Alina

"What?" I choked out, "What do you mean?"

His eyes glistened as he nodded his head, "I know, it was totally unexpected. It was during a patrol when some of our men came across his dead body. "

"How can he die all out of a sudden?" I frowned.

"It seemed like a sudden death at first, but then after the pack healers thoroughly examined him, they found a silver bullet inside his heart."

"But silver bullets were banned, for god's sake!" I cried.

"Yes, but it was indeed a silver bullet which caused his death." Neil whispered, "No one knows about this yet, not even Luke, let alone the victim's family."

"But we need to inform them about his death, they are his family." I arbitrated.

"We will, later. For now, we need to figure out what is actually going on." He said, his voice filled with sympathy.

"What was he doing there, near the borders, anyway?" I asked.

"Since the attacks made by the abandoned wolves increased recently, we had to in return increase our security. We were blocking off unexpected entrances, you know the ones abandoned wolves tend to use in order to sneak inside the territory."

"Why was I not informed about any of this?" I growled.

The sudden appearance of a silver bullet was not a good indication, indeed it was a sign of ill omen which had the capability to bring disgrace, upon all of us. The sudden appearances of tainted omens which were banished, long gone, after peace was declared were a current threat. No matter how much I tried to take it lightly, it never slipped itself away from other than the fact that the first appearance of such things, was the day my brother's mate consumed wolfsbane.

Even though I was proven guilty by my brother, Andrew, without any interrogation, it was now the point where it made clear sense. Maybe it was my own absurdity that I couldn't interpret what actually was going on. Wolfsbane was something which only the knowledgeable ones could produce. A drug with the ability to kill any werewolf without the slightest of delay. The best option to kill opponents, enemies, or maybe even allies.

The silver bullet, in contrast, works the same way but could be considered under the category of an action-filled scenario. Even though anything containing silver was dangerous and banished after Romero got attacked, and further peace declaration, the present contradicted history itself.

The future of us was to be decided with all the daily basis facts that occurred around us, and maybe one wrong decision could turn out to be unbearably hard for us to compensate.

"Because you are not allowed to take any more stress, you already have a lot to deal with," Neil stated, rolling his eyes. "Stop craving for information."

I narrowed my eyes at him, "What did you say?"

His lips curled to a sheepish smile as he shook his head, "Nothing, nothing."

"Oh, yes, it reminded me, what happened to the rogue?" I asked.

"What, rogue?" He raised an eyebrow.

"The one who was captured while crossing the borders." I reminded.

"Oh, that girl," he growled, "She didn't utter a single thing. Though I tried my best she's somehow preventing herself from giving out any information."

"Preventing as in?" I asked, curiously.

"I even tied her up with silver chains," he muttered under his breath, "Fucking didn't work."

Saying that his statement didn't get hold of me would be an understatement, highly if I consider what he just said. Silver chains were like a drug, performing its duty by slowly draining out every ounce of strength a werewolf held within, killing it slowly in a torturous way.

No ordinary werewolf could resist the effects caused by silver chains and that was for sure.

"Are you sure no damages were done?" I asked again, squinting my eyes.

"Very sure..but I don't know how she could have possibly resisted it."

Meanwhile
James

The obnoxious feeling of something vicious bugging inside constantly never subsided since Jace's arrival. Even though with all the despicable things I could say about him, he must be credited for what he was good at, nothing.

I didn't see the point of him being invited for the sake of protection. Protection of a pack in which he didn't even belong to. A worthless decision by my father without much thorough discussion.

I never liked the feeling of anxiousness to being with. The feeling of tautness from within, mocking at every single step I take, the fear of not being worth it. The sudden appearances of unpredictable myths drilling horror within the cerebral veins of everyone were not helping either, especially with Drake acting all reserved.

I knew he was trying to conceal something. Even though he denied it every time I asked but he was being troubled by something, that was something I could assure.

The coordination of an Alpha along with his Beta was essential in order to run a pack with efficiency. Even though we did have coordination, lately, Drake being stressed was hampering our bond as well.

That he is.

The sudden sound of dad's agreement strummed inside my head. A smile curled up against my lips at the unfamiliarity of his voice. The unexpected consideration of his was like a present left behind for me.

"Why are you smiling like a fool?" Jace appeared in front of me. His hair ruffled and eyes dark.

Way to ruin the moment.

"I don't see any reason for answering your question." I spat.

He laughed and shook his head, "Still hot-tempered as ever."

"Shouldn't you be sleeping by now?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.

"I'm not a pup like you, brother." He rolled his eyes, "I think it should be you sleeping by now."

"Stop that," I growled.

"What?" He frowned. His eyes glowing as a smile crept up his lips.

"Just go away." I shrugged and walked past him, leaving him behind.

In the blink of an eye, he appeared in front of me again. "Stop blocking the corridor."

"Your mate is much better than you." He scoffed, "At least she is polite."

"What did you just say?" I scowled.

"Calm down, it's not like I'm taking your mate away." He rolled his eyes.

A part of me cringed at the mockery behind his tone. It was not possible for him to figure out that me, Alpha James, was rejected. And I was aware of it. I stared at his eyes, waiting for a hint of a lie but instead, his eyes held an unknown emotion, which to me seemed like amusement.

"I might just happen to know what you are thinking about." He mused.

A/N:

It's been a while since I've updated a new chapter (9 days to be exact). I had this weird writer's block and to make it worse I had regular classes, not allowing me the opportunity to sit down and type.

Earlier today I had this dream about Jace and James (I'm not even kidding) and I HAD to write this down today and update. So here it is.

Thanks for reading.

Till next time

–peaceout–

P.S — the next update will up soon.