{"Everything you do seduces me. All you need to do is breathe"}
Tiger's expression turned grim. "The Bay Shifter council is divided, Alpha. Some of them have colluded with the vampires of the Paradise Coven. They believe the vampires can enhance their shifter powers and they want to know the full extent of your Lycan's abilities."
His words hung in the air like a storm cloud. I clenched my fists, the weight of betrayal settling in my chest.
"They've aligned themselves with the vampires," I said, my voice low and dangerous.
Tiger nodded solemnly. "Not all of them, but enough to be a threat. They fear you, Alpha. They fear what your Lycan represents and the power it could bring to the pack."
I glanced out at the falling snow, my mind racing. The pieces were starting to fall into place, but the picture they formed was one of treachery and ambition.
"We'll deal with this," I said finally, my voice steady. "But first, we need to figure out who we can trust and who we can't."
Tiger bowed his head. "I am with you, Alpha. Whatever you need."
Before Tiger could take his leave, I spoke. "Tiger," I called, my voice firm but laced with the weight of trust, "there is something else. I am heading to Hanka Island."
His expression shifted, surprise flickering in his golden eyes. He stepped closer, lowering his voice as though the forest itself might overhear. "Alpha, Hanka Island?" He hesitated, then added, "My parents once told me something about that place. It holds… an ancient power."
That piqued my interest. "What kind of power?" I asked, folding my arms as I waited for his explanation.
Tiger glanced at the cascading water as if gathering his thoughts. "It's why the island has always been uninhabited," he said. "The old elders and council members left it alone centuries ago. They even signed a treaty with the Paradise Bay Coven to ensure neither vampires nor shifters would set foot there."
My brows furrowed in surprise, and I felt Gale stir in my mind. Ancient power? A treaty? The pieces clicked into place as my connection to the island suddenly made sense.
"No wonder I've always felt drawn to it," I murmured, half to myself. "If my instincts are right, Hanka Island may lead me directly to the vampire behind all of this."
Tiger looked at me with a mix of curiosity and concern. "If that's true, Alpha, then you must be careful. That place was left alone for a reason."
I nodded, appreciating his caution but unwilling to back down. "I trust you enough to tell you this, Tiger," I said, fixing him with a steady gaze. "But hear me, do not follow me. If you are caught, it could ruin everything."
Tiger inclined his head in acknowledgment, his expression resolute. "Understood, Alpha. You have my word."
Satisfied, I turned to leave, feeling the pull of Hanka Island growing stronger. "I'm off then," I said, glancing back at him one last time.
"Farewell, Alpha," he said, bowing slightly.
Without another word, I shifted into my wolf form, the cool air whipping through my fur as I bounded through the snow-laden forest. My destination was clear. The answers I sought awaited me on Hanka Island, and I was ready to face whatever ancient power lay hidden there.
After ensuring that Deputy General Tiger had truly left, I shifted into my wolf form and made my way through the dense forest. The wind howled softly, carrying with it the secrets of the night as I approached the caves that led to Hanka Island. Gale stirred in the back of my mind, his presence watchful and alert.
The journey felt both swift and endless, the pull of the island stronger than ever. When I finally arrived on the eastern edge of Hanka Island, the distinct, sharp scent of a vampire hit my nostrils. It was not just any scent; it was unique and alluring in a way that set my senses on high alert.
I followed the trail through the undergrowth, and there he stood, leaning casually against a rock formation as if he had been waiting for me all along. He was mesmerizing, and for a moment, I forgot to breathe. He wore a flowing white fur coat that billowed softly in the wind, falling gracefully to his legs. The white pants he had on contrasted sharply with his black shirt, which was unbuttoned down to mid-torso, revealing a smooth expanse of pale, sculpted skin. His raven-black hair shimmered in the faint moonlight, framing a face that was both sharp and elegant.
My eyes betrayed me, raking over his body from head to toe before returning to his face. When our gazes met, his crimson eyes sparkled with intrigue, and the hint of a smile played on his lips.
A light chuckle escaped me, low and rumbling from my chest. The sound amused him, and he straightened from his lean, standing tall as I approached. The closer I got, the more intoxicating his presence became, and before I knew it, I was standing toe-to-toe with him.
We both spoke at the same time. "I never got your name last time "
The synchronicity of our question caught us off guard, and laughter bubbled between us, warm and unguarded. It felt oddly natural as if the tension from moments earlier had melted away.
I composed myself and introduced myself with confidence. "I'm Alpha Tor Gale of the Bay Shifter pack." I saw no point in lying about who I was; this encounter was far too significant for deception.
Shock flickered across his face, but he quickly masked it, recovering with an ease that hinted at centuries of practice. "Freyr Kayne," he said smoothly, his voice like silk laced with danger. "From the Paradise Coven."
The name struck me like a lightning bolt. "Kayne?" I echoed, the shock evident in my tone.
My mind raced, the name connecting to whispers and stories that had reached even the depths of the Bay Shifter pack. Freyr Kayne was not just any vampire; he was a name that carried weight, mystery, and power. His father was the former Coven Leader, and the family had stepped away from power after he died. It is said that Freyr Kane refused to take the leadership and opted to spend time with his sister and mother."
Freyr tilted his head, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes as if he could sense the storm of thoughts coursing through me. "Yes, Kayne," he confirmed, his smile widening. "Is that a problem, Alpha Tor?"
I shook my head, letting a small, amused smile tug at my lips. "Honored," I said, my tone sincere, "to meet such a powerful vampire."
Freyr laughed at my words, a rich, melodic sound that sent a shiver down my spine. His laughter was unguarded and free, and it lit the cold night with unexpected warmth. I found myself stepping closer to him without thinking, drawn by some invisible force.
My gaze landed on his lips, the perfect curve of them distracting me for a fraction of a second. I tilted my neck just slightly, my voice steady despite the wild beat of my heart. "The Moon Goddess had her reasons for us to meet tonight," I said softly, the words carrying weight I could not explain.
His smile widened, his crimson eyes gleaming with a mix of intrigue and amusement. "The Moon Goddess may have had her reasons," he replied smoothly, his voice low and dangerous, "but this meeting is anything but good. The rules of shifters and vampires forbid it." I chuckled at his words, the absurdity of ancient rules clashing with this moment between us. The mischief in his eyes deepened, and I could tell he was not as dismissive as his words might have suggested. "But" he continued, stepping just a fraction closer, "I must admit, I am curious. Curious about the kind of shifter you are, Alpha Tor Gale."
His words stirred a laugh from me, low and genuine. "Curious, are we?" I asked, raising a brow in a mock challenge.
Freyr's lips quivered as he glanced around, his expression growing serious. "We should move. Talk deeper in the forest. Hanka Island may feel vast, but it is not as empty as it seems."
I nodded in understanding, stepping to the side to let him lead the way. As he turned, I fell into step beside him. We moved silently through the thick forest, the night cold but clear, the skies a canvas of endless stars. The snow crunched softly beneath our feet, and the faint howling of the wind accompanied us as if nature itself were keeping us company.
Finally, we emerged into a hidden meadow, blanketed in ice that shimmered faintly in the moonlight. The sight was breathtaking, a frozen oasis that felt untouched by time. Freyr stopped abruptly, and I mirrored his movements, halting just as my shoulder brushed his. The contact sent a jolt through me, and before I could think twice, I shamelessly reached for his hand, lacing my fingers with his.
His body stiffened in surprise, and I felt the tension radiate through him. Freyr's gaze dropped to our joined hands, his crimson eyes wide with astonishment. "Your hands" he murmured, his voice softer now, almost reverent. "They're so warm."
Encouraged by his reaction, I stepped closer, letting the heat of my body bridge the gap between us. "You sound surprised," I said, my tone light, though my heart was racing.
His eyes lifted to meet mine, and for a moment, the ice around us seemed to melt under the intensity of his gaze. "I am," he admitted, his voice no longer carrying its earlier edge of danger. "Warmth like this… it is rare for a Vampire to get close to a Shifter Wolf. "
The air between us felt heavy with unspoken words, the quiet of the meadow amplifying every breath, every heartbeat.
"Really? "I rasped my voice coming out deep and out of breath.