HUNTED

Two hours away from Silver Thorn, the black SUV that contained Alpha Damon and Kane in the backseat pulled up outside the castle-like mansion. With its grey bricked walls and black beams running down the pointed roofs. This was the packhouse of the Blood Moon pack, the house Damon grew up in. Much like the Silver Crescent packhouse, the estate was surrounded by trees and lakes. 

But in contrast, the interior of the house was filled with dark, warm colours, along with old wooden beamed fireplaces and fur rugs scattered in alternate rooms. 

Alpha Damon and Beta Kane climbed out of the vehicle, along with their warriors, who kept guard of their surroundings. Typically, when Damon revisited his family home, there was more of a grand welcoming, with pack members paying their respects, bowing at the Alpha King of the northern territories. But today, there was no such thing; it was an urgent request from his dad, the Alpha King of the southern territories, to come to him. An emergency meeting of the Alpha's was needed.

Damon walked forwards with Kane by his side and his men following behind him, he caught sight of his mum first before his dad, and he marched past the Blood Moon pack's guards, who were lined up towards the entrance of the mansion and brought his mum into a big bear hug.

"Oh, Damon, I have missed you," She grinned broadly at her son, pulling back and raising her hands up to his great height. He lowered his head slightly, so she could grab him by his chiselled cheeks, turning his face from side to side. 

"Mum, come on, it hasn't been that long. You make it sound like I visit once a year," He grumbled but put his arm over her shoulders. It was comical; his mum was a petite woman, reaching near his armpit but could still take down a man the same size as him. Her dark brown hair went straight down her back, and the white dress she wore was befitting to her role as Queen of the Southern territories. Even with age barely catching up with her, she was still beautiful with her chocolate brown eyes and a kind smile.

"When you have pups of your own, you will understand-" 

"Damon."

Damon looked up and saw his dad's stern face. His black hair was now gelled carefully back, cut shorter than Damon's, with white hairs protruding through here and there. The man was handsome, in a rugged way, and putting the pair together, anyone could see they were made for each other. 

"Magnus," Damon replied curtly. He got on with both his parent's but one look at his dad's face told him Damon was there for business. The pair shook hands ceremonially, and his dad patted him on the back and led him the way to the dungeons at the other end of the estate. 

Kane followed behind and ordered the guards to stay by the cars. 

"Where are the other Alpha's?" Damon asked, his eyes set ahead at the approaching old building meant for prisoners. He didn't need to wonder why they were going there, but who was getting tortured.

"They have been waiting on your arrival, son. Once I have shown you this, we will get straight down to business," Magnus replied as he opened the door and led the way down the darkened stairs. This dungeon was different to his basement, whereby the only light filtered through the room was by one lightbulb, and the building was old and damp. Anyone unlucky enough to be captured would either die from their injuries or infection.

Damon walked towards one of the rusted silver cells and jumped back immediately from the sharp teeth that snapped towards him and growled at the Alphas on the other side of the bars. His eyes widened when the beast in front of them towered over them on its hind legs, its furry hands wrapped around the bars showcasing the sharp brown claws, and its eyes glowed a brilliant blue. It was like a lycanthrope, its body a twisted version between a man and a wolf.

"Do you see why I wanted you to come ASAP?" His dad's voice rumbled from behind him.

"This was one of the rogues attacking the packs?" Damon asked calmly while he assessed the stature of the wolf now pacing before them.

Magnus scoffed, "Rogues? It wasn't a part of the rogue attacks. We interrogated them before getting rid of them."

"And?" Damon turned his head to face his dad.

"He wasn't a part of the fucking rogues. It fought them before turning on the pack," Magnus snapped back before rubbing a hand over his eyes tiredly. 

"This was the only one?" He asked, dismissing his dad's rage. Sharp words never hurt him, actions did, and he could see his dad was exhausted. 

Magnus looked at the beast that settled back down onto all fours, although it looked odd with its back almost arching over like it was meant to always be on its hind legs. 

"Yes. But there have been a number of rogue attacks. You told me previously how there have been more on your territories also.." He trailed off, looking intently at his son.

Damon sighed, "The rogues have never been this out of hand. Either someone is controlling them like an Alpha would, or they are being set loose, to raise havoc."

"That's what we are here to discuss. We need a strategy in place, and we need to work out what the fuck that is," His dad pointed his thumb behind his back as he walked away from the cells.

Damon turned his back on the beast in the cell and scratched the back of his head, "I think I might know, but it needs to stay between us. For now."

His tone of voice made Alpha Magnus turn and look at his son with furrowed brows.

"Aila was kidnapped by the hunters-"

"Shit! After everything we did and you did to keep her safe. Is she.." His dad interrupted, then sighed and continued his question, "Is she still alive?"

"She's alive, dad," Damon couldn't help but smile fondly about his mate, "and she's my mate."

His dad smiled broadly and brought him into a hug, patting him on the back, "Congratulations! Ah, your mum was beginning to worry. 27 without a mate.. I'm so happy she's the one!"

Damon grinned again, but it fell as he heard the growl coming from behind him again. It was like a bucket of icy water thrown on his back. He raked his fingers through his hair, "She said the hunters done experiments. They took her blood.."

Damon didn't need to finish his sentence; his dad turned his head and looked back at the beast in the cell.