Predator | 39

The next day April went over to Nikolaj again, just like she had been the other days before. Only, that this time she didn't drive to him with the intention of staying and keeping him company. Instead, she was going to bring him with over her to Shawn's place.

This morning, Charles kindly asked her to pick him up and seeing as she went over to his place every day anyway, there was no point to complain to bring him over to the others. Charles was at Shawn's place, together with Eric and Shawn himself.

Earlier this morning, Charles arrived at Eric's place. He had spent the whole night out, keeping his eyes open for everything that might seem suspicious to him. Much to everyones disappointment, he didn't find anything and the night was peaceful just as the other nights before.

It was obvious that Charles patience was thinning with each day that passed. Even Shawn and Eric were getting anxious, as if they only now realized that they had a big problem.

They all met up to discuss the recent events and the problems with all the turned Lycans. Since Nikolaj was just as much involved in all of this like the others were, they all wanted him to be present at the meeting.

Admittedly, there didn't happen anything since Nikolaj got injured a few days ago. Charles reasoned that it's most probably because there were guards everywhere around the town and it was impossible to do something without getting noticed.

Whoever the person is, was keeping a low profile right now. As much as April wished that they get the person, she was glad that everything seems fine for now, even if the peaceful moment is nothing but a brief calm before the storm.

When April pulled over Nikolaj's place, she noticed him strolling around his cottage and carrying stacks of wood. April bit her lip, as she let her eyes follow him walking back into his house. He was doing all the work for nothing since she wouldn't stay at his place.

She should have called him, she thought. At least to let him know their plans for today instead of surprising him like that.

Getting out of the car, she quickly followed him into his place. He had left the door open for her. Nikolaj was aware of her presence. He was leaning in front of the fireplace, bent on one knee and throwing the wood into the fire he just lit up.

"Hi," she greeted breathily and closed the door behind her.

Nikolaj turned his head and stopped throwing the wood into the fire for a moment. He smiled a beautiful smile, one that made April forget how to breathe momentarily.

It was impossible not to like his smiling face.

"You are early," Nikolaj spoke after a short silence. He rose from his kneeling position and walked towards her in long strides. "I was preparing the fireplace for you."

April smiled, grateful but also guilty for the effort. "Yeah, I can see that," she replied. "But there is no need to. I'm here to take you with me. Charles, Shawn and my brother want to talk to you."

His smiling face fell into a concerned frown. "About what?"

"I don't really know. Charles didn't tell me," April admitted.

Nikolaj's stubbled jaw tightened when hearing the name, but nodded eventually. He held the door open for her and followed her to the car.

It was a brief drive and the silence made April wonder what kind of news Charles, Shawn and her brother were going to announce. As far as she knew, there weren't any happening worth mentioning.

She threw Nikolaj a quick sidelong glance. He had a thoughtful expression, no doubt thinking about the same things as her, wondering whether something happened around Rosewood that he wasn't aware of.

Once they were inside Shawn's apartment, Nikolaj greeted everyone and took a seat on one of the couches, next to her brother Eric.

They exchanged the usual how-are-you's and were wrapped up in a conversation. April didn't much pay attention to their brief talk, it was mostly about simple things, and she soon found herself aimlessly walking around Shawn's living room.

April let her eyes roam over the room. It was the first time she was in Shawn's place. It wasn't exactly messy, but it wasn't tidy either. He had shirts, trousers as well as his uniform randomly hanging on a chair and empty beer cans on the mahogany coffee table.

There was nothing too outstanding at his place, aside from a picture that stood on one of the shelves. It was a photo of a woman. April tried to remember whether she had seen her around or not, but she was certainly sure that she had yet to meet the woman on the photo.

She threw Shawn a quick glance over her shoulder, but he was too busy to notice her stare. April was curious to know who she was. Maybe his girlfriend, she thought.

April went back to her seat and made herself comfortable on the couch. She listened to the others and realized that the simple talk had already ended and they were talking business instead.

She took one of the small chocolate biscuits that Shawn had carried in with a tray some minutes ago. April listen to them while eating silently.

"Anything new we should know of?" Charles asked Nikolaj. He was sitting on a armchair and sipping on his tea. His face held a boring expression, as if he was already expecting a boring answer from him, well aware of the fact that there wasn't anything new they should know of.

"No," was Nikolaj's answer. "I was on patrol the last few days. Nothing happened."

April shot him a disapproving glare. His health had improved, remarkably fast she must admit, but she did not like it at all, hearing that he was out hunting the enemy when he was injured so badly not even a week ago.

Nikolaj turned his head, as if noticing her glare. He gave her hand a swift kiss, reassuring her silently that he was alright.

From the corners of her eyes, April noticed Shawn smirking at the of public display of affection. Her cheeks burned at the simple gesture. It was the first time he did that in front of others.

"We thought as much," Eric awkwardly cut into the silence. "Everything is back to normal. For now, at least. We just have to be careful."

"We have guards everywhere," Shawn spoke up. "If anything happens, they will find out," he said confidently.

Eric scoffed, clearly not thinking the same as Shawn. "If those failures of watch dogs were any good, we wouldn't be in this mess right now. Wouldn't surprise me if they fail once again." He crossed his arms over his chest, looking very annoyed.

April would have laughed at his funny expression, if the situation wasn't serious.

"You want to know what I find odd?" Charles asked after a short silence. He continued once he was sure he had everyones attention, "how can someone steal Viktor's poison without getting caught? Without leaving a single trace?"

They answered with a long silence. No one knew the answer to that.

"I think we all already came to the conclusion that it has to be one of us. Someone, who knows Viktor's ways and knows how to avoid being caught. I already said that the last time, if I'm not mistaken." he said. His eyes went over to Nikolaj, watching him with accusing eyes. "Why won't you tell us what you think, Nikolaj? I am curious to hear you voice out your thoughts. As far as I know, you are quite familiar with Viktor's mansion."

Nikolaj breathed deeply with his nose. "Are you trying to say something?" He gritted out with a heavy accent. "If so, don't beat around the bush and say it."

"You are my first suspect, ever since the day I have arrived," he explained calmly. "You grew up by Viktor's sides. You had years to learn how he handles his business."

"Don't accuse him of things he didn't do," April came to his defense.

Charles raised his eyebrows. "And what makes you sure of that? I think you are the last person to judge the situation. You are blinded by your feelings."

"Careful how you speak to hear," Nikolaj warned in a low tone, not appreciating Charles mocking tone.

A humorless chuckle fell from Charles lips. "Viktor wasn't exactly a father figure, was he? It's only reasonable for you to get rid of him. I understand that completely. After all the things he did to you..."

"Shut up," he cut him off, eyes blazing with fury. His fingers dug into the material of the couch. He was trying not to do something he would regret. Though, it seemed that he would very much enjoy hurting Charles right now.

"Now that's not something to say in front of your girlfriend. Maybe it is you who should be careful what to say."

"Calm down," April whispered to him. He looked at her with regretful eyes and while she had caught his attention, she couldn't make his anger vanish instantly. She then turned to Charles. "And you should stop accusing him without proof. That's not helping us."

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Hi! Sorry for the long wait, I had a writers block. This chapter is unedited and I'm going to sleep in a few minutes, so I won't proofread it and hope I didn't make too many mistakes. Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Updates will be regular again. Thanks for reading!