Alicia and Lucien trekked through the dense woods, their senses on high alert for any sign of Lex or the mysterious werewolf which was actually Bryan. As they walked, the trees grew taller, casting deep shadows that seemed to writhe and twist in the fading light. The air thickened with an eerie energy, making the hairs on the back of their necks stand on end.
"I don't like this," Lucien whispered, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "It feels like we're being watched."
Alicia nodded, her hand on the hilt of her dagger. "I sense it too. Let's keep moving, but stay sharp."
As they rounded a bend in the path, a clearing emerged before them. In the centre of the clearing stood an ancient, gnarled tree, its branches twisted into impossible shapes. The air around the tree pulsed with a strange, blue-green light.
"What is this place?" Lucien breathed, his voice barely audible.
"I know you are a fool but shouldn't you try to keep your foolishness at bay?" Alicia asked and Lucien's mouth opened but no words came out.
"I only asked a question." he finally spoke.
"It looks like a coven, a gathering place for werewolves," Alicia said as she surveyed their surroundings. "We need to get out of here now."
"What do you mean get out of here? If there are werewolves in there, then we need to go in there and do our thing." Lucien said.
"Yeah, go on. I'd like to see you come out alive. You might be a skilled hunter but your stupidity will be your downfall in the end." Alicia mocked.
"Whatever," Lucien said. "We need to go back now and report our findings. Turns out stardom is actually an abode for werewolves."
"Yeah you're right."
As they left the clearing, the blue-green light seemed to pulse faster, as if warning them away. Alicia and Lucien quickened their pace, their senses still on high alert. The eerie energy lingered, making their skin crawl.
"I can't believe you're so eager to run away," Lucien said, his voice laced with sarcasm. "I thought you were a skilled huntress, not a scared little girl."
Alicia shot him a warning glance. "I'm not afraid, Lucien. I'm being cautious. There's a difference."
Lucien snorted. "Whatever. You're just mad because I'm right. We should have gone in there and taken care of those werewolves."
Elena's grip on her dagger tightened. "You're not thinking clearly, Lucien. We don't know what we're dealing with here. We need to report back to the patriarch and come up with a plan."
Lucien sighed, but said nothing more. They walked in silence, the only sound being the rustling of leaves and snapping of twigs beneath their feet.
As they emerged from the woods, the moon cast an eerie glow on the two power bikes waiting for them. Alicia swung her leg over the sleek machine, her movements fluid and practised. Lucien followed suit, his expression still dark.
With a roar of engines, they sped off into the night, leaving the ominous woods behind. The wind whipped through their hair as they devoured the distance.
Getting back to the Venators mansion, it was already night.
Thane who had been waiting for their arrival emerged immediately as they entered. "Ah, here they come, the patriarch's favourite hunters." He rolled his eyes.
Lucien ignored him as he and Alicia went ahead to the Argent's chambers where the patriarch and matriarch stayed.
Lucien and Alicia entered the Argent's chambers, the soft glow of candles and the crackling fireplace enveloping them in a warm embrace. Orion Argent, the patriarch, sat in his favourite armchair, his piercing blue eyes fixed intently on the duo. Lyra Argent, the matriarch, stood by the window, her raven tresses cascading down her back like a waterfall of night.
"Report," Orion commanded, his deep voice brooking no delay.
Lucien's expression turned grim, "The hunt was... complicated, father. We were unable to eliminate the target."
Orion's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing through the dimly lit chamber like a dagger. "The werewolf is still roaming about in Stardom town? You're telling me the both of you couldn't take down a single werewolf?" His voice was laced with disappointment and a hint of disdain.
Alicia nodded, her shoulders sagging under the weight of his disapproval. "Yes, sir. He proved to be a formidable opponent." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "But it wasn't just one werewolf, they were two, and they were too fast for normal werewolves."
Lyra's voice cut through the air like a whip, her words dripping with venom. "Don't give excuses for your incapability, Elena." She stood by the window, her raven tresses cascading down her back like a waterfall of night, her emerald eyes flashing with displeasure.
Elena's apology was immediate, "I'm sorry, ma'am."
Orion's expression turned thoughtful, his eyes clouding over like a stormy sky. "That makes things more complicated. Two werewolves?" He turned to Lucien, his gaze demanding confirmation.
Lucien nodded, his jaw clenched in frustration. "Yes, sir. But that's not all. We also discovered something else - a coven of werewolves somewhere in the woods."
Lyra's gaze snapped towards them, her emerald eyes flashing with surprise. "A coven, you say? That's a game-changer. So stardom town is now an abode for werewolves?"
Orion's face darkened, his eyes flashing with a fierce determination. "This changes everything. That means our werewolf wasn't a lone wolf. If a coven of werewolves is in Stardom, then I guess it's high time for a family hunt."
Lucien's eyes brightened up with a smile, his face alight with excitement. There was nothing more thrilling to him than a family hunt, a rare occurrence that only happened when the Venators were hunting down a pack of werewolves. The thrill of the chase, the rush of adrenaline, the satisfaction of a successful hunt - it was what he lived for.
"Go inform the Addams, and all the high-tier hunters," Orion commanded, his voice dark and husky, "Time to go on a hunt."