96

Tyler’s POV
I clenched my jaw at the mention of Alexander’s name. His name seemed to irritate me, but I pushed that feeling aside. Despite my affection for Sophia, I knew that her heart belonged to Alexander. Their bond was strong, and I couldn’t let my personal feelings get in the way of her happiness.
“It’s not your fault, Sophia. We knew the risks when we joined the Wolf Hunters. Our investigation into the Rogues is not just for you; it’s for the safety of everyone.”
Sophia’s gratitude was evident as she said, “I appreciate it, Tyler. Please be careful out there. I don’t want anything to happen to you or Jake.”
“We will, Sophia,” I assured her. “And we’ll keep you updated on our progress. You stay safe too.”
Jake had been listening to our exchange. His expression was a mix of determination and concern. “She’s worried about us, Ty.”
“Sophia, you don’t have to worry,” I said, trying to convey the sincerity in my voice. “We’re here to protect you, no matter what it takes.”
“Thank you, Tyler. I can’t tell you how much that means to me.”
Before Sophia could express her thanks further, the world around us suddenly erupted into chaos. The deafening explosion rocked the building, sending shockwaves through the structure. I felt the ground tremble beneath my feet as I was knocked off balance.
“Jake!” I shouted, my heart pounding in my chest as I scrambled to my feet.
Jake cursed angrily as he shouted, “Tyler, we’ve got to get out of here!”
The situation had gone from bad to catastrophic in the blink of an eye. The floors above us collapsed, sending debris and dust raining down. Panic filled the air as people screamed and rushed for the exits.
“Tyler! What’s happen? I think I heard an explosion, Where are you guys?!”
“Stay close!” I yelled to the other members on first floor over the din. “We’ll get out of this!”
Jake was right behind us, his face a mask of determination as we navigated the wreckage. Our fellow Wolf Hunters were struggling to escape, their training kicking in as they guided others to safety.
As we finally reached the lobby, another explosion shook the building, and I shielded Jake with my body, fearing that the ceiling might cave in on us. It was a terrifying moment, one that felt like an eternity.
When the dust finally settled, we rose to our feet, coughing and gasping for air. The lobby was unrecognizable, a scene of devastation with shattered glass and debris everywhere.
“Is everyone okay?” I shouted, scanning the area for signs of life.
Jake, his anger burning hot, cursed under his breath. “This was no accident, Tyler. It had to be the werewolves. They’re trying to wipe us out.”
I couldn’t deny the possibility. The werewolves had shown themselves to be ruthless in the past, and this level of destruction could only be deliberate. But we couldn’t jump to conclusions without evidence. Our priority was to ensure the safety of those who had managed to escape and to assist the injured.
I turned to Jake, my voice firm. “Jake, we need to find out who did this. We can’t let them get away with it.”
He nodded, his determination matching ours. “I’ll do whatever I can to help.”
We made our way outside, the magnitude of the catastrophe becoming painfully clear. The headquarters of the Wolf Hunter organization, a place that had always felt like a sanctuary, was now a crumbling ruin. The street was filled with emergency vehicles, paramedics, and firefighters rushing to the scene.
I couldn’t help but feel a lump in my throat as I surveyed the destruction. The headquarters had been a symbol of our fight against supernatural threats, and now it lay in ruins. But there was no time to dwell on it. We had to ensure the safety of those who had escaped and assess the extent of the damage.
“Jake,” I said, my voice trembling slightly, “we need to call an ambulance. We’re injured, and there might be others who need medical attention.”
Jake nodded, his anger still simmering. He pulled out his phone and made the call, providing our location and the severity of the situation to the emergency services.
While we waited for help to arrive, I turned my attention to a security guard who had been stationed at the entrance when the explosion occurred. He was battered and bruised but conscious.
“Can you access the surveillance footage?” I asked him urgently.
The guard nodded weakly, and I helped him to his feet. The Wolf Hunters had some of the world’s most advanced surveillance equipment, with extensive coverage of the building and its surroundings.
Half an hour later, we were in a makeshift command center set up by the emergency responders. The guard had managed to retrieve the footage, and I hunched over the screen, my heart sinking as I watched the events leading up to the explosion.
There, on the screen, was a suspicious man with dark hair and a sinister demeanor. He moved with purpose, planting explosives throughout the building. And as he turned, a flash of movement revealed a distinct X-shaped black tattoo on his back.
My blood ran cold as I zoomed in on the tattoo. It was identical to the one we had seen on a werewolf’s back at the Rogues’ club during our previous encounter. There was no doubt about it. The werewolves were behind this devastating attack on the Wolf Hunter organization.
I clenched my fists, my jaw set in determination. “We have to find this man, Jake. He’s the key to unraveling this conspiracy.”
Jake’s eyes burned with fury as he nodded. “We won’t rest until we bring him to justice, Tyler.”
As we worked with the authorities to coordinate a search for the rogue werewolf responsible for the attack, I couldn’t help but think of the fallen Wolf Hunters, the comrades we had lost in this senseless act of violence. Their sacrifices would not be in vain. We would honor their memory by continuing the fight against the supernatural threats that threatened our world, no matter the cost.
I clenched my fists, my knuckles turning white, as I turned to Jake. “They knew too much, Jake. We should have seen this coming.”
Jake’s expression was grim, his jaw set in determination. “We couldn’t have known, Tyler. They played their cards well, and we fell right into their trap.”
I nodded, acknowledging the truth of his words. The Rogues had infiltrated our organization, and we had believed that they could provide valuable information about the Shadow City werewolves. But now it was clear that they had been playing a dangerous game, one that had resulted in the bombing of our meeting building and the loss of many lives.
As I processed the gravity of the situation, my thoughts turned to Sophia. She had been on the line with me when the explosion had occurred, and I couldn’t imagine the fear and worry she must be feeling.
I reached into my pocket and retrieved my phone, bringing it to my ear. Sophia was still on the line, her voice urgent. “Tyler, what happened? Are you okay?”
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my emotions. “Sophia, our secret base has been bombed. It’s a disaster. ”
Sophia’s voice was filled with concern. “Tyler, I’m so sorry. I wish I could be there with you. Please be safe.”
“I will, Sophia,” I assured her. “We’ll get through this, but I need to go now.”