Matthias was fuming in utter rage; many male pack members gave their Alpha space since they didn't want to feel his wrath. Everyone awaited outside the meeting point where the pack and the Atrim Family usually met. Matthias was getting impatient with Xenon and wanted to go to him himself. "Alpha!" Everyone flinched and noticed Maverick running their way. When the Beta arrived, he stopped in front of Matthias. "I came in as fast as I could! That bastard has both of the boys! I can't believe that I couldn't sense him!"
The Alpha paced back and forth, filled with worry. He scrunched up his hair as all he could think about was his son and Laura. "Laura is devastated, and I'm standing here doing nothing! What kind of father and husband am I if I can't even protect my family!"
Maverick was also worried for Asher and Waylen but knew he had to keep his mind clear. Matthias looked as if he was going to lose his sanity. "Alpha, you have to calm yourself! We are not going to find the boys if we are not able to think clearly!?"
Matthias knew that his Beta was right. He was going crazy for the safety of his son. He also knew that Laura was going crazy and wanted to make everything right. However, he had to remain calm, or anything could go wrong. "Alpha, they are here," said one of the pack members. Everyone then noticed a large group of hunters of the Atrim Family. All of them arrived with motorcycles and had different weapons in holsters. Xenon rode in a black Ducati; he parked, turned off his motorcycle, and removed his helmet. The hunter noticed Matthias and Maverick's anger and distress; he knew his son had done something drastic.
"Alpha, Beta, wh-" Xenon couldn't finish his statement since Matthias used his super speed and pushed him onto one of the many trees. Xenon would usually escape, but he let Matthias do what he did. The hunters were about to get their weapons and get onto the defensive, but Xenon commanded them not to. The patriarch eyed Matthias, whose eyes were pitch black; he looked like he was slowly transforming into his werewolf.
Maverick immediately went to the Alpha and put his hand on one of his shoulders. "Alpha, please calm yourself! I know you're angry but we need his help!"
The Beta was ignored, and Matthias tightly grasped Xenon's jacket. "Your bastard son not only kidnapped my son but Maverick's adopted son! He kidnapped my boy! If there's even a scratch on our boys then I will kill your son with my own hands!"
Xenon's eyes widened; he couldn't believe his son did such a thing. He involved innocent children. Derek had gone too far and believed that his son had gotten insane. "You weren't able to feel his aura at the time of the kidnapping?"
"No, Sir Xenon. Hunters are usually simple to sense since they're different from humans," answered Maverick.
The hunter was thoughtful as he sighed. "Maybe, just maybe, my son hadn't done this alone."
"Are you saying that a human is involved?" It would have made sense since humans were everywhere; werewolves felt that they didn't need to practice their auras much because it could be bothersome. Werewolves practiced sensing the auras of hunters, rogues, and other rival packs because they were more of a threat. It made Maverick wonder if Derek forced a human to work for him. However, there would be hesitation and fear if it were a random human. Unless it was someone Derek already knew. It hit him, and a painful pang hit his heart.
Something was wrong, and he ran back. Matthias let Xenon go. "Where are you going, Maverick!"
"EVERYONE IS IN DANGER! WE HAVE TO GO BACK!"
Meanwhile, Rickon was pacing back and forth as he watched Jessica trying to comfort Iris and Laura. However, Laura was a mess and blamed herself for not protecting Waylen. It hurt him to see his sister-in-law blaming herself for his nephew's disappearance. "Laura, you need to stop blaming yourself. You know that it's not your fault."
Laura trembled. "I'm his Mother, Rickon! It's a Mother's responsibility to know of their child's whereabouts! My boy! My baby boy! He's probably scared! What if he's hurt!? What if he's being starved!?"
Iris couldn't blame Laura for feeling a Mother's worry. She was also worried about Asher, even though he wasn't her biological son. However, Iris knew that worrying wouldn't solve anything; it would only add grief. The young woman wiped away her tears and stood. "Laura, I-I understand your grief. Trust me, I have the same worry for Asher, but worrying will only make us even more miserable. We have to have faith in our mates. I know they will bring the boys back!"
Jessica felt relieved that her friend gathered her strength again; she gently held onto Laura's hands. "She's right, Laura. I know that the boys will be found. Matthias needs your faith and strength to guide him!"
The Luna wiped away her tears and tried to control her shaking. Her heart was worried, but she knew the women were right. "Y-You're right. It's just that this never happened before! Why would that bastard kidnap innocent kids!?"
"He's psychotic, Laura. That bastard is a sociopathic narcissist who can't stand seeing those who belonged to him being happy with someone else. He cheated on Iris with his sister, thinking it was his right, and when caught, he couldn't face the consequences." Rickon looked at Iris, who was quiet, and it made him realize that she was feeling guilty. It was something he didn't mean to happen. "Iris, you or no one wouldn't have known who he really was. Your ex was good at hiding who he truly was."
"I know Rickon. I also learned that I can't blame myself too much, either. There is no hope in understanding Derek." Then, there was a knock on the door. This surprised everyone, and Iris immediately ran to open the living room door without looking through the peephole or the window. When opening the door, Iris stilled; her eyes and lips widened with shock. She couldn't believe who was on the other side. "Br-Brianna?" She never would've imagined that her sister would be outside Maverick's house. Brianna, however, looked gaunt, as if she lost weight. There were bags under her eyes as if she hadn't gained sleep. She looked older from the many faint wrinkles.
When Iris was about to ask her sister about her presence, Brianna took out what looked like a black spray bottle and used it on her. Iris coughed but then fainted. Everyone else saw what happened and was in shock. However, Brianna then ran off, and small black smoke bombs were thrown inside the house, spraying out smoke. Everyone tried to cover their noses, but since there were many smoke bombs, it was impossible. Everyone was coughing and trying to stay conscious, but they all lost consciousness one by one.
The smoke eventually disappeared, and a group of ten men wearing respirator masks entered the house. In front of the group stood Derek, and he walked forward, seeing an unconscious Iris on the floor. He bent down as he gently touched parts of her hair. He then saw the women and Rickon. "Take the women. It's about time to show everyone what happens when I am crossed."
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