The Hunt Begins
646 Words
The Silverclaw Packhouse was located on the outskirts of town, nestled deep within the trees. It wasn’t a sprawling estate like the ones Aria had seen in movies; it was more like a fortress.
The three-story building, constructed of dark timber and stone, had an old yet intimidating design. Actual wolves roamed the perimeter, watching as Liam pulled up.
Aria stepped out of the Jeep and took a slow breath. This was the center of Liam’s power, the place where his pack lived, trained, and followed his command.
As they approached the entrance, the doors swung open, revealing a woman standing at the threshold. She was tall and striking, with warm brown skin, high cheekbones, and dark, piercing eyes that conveyed authority.
“Liam,” she greeted, her voice smooth but edged with concern. “I heard about Elena.”
“Serena,” Liam nodded. “That’s why we’re here.”
Her gaze flicked to Aria, and for a moment, something unreadable crossed her face. Then she turned back to Liam.
“We should talk inside.”
The pack’s meeting hall was a vast space with a stone fireplace, wooden beams, and long tables. The air buzzed with tension as wolves, both in human form and as wolves, moved through the space. Aria felt their eyes on her—some curious, others wary.
Liam led them to a private room where a few pack members were already gathered. Helena, the woman from the tavern, was there. Beside her stood a massive man with short-cropped blond hair and sharp blue eyes. He carried himself with the confidence of a warrior.
“Darius,” Liam greeted.
Darius inclined his head. “Alpha.” His voice was deep and measured. “What’s going on?”
Liam didn’t waste any time. “Elena’s missing. Silas says someone was following her before she disappeared.”
A ripple of unease passed through the group.
Helena frowned. “Silas isn’t exactly a reliable source.”
“No,” Liam agreed. “But if he’s right, that means someone inside the pack is involved.”
The words hung heavily in the air.
Darius crossed his arms. “Who would betray the pack like that?”
“That’s what we’re going to find out,” Liam said darkly.
As the conversation unfolded, Aria listened carefully, jotting down observations in her mind. Something didn’t add up.
She turned to Helena. “You said Elena worked at the tavern, right?”
Helena nodded. “For the past two years.”
“And before that?”
Helena hesitated. “She grew up here.”
Aria narrowed her eyes. “Then why was she asking questions about the disappearances like an outsider?”
Silence fell over them.
Then Ronan muttered, “Shit.”
Liam’s gaze sharpened. “What are you thinking, Aria?”
Aria took a slow breath. “Elena wasn’t just curious; she must have found something. Something she wasn’t supposed to.”
Darius exhaled. “Then we need to find out what it is.”
Liam’s voice was like steel. “And we need to find her before it’s too late.”
That night, the pack gathered for a search. They split into groups, some in human form, others shifting into their wolf selves.
Aria followed Liam and Ronan into the woods, her heart pounding. The night air was thick with tension. The forest felt different this time—charged and waiting.
Then, suddenly, a howl split the silence.
A warning.
Ronan cursed. “That’s coming from the river.”
Liam took off running, and Aria followed, her breath ragged.
They crashed through the trees and broke into a clearing.
Then she saw it.
A single red scarf was caught on a low-hanging branch of a tree. It was torn and soaked in blood.
Liam’s hands clenched into fists, his voice barely a whisper. “Elena.”
- Writer
