Despite my exhaustion, sleep remained elusive, and I spent the night tossing and turning, my thoughts consumed by the wolf I couldn’t help but care for way too deeply.
EIGHT
JESSE
As I ventured out into the night in my wolf form, determined to track down the rogue wolf that had come so dangerously close to Marie’s home and my daughter, a sense of urgency guided my every step. The safety of Marie, Belle, and the entire town depended on my ability to locate and eliminate this threat. A threat that had now been described to me and shouldn’t be too difficult to find if Marie’s description was right. A diamond shape across the chest. That was quite a distinctive feature that I had only seen once before.
My senses were heightened, and I scoured every inch of the hamlet and its surroundings, seeking any sign of the intruder. The rain had already started to fall, creating a soft patter against the earth that added to the challenge of my task. It didn’t take long for me to find the first clue: a set of unfamiliar shifter paw prints in the mud at the base of the mountain. With a sense of purpose, I bent down to examine the prints, my keen senses analyzing the details. But time was not on my side, and as I attempted to follow the trail, the rain began to intensify, steadily washing away the evidence. Frustration welled up within me as the raindrops blurred the once-clear tracks and washed away the scent I had hoped to follow. I had lost the trail, and the rogue wolf remained a step ahead.
Who the hell was this wolf? And what did they want here? I wasn’t sure, but I was starting to think that I needed my car if I was going to make any difference here. So, I headed up to the mountainside, to the Patron’s mansion where I had left everything behind.
I sprinted up the mountain, my wolf form making swift work of the ascent. Rain soaked my fur, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of urgency deep in my core. The only way I could protect everyone was by getting to the bottom of this.
Finally, I reached the Patron’s mansion. It stood silent and imposing in the rain, a stark contrast to the chaos that had unfolded in town. With a powerful leap, I landed gracefully on the porch and changed back into my human form. My clothes, still neatly folded from when I had left them earlier, felt heavy as I quickly dressed.
I needed my car. It was parked in the garage, and I knew that it held the tools and weapons I would need to track down and confront the rogue wolf. My heart raced as I opened the garage door and stepped inside. The dimly lit space was filled with the scent of oil and gasoline, and my Range Rover stood there, waiting for me. In the back, I found my weapons cache, well stocked with silver bullets and other essentials. I checked the ammunition in my shotgun, ensuring it was ready for use.
I spotted Daniel Blake as I pulled up to the mansion, rain pouring down relentlessly. He was standing on the porch, a look of concern etched across his face. I knew I had to act quickly, so I jumped out of the Range Rover and hurried over to him.
“Daniel,” I called out, my voice hurried and tense, “I need to fill you in on what’s been happening.”
He nodded, his expression growing more serious. “Jesse, what’s going on? I’ve been trying to reach you for hours.”
“The wolf was at Marie’s house. A rogue wolf no one has seen before with a diamond-like pattern across its chest.”
“This is bad, Jesse,” he said grimly. “We need to inform the Patron immediately.”
I nodded in agreement. “Call him again and give him a full update. Tell him everything, including the rogue wolf near Marie’s place. We can’t afford to hold back any details.”
I knew he couldn’t do anything, but I wasn’t going to leave him on the outside. The Patron might be more affected by this than anyone else.
I pulled out my phone and quickly composed a group text to James Carmichael and Octavio Dellums, leaders of the other pack. The urgency of the situation required us to double our efforts, and I knew I could rely on them.
Jesse: Guys, it’s urgent. I’ve seen the rogue wolf in town, and it’s getting dangerous. I need your help to track this threat down ASAP. We have to double what we’re doing.
Within moments, both James and Octavio responded, confirming their readiness to agree with what we needed to do. At least we were coming together to face adversity as one. I didn’t know what would happen after this, but it was helpful.
James: Agreed. We can’t let this continue.
Octavio: I’ll let everyone in my pack know.
Leaving Daniel at the mansion, I felt a heavy sigh escape my lips as I stepped out into the cool night. The rain had subsided for the moment, leaving the air damp and heavy with the scent of wet earth. My thoughts were consumed by the rogue wolf, their motives and intentions remaining a mystery that gnawed at the edges of my mind.
Sliding behind the wheel of my car, I started the engine and began to drive through the winding roads of Wolf Mountain. The rain had washed away any potential tracks or scent trails, making my search all the more challenging. The motivation behind this rogue’s actions remained an enigma, and I couldn’t fathom why anyone would want to bring harm to our peaceful town. Wolf Mountain had its own internal issues, but outwardly there was no reason for others to want to attack us. It made no sense.
My wolf instincts heightened my senses as I scoured the area, my eyes darting from shadow to shadow, and my ears perked for any unusual sounds. It was crucial to stay vigilant and cautious. We couldn’t afford to underestimate the threat that this rogue posed.
As dawn broke and the first light of morning painted the sky, I knew it was time to pick up my daughter, Belle, from Marie’s house. Exhaustion coursed through me, every step feeling heavy as I made my way there. However, as I approached the porch, a surprising sight greeted me. Marie was there, her eyes heavy with fatigue and concern etched into her features. She couldn’t sleep, just like me, and her presence warmed my heart in ways I couldn’t deny.
Without a word, I joined her on the porch, our shared weariness a silent bond between us. The rain had finally ceased, leaving behind a sense of calm that contrasted with the chaos of the previous night.
Marie met me with a concerned gaze as I returned. She asked the inevitable question, her voice tinged with worry, “How was the night?”
I couldn’t help but shake my head, a deep sense of frustration simmering beneath the surface. “Fruitless,” I replied with a sigh. It had been a long and exhausting night, and I still had no leads on the rogue wolf’s whereabouts.
I asked Marie how Belle had slept, my concern for my daughter lingering in the back of my mind. She met my gaze with a hint of weariness, her eyes reflecting the weight of the situation.
“Not too bad,” she replied, her voice soft and filled with empathy. “But she’s definitely very frightened.” The worry in her tone mirrored my own, and it was difficult to hear that our precious Belle had been affected by the recent events.