If curiosity killed the cat then what killed the wolf?
I slipped the mask over my face and pulled the hood low, obscuring my features. Through the window, I watched Alex as he moved down the shadowed street. His steps were hurried, too quick, and filled with a nervous energy I could almost feel through the distance.
I pushed the window open and climbed out, the cool night air hitting my face. Not far from the house, a tree stood, its branches low enough for me to leap across with ease. I landed soundlessly, barely disturbing the quiet as I melted into the darkness.
Stealth is the first thing we learn as hunters — the art of moving unseen. We learn how to track our prey, silent and patient, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
I followed him, keeping to the edges of the streets, slipping in and out of shadows. Sometimes, I found myself darting across rooftops, my feet barely making a sound as I moved.
Alex's pace was erratic, and I couldn't help but feel that his instincts were starting to pick up on the danger. He would glance behind him now and then, his sharp eyes scanning the night — and each time, my heart would skip a beat, my own pulse quickening.
The wind blew from his direction, and I kept my distance, careful to keep my scent masked. I needed to stay hidden. The last thing I needed was for him to catch wind of me.
He led me through the city's forgotten paths, winding streets tucked away in the dark corners. The alleys grew more sinister, more cramped, and I felt a chill run down my spine when we reached one particularly run-down passage. I hesitated, but Alex didn't — his heart skipped at the sight of the alley, his nerves palpable.
I surveyed the building across from me. There were no handholds where I stood, but I saw my chance on the adjacent wall. Without a second thought, I scaled the eaves, the old wood creaking under my weight. It was a gamble, but sometimes that's what you do.
I steadied myself at the top, the moonlight casting long shadows. Five stories down, the drop was too high, but I had no choice. I exhaled, steeling myself, and leapt. My fingers found hold on the ledge of a broken window, and with a quick, practiced pull, I hoisted myself up.
The shadows cloaked me, keeping me hidden from Alex's view, but I had to remain still. I couldn't get any closer, or he might sense my presence.
From my vantage point, I could see into the alleyway below. It looked abandoned, a crumbling relic of the past. Dust hung in the air, cobwebs clung to every corner, and the smell of ammonia stung the back of my throat. This place had been forgotten, a forgotten piece of the city. But someone had found it.
And that's when I saw them. Five figures stood in the middle of the alley, their postures tense. Alex was the furthest from the others, his stance nervous, but it was the others who drew my attention. Four of them wore hoods, their faces hidden in the shadows. One of them held someone down, their hands bound, a bag over their head.
What the hell had Alex gotten himself into now?
Alex was speaking urgently, his words tumbling out in a mix of frustration and desperation. One of the hooded men reached down and yanked the bag off the prisoner's head. My breath caught in my throat.
Elsie.
Her pale face was marred with dark bruises, streaks of blood where the marks had formed over days of torment. Her makeup was smeared beyond recognition, and her eyes fluttered weakly as if she were on the verge of losing consciousness. But it wasn't just her face that was battered—her arms, her legs, every inch of her body was covered in bruises. Her wrists were raw, bloody from the ropes that had bound her too tightly.
Alex's complexion drained, his anger morphing into something darker, something much colder. His voice cracked as he shouted at the man holding her captive.
"Let her go, now!"
I could feel the tension in his voice, the weight of years of history between him and Elsie. But in that moment, all I could think was: Damn her. Always dragging us into trouble.
I didn't want to feel sympathy for her, not when I knew how much she put Alex through, but seeing her like that… it was hard not to.
The kidnappers were talking in low voices, their words clipped but far too civilized for the situation at hand. They spoke of connections, of choices, but the details were lost on me. They had control, and I had a feeling they were playing a long game with Alex, pushing him toward some impossible decision.
I could see the struggle on his face—the internal war between his loyalty to Elsie and the knowledge that he was quickly being backed into a corner. If those men pushed any further, I knew Alex would break, and when he did, he would give in to whatever insane bargain they were offering. Elsie wasn't just his childhood friend—she was family. And for Alex, family meant everything. He wouldn't let her die.
As he left the alley, his shoulders slumped and his face shadowed by defeat, I couldn't help but feel the weight of his despair. I wasn't upset by the scene, but I couldn't ignore the knot in my stomach. Alex was walking into something far worse than I'd ever anticipated—and I wasn't sure if anyone would make it out unscathed.
I didn't go home. I knew I wouldn't get the answers I wanted from Alex. Instead, I made my way to the Goblin. Zénó was already waiting for me, the usual hot chocolate steaming on the counter.
"Did you find out anything?" I asked as I sank into the chair.
The café was empty, the soft hum of the streetlights the only sound breaking the quiet.
Zénó nodded, his face grim. "The issue is bigger than I thought."
Great. This was starting to spiral out of control.
"I'm listening," I urged.
He leaned forward, his voice low. "You know that wolves live in packs, right?"
I nodded.
"In these packs, there's an alpha, a few betas. The lone wolves are the omegas. Of the three, alphas are the strongest." He paused, his gaze intense. "But what's in town now… is a pack of nothing but alphas."
I stared at him, stunned. "What?"
Zénó's expression darkened. "Unprecedented. This is the first time in my life I've encountered a pack like this."
"What?", I was surprised.
"Unprecedented," the old man remarked, "In fact, this is the first time in my life that I have encountered such a unique case."
I exhaled slowly, trying to process. "What does this have to do with Alex?"
Zénó met my eyes, his voice carefully measured. "I understand your friend is the offspring of an alpha?"
I nodded again.
"Well," he continued, "alphas are usually chosen by the pack, but it's in the blood of most wolves. They're larger, stronger, more dangerous... and harder to control."
I felt the air shift in the room as I began to understand. "You mean...?"
Zénó didn't let me finish. "Your friend would make an excellent alpha in a pack."
"They want him," I muttered, piecing it together.
He nodded.
"But why now?" I asked, confusion and concern clouding my mind. "What's changed?"
The worst possible timing.
"Probably because your friend is becoming a real alpha," Zénó replied with a heavy sigh. "In the beginning, they often can't fully control their transformations. This process is usually triggered by a strong psychological shock," he explained.
I was shocked. Jo's death must have been painful enough to change something in Alex—after all, he liked her and had watched her die.
I looked at Zénó, my voice barely a whisper. "How can I kill a pack of alphas?"
His eyes widened in shock, and then narrowed with a flash of anger. "Don't even think about that."
I stood up, my fists clenched. "I don't have a choice." I paced, frustration boiling inside me. "I went after Alex today... I saw a wolf from his old pack had been captured."
My hands tightened into fists. Alex was like cocoa to me—a comfort, a constant. As long as I could drink a cup every day, I didn't think much of it. But if it were taken away, if I lost it, I think I'd be dying of grief.
Maybe this attachment wasn't so inexplicable. The night, sitting by the fire, we both realized we were abandoned by life—discarded like broken toys— and something inside us broke. But something else formed too. A promise, silent and unspoken: we would always be there for each other.
That was why I couldn't let him go. Over the years, his presence had become as necessary as that cup of cocoa. If he wasn't there, I'd feel the absence. If I didn't have him by my side, I'd miss him, and that's all there is to it. No more, no less.
It didn't need to be said, but it was the kind of thing that drove me to the ends of the earth to find him. Because we both needed something stable to hold on to when the world spun out of control—and then, as children, we'd found that in each other.
Then somehow we stayed with each other, clinging to each other's presence, even though we were able to stand on our own. The gentle breathing of the other, the quiet beating of his heart, and his distinctive smell had become too familiar. I would always be there for him. I would always look for him. Because I know he would do the same for me.
Zénó's voice broke through my thoughts. "Have you known each other long?"
I nodded.
"I'm sorry, Shaytan, but I can't help you anymore," Zénó said quietly, his gaze filled with regret.
I shook my head, my throat tight. "Thank you, Zénó. For everything."
With that, I stood up and walked out of the café, the door closing softly behind me. The night air was cold and biting. As I made my way down the deserted street, I could feel Zénó's gaze following me from the window. The Goblin Cafe stood silent in the night, a dark witness to the choices that lay ahead.
(...)
I climbed up the tree and snuck back into my room the same way I had left — through the open window. I landed with a soft thud and immediately sprang to my feet. Rolo was sitting on my bed, waiting for me. As soon as he saw me, he jumped up, his excitement palpable.
"What took you so long? What happened?" he asked, stammering with impatience.
I could tell he noticed my frustration building.
"The situation is bigger than I ever imagined," I muttered, my voice tight.
Rolo repeated his question, this time more seriously. I glanced at him — he could see I was on the edge. I dropped onto the bed with a heavy sigh, and he followed suit. For a moment, we just sat there, the tension between us thick.
"A pack of alphas has come to town," I finally said, the weight of the words sinking in. "And they want Alex. They've kidnapped a girl from his old pack and are threatening his life."
Rolo's eyes widened. "Why?"
I ran a hand through my hair. "Alex is starting to turn into an alpha himself, or something like it."
Rolo let out a heavy sigh, clearly processing the information.
"He'll choose her," I added, my voice cold, devoid of hope. "He'll leave. Probably before the sun rises."
"And you're going to let that happen?" Rolo's voice wasn't accusatory, but there was an unmistakable edge to it — one that made me feel like something sharp had been driven into my chest.
"Of course not," I snapped, standing up suddenly.
Rolo's lips curved into a small, understanding smile. "Then I'm listening."
I dropped back onto the bed, feeling the weight of everything on my shoulders. "I don't know how we're going to take on a pack of alphas," I admitted, the words tasting like defeat.
"Alphas are always big, strong, and fast," Rolo said matter-of-factly. "An average beta can't even handle one of them, let alone a whole pack."
I shot him a sharp look. "Thanks. That's really reassuring."
He shrugged, undeterred. "You've got a strong famiglia, though. You don't have to fight alone."
His words rang true, and I nodded. I grabbed my phone from the bedside table and dialed the first number that came to mind. It rang for what felt like an eternity before it was finally picked up.
"What do you want, little brother?" Des grumbled, his voice low with irritation. "I was in the middle of something, if you know what I mean..."
I cut in before he could continue. "You've got to help me."
There was a brief pause before the hunter responded.
"What happened?"
"A group of alphas wants Alex," I said, urgency creeping into my voice. "We need to protect him."
Des didn't sound thrilled. "Why should I protect your wolf?" he asked, a faint disinterest in his tone. I could almost picture him inspecting his fingernails as he spoke. "It's not my problem."
I could almost hear his smugness through the phone. The bastard!
"Because I'm asking you to, my dear sweet brother," I said sweetly, pushing past my annoyance. "Whatever you choose, I'll fight. But if you're by my side, I have a better chance of surviving."
After a long silence, Des spoke again. "We'll be at your house in an hour. But don't you dare bother me until then." With that, he hung up.
Rolo sent me a satisfied grin. Okay, next number. I hesitated, but only for a moment before pressing the call button. I needed every bit of help I could get, even if it meant risking having Mr. Blutkaiser drain me dry and stake me afterward—or vice versa.
"Yes?" Coffee's voice crackled through the line.
"I need your help," I stated flatly. "There's trouble."
"What's going on?" she asked, her tone sharp and concerned.
"A group of alphas wants Alex," I repeated, the urgency mounting. "We need to protect him."
There was a short pause before Coffee replied, her voice steady. "I'm on my way." The line went dead before I could say anything else.
I sighed deeply, sinking into the bed. "I called everyone we can rely on."
Rolo gave a small nod, but the tension hung thick in the air between us. We sat in silence for a while, both lost in our thoughts.
"Shay."
"Yeah?" I replied, still focused on the situation.
"You're not planning to leave me behind, are you?" he asked, his emerald eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made it clear—he had already made up his mind. No matter what I said, he wasn't going to listen.
I shrugged, unwilling to argue. "You're part of my famiglia too," I said with a grin, the words dripping with mischief. "Just don't lose one of your nine lives."
He stuck out his tongue playfully. "By your side? Even a hundred wouldn't be enough!"
(...)
Alex scribbled a few lines of farewell on the letter and dropped it onto his bed. Before heading out, he paused and glanced back into his room. He was only taking a handful of things with him, so the room was an almost heartbreaking reminder that this was where he lived. He hadn't spent much time here, but he must have grown fond of his place—or maybe he looked so heartbreakingly lonely because he wanted to leave home behind forever.
Quietly, he crept down the stairs, moving with the utmost care as if afraid to disturb the silence. He made his way toward the front door.
"Where are you going?" I asked, breaking the stillness.
He jumped, then slowly turned around.
"To get some air," he replied quickly. "I haven't been able to sleep. But what are you doing here?"
"I know about Elsie," I said, my voice calm but firm.
"We know about the pack," Rolo added, his tone serious.
Alex blinked, his confusion written all over his face. "What—?"
"No," I raised my hand, cutting him off. "You know I'll find out if you're lying, and there's no need for that. We're coming with you."
"You don't understand!" he blurted, his voice rising. "They're alphas! They're alphas! We can't win against them—"
"So you'd rather leave us?" I interrupted, anger flashing in my eyes. "You'd rather leave me?"
"I..." Alex glanced away, avoiding my gaze. "It's for the best. Everyone will be safe."
"I don't think so," Rolo cut in sharply. "They promised that if you joined them, they'd let her go? Do you think they care about her life? As soon as you join them, they'll kill her. Did you know that, Alex? A true alpha is always born from death!"
Alex's face went pale. "What?"
"They probably planned this from the start," I said, my voice low and urgent. "Now shut up, sit down, and tell us exactly where and when you're supposed to meet those bastards!"
Just then, a knock echoed through the hall. Rolo opened the door, and Coffee stepped inside.
"So?" I raised an eyebrow.
"We meet in the woods behind the alleys at sunrise," Alex replied, his voice tense.
"All right," I nodded. "We have an hour before then."
The door swung open again, this time with a loud thud as Des kicked it in.
"Show me those little sliceable muttons!" he grinned, his trademark smirk spreading across his face.
Alice nodded his greeting.
"We need a plan," I said, my tone serious. "They're alphas, and they're not playing games. Ideas?"
Rolo met my gaze, his emerald eyes flashing with focus.
"Speak up."
"I think Alex should show up alone," Rolo began, his voice calm but resolute. "That way they won't suspect anything. We'll surround them while he's with them, then attack. If everything goes to plan, we can take out at least five wolves before they even know what hit them."
"Objection?" I asked, looking around.
I waited a moment, and when no one spoke, I turned to Alex. "I won't let them take you."
"And if I have to save her, I won't leave her there either," I added reluctantly, "Though, to be honest, if you asked me, I'd rather—"
Alex laughed, but there was no humor in it. "I can't keep secrets from you, can I?"
"Of course not," I replied with a grin. "I'm an informant."