📎A/N. Hello my lovelies. I managed to catch up on some reading this week and I have decided that while I may not have as many reads as many of the other stories on Wattpad, I certainly think I have the best set of readers that anyone could wish for. You have all been so very supportive of both Buried and Masked that it is quite humbling.

Anyway, enough of how wonderful you all are ;-) This chapter is a bit longish... I was going to separate into two, but decided against it.

Don't forget to show your support by voting. And comments are always appreciated.

Have a wonderful day...

❤ ℳ

❧ ⚛ ✺ ≋ ≋ ≋ ≋ ≋ ✺ ⚛ ❧

"Where is it?" Elijah grated out through clenched teeth, his voice harsh and demanding.

"I've already told you - I don't know," came the broken response between raggered breaths.

The victim seeing his assailant taking a step forward struggled against the restraints in a valiant attempt to free himself.

The thick plastic cable ties securing Eric 'Moe' Weiss arms above his head cut deeper into his skin, drawing blood and adding further to the pain that he had been subjected to over the past four hours.

Moe began screaming as another vertical slice was made into his chest. 

Elijah's mouth split into a sadistic grin as he watched his victim's skin separate leaving raw tissue and sinew exposed as the razor-sharp knife continued its path downwards. Blood seeped from the open wound and followed gently behind the metallic blade.

I am a true artist.

Elijah circled his prey admiring his handy-work. The lacerations even and uniform on both front and back. The slashes deep enough to allow sufficient loss of blood; shallow enough to allow him to extend the torment of his new play thing for as long as he so wished.

Moe recoiled as Elijah stepped towards him again. He was unable to bring himself to look at the madman for fear of angering the man any further and prolong the torture.

"Who did he leave in charge?" This time Elijah did not wait for an answer before he sliced again.

A blood curdling scream was violently torn from Moe's throat as the knife cut deeper into an existing wound. His body, now unable to take much more before giving into the pain. Unable to hold up his head any longer, his chin dropped to his chest in defeat, the loss of blood now leaving him dizzy and weak he murmured an inaudible plea for mercy.

"Who did he leave in charge," Elijah's voice now cold with a hint of true madness.

This time, the knife was brought to Moe's face. Panic welled inside of the bound man. "No! No, please don't. I don't know."

Elijah continued to taunt his prey, the sharp edge of the knife brought dangerously close to his eye. "Who did he leave in charge."

"No one knows," the battered and bloody man sobbed, "there was a complete shake up. We only know who we report to. I swear."

His eyes widening in fear as the knife continued to dance and weave across his skin. Glancing at his tormentor Moe cringed, the face glaring back at him is contorted into a look that could only be described as deranged and evil.

Moe had been around cold blooded killers. In his business it had been hard to avoid. However, none of them came close to the maniacal psychopathic man who had abducted him just a few short hours ago.

There was something in his eyes that Moe knew was not natural, the constant flicking between lunacy and madness was increasing in severity.

His abductor stood still, gazing intently at him; not moving; not saying a word.

Moe began to hope that perhaps the ordeal was over. His hopes were dashed when an icy and cynical smile spread across his striking features.

By the time Elijah had finished slicing into the man's face, Moe's voice was hoarse, unable to draw the strength to struggle or moan.

"Who do you report to?" Elijah demanded, hoping the man would put up some resistance.

The only response was the laboured breathing of his victim.

"I said," he repeated, "who do you report to?"

Moe managed to mumble out a name, too unsteady to speak clearly.

"And where can I find this Al?"

Again, Moe provided the required information without hesitation. He was beyond caring and more scared of the malevolent man in front of him than his employers.

Without warning, Moe's restraints were cut, and he fell to the floor, too weak to hold his own weight with the sudden release.

Struggling to his hands and knees he looked up towards his abductor. Confusion clouded his already addled brain as he discovered the terrifying man who he now recognised as his executioner was disrobing.

Once completely naked, Moe's mind shut down as he witnessed the other man's body begin to make a series of jerky movements. There was a constant sound of cracking and popping of bones as limbs began to change.

His torturer now sinking to his hands and knees began laughing in such a hideous manner as to make Moe now really fear for his life.

The aghast man watched in horror as Elijah's exposed skin became coarse. Hair began to push through the skin as his limbs and torso deformed and reformed. The face of his assailant elongated and mutated until the amber wild eyes of a monster stared back at him.

A large grey wolf now stood in the place the man had just occupied. It's huge and powerful jaws snarling, allowing Moe a view of the sharp and beastly teeth as saliva dripped to the floor.

The nails of its massive paws scraping against the concrete indicating they were just as lethal, if not more, than the knife so recently wielded against his body.

A low menacing growl was emitted as the creature lowered its head, not once taking its sight of the terrified man. The wolf crouched, getting ready to pounce.

Terror stole the scream from Moe's lips as his eyes registered the what his mind was denying. Some semblance of self preservation kicked in, and as weak as he was, Moe began crawling towards the exit. Ignoring the agony his body was putting itself through.

Another low growl from behind him giving Moe the boost to attempt to stand and run. It took two attempts, but he finally managed to stand on his own two feet.

Eric 'Moe' Weiss had made many mistakes in his life. Turning to face the large menacing wolf bearing down on him was the last one he would ever make.

The creature was now stalking towards him. It's amber eyes wild and dangerous - the same madness he saw reflected in his torturer's eyes - just before he was carved yet again.

A searing pain radiated through his body as the wolf struck in a bloodthirsty frenzy. The creature clamped it strong jaws on his leg. He was shaken like a limp rag doll as the creature ripped chunk after chunk from his leg. Tearing at his flesh until it made contact with bone.

When death finally took him, Moe was more than eager to leave.

❧ ⚛ ✺ ≋ ≋ ≋ ≋ ≋ ✺ ⚛ ❧

Kaitlyn looked up from her computer, a triumphant expression on her face. "I think I found the connection!"

Tony stopped what he was doing and looked over the table. She swung her computer monitor around for him to see.

Kaitlyn pointed at the police photo of their first victim. "We know Terrance Potter was a Debt Collector for the New England Mobsters."

"Yes, and..." he replied, confused at where she was going with this.

"I couldn't connect Haladlo to any of this until now," she pointed out, "but, based on a couple of reports from the Gang and Organised Crime division, they suspect our Vic transports the cash for one of the gangs."

"I wouldn't put too much stock in their reports," broke in Antonio, "they are so uptight they suspect their own mothers of drug trafficking - just because they found a bottle of Advil in the medicine cabinet."

"I knew there was going to be a connection this time round," she proclaimed out loud.

Garcia looked at her strangely. "Pardon?"

"Back in the 1990's the victims were all from different walks of life. There was no apparent link," she began, "this time, it feels like he has selected them for a reason. If we can work out that reason. We can get to him faster."

"Not that I mind him taking out the trash, but do you really think that he is targeting mobsters," Tony questioned, not convinced with Kaitlyn's theory.

She stood and began to pace the room. "We need to confirm that Haladlo was working for one of the crime syndicates."

Garcia leaned back in his chair absently pulling on his chin. Kaitlyn had quickly recognised this was his default mode when thinking things through. "I have a buddy over at Vice I could speak to, they usually know what's going on," as he said this, an odd smile overtook his features.

Kaitlyn raised an eyebrow at the Detective. "This 'buddy' wouldn't happen to be a she would it?"

"What?" he grinned faking innocence, "I can't have buddy's that are of the female persuasion?"

Rolling her eyes Kaitlyn let out a laugh. His nature too easygoing and harmless to take seriously. "I don't think your definition of buddy and mine match somehow."

He winked. "Just think how much fun you could have if it did."

Ignoring him, Kaitlyn waived her hand towards the door. "Ok, get over there and schmooze the information out of your 'buddy'"

"So where is our illustrious boss today?" Tony asked as he headed towards the exit.

Kaitlyn shrugged. "Do I look like his keeper?"

After Antonio left Kaitlyn returned to pulling a list of known associates for each of the victims. She would need to interview each one to retrace their steps. They were still in the dark as to where the two men had been abducted from. And Terry, being a known felon, would not make things easier.

Kaitlyn found her concentration off as she considered Tony's last question.

Where the hell is he?

He said we were going to track down Elijah's old friends!

Kaitlyn's mind was still overwhelmed by the events from the previous night. The two previous nights - truth be told.

After Murphy and Joshua had left, Kaitlyn had spent a good long while replaying the scene in her head. The whole time staring at the photos of her father and grandfather. It was almost as if she expected the answers to leap out of the images.

Kaitlyn was at a loss. Her natural instinct to resolve issues for the unknown now hampered by the very nature of the predicament she now found herself in.

There was some baser instinct that was subtly whispering to her sub conscience that the secret needed to stay just that - secret. She knew she needed to wait for the answers this time rather than go after them.

Fatigue finally winning over, Kaitlyn crawled into bed sure she would not be able to sleep. She was out before her head hit the pillow. Her dreams however, were hounded by a pair of dark eyes that seemed to bore into the depths of her very soul.

She was brought out of her reverie with the sudden appearance of the owner of those very eyes that had consumed her night time slumber.

Recovering quickly she snapped at him to deflect from her errant thoughts. "Where have you been? Doug has been hounding me all morning for a report. He has a press conference this afternoon."

Murphy intently studied the flustered woman wondering what had her so riled up. "I've already spoken to him."

"I thought that we were going to track down Elijah's known associates?"

"We are, I just needed to narrow down where to look first."

"Oh," she said. Picking up her gun and holstering it, she headed for the door. "Let's go then."

Murphy shook his head at her odd behaviour.

Humans.

Joshua was leaning against the SUV a warm smile on his face as he watched her approach. Dressed casually in jeans, t-shirt and a leather jacket, Kaitlyn found herself still struggling with accepting the athletic impressive figure of a man was her ancestor.

How the hell can that be my Grandfather?

"Katy honey," he said as he enveloped her in a bear hug, "how's your day been?"

"Fine," she said as she pulled away, "to be honest, I'm still a little stunned."

"It's to be expected."

They were startled by the blaring of the car horn.

"I suspect that means he wants us to get in," Joshua whispered loudly to Kaitlyn as he held the door open for her to get in the back seat.

"I am assuming that we are going to see Elijah's associate," stated Kaitlyn once the doors had closed, and they were on their way.

Her eyes met his as Murphy glanced through the rear-view mirror.  A shiver ran up and down her spine as she recalled the vivid dreams that were now bringing a blush to her cheeks.  Those same all knowing obsidian eyes had haunted her sleep were boring straight into hers as she struggled to keep herself centred.

Joshua broke the spell, and she managed to pull her gaze away. "Yeah, it took a while for us to find where he is holdup now-days," her grandfather confirmed.

Glancing at the back of the two very formidable Werewolves taking up the front seats, snippets of the conversation from the previous evening returned. "How old are you exactly?" she blurted out before she could stop herself.

A deep laugh could be heard from the front seat. Somehow Joshua thought the question funny.

"I was wondering how long it was going to take you to ask that one," he said.

Joshua turned in his seat to face her. "Let me see," he began, "I am around two-hundred, give or take a couple of years."

"Bloody hell!" she exclaimed, clearly shocked at his answer, "I would have guessed mid thirty's"

Joshua smiled at her outburst. "Werewolves mature at the same rate as humans until our bodies and wolves mature. Typically this can be anywhere from our early to mid twenties. From that point onward, we age slower in comparison to humans. For every ten years we age around one."

Kaitlyn was silent while her mind came to grips with the new information.

Leaning forward she addressed Murphy. "Does that mean you are around two hundred as well?"

"I am nowhere near as old as your grandfather," he said indignantly.

Kaitlyn looked towards Joshua, a grin on her face. She had finally managed to ruffle his normally calm and broody demeanour.

"Sorry," she teased as she sat back in her seat, "I didn't realise, age was such a touchy subject with you."

A short while later, Murphy mumbled something from the front seat that she couldn't make out.

"Sorry, were you talking to me?" she questioned.

"Eighteen sixty-three," his only response as he glanced at here through the rear-view mirror.

Her face furrowed in confusion, not understanding.

"That's when I was born - eighteen sixty-three," O'Neill repeated.

Murphy pulled the car up outside of a pawn shop along and got out. "You two stay here," he said before he shut the door and disappeared.

Kaitlyn and Joshua sat in silence for a few moments staring at the shop door in which Murphy had disappeared through.

"Don't be so hard on him," said Joshua quietly from the front seat.

"Pardon?" The only response the surprised woman could muster.

"Murphy," he explained, "this is difficult for him. Don't take what he says and how he acts to heart. There is more to this than you know."

"Why?"

Not really sure where to begin he continued gazing out the window. "The three of us have something in common," he started, "Elijah took someone precious from each of us."

"What do you mean?"

"You lost a father, I a son," a great deal of sadness was reflected in his tone. He sighed before continuing. "Forty years ago, Elijah killed Murphy's mate. He has been seeking revenge ever since."

Her heart constricted for a moment. Understanding now that Murphy too had suffered. "I didn't know."

Kaitlyn digested this new information. "So a mate is like a spouse?" she questioned, remembering the family dynamics of the wolves she had studied at the Wolf Sanctuary in Ipswich.

"Yes and no," he started, "unlike humans, wolves once mated, are monogamous for life. Our mate, if we are lucky to find them, is our other half... our soul mate if you will. It is the person that both our human and wolf half agree that we cannot live without and will make our life complete. We are with our mates forever."

Kaitlyn did not see the wistful expression reflected across his face as he spoke.

Taking a breath he continued. "Many mates who have been together for a few hundred years are unable to live without the other. Often if one dies the other will too."

"What if they haven't been together that long?" Kaitlyn asked.

"Depending on their inner strength, the remaining Werewolf will recover slowly overtime or go mad with the loss. Those poor souls who go mad often leave their packs and become rogue."

"Do they find another mate?"

"Not typically. However, on the rare occasion it has been known to happen."

Remembering something Joshua had said the previous evening she questioned him further. "And my grandmother, Sally, wasn't your mate?"

He shook his head.

"Do you have one?" she questioned.

He chuckled. "One can only dream. I just hope when she does finally turn up she doesn't mind the baggage that comes with this fine form," he said pointing at himself.

Kaitlyn raised and eyebrow. "I hope you are not referring to me as 'baggage'" she informed him dryly.

"I call it as I see it," he chortled.

Joshua went quiet for a moment as he remembered times gone by.

"You should know that your father and Murphy were working the case together twenty years ago. After Ryan died he vowed that he would never work with a partner again."

"Why?"

"He didn't want to be responsible for any more deaths. I imagine working with you has brought up a lot of history that he wants to forget. There is more to what happen twenty years ago than you think," he finished cryptically.

"What happened?"

"That my child, is not my story to tell."

Their conversation was interrupted by Murphy who had returned with their final destination.

"God this place stinks," moaned Kaitlyn as they passed a dumpster which was full to overflowing.

The smell coming from it so overpowering she had to hold her breath as they passed by.

"Try being us," countered Joshua who was looking a little green, "then you wouldn't complain."

As they approached the end of the alley, Kaitlyn noticed a dirty red door which was recessed into the building. Murphy, who was slightly ahead of them halted as he was about to reach for the handle.

"Abe is the Werewolf who tipped us off twenty years ago," he explained to Kaitlyn, "he has no affiliation to a pack and can't be trusted. With these type of Weres you never know where their loyalties lie. I want you to stay close to me incase anything happens."

Kaitlyn's ire was bristled. How dare he assume that she could not defend herself. For christ sakes she carried a gun and was a Federal Agent.

"I'm a big girl. I think I can take care of myself," she drawled sarcastically.

"You are not equipped to deal with this," Murphy countered angrily.

"I'm pretty sure I am," Kaitlyn snapped back.

Murphy's cool facade ready to snap, looked to Joshua for support on the issue.

Joshua shrugged his shoulders clearly showing no support. "If you won't open the link," lectured the other Werewolf, "I can't warn you when to shut-up."

Murphy glared at the other two, grunted and then disappeared through the door into the building.

Quickly following behind, Kaitlyn was surprised to discover the inside of the building was the polar opposite of the outside. From the exterior the turn of the century constructions was dirty and falling apart. The inside was modern and spacious.

Glancing around the area, her eyes alighted on a large neon sign above the bar. She suddenly realised they have entered through the back entrance of one of the most popular night clubs in Boston.

A movement from the mezzanine floor caught her eye, and she swung her head as a figure materialised on the landing.

"We are closed," he called out as he made his way down the stairs. Peering over at them, Kaitlyn could see recognition dawn on him as he looked across at Murphy. "Fuck, it's you."

"Friend of yours?" she mumbled to her partner.

"Get down here," Murphy called out to the newcomer, "we need to talk."

As he approached them, Abe nodded to her grandfather, "Joshua, long time no see." He then turned to Murphy. "You, I could do with a few more years of not seeing."

A smile lit up his face as he appreciatively gazed at Kaitlyn, "Aren't you going to introduce me to you're lovely friend?"

Murphy did not look impressed. "No."

Ignoring Murphy's rudeness, Kaitlyn introduced herself. "F.B.I Special Agent Kaitlyn Quinn."

The man tensed. "F.B.I.?"

"We are after Elijah," cut in Murphy.

Abe's eyes darted nervously between O'Neill, Joshua and Kaitlyn.

"She knows about us."

A wide smile spread across Abe's face as he looked back at Kaitlyn. "She does?"

"Yes!" Murphy growled irritatedly, "Now answer the damn question. Do you know where he is?"

"No, but you may want to speak to Sam W. If anyone knows anything its him," he replied absently, not once taking his eyes off of the female FBI Agent.

Abe pulled a card from his top pocket and handed it to Kaitlyn.

"What's this?" she asked looking at the offering, clearly confused.

Abe stepped closer to Kaitlyn, his proximity making her slightly uncomfortable. "It's a VIP pass for the club," he said smoothly and suggestively, "how about you ditch these two, come back tonight and I can show you how a real Werewolf can party."

Before Kaitlyn could refuse his overtly lewd proposition, Murphy had grabbed the card from Kaitlyn, and thrust it back into Abe's hand. He had now placed himself between the two.

"She doesn't need your kind of 'hospitality'," he growled towering over the smaller man.

Abe, clearly shaken by the more powerful Werewolf's sudden burst of anger, quickly backed down. "Sorry, I didn't know she belongs to you," he stammered.

Kaitlyn's temper now unable to hold itself back erupted.

"I can take care of myself," she exploded at Murphy. "I don't need to you to intervene on my behalf."

She then turned on Abe who was now very much on the defensive. "Secondly, I do not belong to anyone." Kaitlyn took the card from the Werewolf's hand. "And I'm pretty sure I don't need to tell you where you can put this card," she said as she placed it back in the pocket it had originated from.

Fear rippled in Abe's eyes as he heard a low growl coming from Murphy who was now beyond angry at the turn of events.

O'Neill threw Joshua a set of keys, "Go get the car."

Knowing not to argue with Murphy when he was in this particular frame of mind, Joshua quickly complied.

O'Neill turned back to the cowering Werewolf. "If I hear that you knew where he is, I am coming back for you." His expression and tone left Abe in no doubt that this was more than a threat. It was a promise.

Abe too frightened to speak just nodded.

Murphy looked pointedly at Kaitlyn. "Let's go."

"Who the hell do you think you are?" she protested as he was dragging her by the arm out of the building.

Pulling away from him she stopped and stood her ground.

"I can bloody well look after myself. I do not need you, or anyone else for that matter to defend me," she argued.

Murphy, who had continued up the alley stopped and turned back to face her. His expression unreadable, his clenched fists the only indication that he was no longer calm.

Before she knew what was happening Murphy had grabbed her wrists and bent her arms behind her. Securing both hands in one of his own, he used his free hand to pull her head back to look up at him. Her body now flush with his was caught in his grasp and immobile, pressed against his rock hard chest.

Kaitlyn attempted to struggle, but no movement was possible. She was trapped and at his mercy.

His eyes now blazing was all consuming, she could not break free of his angry stare which bore into hers.

"What you don't seem to understand," he grated out, his voice thick and menacing, "is that you are physically weaker than Werewolves. You have no chance whatsoever of overpowering them."

He pulled her closer to him. She could feel his warm breath now washing over her as he spoke.

Kaitlyn was very aware of the pure male that was dominating not only her body but her senses. Shards of electricity were leaping through her body as it quickly heated up and betrayed her. A warmth was growing from the pit of her stomach radiating out to her limbs.

Her breathing become erratic, her pulse wild as he bent his head down closer to hers. His lips brushed her earlobe, making the hairs on the back of her neck stand to attention.

"You seem to think that your weapon will save you. Tell me," he whispered into her ear, "how is your gun going to save you now?"

Forcing herself to take back charge of her body, she struggled against his restraints. She was now more angry with herself than him. How had she managed to get herself in this situation? How did he manage to overpower her so quickly?

"Let me go," she demanded, "You've made your point."

Raising his head back up, his eyes locked with hers. An unfathomable expression overtook his features as they continued glaring at each other. His eyes moving from black to amber and back again.

As quickly as he had trapped her, she was freed from his steely grip.

"Let's go," Murphy growled as he stormed out to the main road, not once looking back.

Kaitlyn, confused and disorientated remained where he had left her. She watched his retreating back as she valiantly attempted to gather her now frazzled wits and bring her thumping pulse back within acceptable levels.

What the hell just happened?

❧ ⚛ ✺ ≋ ≋ ≋ ≋ ≋ ✺ ⚛ ❧

📎A/N . So what did you think?

Wonder what Elijah is up to?

And why did Murphy get antsy with Abe I wonder ;)

I also think that Kaitlyn may now realise just how much stronger Werewolves are than humans. What do you think?

Don't forget to vote :-)

Take care and enjoy the rest of your week. :-)

❤ ℳ