Evaline:
After River left, I was left with nothing but questions and worry.
Another Soul Death case. And this ti, it was an Elder from the Council.
Though I wanted to contact both Kieran and Rowan to get so sort of update, I refrained myself. The last thing she wanted was to disturb Kieran when he was busy dealing with such an important matter. And there was no telling whether Rowan had heard anything about this new case from Kieran yet, and if he hadn’t, then she should really not contact him at the mont.
Hence, she was left with only one option... to wait.
The sun was still hovering over the horizon when I heard a car pulling up in the driveway. The presence of my mates filled our bonds, letting know they had returned ho earlier today than usual, all four of them.
I handed Lioren to Madam Elira, pressing a kiss to his soft cheek before leaving him in her and Vanessa’s care. I knew he was safe and well looked-after in their care.
I made my way downstairs and felt their presence in the study, so I entered the dimly lit room quietly, though the soft click of the door still made all of them lift their gazes to .
The four of them were scattered across the couches, silent and tense as if waiting for war. My heart thudded against my ribs, that instinctual dread telling I wasn’t going to like what I was about to hear.
Before I could even settle, Draven reached forward and wrapped his strong hand around my wrist, pulling straight into his lap as though needing anchored to him. I gasped softly at the sudden tug, but didn’t protest. Despite the tense situation and the serious matter at hand, I was more than happy to be in my mate’s arms.
"Stay here," he murmured, his voice low but almost desperate. "I don’t want you too far from after all these days I have spent away from you."
I relaxed in his hold, and swept my gaze over the others. "What happened?" I asked, my voice not as steady as I wanted it to be.
River leaned forward, bracing his forearms against his knees, his jaw clenched so tightly it was a wonder he could even speak. "It was Elder Nicholas."
I stilled. Elder Nicholas? He was one of the oldest mbers of the werewolf council, soone I had grown used to seeing at the headquarters during my internship period. He had always carried wisdom in his pale eyes, always had a steady word of counsel for the young and reckless.
"What about him?" I whispered, though I already knew the answer.
Kieran’s gaze t mine, his voice hushed but edged with helplessness. "He was found unconscious this morning. In the woods behind the old council headquarter building."
The words slid like ice beneath my skin, and my fingers curled tightly against Draven’s chest.
"Was he found soul dead too?" I asked, the fragile hope in my tone breaking.
Kieran nodded his head once. "That’s right. Soul dead."
The room thickened around . I could feel all four of them watching, waiting for my reaction, but I couldn’t form one. The breath caught in my throat felt like shards of glass.
Soul death.
Again.
"This is the fourth case in the past fifteen months," Oscar muttered from where he sat against the armrest, his usually playful deanor replaced by an edge that scared more than his anger ever could. "And Nicholas... he was supposed to be untouchable. Strong. Respected. Not just any weak and young wolf to fall prey to whatever is happening."
My stomach twisted. "But how?" My voice cracked, raw. "How does sothing like this keep happening, and no one sees anything?"
River’s eyes darkened, his presence commanding the silence that followed. "That’s the question we have been trying to answer all day. We had our n comb through every piece of footage from the old headquarters, every street leading into the woods, every shadow that might have lingered nearby. Nothing."
"Nothing," Oscar echoed grimly. "No tracks. No unusual scents. Not even a damn broken twig to suggest soone had been there."
It felt impossible. No cri left without evidence. No predator leaving no mark. Unless...
Draven’s hand tightened its hold on mine slightly. "It’s deliberate. Precise. Whoever is doing this is leaving nothing behind because they know exactly how to cover their trail."
Kieran leaned back, running a hand down his face as though exhaustion pressed heavier than the day itself. "And it’s spreading fear through the council faster than wildfire. If an elder can be attacked and stripped of his soul, then none of them will feel safe anymore. They are already whispering about a shadow that hunts unseen."
A shadow that hunts unseen.
I swallowed hard. "So, this is what? A warning? Or a ssage?"
River’s gaze snapped to mine, sharp and unyielding. "It’s more than that. It’s a declaration. Whoever is behind this isn’t just hunting... they are showing us they can reach anyone. Anywhere. Anyti."
The silence that followed clawed at my nerves.
I wanted to say sothing, to offer even the smallest thread of hope, but the weight of their words pressed too heavily on my chest. My heart was beating too loud, too fast, and all I could think of was Elder Nicholas - lying sowhere out there, empty, hollow, his soul gone as though it had never existed.
Draven’s arms tightened around as if sensing my spiraling thoughts. His lips brushed the side of my temple in a fleeting touch, an unspoken promise that I wasn’t alone in this darkness.
But I couldn’t stop the question that was starting to take root in my mind. Whoever was behind this, their targets almost seed abrupt so far. From whatever information I had gathered during my investigation in this matter, there wasn’t really a pattern... at least not one that stood out to .
So...
What if it cos for us next?
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