One week bled into another and everything in the city had pretty much been subsided. The vampires had been quiet and the wolves were on edge. Ivy continued in her training with Charles, and she was surprised by the progress she was making.
Her movements were sharper and more precise. Besides the usual spar, hunting strategies and methods of defense were discussed.
There was something on his mind that he had to address with her.
"Ivy," came his voice as he picked himself up from the ground he was resting.
She turned to look at him, eyebrows raised to inquire about the sudden call.
"Do you know what a werewolf's feral state is?" His tone was serious.
She sat in the lotus position and her index finger made its way to her chin.
"Isn't that the form a werewolf can access when not under the influence of the full moon to enable draw more of their power?"
"Yes. The feral state is a state that draws on the features of the wolf as it allows us to output more power than possible in our human forms."
"What about it?" she asked though she could tell where he was going with this.
He caught on to her train of thoughts and raised his eyebrow at her. "You're kidding right? You can't enter a feral state. Why is that?"
He had asked the dreaded question and in an instant she looked down, clearly embarrassed.
"I don't know. I have tried everything the pack suggested and nothing seems to work. It's like I am a defect."
Now he felt bad but he was in control of his emotions. He squatted to meet her. "You're not a defect. If anything, this proves the incompetence of the pack." He gave a light laugh as he said that and a smile graced her features.
"Hey! That's my pack you're insulting." She tried to sound upbeat but it was clear that she was still down.
This time he held her chin and raised it so that their eyes met. "Don't worry about it. We'll work on it and you'll be able to assess that state in no time."
"How are we going to do that?"
"Hmm… you're going to have to spend the next full moon in my custody. I'm guessing you're one of those wolves who have no memory of their transformation."
She looked away. He was correct.
"That does it then. We will be working on your inner wolf. I assume she's not happy with you and we're going to correct that."
"Easy for you to say, you're good at everything werewolf."
Charles just smiled. "The naivety of innocence. Trust me when I say this, there was a time when I was pretty terrible at 'everything werewolf'."
She turned to look at him. She wanted to call him a liar, but his heartbeat didn't falter and his eyes… those were not the eyes of someone who was lying.
Before she could say anything though, his expression seemed to return to his usual one.
"What happened?" she was inclined to ask.
"Didn't they teach you not to ruin the present with the past." As he said this, he lightly flicked her head. "Don't worry about it."
"But…"
"No buts… just be concerned about the present… that usually leads to a better future. Information always finds its way to reveal itself if it wants to."
She would be lying if she said she understood the words that he had just spoken.
"By the way, it's time to get you home."
…
Charles was worried, deeply worried. The vampires had been too quiet and it was never a good thing when your adversary suddenly became quiet. You want them out in the open, making moves and spouting falsehoods… you do not need them in the solace of their minds coming up with ideas.
He decided it was best to not ponder about it too deeply. He would deal with it as it came. He had dropped Ivy off at home so he was left to the quiet of his thoughts
…
Night came fast and when it did, her father came with it. Her brothers were out doing God knows what, but she had a feeling they weren't all too far from the house.
"Welcome home dad," she greeted from the couch she was propped on.
"Ivy." His voice lacked the usual warmth and instead it was replaced by a serious tone. She got up in an instant and turned to him. She could see the worry on his face.
"What's wrong dad?"
"Just those damn vampires. It's been about a week since we last heard of their activities and things have been peaceful, almost like they never existed, at least until now." He sat down on a chair and rubbed his forehead.
"You have to be careful Ivy… the vampires have joined the council."
A look of shock graced Ivy's face. Well it was one of shock and utter confusion. Shock at the kind of move they made and confusion, at also the kind of move they made. Surely being on the council won't be too… and it hit her. Vampires had compulsion.
It seemed to her that this was a losing battle.
"How'd that happen?" she blurted out suddenly.
"Mason had a run in with one of them and it wasn't a pleasant one. I got to hand it to them, they are very cunning creatures."
"What are we going to do?"
He turned to look at his daughter. "You aren't going to do anything… we are going to do something. The pack has plans for the vampires. What I'd like for you is to stay safe and watch yourself at school. We are thinking of starting with that Vampire that enrolled at your university."
She appeared taken aback by the statement but she wasn't surprised that they were glossing over her once again. It was typical of her family and her pack. She was surprised that they would be taking out one of the vampires.
…
Morning came and Ivy was happy it was a weekend. At least she wouldn't get to see Michael's face and from the information she had gotten from her dad, they would be going after him once the new week began. It looked like the day would be calm but little did she know that she was wrong.
It was sometime around ten and she was basically hanging out with the twins when Colton and Dean came in.
"What's the matter?" Ashton asked, noticing the look on their face.
"There's been another murder. A blond girl, all bloodied up in the neck."
The perpetrators were pretty obvious and at this point Ivy was disgusted and so were her brothers.
"Those vampires just wait till I sink my teeth in them," Archie said with a grin.
"This isn't a joke Archie," his twin reprimanded him.
"Who said I was joking?"
"That's enough you too… quit your bickering."
Both of them turned to look at Dean before turning to Colton.
"Why are you two looking at me?"
"Wouldn't it be nice if we went vampire hunting?"
"Bad idea," Dean replied.
"Don't tell me you're scared Dean."
"Of course I am not but we have to be sensible. Your action suggests going against the pack and pretty much plunging ourselves into an unknown situation. That sounds stupid."
Before Archie could say anything, Colton spoke up. "Dean's right. I hate being here while people are slowly getting killed but unless we want to risk going against the pack, we can't do that. I'd suggest we get more information and weigh our choices accurately."
They all seemed to agree with this. While Colton watched the reaction of his siblings, he glanced at Ivy who had been awfully quiet.
"What's on your mind Ivy?"
That seemed to snap her out of her thoughts.
"What? Nothing… nothing's on my mind."
"You've been pretty quiet since we came in," Dean pointed out.
"Oh… it's nothing really. I'll be going to my room now."
Colton watched her leave the room with narrowed eyes. He had multiple theories as to what may be occurring with his sister but he didn't have the luxury to worry about it at the moment.
"What's up with her?"
"Not sure."
…
As Ivy got to her room, she quickly sent a message to Charles.
I'm at the scene with Riley. What's up? – Charles
Nothing much… just wanted to know how things were. – Ivy
Will talk to you later, something just occurred to me. – Charles
With that she didn't see any message from him and so she waited.
…
"Eighteen year old female, murdered just like that. Family says she didn't have any enemies," Charles said to Riley. They were currently in her car and after pretty much digging around for clues, they decided to head back to the agency.
"All that's left is to wait for the autopsy. Cause of death is most likely that gruesome injury on her neck. Looked like it was bitten off." She turned to him as she said this.
Charles' poker face held true. Obviously he knew the real perpetrator of her death, but what surprised him the most was that there were multiple lacerations on her body and she wasn't completely drained of blood. He could tell. They made it seem like an assault but it would seem that someone couldn't help but take a bite out of the victim.
This was dangerous. He wasn't expecting their first move to be like this. It would seem that he would have to be so bold as to make a move of his own.
Riley noticed his silence. "What are you thinking about?"
He stared at her for a moment as if contemplating his choices. "Nothing… if it's possible, can we stop by my place after we make the report."
Riley blinked. "Just what are you planning Graham," she said as she inclined her head to him.
He scoffed. "Definitely nothing in that dirty mind of yours. I just have something important I need to tell you."
"Ho…" she raised an eyebrow at that.
"Shouldn't you keep your eyes on the road when driving?"
"Not when a conversation as intriguing as this one comes to play, besides, the road is clear. I didn't know you had a thing for me. Flattered as I am, I am older than you… or is that your type."
This time he chuckled. "You wish. It's about the case, and isn't this a bit like sexual violation."
"Depends… I haven't made any advancement towards you now, have I?"
Her logic was sound. "Fair enough. It's about some of the issues going on in the city. Trust me when I say you'd be fascinated."
She turned back to the road. "I'll take your word for it Graham," she said with a light laugh that made him uncomfortable. He was almost regretting asking her to come to his house.
…
Mason's hand broke the table as he pounded it with his fists. He was angry and that was not a good thing.
"Diana," he called to the red-haired lady standing by his side. She had been quiet throughout the entire ordeal as he thrashed his office. It was a good thing he hadn't directed his anger at a person. Wolves weren't exactly known for their meekness.
"Send a message to every wolf household… they are to provide volunteers for patrol and mark our territory as it is. The Omega is no longer considered a priority in the slightest, unless he is seen with the vampires."
"All vampires are given a kill on sight order but no one should engage them alone… they are far too cunning for that."
"Understood." With that she left the room, or rather what remained of it.
Mason took the time to take deep breaths and calm himself down. He had every reason to think that the vampire he had met today may perhaps have been the leader, but they weren't exactly known to have a social hierarchy like wolves. There was one exception though.
The conversation he had had with the vampire led him to consider the possibility of the exception. They were dealing with a family of vampires. A rare occurrence but a dangerous one nonetheless.