Elena’s POV
Damien and I summoned Beta Hugo to an ergency eting in the packhouse office. Despite Marcus’s death, Hugo had practically begged to maintain his position, and I’d granted him temporary authority while searching for his replacent.
The weight of leadership pressed against my shoulders as we gathered around the mahogany desk. Soone had slaughtered an entire nest of vampires, and we needed answers.
"Let’s start with potential suspects," I began, my voice carrying the new Alpha authority that still felt foreign on my tongue. "Hunters are obvious candidates. Witches with grudges. Humans who discovered too much about our world."
The possibilities stretched endlessly before us. Without concrete evidence, we were grasping at shadows.
Hugo shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "This isn’t pack business. Why should we get involved?"
Heat flared in my chest. "If Julian hadn’t warned us about the threat, we’d all be corpses right now. Rember that before you suggest abandoning our allies."
Damien’s dark gaze fixed on Hugo, a silent warning radiating from his posture. The Beta wisely chose not to push further.
"Where do we begin our investigation?" Damien asked, steering the conversation back on track.
I leaned forward, fingers drumming against the desk. "We wait for the human authorities to finish their work. If they suspect human casualties, they’ll conduct a thorough investigation. Once they clear out, we can search for evidence they’d never recognize."
"Other werewolves could be responsible," I continued. "Hell, any supernatural creature with a grudge against vampires might have done this."
Damien frowned. "By the ti human investigators leave, scent trails will be cold. We might miss crucial evidence."
"Maybe. But we could discover other clues. Footprints, disturbed vegetation, traces of magic. Anything to narrow our suspect list." I stood, pacing to the window overlooking our territory.
Hugo cleared his throat. "What are our imdiate orders?"
I turned, letting my Alpha presence fill the room. "Rally the warriors. Brief them on the situation completely. I want detailed reports on anyone showing resistance to this investigation. Anyone who questions helping vampire allies reports directly to . Understood?"
The command carried supernatural weight. Hugo’s head tilted back, exposing his neck in submission. "Yes, Alpha."
After Hugo departed, silence settled between Damien and . He approached, strong arms encircling my waist from behind.
"We’ll identify the killers," he murmured against my ear.
"I know we will. I just wish none of this had happened. Julian was genuinely good company." The loss ached deeper than I’d expected.
"He was important to you. I’m sorry for everything we’ve endured recently." Damien’s voice held genuine regret.
We left the office together, finding Skye in the living room holding a wailing Briar. The mont our daughter spotted , her cries intensified.
"She’s been inconsolable," Skye explained, relief evident as she transferred the baby to my arms.
"Hey, sweetheart. What’s troubling you?" I cooed, imdiately beginning the gentle rocking motion that always soothed her.
Briar’s tiny head found my shoulder, her crying gradually subsiding into hiccups. Exhaustion radiated from her small form, but she fought sleep with typical stubborn determination.
I retrieved a bottle from the kitchen, then carried her upstairs to the nursery. The rocking chair creaked softly as I settled in, offering her the bottle while humming a lullaby under my breath.
Her eyelids grew heavy as she drank, tiny fingers curling around my thumb. These quiet monts provided precious respite from the chaos surrounding our pack.
Once Briar finally surrendered to sleep, I placed her carefully in the crib. A soft knock at the door interrupted my vigil.
Chloe stood in the doorway, concern etched across her features. I eased the door shut behind , stepping into the hallway before embracing my friend.
"Why are you here? I sent everyone from our pack ho for safety," I said.
"News travels quickly through pack networks. We heard about the vampire massacre. I know they ant sothing to you." Her voice carried genuine sympathy.
Anger rekindled in my chest. "We’re going to hunt down the bastards responsible."
"I have complete faith in your abilities," Chloe replied without hesitation.
We descended to the kitchen where I prepared coffee, my hands needing sothing productive to occupy them. The dining table beca our sanctuary as words poured out of .
Everything swirled together in my mind. The investigation ahead, the responsibility of protecting my pack, the loss of vampire allies who’d proven their worth. Each topic I touched ignited fresh fury in my veins.
"The audacity of whoever did this," I continued, gripping my coffee mug tighter. "They didn’t just kill vampires. They eliminated creatures who’d chosen to coexist peacefully. Julian never hard innocents."
Chloe nodded, letting process my emotions aloud. "Your anger is justified. But don’t let it consu your judgnt during the investigation."
"I won’t. But I also won’t let their deaths go unanswered." The promise felt like an oath binding my soul.
Steam rose from our coffee cups as we sat in comfortable silence. Tomorrow would bring challenges I couldn’t yet imagine, but tonight I had support from those who mattered most.
The weight of Alpha responsibility pressed heavier with each passing day, but I’d shoulder it gladly to protect the supernatural community we’d built together.
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