Gonzalo’s interest was all the more piqued. What was it about this familiar arrow? Thinking back to his last conversation with Rourke, he knew something more than ‘fishy’ was going on behind the scenes. It stressed him so much that he couldn't decipher what it was just yet.The doctor had disappeared into a back room and soon returned with a collection of dusty folders filled with photographs. Flipping through them with speed and impatience, she stopped abruptly finally."See here," she pointed with a trembling finger at one of the photographs. "What about it?" Gonzalo breathed, his voice hoarse with worry. "Do you know where it came from?"She straightened up and shook her head sadly. "These are typically used by the Ironclaw pack. But lately, I've been seeing more victims of rogue attacks with similar wounds, and this exact arrow.”What the heck?!How could the Ironclaw Packhouse’s arrows be found on the victims who had suffered at the hands of rogues? The rogues wouldn't have the
As he wondered where the doctor had found the men’s clothing she gave to him, he remembered her telling Pym to go get her husband's clothes. “I should leave the bathroom before the husband comes in and misunderstands.” He said and left the bathroom.As he entered the examination room again, the doctor looked up and her eyes widened. "Those belonged to my husband," she said, her voice quiet and eyes looking said. "He– he passed away a few months back. Rogues, they got him in the woods while he was trying to go to a neighboring pack for business."Gonzalo felt sympathy toward her. They had all lost their loved ones to this Rogue apocalypse. He just couldn't understand why the rogues had suddenly grown very confident and venomous. It was bad during their parent's days, but it wasn't even this bad. “I'm truly sorry for your loss. The rogues had taken something from us all. Our loved ones– they would all be avenged.” He offered sincerely.The doctor nodded, and with the sadness crossing
The damp alleyway air felt cool against Gonzalo's skin as he retrieved his bicycle. As relieved as he was, he couldn't help but worry too as he pedaled towards the bakery. He wasn't sure what awaited him there - Sarah and Nicholas' worried faces were a certainty, but perhaps more trouble lurked.As he neared the bakery entrance, a flash of auburn hair caught his eye. Oh, that heavenly color. He skidded to a halt and his gaze landed on the little girl from the restaurant. She was playing with the same boy and both their laughter echoed in the noon.Such a beautiful sound– children’s laughter. He couldn't believe he had denied himself of that. He remembered how River wanted three kids. She might think he didn't pay attention that day on their first meeting, but by the gods, he remembered every single thing she said to him to date.Luna’s Delight; she wanted her restaurant in his pack to be called that. He would do everything in his power to see that dream of hers come to pass. That was
The moon help him, this was River right in front of him. She wasn't just no longer the frail young lady he met seven years ago, she was a mother too. A beautiful one at that. The full Auburn hair he remembered cascaded down her back, framing a face that held a mix of emotions – surprise, anger, and a sign of something he couldn't quite place. The playful banter between the children had ceased. The little girl with her amber eyes wide with curiosity, stared at Gonzalo but her small hand still clutched in River's firm grip. The boy only looked on with confusion. Time seemed to stand still. The bustling town, the aroma of fresh bread wafting from the bakery, the distant calls of children playing– they all faded into a dull buzz. All that remained was the intensity of their gazes locked across the space that separated them. A million questions swirled in Gonzalo's mind. Where had she been? How had she survived? Was the little girl his? How did River become this beautiful? This g
Gonzalo left the bakery. He glanced across the street towards the restaurant, hope fluttering in his chest. He thought that he could maybe catch a glimpse of River. But the fading light and the bustling crowd outside obscured any view.He didn't see shit.He groaned, turned his back on the restaurant, and headed towards Doctor Sofia's house. As he approached the house, he saw her sitting on the porch with a cigarette dangling from her lips. Her face which was earlier composed and professional, held a hint of surprise when she saw him.Whoa; Gonzalo thought– he didn't know she smoked. She didn't look like one who did. Or perhaps, could that be her way of dealing with her grief?"Early back from work, aren't you, Alpha?" she greeted him, blowing out a plume of smoke. "Did the bakery close down already?"Gonzalo chuckled in a little too strained way. "No, the bakery's open. My boss, well, let me off early so I could check on Rourke."“Oh, that's very nice of him, I must say.” Sofia chuck
Sofia's voice dropped to a whisper as she leaned forward. "It might sound absurd, Gonzalo, but hear me out. What if there's a traitor in our midst? Right here in my pack. Someone high up in the Ironclaw pack who's been feeding information to the rogues?"A traitor in the Ironclaw pack? What gain could they possibly achieve from betraying their people? For all he knew, wolves were dying everywhere in the hands of those feral rogues.He scoffed. "A traitor? That's a serious accusation, Sofia. We're all hurting here. The rogues are attacking everyone, not just the Moonstone pack. People in the Ironclaw pack are also hurting.”"I understand your point, believe me," she said, and a plume of circled smoke followed. "My husband was one of those killed recently, I'm sure I have mentioned that earlier."Her words struck a chord with Gonzalo. He remembered the grief etched on her face when he emerged wearing her late husband’s clothes arrived.He flinched and a wave of sympathy washed over him
Gonzalo stared at the two graves as he stood with Sofia beside Rourke and Pym’s grave. They had done what they could to hurry the two. No investigation would be done on their deaths as it would all eventually be concluded as ‘rogue attacks’.Sincerely, no one cared here. No one. They weren't even members of this pack. Any fuss and Echo might just send them off.With a final and tearful goodbye, Gonzalo turned to Sofia with a voice that was hoarse with sentiments. "Thank you, Sofia. For everything."Sofia nodded and her already dull eyes were clouded with sorrow. "They deserved a proper burial, Gonzalo. And you deserve some time to grieve. We'll find out who did this, Gonzalo. I promise."The last light of day was fading. It was time for him to return to the packhouse, to face whatever awaited him there. He nodded grimly at Sofia. There was something about how much he believed those words for he wouldn't stop until he found who did it, truly."I should get back," he said, sniffing back
River~~Annemarie was only confusing her further. The idea of needing werewolf blood and hunting rogues didn't quite sit well with her. She has had a couple of violent moments in her life but all she sought now was peace. As her mind reeled. "Rogues? Hunting rogues? But... but those bastards are dangerous! They're outlandish creatures!" She queried.Annemarie snorted at her words. "Dangerous, yes. But darling, are you underestimating us? We're witches, and powerful ones at that. We can handle a couple of rogue wolves."“But why?" River interjected. "There has to be another way. Please, let's not go seek trouble in its abode.”Tara stepped forward and placed a hand on River’s shoulder. "River, trust us. We know what we're doing. This isn't just about the hunt. Think of it as your initiation, a way to learn to control your own magic. It would be a lesson for you. We want to help you, River. But you must first help yourself. Or perhaps, want to help yourself.” River's eyes darted betw