THE HUNTER

Ronan Blackwood leaned against his black motorcycle, one hand shoved in his jeans pocket. As he kept watch outside the rundown Out vibes motel, where he had been stationed for hours, knowing it was a popular spot for rogue wolves who disregarded Wolf Law, making it the ideal hiding place for his target. He frowned in disgust as the stench of urine and vomit turned his stomach. He regretted parking in the dark alley, but tonight’s mission required him staying undercover, so he had to sacrificed fresh air and comfort to get the mission done. But also grateful for the occasional breeze carried by the wind that offered relief to his nose from the smell. He gaze remained fixed on the door, waiting for Cassian Thorn to emerge so that he could make an arrest. He couldn't fathom why any werewolf would risk betraying their own kind for easy drug money, He couldn't understand how any werewolf criminal or not, would risk the Pack's wrath. The Government knew about their existence; In fact, some of the military's best soldiers were werewolves, stationed in key positions and proving in their worth. On the other hand, the humans had been oblivious to their kind existence. If humans discovered them, Werewolves would face extinction, one by one, until they were eliminated. No one deserved to live their life in fear. No one. Just then his phone buzzed. Gritting his teeth, Ronan answered with reluctance. “I’m busy, Kael.” “Ronan, we need to talk.” Ronan growled at the sharp command of his Pack leader. Since joining the Pack, Kael Draven controlled every aspect of his life, day and night, twenty-four seven. That’s what happened when a wolf joined the ranks of the Wardens. You had to give up your life to protect the Pack and watch over other werewolves that can't protect themselves. Ronan wasn’t complaining. Being a Warden had given him a reason to keep going. He was ready to sacrifice his life for the Pack. Black Moon Pack, also known as Darkridge, operates like a military base to humans. In reality, it trains elite werewolf soldiers known as Wardens. Kael Draven is the Pack leader over Black Moon, but even him answers to the higher authority. The power was too great, for any single wolf held absolute power. While deep in his thoughts, a male burst from the motel, the door slamming against the wall. The resounding crash scattered Ronan from his reverie. Ronan tensed. He clenched his hands, his gaze locked on the man. “Can this conversation wait? Your culprit is leaving.” The suspect, in his late forties with a baseball cap trying to conceal his appearance, hurried out of the building. Dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans, the man moved hurriedly toward a beat-up truck with nervous glances over his shoulder to ensure no one was following him. Ronan sniffed the air. His nostrils flared; the scent was unmistakably wolf. There was no denying it, the scent belonged to his target. “I need to go.” He said mounting his black motorcycle. "Damn it, Ronan. Forget him.” "Why?" He shifted in his seat, his gaze still locked on the suspect. Something felt off with the way the Pack leader spoke, Kael never let the job go unfinished. He was dedicated to protecting the werewolves back at black moon. Calling off the mission when they were so close to catching a culprit was completely out of the question. Wait... Ronan rolled his neck to ease the sudden tension. 'Not again,' he muttered, looking annoyed. His former Pack had thrown him out without warning... leaving him on his own to start afresh in another place, another pack. He thought he had found a home in black moon. but clearly he'd been foolish to believe it. To think he had gotten this far only to face this again was hard to swallow. “Which Pack are you sending me to? Moonshadow? Stormfang?” Ronan asked the question as Bitterness laced his sarcastic tone. “you don't understand,” kael tone lowered, turning grim. “An emergency assignment has come up. I’m assigning you to it. Your going Alone.” Unease crept up Ronan's spine, He had never worked a solo mission before. Which meant the Mission was a dangerous one. Kael has always gave him the least desirable missions among the Pack members, but this felt different. “One of our females has been abducted.” kael's said, deadly intent vibrating in his voice, mad enough that his growl carried clearly through the phone line. "Who?" Ronan's lip quivered, his pulse quickening. Some crimes were punishable by death, and taking a female ranked number one. “Elena Moonveil.” The blood drained from his face. Dazed and shocked, he could barely register Kael's voice. Elena Moonveil was the lieutenant general daughter. He had seen her before, though only briefly, when she visited her father, the lieutenant. strikingly beautiful, with black hair, emerald eyes, and a figure that turned heads, many men fight over to even be her first dance. “Any demands?” Ronan gripped the phone tighter. His brute strength threatening to crack the device. “The kidnappers have made none. No demands for money, no prisoner exchanges, no territory, which I find strange,"kael admitted. Then the only answer was the baseline need for females, some rogue Pack didn't care about food, shelter, or territory, no, not this, but the thirst for females begging, forced under them and carrying their kin, gives them great pleasure and satisfaction. This was no funny matter, Ronan understood the horror awaiting her. A Pack's survival depended on females to grow their numbers. He knew exactly what hell she would face as one of the most beautiful females in the region. “Why me, Kael? Why not call one of the other Wardens?” “The other Wardens are too far away to complete this mission.” Ronan was clearly the last choice. "You have the skills to infiltrate the compound and locate where she's being held." “You mean they won’t be able to detect your Pack scent on me.” Ronan snarled. Being fully accepted as part of the Pack seemed out of reach. “This is your Pack too, Ronan. Once your trial ends, you'll be initiated becoming part of the black moon pack." “Yeah, right. Keep telling yourself that.” he retorted. “Watch your tone with me, boy,” Kael growled, But then his voice softened. Kael always knew when he was losing his cool. And Ronan respected that. “Right now, my concern is bringing the female back before they can do what they want to her.” Ronan clenched his jaw, clearly not happy with the way things were going. He could hear his wolf within him awakening to his anger, and he knew this wasn’t the time to shift into a wolf. “I’ll give you the coordinates to where it leads to," Kael continued According to the Intel from our spies, that place is tightly locked.” "I'll be ready to go in an hour." He pocketed his phone, checked his watch, and straightened his jacket. "He needed weapons. He already had two Firearms, a blade, and Pax-52. Just needed detonators and a remote. Thankfully, he was already packed most of his gears. He had to come prepared; because this was his first dangerous mission, entrusted to him, and he doesn't want to fail, Ronan knew exactly what failure will cost him.