Riptide sat in his van, parked in the silent darkness of the garage. His hands rested firmly on the wheel as he dialled Luke Cartwright's number.After a few rings, Luke ended the call abruptly. Riptide understood that Luke must have been busy and waited patiently for his return call. It was his style, a way to keep secrets from his family. A short while later, Luke called back and Riptide wasted no time in answering the call. "Luke, I have obtained crucial information about the map that you have been searching for."Riptide also informed Luke that he was currently at the garage. Without hesitation, Luke replied that he would come immediately.As Riptide patiently waited for Luke's arrival, he decided to place a call to Bruce. Bruce answered the call, and Riptide wasted no time in relaying the news of Luke's impending arrival. He made it clear that he expected Bruce to fulfil his part by attempting to locate the map as soon as possible.Just five minutes later, Luke's figure appeared
The room was cloaked in an air of anticipation, more silence hanging heavily in the dimly lit space. Bruce and Riptide, donning matching cat masks, stood as sentinels, their gaze fixed on Luke Cartwright, who was slowly regaining consciousness. The resounding click of Luke's awakening jolted him back to reality.Awareness flooded Luke's senses after a twitch and he opened his eyes. His visions were blurred and he instinctively tried to bring his hands to his face, only to be met with the resistance of tightly bound restraints.Panic gripped him, his heart pounding against his chest like a drum determined to break free. His eyes darted around the room, taking in the presence of Riptide and another unidentified figure."What! Where am I?" Luke asked. Riptide, with a sinister smile curling on his lips, spoke in a low, measured tone, betraying the simmering intensity that lay beneath his calm demeanour. "Agent Payne, Luke is awake," he declared, his eyes locked onto Luke's face. Bruce's
As Bruce and Riptide arrived at the mall, their mission was clear. Bruce took charge of the conversation, introducing himself as government Agent Liam Payne and displaying his ID card.Riptide, on the other hand, presented his ID card as Robert Lawson, a reporter and aid to the detective. Their ploy seemed to be working as they convinced the secretary of their authority.The secretary, taken aback by the situation, hesitated for a moment. "I... I understand that you're here to search Mr Cartwright's office, but I still need to confirm this with my boss," she said, eyeing Bruce's ID card and looking sporadically at Riptide who posed as the reporter. Bruce took a step closer, maintaining an air of confidence. "I'm afraid your boss, Mr Luke Cartwright, is currently in custody. He knew we are here, he knew what we wanted and this is an urgent matter, and we need to proceed immediately. We have all the necessary clearance to search his office. See for yourself."Slightly convinced, the se
Riptide and Bruce stood face to face in the dimly lit garage, the hum of Bruce's car filling the background. Riptide, filled with curiosity, couldn't help but question Bruce's actions."What are you doing, Agent Payne?" Riptide inquired, his gaze locked onto Bruce's unwavering expression.Bruce met Riptide's eyes, his own filled with a mix of expectations and doubt. "Nothing," he replied, his voice steady. "There's no need to worry. We've obtained what we came for."Bruce awaited a hostile shot from Riptide. He could see that Riptide seemed hurt and was wearing a betrayed look since he got the locket from the safe. Riptide's voice carried a hint of urgency. "Why are you holding on to the locket? That was my part, I get the locket, you get the map. "But why did you have to take that risk? Bruce asked. "If we're discovered to be arguing about who's getting the locket and reported, we'll be locked up until Luke is found. It's too dangerous."Riptide kept staring. Bruce's demeanour rem
In the grand office of the Wild Club, Governor Dean Salvatore, an old man confined to a wheelchair, sat at the head of a long table.After a while, a man walked in and bowed slightly before Governor Dean, "Sorry, father, there was an urgent matter to attend to downstairs," he said and sat at the wave of Dean's hand, beside Xander. On either side of him, Governor Dean's four sons took their places, facing each other. Lucian and Damien, who were twins sat beside each other. They were dressed in dark jackets that revealed their chests and muscular arms. A similar tattoo of a wolf was etched on their arms and they had a twin locket around their neck. They were the eldest. Darius, the middle son, exuded an air of confidence despite his tense demeanour as a werewolf. He was concerned with the official style and the life he was leading as a club owner and he was strut in a suit. And finally, Xander, the youngest of the four, sat quietly, observing the scene with a contemplative expression.
Through the dimly lit forest, the van carrying Xander and the Wild pack rumbled along, the anticipation heavy in the air.He sat in the front of the first van, his eyes up and towards the lightning in the sky, he could tell that it was from a heavy fire. The van jerked to a halt as they reached the outskirts of the beach outpost, its area ablaze with menacing fire creating a wall around the territory. The sight sent a shiver down Xander's spine, knowing it would be a dangerous encounter. As the pack members alighted from the vehicle, Xander stood before them looking at their eyes. They gathered before him and set their eyes on him. It was the culture, but he could tell that they were not with him. "Cast away your grievances, my brothers and sisters," he implored. "I know that you may not follow me as your leader, that you may not want me nor trust me. I don't want this either. I won't be here. But the grand alpha commanded it. I can't say no."He paused a while, trying to find the i
Shawn rose from the forest floor halfway and placed his hands on the cold dense floor.The earlier introduction and announcement remained in his head like a faint remembrance of his past ordeal and as he opened his eyes, the sound of crunching leaves beneath his hands and feet was a stark contrast to the silence that had enveloped him moments ago.He looked down and saw that he had stood from a pool of blood that was his. He wondered how deep and deadly the wound would be and then he looked at his wounds which were now healed.The blood that had stained his clothes was still there, but the marks had been covered in flesh. It was as if the forest itself had the power to cleanse and rejuvenate him, but it wasn't the forest, it was the system. Closing his eyes, Shawn's mind drifted away, replaying the image of the gathering he had seen moments before.The Governor, his father, his three brothers, and Xander – the one who had been killed by his bitter brothers.He saw the gathering as one
That same night, after the order to continue being the alpha of the Wild pack, Xander walked out of his father's office and walked through the club, people creating space for him as he proceeded. There were murmurings and he picked on most of them. The men called him a god, some say he had risen from the dead, some say he was the lycan king and the true alpha of the Wild pack. Walking out of the club, he walked towards the pack playing ground, their territory. As he proceeded towards the dais, members of the pack began to gather.Finally, he stood on an elevated dais, his cloak billowing in the gentle breeze. All eyes were on him, filled with anticipation and curiosity. Lucian and Damien, the former alphas, watched from the shadows, their demeanour tense and contemplative.They had ordered the murder of Xander, driven by jealousy and insecurity. But now, as they stood among the pack, they were unable to meet Xander's gaze, their guilt beginning to weigh heavily upon them."Did he kn