Chapter 0267

"Is that wise, given his alleged sighting?"

"We may have to persuade him that his vision was real." Theodore murmurs.

"Alternatively, if he's truly a Wolf," Sebastian adds, "He ought to understand the world holds greater mysteries."

"Fine."

We eventually stopped before a sizable house. It required some minor repairs in places, but overall, it was far from what I had anticipated. I checked the dashboard clock. It was nearly midnight. Crucially, the house was completely dark.

Movement flickered in my peripheral vision. A black Wolf emerged cautiously at the front of the house. Its shoulders were hunched, head held low, scrutinizing us. It sniffed the air and retreated the way it came.

I didn't wait for the men. I followed the Wolf.

Rounding the corner to the back of the house, I froze. A shotgun was pressed firmly against my forehead.

Holding it was a man around thirty-five. He was barefoot, wearing only low-slung shorts. His eyes were familiar from the article. Curly black hair fell over his forehead, while the sides were shaved clean. His torso displayed perfectly defined abs. A low growl sounded behind me. I knew it was Sebastian, warning me to control my thoughts.

"Just looking," I muttered.

"What do you want?!" Lucas Adler growled.

"Hopefully not to get shot," I muttered back. "We just have questions about the night you saved that woman."

"Which one?"

"There's more than one?" Theodore asked.

Lucas kept his eyes and the gun fixed on me. "Hundreds. I remember every single one."

"The first one," I tried. "Twenty years ago."

"Why?" He growled, pressing the gun harder. The pressure was pointless; it wouldn't matter if he decided to shoot.

"We are Wolves," Sebastian stated.

"Yeah, you lot are. She isn't!"

I raised my hands, realizing why he'd singled me out. He could smell the difference. That only happened with Rogues. Regular Wolves couldn't tell us apart. So how could he?

"I'm safe," I whispered. "The blonde guy. He's my mate."

"Bull fucking shit."

"My mark is on my stomach."

He stepped forward, increasing the gun's pressure, and yanked my sweatshirt up.

"You claimed a Lycan?" He sneered, releasing my top.

"It's complicated, but yes. She is my mate." Sebastian spoke calmly. "And I'd prefer it if you lowered your fucking gun."

"Tell me why you're here. Then I'll decide."

I signaled Sebastian and Theodore to wait. "The women you save from Lycans. Why do they need saving?"

"Because the beasts try to eat them. I'll be damned if that happens in my town."

"Why is it your responsibility?"

I watched his finger twitch on the trigger.

"Please don't!" I whispered. This wasn't like provoking Seraphina. One wrong word, and a bullet would be in my head.

Lucas tilted his head. "Can't say any of you have begged me not to shoot before. Your kind usually likes the challenge. But you can't survive with your brains scattered on the lawn."

"How do you know that?" My voice was croaky.

"You learn fast what works and what doesn't." He curled his lip in disgust.

"How long have you lived here?" Theodore asked.

"Born and bred."

"No pack?"

"No."

"What happened to your family?" Theodore pressed.

"Her kind."

A lump formed in my throat.

"Where are you fuckers from?" Lucas demanded.

"Obsidian Howl," Sebastian told him. "We came seeking your help."

"You ain't getting it. Though I can eliminate your problem."

"I'm not the problem. Seraphina Harrison is."