Predator | 29

Charles nodded, understanding the difficult situation. It really would be a problem - a huge problem - if humans would see something there are not supposed to see.

She didn't want to think what they would do to humans who did see more than they should have. April was sure that they wouldn't do some crazy supernatural magic trick to remove their memories.

And with no clue who the person behind all of this could be, they had to other choice than continue to watch how things were getting worse by each second. No one knows how many humans will end up being turned into a Lycan.

April wondered if they were willing to be turned into a Lycan, or if the person was forced by the person.

"No one wants that," he responded after a short silence. Charles had a grim expression on his face. He wasn't the only one who was worrying over the situation. The problem was worse than it sounded. "Have you started investigating, yet?"

"Of course," Viktor answered. "My men are trying to find that bastard, but there is no trail left that could possibly lead us to the culprit. It's always a dead end."

Viktor's words were worrying April. She felt safe with her brother, and with Nikolaj also, but horrible things always happened the moment where she felt the safest. Like day when she wanted to leave Rosewood. Or the night when he had been with Nikolaj.

She was surprised that the thought of leaving didn't really enter her mind ever since then. Now, she wanted to stay.

Mostly, it was because of her brother. It would be a coward move to leave Eric with all these problems while she would be safe at her home. That wouldn't be fair. Eric was left alone with no family over the last couple of years.

April noticed that her brother was watching her briefly, when Viktor was speaking. He probably was thinking about her safety, or making her leave Rosewood. But she wouldn't leave him this easily.

Besides, she wanted to see where things were leading with Nikolaj. Leaving was just not an option for her anymore.

"Maybe you are not trying hard enough," Charles accused.

Viktor's face hardened, lips turning into a grim line, not appreciating Charles tone. "Are you telling me how to handle my territory," he asked in a low voice.

A cold chill ran down April's spine. She hoped Charles was smart enough to shut up his mouth and restraining himself to turn Viktor into an angry wolf. She couldn't help but fear Viktor. The last thing she wanted to witness was an angry Viktor.

Charles, however, seemed to find his dangerous tone rather amusing than unnerving. He grinned at him in a carefree manner, shaking his head.

"Of course not. Who am I to tell you how to run your land?" Charles asked with a charming smile. "But I want to know what you plan to do from now on?"

"I have my guards around the town," he answered immediately. It seemed that Viktor was slowly getting annoyed with Charles interrogation. "It's only a matter of time until we catch the culprit."

"It will be problem when the culprit, or the accomplice, is one of your guards."

"You accuse one of my guards?" Viktor asked surprised and barked a harsh laugh. "They are loyal to me. Every one of them. They know better than betraying me like this. Your remark is yet another rude accusation that I am not able to run my own land. You are quite annoying today, if I may say."

"You know how it is nowadays, Viktor. You can trust no one."

Viktor said nothing and remained silent. He agreed with Charles on this matter. "At least now I know the true reason of your visit." Viktor smirked. The anger seemed to fade. "Are you here to offer me your help?"

"Of course," Charles answered. "You think I can stand by and watch my greatest friend having trouble? Besides, I can't let the favor you did me years ago remain unpaid."

"Oh? So it's not about our friendship, but your pride? I'm disappointed, truly. Here I thought you want to offer me your help for the sake of our friendship, not because you want to repay me. What I did happened a long time ago. It's time to forget it, Charles."

Charles sighed and shook his head. "Why do you have to be difficult? Of course this is about our friendship. I'm quite sure you knew exactly what I meant. Stop joking around. Humor is not one of your best traits, have you forgotten?"

"How can I forget if you always remind me whenever we see each other?" Viktor chuckled amused. "Are you staying for dinner?" He asked, his eyes wandering to Eric and April.

April shot Eric an almost pleading look. She didn't want to stay for dinner with him. One time was already enough. Relief washed over her when Charles shook his head.

"I'm afraid that I have to decline you invitation," he answered and got off the couch. "I will take the rest of the night and look if I can find anything that could possibly lead us to that bastard who is causing us these fucking problems."

"Good luck," Viktor answered mockingly. "You won't find anything, I already let the guards search up every inch of my land. Whoever this person is, knows how to cover up."

"We will see. I will see you soon," was all Charles said. He sent Eric an look and nodded his head to the door. "Until then, Viktor." He made his way towards the set of doors.

"April," Eric called, standing up as well. "Let's go home."

April followed Eric and Charles, walking down the hall towards the front door. When they were in a great distance to Viktor, she asked, "what about Nik?"

"Nik?" Eric asked, arching an eyebrow. He had a grim expression. "You already reached the point where you call him by that kind of sick nickname?"

"Shut up, Eric," she replied icily. She couldn't understand why he had a problem with Nikolaj. Eric didn't seem to dislike him when she first met Nik. "I'm not in the mood for that. Why isn't he coming with us?" She asked again.

Eric's hard eyes softened as he gazed down at her. He let a deep sigh escape his lips. "You worry too much about him," he muttered. "He will leave when Viktor dismisses him."

"Your brother is right," Charles jumped in. She almost forgot that he was with them in the same room. "Nikolaj is a grown man, he can take care of himself," he said, trying to ease her mind a bit. Charles squeezed her shoulder lightly, smiling encouraging at her.

Though she appreciated the gesture and returned the smile, it didn't really help to make her less worried. But she had to agree that both, her brother and Charles, were right and she was indeed worrying too much. She alway worried to much, about everything and anything.

They exited Viktor's mansion through the large wooden front door and hurried over to Eric's car. She felt bad and guilty for leaving Nikolaj alone. She also wanted to spent the rest of the day with him.

April had to admit that she knew little about him, which wasn't surprising since she met him just a few weeks ago. He was beginning to slowly open up to her. There was still so much she had yet to learn about him. Especially about his past.

It still didn't leave her mind that Nikolaj acted a bit cold towards her for the last one of two hours, since they left the apartment.

She wondered why. Maybe he was embarrassed that her brother found out what happened under his roof? Or was his proud wounded because of the fight Eric picked up with him?

She doubted it was any of those theories, but she was quite sure that there was something wrong. She just needed to find out what.

When they arrived back at home, she run to her room and searched for the phone she had forgotten to take with her.

April found it under the pillow. She unlocked the screen and quickly tipped a message to Nikolaj. Now all she had to do was wait patiently for him to respond to her message.

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Hope you liked the chapter! Thank you for reading and for all the votes on the last chapter! I wish you all a wonderful weekend.