Charles
Now close to Rowe, who couldn't even hide the dismay look he had on his face, that reflected his emotions, Charles could see how betrayed he felt.
Rowe said still looking shocked, "I said I was going to come back," He asked, "Didn't I?"
"Rowe, it isn't as it seems," Charles said trying to avoid any further drama.
Rowe just shifted back still in denial. He shook his head as he tried to still grasp.
Everything he'd ever worked for just went down the drain, just like that. Though he blamed himself a little for what happened. It was his fault. But at that moment, he couldn't help but point all fingers at the now crowned Beta.
Mumurs began to spread throughout the place as people were confused with what was going on. Stares were all fixated on them.
Information disclosure: Rowe did catch The Wanted Blaze. He handed him over to the other cops. So what he actually did wasn't in vain.
"So this is what you've always wanted, huh?" He gave a look around with an ironic smile on. "Then you can have your good life".
Rowe headed out, but before leaving completely, he smashed his fist against the wall leaving it with a deep crack.
"What just happened?" Charles asked mentally. "Is this it? Was everything that bound us together set loose? Were the old times they had with each other now just memories?"
This last question made Charles almost feel something he usually wouldn't ever feel. The question; "What happened to if one wins, we all win?"
That was how they departed and their old friendship ended. Ever since then, Charles had been this humourless lone wolf, though he still belonged to a pack. He had learnt two things that day. One was that no one's success was actually yours. You'd actually have to work for yours eventually. And the other, was that you live life for yourself. Charles learnt these things that day, and from that day onward, he still abided by it.
There were two choices Charles thought in his head that he had at that very moment. One was to go back to the slumps. And the other was to be Beta Charles.
Present day
..
Beta Charles now walked right into the place that had been opened for him by one of the guards. Inside, he immediately sighted a briskly bearded man wearing a beige sweater vest, and had palms clenched onto the handle of a coffee mug, drinking the hot drink.
On top of that sweater vest, was a red long robe, that had a belt rope that was loosed. His feet were covered in regular flip flops, and wore he black pants.
On seeing Charles, he just looked at him in an eccentric way, then returned eating the meat that was packaged in a wrap, using a small wooden toothpick.
After chewing down a piece of the meat, he drank a little of his coffee before talking.
"The man you seek is not here," He took another piece of meat and chewed as he continued. "He's gone for a burton,"
Shifting closer and drawing a chair to sit down, Charles said, " Well, I seek for the man in black,"
The person Charles talked too had a toothpick at the side of his mouth and looked like someone who had decided to go on a vacation indoors.
"The man in black is dead. Real sorry fella. Maybe if you had come earlier you would've met him." He said flippantly. "Beta Charles,"
He looked at Charles for a while before finally letting out a hysterical cackle. Charles recognized that laugh from anywhere. It was his old college Rowe. After all these years and his old playful personality still stuck.
"Your still as grumpy as ever. So what brings the successful known and all powerful high-class Beta to such neighborhood?"
"I was about asking you that too. Why come back here to this dump, even after your successful carrier?"
"You've forgotten you use to live in this dump?"
"Well that's the reason we worked had to get out of the dump,"
"Home Charles," Detective Rowe corrected. " Home,"
Charles heaved a great sigh before speaking, now changing the atmosphere into a more formal one, he spoke, "The Alpha's son's gone missing. I couldn't think of anyother person that best fit the case,"
Rowe now figured he was just here on orders. He didn't seem to feel disappointed though, infact, he had become more of an adult, although his slighty eccentric attitude still stuck.
The good thing was that both of them achieved individual success. And even if they didn't say it, they both believed what happened to both of them in the past wasn't a mistake, rather destiny.
" I heard so," Said Rowe also sounding formal. " Still asking, why are you here? I'm retired. I'm just wanna take a break from the old detective stuff. I've done that all my life, and now the man needs to rest,"
"And since when did you believe in rest?"
"Since the day I discovered I could be the man in anything. You know I could send one of my men, or all of 'em for this case. I don't take orders from your Alpha,"
Charles eyes now lowered in slight disappointment, feeling he had come here in vain. He then sighted a properly packaged present on Rowe's desk. Although he wondered a little, but didn't ask any question.
Rowe now noticed where his eyes went and just decided to answer the unasked question.
"My daughter just gave birth," Rowe said. "I couldn't decide on what to buy for her and the baby, so right in there are bundles of solid cash,"
Charles said lacking humour as always, "Congrats,"
Rowe gave a frown instead as he said in a complaining tone, "No no no. I'm not too pleased about it. I really hate that good for nothing wolf she got married to. I even missed her wedding," Now in plain exasperation, "Could you believe the useless bastard went behind my back to get married to my daughter? My germ? That low-levelled wolf…You know, I plan on killing him after taking the child and delivering the gift,"
Hoping he was joking, Charles didn't say a word. Really, he hoped he was joking.
"You should come by my place sometime. Maybe today. You know, to catch up with old times," Rowe said now changing his demeanour.
What he said, the invitation was a good one and he was correct about them catching up with from where they left years ago. Many things had happened, and Charles didn't even know his mate had a daughter, or if he was even married to someone. If they wanted to even begin catching up, they wouldn't even have a clue of where to start from. Though these people had seen each other once in a while during the past years at some public gatherings, but they didn't talk as they were always focused on perfecting their job and being successful.
As much as Charles wanted to do what his friend had asked and accept the invitation, he still had to put his job first and obey the Alpha. He was not going to get even slightly distracted as he knew he was here strictly on business.
It showed on Charles face that it was hard for him to say no, or turn down the offer even if he wanted to accept it. Rowe saw this expression and didn't need anyone to tell him.
"I understand you're really occupied," Rowe said. He then asked, "You still watching over that insultive kid?" Rowe asked referring to the Alpha's son. He snapped his fingers as he tried to remember his name.
Impatient, Charles said, "Jack. You mean Jack?"
He knew it was him, still he asked.
"Yes. Him. Who else could it be? The Alpha makes you function as not just a Beta to him but also as a nanny. I'm real glad I didn't get the job," Rowe laughed at the end. He went on. "I heard his engagement got cancelled. Poor boy,"
He didn't seem to show sympathy though.
"Well he'll be getting married eventually," Charles said leaving Rowe a bit in suspence as he thought he'd go further.
"well good for him, right? The umm… Jack. I also heard news that the lady he was engaged to got attacked. Attacked by one of the werewolves I presume. Do you think her case is related to that of the young Harry Loggman?"
"It should. Lady Lyya says she saw him the day of the attack. He told her to meet him at the Wayne woods." Said Charles. He now suspected Rowe had something going on in his head. " What do you think Rowe?"
Rowe slowly rubbed his chin, looking like he was imagining someone or something. He then removed it and stood up.
He said head heading to a shelf of books, "You know as I am. Evidence is what I work with,"
Rowe then pressed down an imaginary button on the shelf and the shelf shifted, revealing a secret room. Now in that secret room, all the clothes hung there were in black, and other things too stayed safe in the room. He walked to a particular black coat, suit, hat and shoes that stood out, hung on a unique rack.
He shrugged the coat on as he said, "My men's been chasing a similar case. I believe humans are being intentionally turned into wolves, which is a violation of one of the werewolf codes. Though humans and werewolves could live as one, but if not through the reveal and ritual ceremony, no human should be turned at all. Especially not against their will. The source of this story of turning humans originated from Walwhit town. Going there on a visit won't cause a tad harm, now would it?"
He went on dressing himself in his signature styled clothing. Charles eyes now wondered and quickly made a stop as he saw a large portrait of a picture on the wall.
"You still have that?" Charles asked as he was surprised to see it, knowing fully well it looked familiar. He instantly remembered when the picture was taken and on what occasion.
Rowe didn't reply as he still busied himself with his clothe he now had on. His hat was still in his hands, but he had worn every other clothe that stayed hung on the rack. He looked neat and also at the same time, he looked mysterious.
Charles eyes checked him and confirmed he appeared to be at the standard of perfection. He asked,
"I thought the man in black had died?"
Now covering his head with his black fine hat, Rowe said, "Well he's decided to make an exception for an old friend."
At the side of the place where Charles had turned to look at earlier was the black and white picture of him and Rowe back then at their graduation ceremony. They were dressed in their graduation gowns and hats, and had their certificate in their hands. One smiled widely, and also maybe looked too happy. While the other didn't smile, but of course felt happy inside. They were like sunshine and the moonlight. They both worked hand in hand and were important.
A feeling of nolstagia rushed through Charles as he stared at it.
Chapter Epilogue:
The Beta Charles was walking back home. He passed the same place, taking the route he had followed earlier.
Still walking, Charles eyes suddenly saw the child he had helped earlier; Sherul. He sat with someone Charles assumed was his mother, and they both were wearing wide smiles on their faces.
He wasn't close to them though, but could see and feel how happy they were. They didn't see him, only him did.
The happy feeling was so contagious that it made the Beta give a slight one sided smile. Although it didn't last up to a good second, wasn't noticable and also went as fast as it came, but slightly, it reflected how the Beta felt inside.
Returning back to the Alpha, Beta Charles was going to give feedback that the Man In Black had decided to help with the case.