, maintaining a safe distance.

The man eventually stopped in front of a gray-white building. The structure looked ordinary except for a red door and a burly guard. After exchanging a few words with the guard, the man went inside.

Underground club? I quietly circled the building, trying to find another entrance. The air was thick with alcohol, tobacco, and... other more primal scents—a mixture of sex and violence. I detected the scent of many werewolves, at least twenty.

On the side of the building near ground level, I discovered a ventilation window. I carefully removed the rusted metal grill to find it led to a ventilation duct. My werewolf hearing allowed me to clearly hear the conversations inside.

"...plan is ready. Five hundred people is enough to throw all of Seattle into chaos... distract them..."

Shit, what the HELL kind of plan is this? My heartbeat accelerated.

While I was focused on eavesdropping, a strong hand suddenly covered my mouth from behind, and another arm wrapped tightly around my waist. DAMN! I instinctively struggled, but the person's strength was overwhelming.

"Look what we have here, a little she-wolf eavesdropping," a gruff voice said next to my ear.