78

78
So sorry guys

I haven’t been available lately…
But, I’m back!

….

A heavy darkness cloaked the street as the taxi rolled to a stop. From the backseat emerged a man in a black hoodie, face hidden beneath the shadow of the cap stitched into the fabric. He moved like a ghost — swift, silent, and deliberate. He didn’t lift his head once. One hand reached into his pocket, pulled out a few folded notes, and handed them to the driver. The taxi driver barely glanced at him. He snatched the cash, grunted, and sped off the moment the man’s foot hit the pavement.

The hooded figure turned without hesitation and walked straight toward a massive, gated mansion. The guards didn’t stop him. They knew better. This wasn’t a man you questioned.

Inside, he climbed the marble staircase, boots echoing softly against the pristine floor. He stopped at the far end of the corridor, raised his hand, and knocked twice on a thick wooden door.

“Come in,” a voice croaked from inside.

The hooded man pushed open the door and stepped into a room filled with books, dust, and an overwhelming scent of pine and cigar. An old man sat by the fireplace, wearing a thick fur coat despite the heat. His face was long, wrinkled, and shrewd. He didn’t look up from the newspaper he was reading.

The hooded man dropped to one knee. “Alpha,” he said, his voice low and tense. “I have something to report.”

The old man folded his paper slightly, just enough to peer over it. “Go on, Rock.”

Rock clenched his jaw. “The girl—Andrea—she’s… meddling with those boys. From what I’ve seen, she has no intention of harming them, let alone killing them. I believe she’s growing attached.”

The old Alpha chuckled, slow and deliberate. “So, she’s falling in love instead of spilling blood.”

Rock nodded. “I’m asking—no, I’m offering. Give me the job. Let me kill them. I won’t fail you.”

The Alpha laughed harder this time, then dropped the paper completely onto the side table. His eyes gleamed with something sinister. “Of course you’d ask. But I know you, Rock. You’re an assassin, not a servant. You never do things without a reward.”

Rock’s lips curled into a sly smirk. “You’re right. My reward is this: if I kill one of the Alphas—whichever one it is—then I want to be made the next pack leader. Give me Andrea’s place.”

The old man leaned back in his chair, gaze now fixed entirely on Rock. “You ambitious snake,” he whispered.

Then, with a sigh, he said, “You don’t even know I already planned that. You were going to have the position regardless. But you didn’t see it coming.”

Rock’s brows twitched. His smirk faded.

“Yes, I was going to give you that role,” the Alpha continued. “But now I’m no longer trusting Elizabeth. Or Elena’s father. Their updates are useless. If Andrea won’t kill them, then you will. You find the real Alpha—between the two of them—and finish the job.”

Rock bowed again. “Understood.”

“One more thing,” Rock said, rising slowly, but his voice stiff with venom. “Andrea… she abandoned her role. You once told me she’d be the first female Alpha, leader of this pack. But if she couldn’t accomplish her mission, maybe I could be both. Leader and Alpha.”

The old man slammed his hand on the table. “Enough, Rock. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”

Rock stiffened. His hands curled into fists at his sides. “Yes, sir,” he mumbled, then turned and left. But behind that hood, his eyes were burning.

He wanted Andrea’s position. He wanted more than the role. He wanted the power. And he would do anything to get it.

⸻

Back at home, Jaxon sprawled across the couch, still in his school uniform, phone in hand. His black hoodie was half-zipped, and his hair was messy from the long day. He had a smirk on his lips, eyes glued to his phone screen as he juggled between chatting with Andrea and playing a car race game.

His dimples showed as he typed:
“Still ignoring my calls? ”
A second later, her message blinked in.
“I’m almost home. Had to finish up in the library. Didn’t ditch you, promise ”

Just then, his phone buzzed again — this time, a call.

He stared at the screen and raised a brow. “Her again?”

He picked up. “Hello?”

Andrea’s voice came through with a smile in it. “Is everyone at home? I’m on my way. Sorry I didn’t follow you guys. Had to wrap up some stuff in school.”

Jaxon laughed. “Yeah, everyone’s home. But what do you care? I’m the one you should be thinking about. I’m your baby, remember?”

Andrea burst out laughing on the other side. “Oh really? Then maybe I’ll bring you snacks.”

“Better,” he teased. “Now hurry up.”

“On my way,” she said before ending the call.

Jaxon leaned back, face flushed slightly, still grinning like a fool.

⸻

Far away, in a dark alley near the edge of town, Rock pulled out his phone. His hands were covered in black gloves, and only his eyes glowed beneath the shadows of the hood.

He typed quickly:

“I know who you are. And if you want to know me—so I won’t expose your dirty secret—meet me at school. Front of the basketball court. I’ll find you. Don’t bother asking how. You’ll know.”

He paused. Then added:

“Come alone.”

Without hesitation, he hit send — not once, but twice. One message went to Rick. The other, to Jaxon.

He had no intention of informing Jack. Andrea already ruled him out—no pendant, no key, no mark. That left only two suspects.

Rock whispered under his breath, “Andrea, still playing protector. Still blind. But don’t worry. I’ll finish your job. I’ll find the real Alpha. And when I do…”

He stuffed the phone in his pocket.

“…I’ll kill him.”

Then, he stepped into the shadows behind the basketball court, and waited.

⸻

Back at the boys’ house, Rick stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of his leather jacket. His jaw was tense, and his brows slightly furrowed as he checked his phone again. That strange message haunted his mind.

He didn’t recognize the number. But the words… they felt like a threat.

He didn’t tell Jaxon. Didn’t know he received the same message.

In the garage, Jaxon revved up his motorcycle. His face had turned serious now, eyes narrowing as he stared at the same message on his screen. His lips tightened into a hard line.

Neither of them spoke. Neither knew the other was also getting ready to leave.

By coincidence or fate, they both headed toward the same destination.

As the engines roared and the doors slammed shut, Andrea’s taxi rolled up to the front of the house. She had her backpack slung over her shoulder, eyes tired but lips curled in a soft smile. She hadn’t seen either of the boys.

She sighed, unaware of what was waiting for them at school.