The pack was back aboard the Jet, soaring above the City of Lights. As always, Athen sat beside Sakura while the twins sprawled out in the rear seats, catching up on much-needed rest. Jack and Michael were deep in conversation, their voices a low hum as they discussed the city's ongoing recovery efforts.
Sakura turned to Athen, her brows knit with worry. "Do ya think the other werewolves will be disappointed in me for leavin' so soon?"
Athen let out a small sigh, rubbing the back of his head. "The only shit that matters is that Lina and Sam have your back, no matter what. Don't let the others get to you."
She hesitated. "Are ya sure, Athen? Feels like they don't even notice I'm around half the time."
Athen's gaze softened, and he leaned in slightly. "I know you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, but trust me when I say this—stop worrying about it. You're doing fine."
After a pause, Sakura exhaled and nodded. "Alright, fine. I'll take your word for it."
Their conversation was interrupted by Jack's voice cutting through the cabin. He gestured out the window, grinning. "We're coming in. Look down there—welcome back to Ireland, Sakura."
Sakura turned to the window beside her, gazing at the patchwork of emerald fields and quaint villages below. The sight should have stirred some excitement, but she felt unhappy because her father betrayed them. "Yeah," she murmured. "I guess."
Ireland's landscape stretched below them like an ever-unfolding story. Sakura and the rest of the pack were seated by the windows, their eyes fixed on the mesmerizing view. The Jet descended, and the scenery became even more enchanting. Lush green fields dotted with stone walls and quaint cottages, winding rivers reflecting the sun's gentle rays, and emerald forests that seemed to go on forever passed beneath them. The plane landed at Shannon Airport with a soft touchdown, bringing them one step closer to uncovering the secrets of Sakura's past. A surge of excitement coursed through her veins, overwhelming her with a sense of anticipation and nostalgia. It had been over a decade since she last set foot in this enchanting land.
She stepped off the plane and inhaled deeply, savoring the familiar scent of the lush, green countryside. The moon shined ever so brilliantly over the aircraft's landing zone. Sakura's eyes sparkled as she took in the picturesque surroundings. The rolling green hills stretched beneath them, dotted with charming cottages and the occasional grazing sheep. The scent of wildflowers hung in the air.
Athen turned to Sakura, his warm smile radiating reassurance. "So, Sakura, how does it feel to be back in Ireland after all these years?"
Sakura's gaze lingered on the breathtaking landscape outside the window. Her voice softened as she said, "I'm back."
Athen nodded. "Ireland has always held a special place in your heart, hasn't it?"
"Aye, it truly does."
When they arrived in the heart of Dublin, the golden glow of the setting sun bathed the streets, casting long shadows over the historic architecture seamlessly intertwined with modern urban life.
Beside her, Athen kept a vigilant eye on their surroundings. He knew their visit wasn't leisurely but a mission to uncover answers from Sakura's past. The possibility of Kenjiro making an appearance loomed over him like a storm cloud.
Jack's sharp gaze flicked from one passerby to another. Michael, bringing up the rear, moved with the same measured caution, ensuring no threats crept behind them.
The twins, however, raised their voices with playful excitement as they pointed out landmarks and statues in the distance.
The city held a bittersweet charm for Sakura—a reminder of the memories she had once cherished, now tangled with the unanswered questions that brought her back.
Athen's voice broke the silence. "Stay close, everyone," he reminded them. "We don't know who's friendly and who's not."
Sakura nodded. "We don't know what we've walked ourselves into."
Alex yawned and asked, "Where are we going?"
Michael replied, "We're walking around Dublin instead of passing through it right now."
Athen squinted, shading his forehead with his hand. "That old black Alpha wolf wouldn't go near the heart of a human city."
"I'm hungry," Alec whimpered, passing a restaurant with seated customers. "Can we go buy some food?"
"Wouldn't hurt us, right, Athen?" Jack asked, feeling the same discomfort.
"Sure, okay," Athen replied. He was not keen to waste any more time.
The pack ventured into a bustling market where wooden crates, artistically arranged, held an abundance of oversized, vibrant vegetables and fruits.
Massive, angled freezers lined one side of the market, their icy interiors housing an impressive collection of colossal fish and cuts of meat that could easily fetch hundreds of Euros. Rib roasts, with their marbled perfection, beckoned from one corner while boneless rump roasts glistened.
As Alex and Alec took in this awe-inspiring display of pre-cut food, their mouths watered uncontrollably, nearly forming fountains of saliva.
A large tuna caught Alec's eye as it shimmered under the sun's warmth. He massaged the smooth scales. "Brother, look at all this food. We didn't have to catch it and cut it up ourselves."
Alex positioned his index finger on his lips and hushed his brother. "Quiet, people can hear you."
Their appetite, enhanced by their unique nature, was impossible to conceal, and it did not go unnoticed by the other shoppers.
Whispers rippled through the market's customers like a gentle breeze through tall grass. Customers exchanged curious glances, their voices hushed as they stared at the twins. The medicine section, full of plastic bottles instead of glass bottles with herbs, amazed Jack.
The pack could not help but attract attention with their extraordinary, mysterious behavior. Threatening to unveil their closely guarded secret to the unsuspecting human world around them.
Michael strode confidently into the market's meat section. The shelves and displays were a carnivore's paradise, lined with succulent cuts and marbled meats. He loaded his cart with various packaged meats, enticing his taste buds. The bewildered butcher observed his choices as he shopped.
Athen's eyes locked onto Michael as he maneuvered a shopping cart brimming with excessive meat. Approaching his Beta, Athen furrowed his brow and began sifting through the carnivorous bounty. In a calm but distinctly audible tone, he remarked, "What the fuck are you doing? Humans rarely buy this much meat at once."
"Bro, do not judge me. I'm hungry right now."
"Okay, fine. I do not want to make a scene, so let's get out of here."
"Works for me."
Soon, Jack joined their mission, enthusiastically tossing his preferred medical supplies into the shopping cart. The final addition was a box of thin condoms.
Michael burst into laughter. "Jack, do you have a secret lover we don't know about?"
Athen raised an eyebrow, throwing his hands up in confusion. "Wait, aren't you gay?"
Jack rolled his eyes. "First of all, gay couples use condoms to prevent STDs. Second, they're not for me." A mischievous smirk crossed his face. "They're for Athen. He's been trying to get Sakura to date him again but struggling. I figured I'd give him a nudge in the right direction."
Michael's jaw dropped as he turned to Athen, gasping in disbelief. "Wait, seriously?"
Athen shook his head, clearly unimpressed. Snatching the box of condoms from the cart, he tossed it onto a random shelf. "I'm not having this conversation right now," he muttered. "Let's just pay for this stuff and get out of here already. Hurry up."
With that, he marched toward the cash register, leaving the others behind, still snickering at his expense.
The cashier scanned each item with a smile, one by one, before carefully placing them into plastic bags. This repetitive process continued with clockwork precision, turning their once massive shopping cart into an attractively packaged collection.
The cashier chuckled, feeling a sense of Déjà vu. "Lots of meat today, I see. This reminds me of a fellow who came to me store a many years ago to purchase a plenty of flesh to go wolf hunting. Aye, it felt like only yesterday."
"What happened?" Athen asked.
"The fellow came here heated, sayin' a wolf killed all his cattle, he did. When he shot it in the leg, it crawled away. So, he bought all this meat to finish him off. We irish folk must protect what is ours, ya know."
"Where? Did he kill it?" Michael asked.
"He said he lived somewhere near Limerick. Didn't come back here, so I haven't the bloodiest idea. Are ya lads goin' wolf huntin' or somethin?"
Michael and Jack stood with their jaws dropped. Sweating from head to toe, neither could utter a word. Soon, Athen had to act before it appeared too suspicious. He wrapped his arms around the boys and smiled.
"No," Athen awkwardly chuckled. "We're on a trip, and decided to host a party."
"Must be a big party, lad. Where ya from?"
"Yeah, um. We're from America."
"Aye, America, is it? Beautiful place, ain't it? Well, stay safe out there. Beware of them wolves."
"I will. Thanks, mate."
With his formidable strength, Michael effortlessly hoisted the weight of the plastic bags over his shoulder and transported them to the entrance. Meanwhile, Athen surveyed the bustling market, her gaze fixating on Sakura, who stood in the aisle next to the cash register with the twins who argued over snacks.
Athen signaled Sakura by emitting a sharp, distinctive whistle, his index, and middle fingers gesturing towards the exit. Sakura acknowledged the signal and graciously ushered the twins to the doorway.
Sakura sighed. "It seems we've no fresh clues, so it might be wise to seek a cozy spot for a bit of shuteye."
Michael smirked. "Oh, no. We have a lead."
"What are you talkin' about?"
"The cashier," Athen said. "He told us some dude with a farm shot him, but he got away."
"Where?"
"Somewhere toward Limerick."
As the sun slowly descended beyond the city's skyline, the cityscape stretched endlessly before Sakura and her companions, an urban labyrinth of towering buildings, bustling streets, and neon lights. Finding the forest proved far more challenging than they had expected. Sakura's determined gaze swept across the city's expanse, her heart heavy with worry for the future of her island. Athen walked beside her while Michael fiddled with his GPS again, while Jack and the twins scanned their surroundings for any clues.
Sakura turned to Athen, her voice laced with frustration. "Athen, any luck with ya keen nose?"
Athen closed his eyes and took a deep breath, his nostrils flaring as he focused. "I'm getting a faint hint of earth and pine," he said. "But it's overwhelmed by the city's scents."
Michael glanced up from his GPS device. "We're definitely on the right track. The forest should be in that direction," he pointed towards the city's outskirts.
Sakura could feel the tension in the group. They had come so far, and the forest seemed just out of reach. Doubt crept into her mind, but she could not let it consume her. The werewolves are relying on her to bring peace.
Athen, refusing to give up, closed his eyes again, his focus intensifying. His nostrils flared, and he took a deep, deliberate breath. "I've got it!" he exclaimed suddenly. "Follow me."
With Athen leading the way, they pushed onward, guided by the faint scent of earth and pine he had detected. It increased with each step, reassuring them they were drawing closer to their destination.
As they rounded a bend, the towering skyscrapers of the city finally gave way to the forest. The scent of pine and the rustling of leaves greeted them like an old friend. They had found it, the woods at the city's edge.