Chapter 4: The enemy

the enemy

Noah pov

I felt the packbond wrapped around me like a blanket as we crossed the border of our pack.

sylva said nothing, swerving at the next turn, taking the road leading straight towards our pack inner Territory, a walled-in section of Bluecreek that only members of the elders council, high-ranked warriors, and families of the alphas could enter.

Where my father ruled.

The Alpha of Bluecreek Pack.

Our car passed through the security gates. Even in human form, I could feel the weight of the enchantments layered into the old walls. It screamed of old dominance and magic.

sylva parked, and we got out.

The compound was vast, dark-stoned, and quiet. Warriors trained in silence. Enforcers patrolled the perimeter. Masked wolves watched from high towers like silent sentinels.

We entered the Alpha’s Hall, an ancient fortress that hums with power and authority. It was by far the largest structure in the pack. We came to a stop in front of the giant Oakland door

That was the door that led to the Alphas office, my father's office.

I glanced at my beta ,who nodded at me. Taking a deep breath, I pushed the heavy doors open and stepped inside.

The second I stepped into my father’s office and saw the grim faces of the elders, I knew something was wrong.

Not just wrong, war-level wrong.

The room was stone cold. Six elders that helped my father in ruling the pack sat like statues around the long stone table. My father stood at the head, hands clasped behind his back, shoulders rigid. His Beta, Garrek, stood just behind him, with a little scowl on his face.

sylva stiffened beside me. I felt the same thing he did.

Council meeting.

And in Bluecreek, council meetings don’t happen unless blood has already been spilled.

Before I could open my mouth in greeting, my father’s hard, deep voice echoed through the room. “You're late.”

“We came as fast as we could,” I replied, holding his gaze, while at the same time not showing weakness whatsoever.

I could faintly hear Garrek behind him growl in warning, The tension that filled the room could be cut with a knife. But that was the least of my concern.

If my father was angry that I had not obeyed, he didn't show it. “There was an attack today.” His words dropped like hammers. “One of the outer patrol squads was ambushed near the northern border. Three dead. One barely survived.”

I clenched my jaw.

“They weren’t rogues,” one of the elders . “Too fast. Too clean. They left no scent.”

“What do you mean, no scent?” sylva spoke up beside me.

I already knew the answer.

And my father confirmed whatever was in my mind. “Vampires.”

A low growl rumbled in my chest at the mention of their name.

“I want you to take your elite squad,” my father said. “Tonight. Scout the perimeter. Investigate the old ruins near the forest edge. That’s where the tracker lost the trail.”

I blinked, slightly taken aback

“The mansion?”

Everyone knew that place. The old Greystone manor. It had stood like a monument and abandoned for as long as I could remember. Rumors have it that it was once owned by a strong founding family member. But now, it has turned into a ghost house, soaked in rumors and shadows.

“No one’s been there for over a hundred years,” sylva said inside my head, but I was already stepping back.

“Wait son,” my father commanded. I immediately had a bad feeling about it.

“News reached me from school. It's a thing of disgrace and shame to the pack.”

My face burned with shame, but I stood tall. Even as I wondered which news in particular my father was talking about. Had he found out that we sneaked out last night?

But he just stared at me without saying anything else again. I understand what those eyes meant ‘you will be punished when all this is over”

“We’ll find out who dares bring vampire blood into our land.” I saluted, before marching out of the grand hall.

***********************

Later that Night

Moonlight filtered through the trees like pale ghosts. My boots crushed dead leaves, my breath fogging in the cold.

Beside me, sylva scanned the treeline, his hands twitching with nerves.

We have been out for hours, but no matter what, the perpetrator was nowhere to be found.

“I don’t like this,” sylva muttered suddenly, breaking the silence. “The air smells wrong.”

“I know.”

Because I felt it too.

Something thick. And Rotten, Unnatural. It curled around the trees, like a sour taste on my tongue.

But no matter how much we searched, we were led to a dead end. Whoever they were had already escaped,

We had come late.

“Shit” I cursed out aloud, punching a nearby tree.

“You have been agitated lately.” sylva observed me with his usual eagle eyes that always makes me feel like Jesus would see through my soul.

“Don’t tell me you are still bothered by the human”

“Nonsense, he is beneath me to even notice…” I stopped midway in confusion, and my wolf suddenly began clawing to come out.

sylva gave me cautious eyes. “Maybe we should head back.”

We were paroling near the Greystone cliffs. The border between our pack and the Ravenclaw pack. Our oldest rivals.

It will spell doom for us if I should lose control and attack one of their pack members. For once, I agreed with sylva, but as I turned, a scent flickered through my nose.

I growled and immediately dashed forwards towards the cliff. sylva called me, but I didn’t listen to him until I came out into the clearing.

That was when I saw it.

A shadow.

A dark figure stood at the edge of the cliff, cloak whipping behind them in the breeze. I bared my teeth at it.

I didn’t wait to talk about battle tactics. Nor did I listen to the call of reason behind me.

My wolf surged immediately. All thoughts scattered. Reason evaporated.

The world around me changed into a more distinct and detailed outline. Time slowed for me, as I felt strength travel through my powerful limbs.

I launched forward with claws drawn and teeth bared.

“NOAH, STOP!” Sylvia's voice rang behind me like a whip.

But it was already late.

My wolf had control now. Even as I screamed and fought to regain control, my actions were futile.

I was a blur of speed, the forest zapped behind me as I reached towards the enemy. With my fangs bared. I leaped towards the figure.

“Noah!”

The figure turned at the noise, but It was already late for it. My wolf had a sickening smile as I prepared to rip off the head.

But everything stopped when I saw the shocked face of the enemy.

Fear flashed across their face, traces of silver hair catching moonlight.

Wide violet eyes filled my vision.

“What the…Liam?” I gasped, mid air, but it was too late to turn back as my claws were already centimeters from digging inside his head like soft tofu.

And then…

A terrified scream ripped through the woods.