"How much longer is it going to take?" Ambrose inquired.
Madeline pulled out a document from the file in her hand and after a quick scan, replied. "6-8 days."
She had a mask over her face and her top had a noticeably higher neckline which covered her neck but apart from that, Madeline looked okay.
Currently, both herself and Ambrose were in the meeting room for the precinct with the former having already announced for other Enforcers to be in attendance.
As they went over what was to be shared, the meeting room door suddenly flung open as a flustered Enforcer rushed in.
Ambrose scowled. "You imbecile, don't you know how to knock?"
"Sorry, sir." The Enforcer quickly apologized as he saluted Ambrose.
"Hmm." Looking him over, Ambrose questioned. "What is it?"
"Bad news, sir."
"Huh?" Ambrose raised a brow.
"The banquet hall of the Goldbergs was attacked last night."
"What!" Ambrose exclaimed in shock while Madeline revealed a complicated expression by the side.
"Yes sir. Natasha and a few Enforcers are already on their way there. Word reaching us is that a few might be dead and several others in critical condition."
"This…" Ambrose was left completely speechless.
He had thought Basar and his cult would stay low for the time being and the Hunter had managed to convince him that they were on the same side, so who the hell caused this incident?
Taking a moment to recover, Ambrose remarked. "... We will be going."
Turning to Madeline, he added. "Keep watch while I'm away."
Not waiting for a response, Ambrose rushed out of the meeting room alongside the Enforcer while cursing under his breath.
It seemed he wouldn't be able to relax even for a moment at this rate.
Meanwhile, Madeline pursed her lips as she watched him leave.
With the door closed Madeline felt so lonely.
The feeling suffocated her.
She wished there could be just one person she could share her problems with but there was no one.
On the grand scale of things, she was a mere pawn that no one could care about if anything happened to her.
"..." She remained silent as a single tear fell from her eyes.
She had already made the decision but did she have the strength to see it through to the end…. She had no choice but to muster it.
Taking a deep breath, Madeline moved.
***
"Ugh." Alex groaned as he opened his eyes to find himself back in his room.
Taking a moment to recall what happened before he passed out, Alex sighed in relief only to frown as pain shot through his body.
His muscles were torn, his bones were broken and generally, his body was a mess.
Thankfully the Lunar domain came with an automatic healing function which helped him recover from such problems quicker.
Unfortunately, the healing brought subsequent pain which was what Alex was currently experiencing.
Gritting his teeth, he pushed through the pain.
Just then, the door to his room flung open to reveal Arthur on the other side.
"..."
"..."
Both men stared at each other for some time with silence reigning.
Sighing heavily, Arthur walked into the room before closing the doors behind him and with an added touch, utilizing aether to seal off the room.
"How do you feel?" Arthur asked.
"Fine," Alex replied. "What about Nadia?"
"She's in her room. It's slow but she's recovering well."
"I'm glad."
Arthur glanced at Alex, studying the latter briefly before he slowly walked up to the edge of the bed.
"How about you tell me what happened?"
Pursing his lips, Alex recounted the events of last night, not daring to adjust parts that Arthur could verify from Nadia.
"An amalgamation of 3 Mystics?" Arthur revealed a disgusted expression as he sat down at the bedside to digest what Alex had said.
"How did you manage to defeat such a thing?"
"I used the silver bullets."
Arthur met Alex's casual gaze and couldn't help but look on in disbelief.
"Silver is indeed a Hyena's weakness but you fought something beyond a normal Cryptid. A monstrosity that shouldn't exist. The fact that you managed to kill such a thing with meager silver bullets…" Arthur trailed off, unwilling to say more.
Each day, Alex managed to do something to force Arthur to question if it was right to remain ignorant.
"Are you lying to me, boy?"
Alex sighed. "... Maybe."
"Hmm." Arthur raised a brow in surprise.
He expected Alex to deny it but this… was a bit beyond what he had in mind.
"Arthur… remember when I asked you what a Halfblood meant?"
Arthur revealed a complicated expression. "I do."
"Would you believe it if I told you that I'm a Halfblood?" Alex asked before adding. "A combination of a werewolf and a human."
Arthur revealed a wry smile. "I already knew."
"..." Alex remained silent for a moment before raising a brow. "You did?"
"Why did you think I took such a liking to you the first day you came to my office?"
"Because of my qualifications and my upright personality?"
"Hah, good one." Arthur chuckled.
It had been a while since he cracked a good joke.
With so much happening, he barely had time to play around.
Arthur sighed as he recounted. "Before I met you, I met your brother, Douglas. He was a good man and he loved his siblings dearly.
"He asked me to take care of you and in exchange, he'd help me with one thing."
"What is that?"
"I can't tell you." Arthur shook his head before adding. "Anyway, You and Douglas… you both are the last purebred Werewolves in Eventide."
Alex had suspected something like this but upon hearing it, it felt a bit too surreal to be true.
Pursing his lips, he inquired. "What about Emily?"
"She is a normal human," Arthur replied.
Taking a moment to sigh, Arthur added. "I don't know much about your family, so don't bother asking me more. If you have any more questions… find Douglas."
"He is alive?"
"Would a few baby Hyenas have the capability to take on a fully grown Alpha Werewolf?" Arthur chuckled at the thought.
"Hmm?"
"Never mind that, just know Douglas is alive but I have no idea where he is."