being watched 33
586 Words
Chapter 33
Grill POV
The office door shut behind us with a heavy thud. I nodded to one of my warriors standing outside.
"No one comes in unless I say so."
"Yes, Alpha."
The guard closed the door, leaving only the five of us inside. I folded my arms across my chest as I looked directly at Tony.
"You said you wanted the truth. Well, here it is."
I reached into my desk drawer and pulled out a folder. Sliding it across the desk, I watched Catherine's face carefully. She frowned.
Tony opened the folder and began reading. His expression darkened with every page. Inside were photographs of the dead rogue, reports from my patrols, statements from warriors who had witnessed everything, and sketches of the strange symbols carved into the rogue's body after his face had been ripped away.
"The rogue wasn't acting alone," I said. "He was being controlled."
Tony looked up. "By who?"
"I don't know yet."
Ava stepped forward. "But whoever it is... they're watching us."
Tony slowly closed the folder. "I felt the same thing when we walked through your territory."
Ava nodded. "I've felt it for days."
Catherine shifted uncomfortably in her chair. "Maybe you're all imagining things."
The room fell silent.Every eye turned toward her. I narrowed my eyes.
"Imagining it?"
She shrugged. "You haven't actually seen anyone."
Before I could answer, Ava spoke. "I have."
Everyone looked at her. "It wasn't clear... just a shadow standing at the tree line." She looked toward the office window. "The feeling disappeared before I could reach it."
Tony leaned back in his chair. "That sounds like a vampire."
"It does," I agreed. "But not an ordinary one." Tony nodded slowly. "The stronger vampires can suppress their scent and presence. Most wolves would never know they're there."
Ava crossed her arms. "So how do we catch something we can't see?"
A small smile spread across Tony's face. "We don't chase it."
"We make it come to us."
I raised an eyebrow. "And how do you plan on doing that?"
"We use bait."
The room became silent again. Tony's gaze drifted toward Ava.
"I have a feeling..." "...they aren't interested in any of us." "They're here for Luna Ava."
A growl rumbled deep in my chest. "No."
Tony raised a hand. "I'm not saying we hand her over." "I'm saying we make them believe they have a chance."
I immediately shook my head. "Not happening."
Ava rested a hand on my arm. "Grill..."
I turned to her. "No."
"I'm not risking you.” She looked me straight in the eyes. "If they're after me, they'll keep coming."
She squeezed my hand. "Maybe it's time we stop waiting."
Tony watched us quietly before speaking again. "If we prepare properly... we could surround the area with warriors." "And if the vampire shows itself..."
A dangerous smile crossed his face. "...we end this."
Before anyone could answer, a chilling howl echoed through the pack lands. Every wolf in the room froze. A second howl followed.
Then another. One of my warriors burst through the office door without knocking.
"Alpha!"
He was breathing hard. "We've got movement at the eastern border!"
"What kind of movement?" I demanded.
The warrior swallowed. "There are dozens of rogues..."
"...and they're heading straight for the pack."
A deep growl escaped my chest. "They're not here by coincidence."
Tony stood, cracking his neck. "It seems our meeting is over."
His eyes flashed as his wolf pushed forward. "Let's go welcome our guests."
- Writer
