"Well, this is awkward." Heath plopped down on the dew-covered ground getting mud on his jeans.
342Please respect copyright.PENANAlIwXlojt5A
Gregorio refused to look Theo in the eyes. "I'm very sorry, Theodore, but I had to complete my mission."
342Please respect copyright.PENANAuWHvCXQUyB
"But, you didn't complete your mission did you?"
342Please respect copyright.PENANABp3z6p0sdN
Chandler shifted back into his human form and stood up. "How dare you accuse the Pack Father of neglecting his duty! He is the most faithful member of the Silver Huntsmen and—"
342Please respect copyright.PENANARyvFkEyyJX
Gregorio cleared his throat, signaling for everyone to listen.
342Please respect copyright.PENANAOk37oBQkJH
"You had orders to kill me, but you didn't. Why not?"
342Please respect copyright.PENANAuZEl7FLEWZ
Pack Father Gregorio sat down beside Heath. He didn't seem to care that his expensive-looking suit was now covered in dirt. The sun reflected off his silver hair. "I never wanted to hurt anyone. I signed up for this job because I wanted to make the world a better place for werewolves. The Pack Mother convinced me that eradicating the Mixedbloods was the best way to accomplish that. I killed so many people without question, but when the time came, I couldn't bring myself to harm a cub."
342Please respect copyright.PENANAsi0BLlILPZ
Now they all sat in a circle on the ground. "What made you change your mind?" Rosalind asked.
342Please respect copyright.PENANAu7mACneov4
He looked Theo in the eyes. "I have two cubs of my own, they're not much older than you. They are the reason I do what I do, but I can't justify taking the life of someone else's cub."
342Please respect copyright.PENANA4TLSLBqSEa
Theo folded his arms. "Do you regret it? Killing all those people?"
342Please respect copyright.PENANA19watEvp5P
"Sometimes, but I have to do what's best for my pack and my people."
342Please respect copyright.PENANA1LsURrWOK4
Chandler was staring at him like a kid who had just been told Santa Claus isn't real. "I thought you said you'd never failed a mission."
342Please respect copyright.PENANAI57Fg9kYhg
Gregorio patted him on the shoulders. "I understand how hard this must be for you to hear. I know how highly you think of me."
342Please respect copyright.PENANAF3PMDL1ntI
"Does Pack Mother Luna know you let him go?" Duke spoke up for the first time.
342Please respect copyright.PENANArhPUAkfAWN
He shook his head. "I didn't. I ask you please don't tell her what I did."
342Please respect copyright.PENANAwh2DFOx5Ib
Duke slid his hands into his pockets. "Didn't you always tell us not to keep secrets from the pack mother?"
342Please respect copyright.PENANAf837Cwp9sG
"I know what I've told you in the past, I'm begging you to keep this between us. There could be dire consequences for us if she finds out the truth. I'll respect whatever decision you make."
342Please respect copyright.PENANA9ztTshj2eb
Theo turned away from the rest of the group. He couldn't bear to look at the man who shot his father any longer.
342Please respect copyright.PENANAmv8BHfJpnC
Duke stood up. "What are our next orders, sir?"
342Please respect copyright.PENANAb08FAzZoBA
"Escort these two back to the den, I'll make the arrangements with the Pack Mother."
342Please respect copyright.PENANAL3KLl39r3K
"Yes, sir." They all stood to their feet."
342Please respect copyright.PENANAeEq0ls4n56
Duke stood tall and spoke in an authoritative tone. "Follow me." It was clear he was trying to impress the Pack Father.
342Please respect copyright.PENANAFpGCNRBd64
Pack Father Gregorio nodded in their direction. I'll meet you at the rendezvous point. I'm trusting you to make sure everything goes smoothly."
342Please respect copyright.PENANASN89eb6z9p
"We won't let you down, sir," Chandler said.
342Please respect copyright.PENANAyswy5moeXt
"I know you won't." Gregorio shifted back into his wolf form then sprinted towards the ridge.
342Please respect copyright.PENANA5nA9ndVMtp
Everyone watched in silence as he dashed through the forest. As soon as he was out of sight. Chandler grabbed Theo by the shirt. "Listen up Mixedblood. I should be delivering your head to the Pack Mother as we speak, but our Pack Father has decided to show you mercy. I trust his judgment. If you try to pull any stunts, I'll slaughter you right here."
342Please respect copyright.PENANAIxRCsZjnED
Theo pushed him away. "Be careful, you promised that everything would go smoothly. The last thing you'd want to do is disappoint your beloved Pack Father."
342Please respect copyright.PENANAnC8xGnfyh7
His boldness shocked Rosalind.
342Please respect copyright.PENANAC4UcYA4rBN
Chandler clenched his teeth. "Do you have a bone to picker with me?"
342Please respect copyright.PENANA9vzqY1ZGPQ
"Perhaps I don't appreciate being treated like a rabid animal!"
342Please respect copyright.PENANATnhmZNHukT
"You're not in any place to be making demands here!" Chandler snapped.
342Please respect copyright.PENANA60WvaLbzVb
"Hey! Knock it off you two!" Rosalind stepped between them. "Listen, I know we don't particularly like each other. After we meet with The Pack Mother we'll never have to see each other again. Can we try to get along for now?"
342Please respect copyright.PENANAb5gWRwvsdb
Theo extended a hand. "Rosalind is correct, there's no point in arguing."
342Please respect copyright.PENANAbC3ccQgkBN
Chandler turned away, ignoring his outstretched hand. "Let's get going. You've already wasted enough of my time."
342Please respect copyright.PENANAzwWlDoYbTS
Rosalind gripped Theo's hand. Which was becoming a usual occurrence for them, and began their hike to the den. Chandler cringed at their display of affection.
342Please respect copyright.PENANAPc2dG0t9CQ
They trekked into the fires for roughly half an hour. Until they reached a stone wall with intricate carvings of wolves in battle engraved into it. Duke placed his hand overtop of a carving of a paw print.
342Please respect copyright.PENANA6eNOPCDAhs
The wall glowed red and a ghastly voice spoke. "What is round yet flat as a board, the alter of the Lupine Lords, A jewel on black velvet, a pearl in the sea, Unchanged yet ever-moving?"
342Please respect copyright.PENANAz0QFF4LdPS
Duke cleared his throat. "The moon."
342Please respect copyright.PENANAw8yCmqijs3
"Welcome."
342Please respect copyright.PENANAwoEpdKj09n
The ground shook, and the stone wall opened up revealing a poorly lit stairway. Rosalind stared into the black abyss. There was no way of knowing exactly what awaited them. She had come much too far to be scared off by a creepy hallway.
342Please respect copyright.PENANAdtcR2XjoQR
"What are you waiting for?" Heath nudged her forward almost causing her to trip down the winding staircase.
342Please respect copyright.PENANAXSZskmtKyM
Once they were all past the threshold the stone wall slammed shut, sealing itself off from the rest of the world. There was no turning back for her now. They tiptoed down the stairs, step by step until they reached yet another door. This one opened automatically once they'd all reached the bottom step.
342Please respect copyright.PENANAd8PN5ckU0t
Behind the next door appeared to be some sort of underground cave. The inside was much warmer than she would've expected for somewhere this far beneath the ground. The inside was decorated with old-looking furniture and Leather couches that were covered in various colors of shedded wolf fur. dusty bookcases lined the walls. There wasn't a single window in sight, but the room remained well lit regardless. This room was much more inviting than the previous one. There were seven closed doors scattered throughout the walls. How big was this place?
342Please respect copyright.PENANAJ17WxQWPbC
Chandler pointed at one of the couches. "Wait there," he glared at Theo. "And try not to contaminate anything with your Mixedblood germs."
342Please respect copyright.PENANAHyBc5Jvk57
"I don't think Mixedblood germs are a real thing," Heath said.
342Please respect copyright.PENANAGYMx8whV9B
"Shut up, Heath!" Chandler charged into one of the side rooms and slammed the door behind him.
342Please respect copyright.PENANAoBznbawTZN
"I can't believe you let him talk to you like that," Theo remarked as he sat down on the furry couch. "You should try standing up for yourself."
342Please respect copyright.PENANAPUgFXA7KZA
"Nah, Chandler only acts tough, deep down he's a huge softie."
342Please respect copyright.PENANAnbugKUV6ld
Chandler grumbled something foul sounding from behind the closed door.
342Please respect copyright.PENANA1rXnobbjHo
She found it very hard to believe there was anything kind underneath all that angst.
342Please respect copyright.PENANAVAF8HhsBss
"I'm sorry about all the fur on the furniture my Pack Brothers are animals." Duke chuckled at his own joke.
342Please respect copyright.PENANAOzs8azl7cT
"Hey! We all shed on this couch equally, and you know it!" Heath snapped.
342Please respect copyright.PENANAwOM77U8QMl
Duke tried to hide a guilty expression behind his hand.
342Please respect copyright.PENANAcINjMh70fQ
Heath plopped down beside her on the couch, and she moved to the farthest end of the couch in response. He nudged her with his elbow. "You should totally join our pack. We haven't had a female since Veronica quit."
342Please respect copyright.PENANATc2phxjd1B
"But I'm not a werewolf."
342Please respect copyright.PENANANlFtD3ETJF
He shrugged. "If you say so."
342Please respect copyright.PENANATWVWqtHG1f
Chandler returned to the main room with a crimson hoodie in his hand. He dropped it on her lap.
342Please respect copyright.PENANAC4nyqEPHo7
"What's this?"
342Please respect copyright.PENANAEjeTogG8AH
"A sweatshirt moron, to replace the one I destroyed." He pointed to the ripped and bloodied one she was wearing.
342Please respect copyright.PENANASLmDjosZLU
She stood up. "You can't replace it! It was my brother's" she was beginning to choke up, but she wouldn't cry, not in front of him.
342Please respect copyright.PENANAp1vJlDISSg
He refused to make eye contact with her. "I'm sorry." He said in a tone that almost felt sincere. "Let me give you some advice, kid. It's better not to hold on to the past. It'll only hold you back."
342Please respect copyright.PENANAtqi3K9SFUq
There it was again the same stupid advice her mother had given to her over and over her entire life. She rolled her eyes. "Thanks for the advice." Her voice dripped with bitterness.
342Please respect copyright.PENANAWhRvX304EP
Theo seemed to sense her tension and squeezed her hand, but this time it didn't calm her.
342Please respect copyright.PENANAqu8ymWQjor
Duke stepped between them before Rosalind could give in to her overwhelming desire to punch Chandler in the face. He pointed to one of the doors. "There's a bathroom over there if you want to change."
342Please respect copyright.PENANAQdkB4jITzs
She turned around and marched into the bathroom without another word. The bathroom was small. It was impressive that they managed to get working plumbing down here. Rosalind begrudgingly changed out of her brother's sweatshirt and put on the new one. She held the tattered one close to her chest as tears streamed down her cheeks. She didn't know why she missed someone she'd never known this much.
342Please respect copyright.PENANAbKfD0F1j7x
She sat on the bathroom floor, Cradling the ruined sweatshirt in her arms. Until someone knocked on the door. "Are you alright?" It was Theo.
342Please respect copyright.PENANA7LvDRvbyw2
"Yeah." She wiped away her tears. "I'm alright."
342Please respect copyright.PENANAH8dBwgo9jx
"You'd better hurry. The Pack Mother is ready for our meeting. She won't be pleased if we keep her waiting."
342Please respect copyright.PENANAisvnJrqtJy
"I'll be right there." She splashed some water on her face and met him outside.
342Please respect copyright.PENANAIgJBcO0Dgc
Pack Father Gregorio was waiting for them in the center of the room. "The Pack Mother has agreed to a meeting. Follow me." He nodded towards the Huntsmen. "She would like to meet with you three as well."
342Please respect copyright.PENANA9haMaDheXk
The group followed Pack Father Gregorio into a dimly lit office. Everything in this room appeared to be antique except for several wolf heads hanging on the wall. There was an old cherry wood desk at the back of the room. At the desk sat a slender woman wearing a long red dress and fur coat. She had long raven-colored hair, blood-red lips, and long nails that looked sharp enough to impale someone. She had dark brown eyes that were all too familiar.
342Please respect copyright.PENANAOfgAcP5z2P
"Mom?"
342Please respect copyright.PENANAFqP5IfEgGn
She smirked. "Welcome home Rosalind."
ns3.17.80.220da2