ARCĀNUM (DISCONTINUED)

➺ Chapter Six ፧ Mystery

CHAPTER SIX : MYSTERY

Corinne didn't sleep that much through the night, only for two hours in some point, she was worried about the love of her life. She wasn't here yet, and that made her get an uneasy feeling bubbling in her stomach. The she-wolf was currently sitting on the couch, fidgeting her fingers and her left leg bouncing frantically. Williams was surely scared if she'll never get back to her.

It was six am in the morning, and she was waiting for Lucinda to come back to the pack house. She would try to hear for a heartbeat from afar, but sadly can't reach that as far as she desired to, so it made her cautious and saddened by that.

A sound of footsteps lightly thumping on the staircase was heard, even in the quietest tip toes she could still hear the small sounds the wooden staircase makes.

The girl turned to only see Athena, rubbing her eyes and handing off a concerned look on her face. "Why are you up early in the morning, Corinne? Where's your girlfriend?" she asked softly, her hand reaching to the side of the couch, the other on her hip gently.

"Lucinda. She's still not yet here. . . And it's worrying me. If she doesn't come back any minute now. . . I'm going to look for her." Corinne said fearfully, her eyes glossed with tears as she feared that her mate might be somewhere, in distress. She was anxious just thinking about it.

The platinum blonde she-wolf rubbed her temples, slowly and slowly releasing her grip from the calmness and hope she once had for the safety of the love of her life. The Hale daughter frowned, walking over to sit next to her and try to comfort her. "It's gonna be alright, I'm gonna help you find her."

Another sound of somebody going down, but more louder and quicker was heard, they turned to the open doorway to see the Alpha Hunter with furrowed brows, glaring at them. "What's wrong? Is somebody hurt?"

Athena shook her head in denial, a sympathetic look etched on her features making him even more curious to what was going on. He walked inside the room, crossing his arms as he stood where the human once did. "No, it's just that Lucinda isn't here yet and she's starting to worry that maybe something is wro --"

Before she could continue, the two werewolves snapped their heads to the window as they heard two heartbeats; one a tad slower than the other. And immediately, they heard a loud knock on the door, which made Corinne wide eyed, standing up from her position; her scent was flowing to her. She's back home.

The trio walked briskly to the front doors, opening it to show an old man holding onto a weak, unconscious-like Lucinda. The latter who seemed to wait for her had an horrified look on her face, going over to her and hold her gently in a hug type of way.

Athena straightened her standing position when she and Hunter were left side by side behind, averting her gaze from anywhere than his figure; he was wearing nothing but his pants, and it sure showed off his toned and lean self. She swallowed the lump on her throat, tapping onto her wrist that she held.

"I saw her when I was about to go back to my friend's house by the earliest times; maybe five in the morning. She was laying unconscious on the ground, so I brought her to your pack house since I have seen her come along there. I'm sorry if I'm not that much help." The stranger said, clasping his hands.

Corinne Williams sighed, caressing the female's cheeks and giving a kiss onto her forehead affectionately. "She passed out. . . but why?"

"Panic? Exhaustion perhaps?" Athena peeped with her head tilting to the side to gather their attention, stepping forward a bit as Hunter glanced at her, giving out a nod of agreement.

The Lupus Alpha scoffed lightly, making her look at him. "I can't believe I'm saying this but. . . I think one of things she said is right. It could be that. Somebody might've tried chasing her, but the bloody idea to who is completely questionable and uncanny."

"Thank you. . . I guess." She shrugged her shoulders. Corinne cared less about their tension and strolled back to the living room but now with the chimera, letting her lay down on the comfortable couch so she can rest properly already.

Hunter pursed his lips, looking at the old man with squinted eyes, "Thank you, sir. -- Who is this though? I have not seen this woman here around the village nor this pack house before. Is she your Luna or something?" That made the girl choke on air, covering her mouth with her hands as the guy next to her smirked amusingly.

"No, actually. Just a guest. -- Her scent. . . human?" The girl nodded, giving him an appreciative smile as the elder gave it back. The old man chuckled, "I'll be heading over to my friend's house now, Good day to all of you and I hope she will be okay."

Hunter gave a genuine small smile, "Good day as well sir."

He slowly closed the door, and began to face the girl with flowing dark brown hair near him. "How do you know too much about lycanthropy when th--" The Alpha was about to continue but shook his head, so he won't say the wrong thing or spill another word. "When your just a petty human, Hm?"

She gave a taunting forced smile, "Well, mother does say I get good memory. Besides, I could've learned more if the damned book wasn't snatched away from me!" Athena was still suspicious about him, thinking that he stole it and hid the book of information from her. She knew some the others were still not clear.

Hunter muttered under his breath, "Maybe not that much good at remembering."

"What?" she asked, furrowing her brows.

He shook his head, "Nothing."

Silence has washed over them, it was awkward as they stayed in their stances and positions, averting their gazes from each other. They were in luck when they heard sobs and voices coming from the living room; Lucinda was finally awake.

"Oh my God!" Corinne exclaimed, cupping her mate's cheeks as the chimera seated on the couch was smiling weakly at her, glad to see her right infront of her, back at home. The duo went over there to move on from what occurred to them, her shoulder touching his arm repeatedly as they walked.

Seconds later after finally being in the living room, everyone in this abode arrived to the place. "Woah! Lucinda's finally back?" Katherine was wide eyed, looking at the girl with a smile on her face; it was no lie that they all were purely concerned about her, and glad she is back.

Katherine Lupin has hair of pitch black, whiskey brown eyes and skin light brown, she shone everywhere she stood, cunning and courageous, loud and by the same level of the Lupus sister, and just like the other, she gave quite care to her surroundings, but she was not flirtatious, she cared no less about romance and not a doubt about anything like it. It made her hard to reach for men in the village.

"Are you alright Lucy?" Donovan questioned, stepping closer with a look of worry.

The half-witch, half-werewolf shook her head, even if she were petrified she still looked pretty as ever. "N-no. . . I-I'm not alright. There was somebody- Somebody was stalking- C-chasing me- God, I think I passed out when I was on my way back."

"Who would do such a thing?" The muscular werewolf with brown skin, hazel eyes and dark brown hair; Aaron, questioned with a low growl, crossing his arms; She was like a little sister to him, so for one, this was a big thing for him, and he wanted to track the guy down and beat him to a pulp. They all wondered the same thing; technically they don't have anything wrong with certain packs, all except the rogue wolves. . .

The taller one next to him, with light brown hair and pale white skin; Elijah, gasped, "The rogue wolves!"

"They're continuing the destruction until to this village? I thought nobody but the people know that this is our territory?. . . Unless. . ." Hunter trailed off, staring hardly at the floorboards. They all knew what he would've said next, but puzzled as to who.

Athena bit her lower lip, and went over to Lucinda to sit next to her, for she was in the middle of the couch with Corinne by the left side. She rubbed her back, letting out a sigh. "Did you. . . Did you see who it was?"

The comforted girl whimpered and shook her head in utter dismay, "N-no. . . They were wearing a golden mask. . ."

"I'm sorry. . . if you experienced such a thing, you don't deserve that, love." The girl that once was known as the one that traveled throughout the forest with a woven basket and midnight cloak has shown another piece of her personality to somebody else.

It made Hunter's face soften, only for a moment until it turned back to the serious look on his face. But it didn't mean that nobody didn't witness such scene.

No word has yet to be said right after, they all were just looking at each other as if their eyes were letting out the talking and the emotions; happiness, sadness, curiosity, concern and worry, and surprise has bundled and flooded the room, until a built werewolf went inside the room to lighten it up and break the unfortunate silence, clasping his hands. It was their gamma, Jasper Wright.

"Who wants breakfast?"

***

After eating, they all went to their separate ways; Jasper is busy teaching Katherine, Elijah, Aaron and Donovan whilst Corinne is taking good care of Lucinda to make sure everything will be alright. Hunter and Erina are gonna try tracking the intruder by scent, and probably find more clues by the forest areas and the village itself. The Alpha didn't want to bring the human, but his sister pleaded him so.

And here they are, in the forest, looking for some clues. Erina is currently using her great speed, rushing around to find any odd scent roaming around this place, Hunter was checking if anything was to be dropped, any objects lying around. Athena though, was keeping herself safe whilst hoping that no person was badly injured and harmed by this. Everyone here couldn't even hear what had happened because they were all asleep, probably the time where Corinne started her short slumber.

She was strolling around and observing the place surrounding her, until she heard a sound from above, rustling of the leaves above from the oak tree, she hesitated looking up. But when she was about to, a thud was heard right infront of her, it made her scream in fear and hide her face with her elbows. A soft yet at the same time, deep laughter escaped somebody's lips, causing her to slowly put her arms down to see the Alpha right infront of her -- and may I add, terrifyingly close.

Athena was flustered,

' Unlocked : The clown side of Hunter Lupus. '

"What the f**k?!" She hitted his chest with the side of her fists, the cutted one with a bandage was already and slowly healing, it didn't hurt her at all, just like what he was feeling right now. It looked harsh, yet it never really affected him at all. He tilted his head to the side slightly, a cocky smirk playing in his rosy lips.

Erina then later caught up with them, hands on her hips as she breathed heavily, "I was about to make sure if you weren't hurt and all I see is somebody actually acting like a child. Hunter?" she called, raising a brow at them.

They turned to her, the guy snorting. "And people say they want me to by humorous -- Well, your humour is. . . questionable." Athena narrowed her eyes at him.

"And nobody asked you t--" Erina was about to continue when a shout was heard from afar, blaring in her ears, as well as Hunter.

"Help!!"

Somebody was heard from not that far away, the two werewolves able to hear the voice that laced worry and fear. Erina instantly began running towards the direction of the familiar voice, with Hunter close behind absentmindly grabbing Athena's uninjured hand.

Her eyes were widening every second, her heart beat thumping loudly, easily heard by them as she saw him focused as he took large steps in a way to go there quickly with her scurried behind him. She had no clue if this was only because of the adrenaline rush taking in and coursing through her, or more than that. Considering that she was not only getting those effects. . . earning flutters in her stomach as well.

He letted go of her when they reached the place, the girl falling down on the grassy ground on her knees since it was too fast for her pace. The Alpha raised a brow, and moved on to hurriedly check onto the scene, Erina helping her up. "I'm sorry, should've told you that we werewolves can make big leaps with speed."

"It's alright -- Erina! . . . er. . . Athena. ." She could hear the hesitation he had to call her name, it made her scoff lightly. They followed the Alpha's voice and went inside the house to see the old man from earlier, crying to see his best friend in the ground, lifeless.

An axe was sprawled in the ground, the wood was torned into half, as if someone had the urge to take the weapon out of his hand and break it with such ease. They were just lucky their scent wasn't able to be picked up upon the place.

"W-Why. . . Who has done such a thing to somebody as innocent, pure and remarkable as you, dear friend?" The old man cried.

Hunter's eyes darkened, his face showing hatred and malice. "Somebody not too far away. Perhaps even a traitor in disguise. Maybe. . . A rogue."

"The same one that has has tried hurting Lucinda." Erina scowled, glaring holes at the fireplace, as the dancing fire portrayed her emotions loud and clear.

"Perhaps. . ."

They didn't notice Athena going outside, thinking about everything. How would have this all escalated to one death, two escapes in different reasons. She saw a medium sized rock from not that far, it held some some scratches, maybe unintentionally but for the greater good. Twigs were broken, trailed from the forest to the East coast, leading to the village.

"What are you doing?" she snapped back to reality turning to see the cold, and infamous look of Hunter Lupus. Athena checked behind to find the door open, showing Erina and the old man talking quietly.

"Just checking. Hey, can you um. . . grab the scent of that rock over there?" She pointed at the scratched rock, the Alpha giving her a look as she did the same. He thought that it would be useless to retort and walked over to it, holding it with ease and sniffing the scent.

"Lucinda's scent; chemo-signals are showing emotions of being terrified, frantic, appall and panic." He said, looking at her make her way to the woods. Surely he didn't know what was secretly lurking in those woods, so his first instinct was to follow her instead.

She finally stopped when she saw the dried crunched up leaves in a pile, that's how they could tell that they were far form here. "See that? That couldn't have been a coincidence--" she got cutted by a stifle of laughter by the Alpha. "-- Just f*****g listen jerk!" His face fell to a scowl, his blue piercing eyes looking at her darkly.

"Don't. call. me. that." He gritted his teeth, as she crossed her arms, her foot pushing the pebble infront of her as her eyes were laid down.

"Fine, prick. Just listen and don't make unnecessary comments and reactions to me. My guess might just be right." Hunter scoffed at her statement, yet once again did what she said to know what would she bring up next.

"Alright, lead away, princess."

After seconds of recovered silence, she spoke out her thoughts, "The piles, it couldn't have fallen from the tree, there are few leaves. Now, I have this quick guess that she used it. The twigs, probably came from both the intruder and Lucy, stumbling over to the unexpected trail that almost went close to the house. I remember seeing a smudge of dirt we passed from the grass, it wasn't covered with herbs or anything, but had a brown patch. Maybe that's where the rock came from."

"So it accidentally fell there from full force to make her think. . ." She nodded in agreement. "And the intruder went there, instead killing the guy. -- The axe was probably from protection, he was maybe trying to chop wood, like the ones outside. -- They tend to not have that as much strength of passing as they grow older." They noticed that they were stepping closer to each other by the time they were sharing out their theories.

The werewolf and the human took their steps back, away from each other. Athena cleared her throat and looked away, the latter faking a cough. "We need to head back."

She nodded, slowly moving her eyes up to him shyly, "Ofcourse. . . lead the way."

***

Corinne caressed her lover's cheek, smiling softly. "I'm glad to know your safe, my love."

The chimera gave it back weakly, leaning her head to the smooth palm of the she-wolf's hand. "And I'm happy to know that I'm back here, with you. -- I love you so much Luce, I don't know what I'll do if I lived without you here, in my life."

A tear fell down to Lucinda's cheek, coming from the platinum blonde who suddenly came off sobbing to her. "It's my fault, for not. . . not coming with you, not even trying to check up on the forest to make sure your out there. It's all my fault for not even trying."

Sighing softly, the mixed breed sat up properly and engulfed her to a longing, warm hug to cheer her up, and by body language, tell her that everything was okay, and it isn't her fault. The wolf in them were softened, and felt the love and care flowing in the atmosphere by their auras. "I love you a million times more, Cori. Don't blame yourself, my love."

Corinne nodded slowly, hugging her back until she letted go, accepting what her mate has told her. The other supernatural being was wiping her tears, releasing a soft chuckle. "You still look just as beautiful when you cry."

"Y-your just saying that." She stammered back as a reply.

"No way. I'm speaking through my heart, you can heart my heartbeat that I am not teasing, nor lying." Lucinda grinned, tucking a hair strand behind the other's ear. It made the girl flushed, her cheeks reddening to pale pink as her lips quivered.

"I'll check upon the others, their still doing their practice. Jasper can be a little harsh." Corinne excused, the ebony haired girl giving a sweet peck on her lips before showing a gleaming smile of satisfaction.

"Alright, see you Cori, I love you." She said, watching her go to the door. Before she could ever open she, she turned to the lady and gave a genuine, soft smile.

"I love you more."

The door creaked open, and then closed, leaving her alone in the room.

Lucinda's face fell to one of sadness, puffing her cheeks and walking over to the bathroom nearby. She started washing her hands, the cold running water splashing her fingers and palms. Turning it off, she looked at her reflection.

She looked good in the outside already,

But inside, she was panick-stricken.

What if it was still out to get her? What if she'll die tonight? What if she'll never live the peace she wanted with Corinne?

Her breathing became unsteady, heart thumping out of her chest as she held onto the sides of the sink. Was she having a panic attack? Tears brimmed in her eyes, and she slowly went down, holding her hands on top of her chest. She has thought that perhaps they won't experience such a thing like this, but here she was. Ragged breathing was just heard, but not heard enough against the groans and ringing laughter from downstairs.

Tears has fell down her rosy cheeks, she felt scared, and for once, she didn't know if everything will ever be okay. Rushed thumping from the stairs was heard by her heightened senses, the door opened by full force, and to the bathroom seeing her mate again.

She looks like an angel sent from the Heavens.

"C-Corinne. . . I c-can't. . . I can't breathe. . . -- Shh. . . Love, your having a panic attack." The she-wolf hushed, crouching down over to her and holding onto her shoulders. Lucinda managed to check the clock from out of the room she is currently in, she realized she has been in the bathroom for so long.

"Come on, close your eyes. . . take deep breathes and focus on me." She whispered, rubbing circles onto the dark haired girl's shoulders. The latter did what she said, her breathing slowly going back to normal when she saw her demonstrate and help her out of the mess.

Once it was over, Corinne gave her a soft kiss on her chapped lips, making her heart go fuzzy and warmer than before. Every thought that consumed on her mind has faded away, she knew that she was safe, in the arms of her lover.

They letted go at the same time, a smile curving up to the chimera's lips. "You'll stay safe with me and the other's. By my words, I'll keep you safe and sound until the end, love." Said the she-wolf truthfully and fondly.

"T-thank you, so much, Corinne. . ." their foreheads touched, hands holding. ". . . But do you promise?"

"I promise."

(A/N If you can't tell, this '-' is somewhat cutting words from the same person, or somebody cutting their own statements and '--' means somebody cutting someone else's words. I hope that helps, if you still don't realize it!)