I made my way outside the room, walking on the street, and I noticed my Beta silently following behind me.
The sun had already settled down, with the night hours taking over.
It was not in my nature to get off like that, but it had to be done if I wanted the truth out of that scumbag. Yet, in the end, I got nothing; all he had left me with after my consistent torture was the fact that this very mastermind, he had never caught a sight of him. He only receives words through letters, with a bunch of cash in them as his payments.
I was not sure I should believe the words that he uttered, but I had him kept under my soldiers' sight. Who knows if I will need any more information from him?
The town was oddly quiet as I made my way further. I could hear my footsteps sharply echoing on the ground. As then, I stopped in my tracks.
"Send someone to investigate Elara's background," I whispered. "Including who her mate is—if she has one."
Lincoln gave a nod, disappearing into the darkness, as I stood right in front of the town Council Hall, letting out a breath before I pushed the door open and made my way inside.
I caught sight of the elders already waiting inside, and my gaze also landed on the same elder I had seen the other time coming out of the barn.
One of my soldiers had come in rushing back then, mentioning they had requested my very presence. It was high time we had this meeting.
The elders sat on each side of the long oak table, a weird smile painted on their lips. The presence they left was calm—way too calm. I guess it was me just questioning the oddly overwhelming presence this town had left always.
The people, with those smiles, as if nothing was happening or it wasn't much of a big deal.
"Welcome, Alpha Kieran," I watched the elder leader take to his feet, extending his hands toward me. "We will fully cooperate with your investigation."
But it wasn't like they had a choice here. I'm sure they wouldn't want to go against the orders from above.
I sat down on one of the chairs as I began, "The number of disappearances has been on the rise..." I said, "Most of the victims of this have been young men. The disappearances occur mostly at night. Do you have any leads?"
"Just some restless drifters from outside," I heard one of the old elders shrug. "The town has always been so isolated; we don't even bother anyone..."
Something about his response brought a rage stirring up in me, the way he had said it, those tones. As if they weren't of his kind. But I had to keep my calm.
I said nothing as I only watched his eyes shift as he spoke uncomfortably.
By sight, they seemed flawless, the perfect selves. But I could smell something, something more subtle than the scent of blood—a scent that somehow resembled maybe a seal or remains of ancient magic. It was faint, but still, I could sense it hiding in one of their beings.
I noticed some of the town's wolves bringing in some foods as they dropped it on the table, and in just a minute, the whole oak table was filled with a lively feast. "Please, Alpha. Accept our generous welcome to our town..." I heard the elder leader speak, hoping I enjoy my stay here.
I watched the rest of the elders fill up their glass cups with wines as the glasses clinked in the air, voices echoing in laughter. But even in the joyful atmosphere they tried leaving, I found it hard relaxing. It only felt like they were possibly trying to mask something and maybe swaying me with this welcome—whatever they meant.
I wasn't here to have fun or dine with them. I had my goal, an order from the Lycan King. I had the honor of my pack to uphold.
I approached the elder leader who was engaging with two young adult wolves as they discussed, both laughing out loud. But it only seemed that my mere presence brought silence to their words.
"Oh, Alpha Kieran, I'm sure you must be having fun. I hope you really enjoy your stay here. The town has always been peaceful for the same fact that we don't bother anyone. This issue, I'm sure this incident occurring with the young wolves' disappearance was unexpected to us as well, but we can only hope the culprits are caught," he explained.
As though I had cleared his name from my list. the elder leader knew more than he let out. Among the rest, the scent he emitted was one enough to draw my attention to him. If I wanted some steps ahead, I would need to get some information from him, make him talk, spill some words that he wasn't meant to.
He offered me a seat beside him as I watched him gulp up more wine. Really, should someone like him be getting so much to drink? Yet, this was my chance. But just as I hoped to pry more information from him, I noticed my Beta's presence as he entered the hall, approaching my side only to lean closer, and he spoke softly, "Alpha, Elara has a fever, a high one, and the innkeeper says she is delirious, calling your name."
My heart skipped a beat. "Elara, fever? How?" I immediately stood up, pushing the chair back as it nearly fell over.
"I have to go now..." I muttered, turning as I made my way to the door. "Is her condition serious? If you wish, we will accompany you," the elder leader said, standing to his feet also.
I frowned, not responding to his words or his request. It was too quick.
I wasted no time waiting for any further words as I made my way outside the hall into the deemly lit way. My wolf surged within me. "Protect her. She is in danger," those whispers found their way to my mind.
Elara, she can't be in danger. This town is definitely not as simple as it seems.