Ripley
————

We make our way back to my parents' huge mansion where all the other high-ranking wolves from the other packs are staying with us. I feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders. The situation is even more hopeless than we had originally all thought, and no one knows. No one can know.

We have a killer on our hands that we can't fight up close because touching him is for some reason, somehow, lethal. I don't quite understand it but I just know it would be a deadly mistake. However, we also can't take him down with range weapons. He's too fast, too knowing, too agile. He's unstoppable. A sense of hopelessness causes my breath to hitch. If he really wanted to kill me, he can at any moment. I still can't quite understand why he hasn't yet.

Maybe he's counting on me telling someone. Maybe I'm part of his master plan.

Grayson breaks the silence and my train of thought suddenly as we walk, his strides much longer than mine but he slows himself down to keep pace with me.

"I never thought I'd have to tell you this, but Ripley, you can't just throw weapons at a mass murderer," he states with exasperation, turning his head to stare at me with a pointed gaze.

"I had it handled," I grumble, swinging a fist to punch him in the shoulder. Despite the lightheartedness of the conversation, I feel as though a million boulders are crushing me. "He was supposed to die." I kick a small rock, looking down. "I'm an excellent shot. I don't miss. I knew he'd catch it." My arrogance peeks through my words. I can't help it. I'm an Alpha. I have enough confidence for ten normal wolves. The impulsiveness in me that comes from Wild Sun doesn't help, either.

Grayson shakes his head, a smile tugging at the edges of his lips but he refrains. He doesn't say another word.

Once we reach the impossibly large house, we walk inside to the kitchen. We're starving after a traumatic day.

My dad intercepts us, his light blue eyes hard.

"Where have you been?" He demands, power radiating off of him in waves. His eyes flash silver for a moment, showing the presence of his wolf. Great, he's mad.

"Gray and I just went for a run," I rush out, shrugging my shoulder in an effort to look nonchalant. Grayson's broad shoulders tense beside me; he has never liked lying to my father, but he wouldn't rat me out.

My father's lips curl back, eyes narrowing. In this moment I can see him as the intimidating and terrifying Alpha everyone else sees him as. "All day?" he grits out, "and with a killer on the loose?" I flinch at his words.

"My wolf was rambunctious," I offer, my award-winning smile making an entrance on my face. "Like I said, I took Gray. And no one can take me down, let alone both of us. We were safe," I promise, feeling a surge of guilt at the lie.

"Don't let it happen again. You missed the continuation of the Annual Council this morning," my father practically hisses at me. I know he's just on edge from the murder last night and worried, but I feel my own annoyance spark.

"Well, what was said?" I question impatiently, glancing around the kitchen. My stomach rumbles in protest at me continuing the conversation. The smells of the food awaiting me prompt me to hurry it up. Grayson stands patiently by my side, looking like a loyal guard dog.

My father sighs. "Nothing beneficial. The other packs are going to stay longer. It was mostly to offer condolences to Alpha Gabriel. Everyone is anxious since we are all in one place, easy to pick off. The thing I can't figure out, though, is how The Ghost knew about the Annual Council and it's location." He rubs his chin for a moment, his previous anger at me forgotten. He can never stay mad at me. I'm his perfect Angel. His perfect badass Angel.

"Will there be another continuation tomorrow?" I question, my voice lowering. The sense of hopelessness at our situation returns to me.

"Yes. In the morning at 9:30 a.m., sharp. So be ready," my father states. His eyes move to my Beta, giving him a once over through cryptic eyes. "You, too, Grayson. I want you there, too." Grayson dips his head.

"Yes, Alpha," he agrees. With that, my father leaves us. Without a second thought, I dart for the leftover pasta from dinner. I'm so hungry, I don't even heat it up or offer any to Grayson, leaving him to scavenge for himself. I sit at the granite island, scarfing down the food as fast as I can.

Grayson plops down next to me on a wooden barstool, eating his food much more gracefully than me. He looks at me with mock disgust.

"You eat like a wild animal," he claims, his nose scrunching.

"Maybe because I am a wild animal," I bite back through a mouthful of food. His lips tug upwards in response on his handsome face.

We eat in silence for some time, just enjoying each other's company. Grayson breaks the silence once again.

"What do you think he is?" He asks quietly, his wide, deep hazel eyes turning to look at me. His empty plate rests to the side.

I pause in my eating, wiping my mouth with a napkin before leaning back and facing my best friend. "Honestly? I'm not sure. I can only guess a wolf like us," I mumble.

"How do you think he knew about the Annual Council?" He questions, almost rhetorically, staring off into space with his head tilted slightly. It briefly reminds me of The Ghost doing the same action just hours before.

"He sneaks around without anyone knowing he's there, I'm sure. Or he has someone helping him," I answer cautiously, my eyes darting around for a moment to make sure no one is listening in. "Who knows? Does it matter? All that matters is that he kills."

Grayson offers a half-hearted shrug, eyeing his empty plate with eyes of steel. He suddenly becomes very serious and gazes at me once more, eyes set with determination. "I think I should sleep in your room tonight," he asserts.

My eyes widen. We hadn't had a sleepover in years, and now that we are of age to find our mates, it feels weird to even think about it.

He continues on before I can object. "I'll sleep on the floor. I just don't like the idea of knowing he can somehow get past all our guards and into rooms without anyone having a clue. You, and well, now me, are the only ones who have ever seen him. He could come after you," he whispers. His eyes are wide with concern and true fear, fear for my life.

I give him a tiny smile, shaking my head slightly, despite the fluttery feeling of fear in my chest. His expression falls. Oh my dear, loyal Beta. You sweet, kind hearted man. "If he wants to kill me, he will, with or without you there. At least if you aren't there, he won't touch you. Hopefully," I mumble the last word to myself. "I'll be fine. And I don't know if you know this, but I'm kind of a big deal." I puff up my chest. "I'm an Alpha. He can't touch me." I leave out the teeny tiny detail that I have, in fact, had The Ghost's fingers in my mouth.

Grayson eyes me skeptically. "We need to tell your father," he states. I immediately begin shaking my head.

"Are you crazy?" I hiss at him. "When I caught The Ghost, he was getting ready to go into my parents' room! He was going to kill them! If we tell my parents, it just makes them a bigger target. At least right now, he's distracted by me knowing his identity."

He sighs in disagreement, but I know he will listen to me. He stands up, grabbing his empty plate as well as my own before making his way to the sink to wash them. I push back my chair with a loud screech before following him.

"I promise you'll be the first to know if anything happens. I'll be fine. What could go wrong?" I ask tentatively, knowing in my heart that so much can go wrong.

My Beta turns around after washing the last dish, peering at me through his lashes. "Promise?" He whispers, holding out his pinky like he did when we were kids. I simply roll my eyes and lock my pinky around his, staring at him pointedly.

"I promise." I offer a smile before leaning forward to kiss my best friend on the cheek and then making my way upstairs to my room.

Hours later, I'm awake in my bed, tossing and turning unable to get comfortable. The sheets are practically thrown off my bed, a thin sheen of sweat coating my body. I can't shake the feeling of being watched, goosebumps lighting a fire on my skin. I'm going to be so exhausted in the morning. Great, just great.

My dark room causes terrifying thoughts to fill my head. What if Grayson is right? What if The Ghost comes to finish me off? Just because he hasn't killed me yet, doesn't mean he won't. What if he goes after Grayson now that he knows Grayson has seen him? Shit. I didn't really think of that. Maybe Grayson should have stayed in my room. Two is better than one after all. Maybe I should mind-link him. Maybe I should have him come over. An overwhelming fear clutches my heart, causing a strangled gasp to force itself past my lips. What if I'm already too late? The hair on my arms and neck stand on end familiarly.

I jolt upright in my bed, my eyes opening. I need to call Grayson right now. I feel my inner wolf stir.

But all of my previous thoughts practically vanish when I make eye contact with dull, dead blue eyes.

Well, I'm screwed.

————
Author's Note.

Hellooooo everyone! Sorry this is a little late, I've been traveling.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Next chapter is about to get a little crazyyyyy👀

Do you think The Ghost is working with anyone else?

Do you think the packs' leaders are better off together or separate?

What do you think is going to happen in this next interaction?

I hope y'all have a lovely weekend and thanks for sticking around so far! I'm so grateful for all of the support!

Attached is Grayson's aesthetic, let me know what you think!

Xoxo,
Sydnee