A dark grey wolf settled his steps after the gate with vines in front of it opened wide. He shifted into human form and walked on the coral stone covered with dry leaves. He exhaled roughly as he was about to reach for the doorknob, but he didn’t because the door had already opened on its own. He chuckled softly and stepped into the room.
Unexpectedly, a knife flew towards him, and with his luck, he managed to dodge it. He saw that the knife was stuck in the flower painting on the wall. Chris had expected that Eva would react like that.
“You don’t have to overreact, Eva. I come in peace,” Chris said calmly.
“Bloody werewolf! You betrayed me.”
“Yeah, well, the Moon Goddess made me that way. Just go complain to her!”
“What do you want, Chris?”
Eva appeared in front of Chris. Her long black dress was revealed as she approached Chris with a cold face. The woman walked around almost as if she were floating, making the atmosphere in the place tense.
“You don’t want to welcome your ex-lover?”
Eva put her hands around Chris’ neck. She had been dying to do it ever since she found out Chris had chosen another woman over her. She was prepared to dig her nails into Chris’s neck if he ever wanted to make a fuss with her again.
“I’m thirsty; can I have some water?”
“I have monkshood poison plus a curse from me, and you’ll die instantly; you can drink it.”
“Come on, don’t be so cruel to me. I smell the scent of other wolves in this place.”
“Yeah, you’re right, that grey wolf just discharged from here. I really liked his role; he was rougher than you, Chris.” Eva said it with a flushed face.
“Oh really? I’m glad you found a suitable lover to replace me. By the way, I’d like to ask you a favour. I just came back from the dead.”
Eva lowered her hand. She cancelled her attempt to strangle Chris because he already knew her secret. Eva took a step back as she looked straight at Chris, snorting softly at his words.
“You just came to my house to tell me all that?”
“That’s not the point. I would like to ask for your help in investigating this case. There are rumours that Supreme Alpha is involved. You’re the only one with access to the Idris Covenant that I know of. You also know that even my father has long since retired.
Eva understood the situation Chris was in. He did have access to the High Witch in Yorkshire, who was close to werewolves. She sat down on the sofa and was stunned for a moment. Thinking about the possibilities of what Chris had said, Eva frowned deeply.
“If I help you, what do I get in return?”
“I have nothing at the moment; being a rogue isn’t easy, Eva.”
“Ah well, I’m not an extortionist.”
“Oh, come on, Eva Quince, the High Witch of Yorkshire. Please do me a favour, for the sake of our past.”
“How desperate must you be? Of course I’ll help you; I was just upset earlier; don’t take it personally.”
Chris smiled; he could breathe a sigh of relief after three months of living as a rogue in a desolate forest in France. He had to uncover the one behind the attack on him, and one thing he could be sure of was that the Red Crescent Moon pack was in danger.
*
“What? Another vampire attack?”
“Yes, Alpha, and this time the victim is human. You wouldn’t have guessed that the victim was Luna Edith’s neighbour. The victim bled to death, and the local police hid the autopsy results from the media due to the abnormality of the death,” Jadden said as he handed over a copy of the report file on the case.
Seth read it carefully, then growled. He stood up and hit the table in front of him. He was furious that he had been missed, and this time it was really a vampire.
“How could I have let my guard down for this long? Jadden, I asked two warriors to investigate this case. It’s not impossible that Edith is in danger. Report to me every detail of the investigation immediately!”
“Yes, Alpha.”
“In complicated times like this, I can always count on you, Jadden,” Seth said sincerely to Jadden.
“Not for free,” Jadden grinned.
“What do you want, Beta Jadden?”
“I’m interested in one of the Omegas, Seth. I ask your permission to” Jadden trailed off.
“Which one?”
“The new one that just shifted, her name is Claire.”
“Did you ask Emma?”
“I did; she said I should ask your permission first.”
“Yes, I gave my permission. I’ll ask Edith to organise everything for you. Um, are you guys mating?”
“Already.”
Seth rolled his eyes. He had expected that Jadden would answer like that. Himself, Jadden, and his best friend Will did have the same behaviour.
Edith stepped into the Alpha’s workroom. She brought a tray of hot drinks and snacks for the two werewolves in the room. She placed the tray on the table and said, “Why do you look upset?”
“‘Tis no big deal, just a vampire throwing a tantrum. Come here, baby,” said Seth as he patted his thighs for Edith to sit on his lap.
When Edith sat on his lap, Seth’s hand reached for the button of her blouse and slipped his hand underneath it. He didn’t realise he was doing it until Jadden’s deafening voice brought him to his senses.
“What are you still doing here, Jadden?”
Jadden, who had been watching Seth’s actions, jumped in surprise as the Alpha snapped at him. He grunted harshly and retorted, “I wonder how you conquered Luna. Claire is the same; sorry, Luna Edith, no offence.”
“Shut the fuck up, or I’ll rip you apart! I’m busy; get out of here!”
“Okay, Alpha. What are you busy with? Busy fuckin’, huh?”
“I heard that, Beta Jadden.”
Jadden walked out of the room and picked up a piece of cake from the tray on the table. A smile of joy spread across his face.
“You guys usually like that?” asked Edith as she played with Seth’s brownish hair.
“Me, Jadden, and Will have been friends since we were kids. Despite all our bad behaviour at school, Jadden is a reliable friend, while Will is more obedient. Their loyalty is to be applauded.”
“Are they your friends who tricked us both?”
“Yeah, that’s them. Dependable, aren’t they? You’re stuck here with me, Luna. Wanna do it here, baby?”
“Sorry, Seth. I was helping Emma in the kitchen. We’re making a chocolate cake for Julian.”
Edith got up from Seth’s lap and winked one eye just to mock Seth, who looked annoyed that his desire was being stifled. On the other hand, Seth could feel that she was so sweet, even though she was mocking him.
His face turned tense as Edith disappeared behind the door. Seth thought of all the possibilities related to the case he just found out about. In his mind, if this was the work of the same vampire, then it was certain that Edith was the next target.