The day barely started when Jack and I started walking around following the trail of rogues who probably knew of our move. A few minutes later and the sun will soon set and we are near the end of the town. This circles in the border of Bluelake. Perhaps, this is already a vain hope yet I couldn't shake this uneasiness. However, there is nothing notable or strange except than this is quieter than the town near our pack. It has been a couple hours now and if we reach the edge with nothing, we'll have to go back. I contacted Kyle and there were no rogue sightings in our pack, if those who were roaming around were already dead, we won't be able to investigate further, not even the one who killed them. What is the point of chasing them down here in the first place? That, I couldn't explain. This is nowhere near our pack.

"Alpha..." Jack stopped facing an alleyway, sniffing the air. I copied him and there was a very faint scent of a wolf, I don't think this is a rogue. Could it be the lost pack member?

I nod at him to continue. This path is too dark for human eyes, if you are not familiar, you won't notice. And the scent was very faint that I won't be able to catch it without Jack pointing out. The alleyway leads to the tree lines, there is a small path barely noticeable. The sound of the river water from the right drowns the quietness. We proceeded slowly while Jack leads the way. It would be easier if we are in wolf form but we're unfamiliar with the surroundings, we could meet humans and that would be a problem.

The path is getting steeper as we head deep following the scent. I wouldn't suppose for any human to live in this area, yet, if this is a hunter, as the Beta suspected, this isolation could mean traps especially if they are wolf hunters.

'There.' Jack mind-linked as a cottage came into view with its lights on. We continued with caution. Naturally, Jack wanted to head first but his sudden assertiveness seems new. Maybe, we're just both tired. Just this one and...

Before I knew it, he knocked at the door.

'Hey!' I was to pull him away but the door opened.

"Huh?" It was a girl. Her surprise look faded into tears. In a blink, Jack has his arms around her.

So, that's why.

"Ssshhh.. It's alright now. You're okay now, my precious mate."

She continued on wailing, it was as if she was scared for her life and he just arrived at the perfect time.

I stepped back giving them time. Her scent was that of the Bluelake's pack. Her sudden outburst could mean that she witnessed the slaughter of those rogue wolves and probably was involved. Whatever it is, we could ask later after she calmed down.

I sighed staying outside. Just at the perfect time. I couldn't help but be jealous of such simple thing.

The vicinity is clear and the sun is disappearing, the cold air tried to catch me vulnerable as I became aware of what's missing - her. My feet guided me at the edge of the cliff overlooking the river. After what the vampire told, I dug through my grandfather's files. He had a detailed locations of the packs since he was part of the elder wolves' organization. But for some reason, I couldn't find a map containing their pack. Instead, there are only half burned documents. If what happened is true, that kind of incident would be too concerning for the others. But how did they manage to turn that incident into a children's story?

But what could be of these researches? What happened already happened. She left. The Alpha Rogue, no, my mate. I tried to remember every last detail from the moment I saw her: the flow of her hair is the river of the dark night; her moon like gaze holding truth and hidden power; her lips momentarily drawing a smile whether it was unintentional or not, saying words I couldn't always hear as she stares at me and I tried not to hug her; and her scent that never fails to remind me of the morning dew. That scent... This scent...

My eyes opened from my wandering thoughts. This scent. I turned to my right side, to where it is coming from. What? No one's beside me. Am I imagining things? No. It's her scent. Where is it? Where are you? I walked around the tree and...

*Swoosh* The wind blew against a red scarf, her scent. It's hers but... what is it doing there? Tied on a stick in a pile of stones. This is... This is... a grave.

"No." Why is it? Was it? The restlessness, the sudden uneasiness, my weariness since last night. Is it... Is it because of this? Is she... dead?

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且_(・-・)