Matthias and Maverick finally arrived at Hecate's home. A couple of male pack members stood outside, bowing to their leaders. "Report," Matthias commanded.
"Alpha, Rickon called us for assistance. Andrea was the only casualty, but we looked around to ensure that there were no other victims. We also found this on Andrea's body." Matthias was handed a note that had droplets of blood.
The Alpha took it and looked at it; Maverick did the same.
"She will be mine."
Maverick breathed heavily with rage but did his best to control himself. "That bastard is so full himself! Iris is mine, and I won't allow him to have her."
"I know Maverick. We need to know what he killed Andrea with and if Priestess Hecate could ask the Moon Goddess for guidance." He then looked at the bodyguards. "I want some of you to prepare the meeting house and to hurry the pack to be there. The rest of you, I want you to go to Maverick's house to guard our mates. Let nothing happen to them."
"Yes, Alpha." The guards immediately followed their orders, leaving Matthias and Maverick alone.
Maverick knocked on the door and then slowly opened it. A hint of sage hit their noses as they saw the Priestess singing a Priestess. That is when they saw Andrea's corpse on a wooden table surrounded by flowers and candles. Even from afar, they could tell that Andrea's face was burnt off on the left side. Her arms had many stab wounds; she had a painful death. The duo cringed at the sight and knew that Rickon had some trauma finding Andrea in such a state. They stood far and waited until Hecate finished her ritual. The Priestess eventually prayed her prayers but stood silently before the body. She knew of the Alpha and Beta's presence but said nothing for a while. She eventually turned around and gave her attention to them. "Alpha, Beta."
"Priestess Hecate. You know that many murders have been happening by the pack. We know who is responsible, and we will inform the pack today. We also want you to be at the meeting to tell everyone about your findings."
Hecate was silent as she put her hands together. "This hunter has skill and intelligence on how to kill our kind. He also has a hint of creativeness; Andrea suffered a slow and painful death. She was stabbed repeatedly but silver, but I also found that she was electrified. He will be a difficult foe to defeat." Hecate sighed. "Also, I did have another vision from the Moon Goddess. Blood will be spilled, and tough decisions will be made, but your choice will determine who lives and dies."
Maverick felt confused and nervous. That was when he remembered his dream of Iris and wondered if it was a message of what was to come. He became fearful that it would become a reality. The Beta was tempted to ask what it meant but was nervous. However, Hecate looked at him with an emotionless expression. "Beta, I can see the worry in your eyes. The Moon Goddess and Ofelia sent you a message of what is to come. As I mentioned before, your choice is what will determine who lives and dies." The Priestess looked at the Alpha. "There is no need for me to go to the meeting. I still have other prayers to do to put Andrea to rest."
The duo looked at one another but knew the Priestess wouldn't change her mind; they took their leave and immediately returned to Maverick's house. Before getting there, Matthias got a message through mind-link that almost all pack members were in attendance. "We must pick up our mates and the kids and go as soon as possible."
Maverick merely nodded as they used their speed to get to the house. Upon arrival, they saw the women, children, and Rickon standing outside. They looked ready, but the Alpha and Beta could sense some bodyguards hiding in the trees looking after them. The Alpha told them to go to the meeting house, which the guards obliged. It was also noticeable that Jessica and Rickon stood side by side and were speaking with the other women who had the boys by their side. Laura and Iris noticed the men and went to them. "Are we going to go now?" asked Laura.
"Yes, but Priestess Hecate gave us all the information we needed; she won't be attending with us since she still had to do other prayers." Matthias noticed his brother and Jessica. Jessica wasn't close to Rickon, but he could tell his brother's mood had improved. There was happiness and hope in his eyes. "Maybe he was given a second chance," he thought. "We must move on to the meeting house since the pack is there. We are not too far."
Everyone walked together until they were far away from Maverick's house toward the pack's main center. A few cars were parked evenly while they walked, and some members had just arrived. They bowed to the group but then couldn't help but notice Iris and Jessica. While walking, Maverick glanced at his mate, who carried a sleepy Asher once in a while. Hecate's words couldn't leave his mind; his choice would be a matter of life and death. His thoughts were interrupted when he and everyone arrived at the meeting house.
Laura then motioned to Iris to follow her to another small building near the meeting house. It had painted figures of children playing outside, rainbows, and trees. Outside the building, a couple of women stood. Iris was surprised to find out that there was a daycare where the pack children would stay during an emergency meeting. "Don't worry; even the daycare workers are part of our pack and trained in fighting."
"Luna, welcome. We will ensure that the children are safe," said one of the female daycare providers as she motioned Waylen to enter.
Waylen squealed in excitement when he saw the other pack's children playing with each other. He ran inside, where the other kids were excited to see him. Another of the daycare providers went to Iris and took Asher away from Iris' arms. She informed Iris that Asher would be put in the napping room where other children were sound asleep. Once the children were in the daycare, Laura motioned for Iris to follow her back to the men and Jessica, who waited for them outside. Iris couldn't help but feel nervous with the fact that she was going to meet a bunch of other werewolves.
Laura noticed Iris's nervousness; she gently patted her on the shoulder. "Don't worry, I know they will like you. The pack welcomes newcomers as long as they mean no harm to them."
"In a sense, I am, Laura. My crazy ex has killed innocent lives."
"Your ex is nothing more than a cheating narcissistic lunatic. You are not the one who killed those innocent werewolves; he did. It's him that we're after." The women eventually made it to the others, and they all walked inside the meeting house together. It was loud since everyone in the pack wondered what the emergency was. When Matthias, Laura, and Maverick were present and stood on the small stage, everyone eventually became silent. Rickon, Jessica, and Iris stood behind them.
Matthias walked forward. "My pack. Maverick and I are grateful that you all took the time to come here for this emergency meeting. Now, I will cut to the chase. As you know, word had spread that an unknown assailant had killed many rogues who were going to join this pack. However, I met with the Atrim Family, who are known hunters. With much pressure, they admitted that the culprit is one of their own." The pack members murmured to one another until Matthias asked for silence. "Not only that, but the assailant is close to someone here who is new to the pack. Word had spread, but my brother Rickon had found his mate. Not only him, but my Beta, Maverick, had found his second chance mate."
Gasps echoed within the meeting house, and it became loud again. Everyone looked curious or if they had questions. Maverick then stepped forward and raised his hand; it became silent. "It is true. Even I thought it wasn't possible until I got confirmation from Priestess Hecate. I found my second chance mate. Her name is Iris Gomez, and she is also human." Maverick turned and motioned her to step forward. Iris slowly walked next to Maverick, and all eyes were on her.
"H-Hello."
"Iris is human but she deserves the respect as anyone does. Now, the assailant is not only from the Atrim Family but also her ex-fiance."
When those words left Maverick's lips, Many of the pack couldn't contain their shock. Many of them yelled questions. The pack members didn't expect such drama and news. "Everyone, silence!" yelled Matthias.
However, it wasn't easy to get them silent this time. Many didn't know what to feel with the news or whether Iris was to blame. Iris heard many of them discussing her, and many members were conflicted. Matthias and Maverick tried to get the order, but it was getting nowhere. She slowly walked forward, took a deep breath, and yelled, "HEY, EVERYONE! PLEASE BEEE QUUIIIEEETTTT!" Her voice echoed so loud that it made everyone cringe. Iris got their attention as she cleared her throat. Even Matthias, Maveick, Laura, Jessica, and Rickon flinched. "S-Sorry about that, but it was the only way to get your attention. I-I know that everything is hard to take in. Please, believe me. I didn't know my ex-fiance was a hunter; neither his family told me the truth. I also would have never imagined that he would do these horrendous actions. He's doing all of this out of spite and hatred."
"Still, you brought the problem to us!" commented one of the members. Everyone said nothing, and many feared their leaders' reaction. Sure enough, Matthias and Maverick growled and glared at that individual who spotted the comment.
Iris couldn't blame the pack for their views. Whether Matthias or Maverick agreed, Derek did everything because she broke it off with him. However, Iris wanted to assure the pack that she would fix everything. "I-I know that you all are scared for yourselves and loved ones. If I were in your position, I would feel the same way. But please believe me when I tell you that I am going to do my part to capture that murderous psychopath. I have volunteered myself to lure him and bring him to justice. No one else from this pack or any other pack will be killed! Hell would freeze over if I let that happen." Iris extended out her arms. "However, I can't do it alone, and neither your leaders! That is why we need your help! We all need to work together so everyone can finally live in peace! Please!"
No one said a word. Maverick looked at his mate and was in awe of her speech. Although many felt that she was to blame for the murders, she didn't let it get her down. He went by her side and held her close to him. Everyone looked at the couple; much of their anger, confusion, and fear dissipated when they saw their Beta with Iris. Everyone knew of Maverick's hardship ever since Ofelia's death. Ofelia was beloved by the pack, and she did everything she could to help the pack prosper. After her death, the pack felt a piece of them die. Maverick suffered tremendously, but when they saw him with Iris in his arms and having a second chance in life, they realized that he needed Iris. They were frightened that Iris brought danger to them but realized that if Iris and their Beta were going to work together to bring down the threat, then why shouldn't they?
Then, the one who yelled out the comment stood; it was an older man who looked to be in his early sixties. "I-I apologize for yelling out to you. I-I shouldn't have! Please accept my apology!"
Iris smiled and felt relieved. "Of course, I forgive you. How could I get mad at you for expressing what you truly feel?"
Then, another pack member stood up. "I volunteer to help to bring this hunter to justice!"
Another stood up. "So will I!" One after another stood and volunteered to help. Iris was overwhelmed that the pack was willing to help.
Iris wanted to cry tears of joy but refrained from doing so. Maverick felt happy and relieved that the pack accepted her and was willing to help. He also hoped Iris wouldn't get hurt with the pack's help.
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