His Luna

The sign

“It was not me!” Rodolfo was losing control of his mind as he was looking at his blood-soaked wounds. The wounds were clearly caused by silver as he was not healed from them. Draken was thinking of the possible remedy for the man’s hallucinations, and that person was in the pack. They need the help of a witch to provide them with the cure for it. Rodolfo’s eyes widened as he saw his own blood in his hands, and the man shouted once more, but this time, he was pointing to someone in the wind. Draken took it as a chance to digest every single detail that Rodolfo said.

“It was them! They are here!” He was furious, but more than that, the man’s eyes were showing fear. "They're here! They're watching us!" Rodolfo exclaimed, his voice quivering with a combination of anger and fear.

Draken had no idea who he was referring to.

"It was them? Who are you talking about?" Sam questioned, his voice laced with concern. He moved closer to Rodolfo, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. The wind whispered through the trees, carrying an eerie silence that only added to the growing unease.

Rodolfo struggled to gather his thoughts, his face contorted with pain and confusion. "They... the rogues," he managed to utter, his voice trembling. "I saw them... their eyes... glowing... silver... they're here!"Draken's senses heightened at the mention of rogues. The existence of rogue werewolves, those who had turned their backs on the established packs and embraced a life of lawlessness, was a constant threat to the stability and safety of their community. The idea that they could be lurking in the shadows, watching their every move, sent a shiver down Draken's spine.

He knew the dangers posed by rogue werewolves all too well. Their motives varied, but they often sought power, dominance, or simply a life free from the rules and responsibilities of pack life.

“When you found the dead body, where was Rodolfo?” The Alpha asked the other witness to the scene.

“He was beside the dead body…and he was holding the knife which was clearly used in the killing. And we checked the blood, it was from the right hand.” The man looked in the direction of the other hunters who maintained their silence.

Rodolfo's proximity to the dead body, coupled with his holding the bloodied knife, initially seemed like damning evidence against him. However, Draken's keen observation skills allowed him to notice the stark contrast between the injuries sustained by the hunters and Rodolfo's own wounds.

The wounds inflicted by the hunters on the pack members were healing at an astonishing rate, indicating that they were werewolves with enhanced regenerative abilities. In contrast, Rodolfo's injuries persisted, with his leg wound still bleeding and causing him to stumble. It was a stark reminder of his vulnerability in that moment, weakened by his own blood.

Draken's instincts sharpened, and he started piecing together the truth. The fact that Rodolfo's injuries were not healing like those of his packmates suggested that the weapon used against him contained silver, a substance known to be lethal to werewolves. The realization hit Draken like a bolt of lightning. His thoughts turned to the Wolfsbane, a notorious group known for its hatred towards werewolves and their use of silver weapons. He had spent years collecting and studying their weapons, gathering information on their tactics and strategies even if the Wolfsbane was once deemed extinct. Now, with the reappearance of the Wolfsbane and the suspicious circumstances surrounding Rodolfo, Draken couldn't help but wonder if there was a connection.

In his mind, Draken replayed the events leading up to the discovery of the dead body. He envisioned the chaos, the confusion, and the scent of fear that hung heavy in the air. The cunning nature of their enemy became apparent. They had orchestrated a masterful plan, utilizing the element of surprise and exploiting the weaknesses of the pack.

It was evident that Rodolfo had been set up. The real killer had taken advantage of the chaos and used the silver-laced weapon to wound him, ensuring that his injuries would persist and implicate him in the crime. The goal was to cast doubt and divert attention away from the true culprits.

Draken's mind raced, contemplating the identity of their cunning adversary. The use of silver and the orchestration of such a meticulously planned attack indicated a sophisticated enemy, one with knowledge of the pack's weaknesses and the ability to exploit them.

“Where’s the knife?” Draken asked. There was one group that came into his mind when it comes to silver and sabotaging the transactions of the pack, and the said group was aiming to burn the pack down. It was the Wolfsbane. Now, he wanted to personally see the knife that was found on Rodolfo’s hand, because some shreds of evidence could be found in it, it was not only silver but they put some potion in each of their weapons, as Draken learned. From what he noticed in the enemy’s weapons, their potions were engraved in the thing that they used through burning and it made lumps. For the past years, he has been studying every single thing that was connected to the history and actions of the Wolfsbane, and his collections of their weapons were hidden in his study. And his interest was awakened on the same day he was almost killed by the woman that Sam brought him. In the history of the enemy, there was a legend that said that a she-wolf was born and gifted by the moon goddess the ability to end the enemy’s reign, as the woman has the blood. It was a legend that Draken’s parents told him since he was young. But no one has a lead to the gifted she-wolf. Most of the people have forgotten about the legend of the one who would end the reign of the Wolfsbane, but the elders in the pack were still hoping about it. That someone would find her. The existence and return of the Wolfsbane were not yet made public, as Draken was still devising a place for it.

“The knife Alpha?”

“The one you found on my member’s hand.” Draken's gaze remained fixed on the hunter, his expression is stern and unwavering. The hunter felt the weight of the Alpha's scrutiny and shifted uncomfortably under his piercing eyes. There was an unspoken understanding that this conversation held crucial implications for their lives and the stability of the pack.

“It’s inside my office.” The head, sensing the tension in the room, intervened, offering a solution to their pressing dilemma. He directed their attention to his office, where the knife in question was kept. Draken acknowledged the head's suggestion with a nod, acknowledging the importance of examining the weapon firsthand.

“Then, present to me the said weapon used.” Draken was so determined to just solve the issue, but as long as he has not yet visited the said place where the killing happened, the pieces of evidence were not substantial enough to support his own conclusion of the issue.

“We preserved the state of the knife from the moment we took it from the hands of your man, Alpha. Here’s the way.”

The man took it as a cue to start walking in the direction of the head’s office and the head accompanied Draken. Sam was left there as the beta was still taking charge of observing the actions and the words that came out from the mouth of Rodolfo as the man was still hallucinating. The Alpha was led to the inside of the office and the head took a small briefcase below his table and put it on top of the said table. Draken took a seat in front of it. There were only three of them inside, Draken, the head, and the hunter who was one of the witnesses of the dead body.

“Here it is.” The head took it using gloves.

Draken's mind raced as he absorbed the details of the knife in his hands. The absence of the usual Wolfsbane engravings puzzled him, but he knew there had to be something hidden beneath the surface. The glove provided by the head of his pack added an extra layer of caution, ensuring that no additional evidence was inadvertently transferred.

With his heightened senses, Draken meticulously examined the knife, taking in every scent, every trace of blood. The distinct aroma of silver permeated the blade, confirming its deadly nature. But it was the familiar scent mingling with the blood that caught his attention—a scent he had encountered before, a scent that belonged to the fallen hunter.

As his gaze shifted to the handle, Draken noticed the lack of carvings or symbols. It was plain and unassuming, seemingly devoid of any significance. However, his instincts told him otherwise. There had to be something concealed within, something that held the key to the identity of those responsible for the chaos unfolding within his pack.

Draken held the knife in his gloved hand, examining it with a keen eye. The handle, crafted from simple wood, bore no intricate carvings or distinguishing marks. It was unassuming, a stark contrast to the gravity of the situation at hand. His grip tightened, feeling the weight of the weapon in his palm.

Bringing the knife closer to his face, Draken inhaled deeply, drawing in the scent that clung to the ricasso—the area between the blade and the handle. The scent of blood reached his heightened senses, and a flicker of recognition sparked within him. It was a familiar scent, one that he had encountered before. A sense of clarity washed over him as he connected the dots in his mind.

He shifted his focus to the blood on the blade itself. The metallic scent filled his nostrils, and he instinctively knew that it belonged to the fallen hunter, the victim of the gruesome crime. The evidence before him painted a picture of betrayal and deception, intertwining the fates of those involved.

Draken's eyes narrowed, his gaze intensifying as he delved deeper into the details of the knife. And then, he saw it—a subtle, almost imperceptible mark etched onto the ricasso and the wooden handle. It was a symbol, a telltale sign that confirmed his suspicions. The minimal sign revealed the presence of the very group he had anticipated, the architects of chaos that threatened the pack's harmony—the Wolfsbane.

“Rodolfo was set up, he was not the killer.” He confidently said.

Draken's words reverberated through the room, enveloping the space in a mix of disbelief and relief. The weight of his proclamation hung in the air, freezing both the head of the pack and the hunter in their tracks. Their minds raced, processing the implications of Draken's bold assertion. The revelation that Rodolfo had been set up shattered their preconceived notions and sent shockwaves through their beings.

As the initial shock subsided, the head of the pack, usually a composed and collected individual, found himself at a loss for words. His eyes darted back and forth between Draken and the bloodstained knife in the Alpha's hands, desperately seeking confirmation of the truth in the Alpha's unwavering gaze. The hunter, too, stood rooted to the spot, his own thoughts racing to make sense of the newfound revelation.

Draken's triumphant smile illuminated the room, casting aside the shadows of doubt and uncertainty. The sheer magnitude of the moment could be felt by all who witnessed it—a leader unyielding in his pursuit of justice, unwavering in his commitment to protect his pack.

As the triumphant glimmer danced in Draken's eyes, a renewed energy coursed through his veins. The revelation that Rodolfo was innocent ignited a fire within him, fueling his determination to uncover the truth and dismantle the intricate plot that threatened their pack's harmony.

The weight of his responsibilities as Alpha pressed upon Draken's broad shoulders, but it was a weight he willingly bore. He understood the significance of his role, not only as a leader but as a protector and guardian of his pack. The trust placed in him by his fellow werewolves compelled him to navigate the treacherous path ahead with unwavering strength and unwavering conviction.

"Rodolfo is innocent," Draken repeated with conviction, his voice steady and firm. "Someone planted the knife in his hand, and manipulated the evidence to deceive us." His words carried the weight of truth, resonating deep within the hearts of those who listened.

"We must investigate further," Draken continued, his voice resolute. "We need to find the true perpetrators, the ones responsible for this heinous act of framing an innocent pack member." His words carried a commanding authority, rallying those present to unite in pursuit of justice.