"What the hell is taking so long?" Chris hissed, irritated. It was high time they left already yet they kept being delayed for God knows why.

"It's Williams, he's taking a dump," Shane said, checking his wristwatch.

Aside from the higher-ranked Hunters - Shane and Chris- there were about three others with them - one a beginner and the two middle-ranked.

"We don't have to wait for that little bug, each time we waste here is precious," he complained.

"That little bug is my son and you seriously need to get laid," said Shane.

"What?" Chris was mortified.

"You're always so tense and strict, you need a woman to pressure and loosen those knotted back muscles and straighten the furrows on your forehead," Shane teased him.

"Fuck you," Chris spat

"Sorry, but I'm straight," Shane released a burst of suggestive laughter.

"I'm sorry I'm late," Williams came in, adjusting the zipper on his trousers.

Chris shot him a strong look of disapproval yet didn't say anything other than an incomprehensible murmur. The man wouldn't punish him with his father around.

Williams couldn't understand why his father was friends with this man that always looked like there was a dark sky hovering over his head.

Well, it was obvious.

The council always grouped its recruits in teams and would remain that way as they climbed together in ranks.

A member's failure was the failure of the whole team. In order to soar higher, members in each team would have to work together and form strong bonds with one another.

They would have each other's back, share their joy and sorrow hence creating and building a relationship that was akin yet stronger than siblingship; more like family.

There had been five members in his father's team but two had died in battle, leaving Chris, Renard, and his father as the surviving members until Renard died too. Now, Chris and Shane had each other to look out for.

Ding Dong

"Seems like someone is on the door,'' Williams feigned surprise, walked around them, and answered the door before anyone could stop him.

"You're here," Williams added,

"And fast,"

Trevor was heaving, evidence of the fact that he had run to William's place, "I couldn't miss it and the stamina serum did its magic," he remarked.

The fact that Hunters were stronger and more advanced than the regular human was as a result of those serums and potions supplied to them by the witches and their intensive training.

It enhanced them and though, their enhanced senses couldn't compare to that of supernatural creatures, it wasn't useless. They were stronger, could hear better, and see clearer but all this came at the expense of their life. They were warriors and warriors dies on the battlefield heroically.

"You should brace yourself," Williams told her as both walked through the short passageway that led to the living room.

"I'm not scared of your father," Trevor said bravely.

"I'm not talking about my father but him," Williams tilted his head towards Chris who also looked in their direction.

His eyes slightly rounded before it narrowed and his eyes shot out their usual fire.

"What is he doing here?" hissed Chris who walked over to them.

"I asked him to come," Williams used his larger body to shield Trevor from Chris.

"You disclosed our mission to him?" His brows knitted.

"He needs it, the experience" He stood his ground.

"He's just a level one agent, he hasn't even completed the initiation yet," The stoic looking hunter pointed out.

"However, he has been showing outstanding performance in his training and it's obvious that he would be a valuable member to his team once the initiation is complete,"

"Chris," Shane squeezed his shoulder, "Let him be. Like you said, each time we waste is precious,"

Chris's hardened gaze relaxed, "Fine, let's get our asses moving,"

Everyone slung their weapon bag over their shoulder and headed out. Though the sun had gone down they had made use of a concealing portion that hid them from the public's eye. Their clothing and countenance were too conspicuous and would draw questions hence their disguise.

"Why does Chris hate me?" Trevor couldn't help but ask as they moved out of the house while the two older hunters went over a map or something, he didn't give a damn.

Williams chuckled," He's like that to everyone,"

"No, I feel like I inherited a special share of his hatred," he insisted.

" Have you ever seen that girl smile?" Hr asked him.

Trevor pursed his lips, pondering over it, "Nah, I can't even imagine associating him with a smile," he shivered.

"How's your girlfriend?"

Trevor was startled by William's sudden question.

"A-hem," he cleared his throat awkwardly, "She's fine,"

Ever since that rejection, his relationship with Williams had been one hell of a rollercoaster ride. One minute, they were good and the next, they were yelling each other's head off.

"You're good and happy with her, right?" He inquired with a side glance.

"Of course," Trevor answered, a blush creeping up his neck as he recalled a memory of him sneaking into Trisha's place last night.

"That's good to know," He said, focusing his attention on the road ahead.

Trevor sighed, then got in his way, "Look, thank you for liking me,"

Williams's brow raised interestedly, "Really?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry that I'm not into you the way you're into me and thank you for respecting my decision" Trevor appreciated him yet was unsettled by the odd smile that crept up his face.

Williams stepped towards him which made Trevor slightly uncomfortable. He lowered his head which made him lean back awkwardly.

"Don't delude yourself," Williams said," I've not given up on you. I'm just waiting for the right opportunity to snatch you like an eagle to his prey,"

Trevor forgot how to breathe. That confession left him short of words. He gulped, feeling the boy's breath hit his face and doing weird things to his body.

How was this possible? Trevor was sure he wasn't gay. Then did he by chance swing both ways? But then, he was attracted to Trisha, how could he like Williams too?.

"Are you two love birds coming along or should we reserve a private room for you both?" Shane taunted with a knowing grin which made Trevor blush scarlet red.

They had opened the portal which probably led straight to Kinney village and everyone else had left save them and his father.

Feeling smug, Williams was the first to leave with the others following after him respectively.

When they appeared at Kinney, the thick smoke was the first to assault their lungs. Most houses were burnt down and the magnificent packhouse had not been left out however, the house wasn't ruined entirely.

The battle was over by the time they had arrived and they went ahead to treat the humans who were caught in-between the crossfire between both packs.

"You're from the council," A lady who stood out from the other werewolves confronted them. She was tall, firm, and had a warrior's aura with orbs narrowed at them skeptically.

"You're the Delta," Chris announced.

"We didn't ask for your help nor do we need your involvement. We handled all this on our own," she said to them.

"The fact that humans were injured has given us all the reason to get involved. You should have known that " he argued.

"We did our best to secure the lives of the humans,"

"The casualty?" Shane asked this time.

"Only one human lost his life, some are injured- not life threatening- but the other's are safe, although emotionally and mentally drained instead," she informed them.

"What brought about this war?" Chris interrogated.

"Being a werewolf is a battle of its own, do you need to be told that?" Judith threw at that irritating looking human.

"I need details not your philosophy, woman," Chris asked him with a bored look.

"Then, I'll suggest you come another time when our alpha's stable," Judith couldn't stand that arrogant human that she could easily snap into two with her hands.

"Stable?" Trevor blurted earning dissaproving looks from the older hunters. He was not permitted to chime in.

He was first to pick on those words since Daniel was the only reason he had come here at the very beginning.

Judith crinkled her nose and sniffed the air, eyes widening in slight surprise.

"You're Lia's brother, how could you join the council?" She recognized him through scent.

Trevor opened his mouth to say a word but Chris beat him to it," We are here for a better business not chitchat your private problems," his displeased look swept over Trevor and back to Judith.

"And as I say, you would be hearing a word from me or any of us until our Alpha is back on his feet.," She added,"You can spend your time looking out for your precious humans but ask my kind a word and I'll rip out your heart- Hunter or not,"

She now focused her attention on Trevor, "Where is your sister?"