Liam was losing his patience. First, Azalea had hung up on him; now, she was ignoring his calls, and she was too far away to link. His call went straight to voicemail, and he slammed his phone onto his desk in frustration. His door creaked open, and he glared at Damien, who walked in looking unfazed.
“I have news,” Damien said gruffly. Liam knew Damien was still angry about his sister’s situation, but he was doing everything he could. Abraham had asked for a couple of days to review everything before offering suggestions, but the Hale men continued to pressure him.
“What?” Liam asked, his tone harsher than intended. He mentally groaned. Why was Azalea involved with a vampire, especially at the Inn?
“I confirmed both groups’ stories. Everything they said is true. Langston contacted an old friend in a larger pack nearby; they’d taken in some of the displaced wolves,” Damien reported. Liam’s eyebrows shot up. So, it was all true.
“Do we know who’s responsible?” Liam asked. Damien shook his head.
“Not from what I can gather. Reports describe him as hooded, his face hidden. But the method is consistent: he forces his way into the packhouse, kills the Alpha, then kills the Luna in front of everyone. So far, the largest pack he’s attacked is only a tenth our size,” Damien explained.
“How many packs has he destroyed?”
“Hard to say for sure, but with Langston’s help, we estimate six. That region has many small, isolated packs in the mountains,” Damien concluded.
Liam sighed, rubbing his hands over his face. This wasn't good. The attacker targeted smaller packs lacking the training and security of his own. Sending help would be nearly impossible.
“We need to officially welcome them into the pack. They have nowhere else to go and seem to be integrating well. After that, we need to figure out what to do with the orphans,” Liam said, focusing on the practicalities.
“I’m sure Azalea will have a solution when she returns,” Damien said, clearly reluctant to take on the task. He was still consumed by Gwen's case.
“Yeah,” Liam muttered. “I can meet with them later.” He slumped into his chair, trying to organize his thoughts.
Damien lingered. Liam looked up and sighed. “Nothing from Abraham yet. You’ll be the first to know, I promise,” he said more gently.
“It doesn’t make sense,” Damien said, his anger flaring. Liam saw his fists clench.
“I know. It’s a perfect crime. I want answers, but we need to prepare for the possibility that we may not get them,” Liam said firmly.
“That’s not good enough,” Damien gritted out.
“Damien, go for a run. Clear your head. I need to leave soon, and I need you to be thinking straight,” Liam instructed.
“Why do you need to leave?”
“Just go. I’ll tell you when you’ve calmed down,” Liam said dismissively. Damien scowled and stormed out.
Liam linked Lily. “Lily, he’s still upset. I need my Beta back.”
“I know, Liam. I need him too,” Lily replied, her voice strained.
“I need to go to the Inn. Damien needs to handle things while I’m gone,” Liam said.
“What’s going on at the Inn? Didn’t Lea go to meet contractors about the kitchen remodel? I thought she’d be gone for a couple of days,” Lily asked quickly.
“A vampire’s in our territory, and Azalea thinks it’s fine,” Liam growled.
“A vampire? A real one?” Lily asked, stunned.
“Yes. Axel confirmed it,” Liam said. “I need Damien to compose himself so I can leave.”
“Give me a couple of hours. I’ll calm him down,” Lily promised.
Liam sat back, letting out a hollow laugh. A vampire? It was ridiculous. His pack had nearly been destroyed by vampires not long ago, though many younger members were unaware. The conflict predated his grandfather's time as Alpha, even though his grandfather had been a key figure in resolving it. Vampires were their natural enemy; none had been foolish enough to approach their region since then. Those that had escaped were barely alive.
He leaned over his desk, organizing his paperwork. Damien had left a file on the rogue attacks; Liam set it aside, adding a note to arrange lodging and employment for the displaced wolves with Azalea later, after he understood her actions. It seemed she had no internal warning system regarding danger.
A couple of hours later, Liam left the packhouse. He didn't bother with his car; he shifted into wolf form, securing his clothes in a bag tied to his leg, and ran towards the Inn. He could get there much faster this way. As he approached, he felt Azalea’s emotions more clearly: irritation, aimed at him, then concern as he neared.
He linked Felix. “Felix, where is she?” There was no response. Panic rose; Felix never ignored him.
He linked Axel. “Axel, where’s Azalea?”
“At the Inn with Felix, sir. Missy and Maddox are at the cafe; the boys are playing in the woods,” Axel reported.
“I need more eyes on the Inn,” Liam said. He skidded to a halt at the woods’ edge, quickly shifting back and dressing. He stormed into the Inn. The receptionist looked worried as he headed toward the dining room.
“Goddess, Azalea,” he growled, entering the dining room. He saw Felix standing before a woman. Azalea’s eyes met his; tears were in them.
“Liam, they’re mates,” Azalea linked him.
“Felix,” Liam addressed him, keeping his eyes on Azalea.
“The vampire’s in the kitchen, sir. The kids are being watched,” Felix said quietly.
“Wait, Theo?” a voice said. It was the woman. “Why are you worried about him?” Azalea turned to her.
“Are you aware of what he is?” Azalea asked gently.
“Of course. How could I not? I help manage projects and know one of our architects,” the woman explained, confused.
Azalea nodded. Liam was baffled. She knew he was a vampire and didn't care? Felix stared intently at the woman, his eyes swirling with unfamiliar emotions.
“And who are you?” Liam asked the woman. Felix visibly restrained himself from snapping at Liam’s tone.
“Lacey. I’m an associate with the contracting company doing the kitchen remodel,” she said. “And you?” Her tone was polite but irritated.
“Liam Blackfur, Alpha of Blood Eclipse,” he said. Her eyes widened.
“Wait,” she said, looking between them.
“Azalea, Luna. Felix is my guard,” Azalea said, gesturing to Felix.
“Oh,” Lacey said quietly, turning back to Felix, who still stared at her intensely. Azalea tugged on Liam’s arm.
“Let’s give them a moment,” she whispered. Liam scowled but nodded. He still resented her but agreed Felix and Lacey needed space. She pulled him toward the sitting room.
He stopped her a few feet from the dining room. “Azalea,” he warned. She turned, scowling.
“Liam,” she said unapologetically. “I don’t understand why you’re so upset.”
“Azalea, I don’t understand how you’re okay with this?” he questioned.
“Liam, did you even know vampires were still alive? Because I didn’t!” she whispered, glancing at the receptionist.
“Yes,” he gritted out. “Which is why I wish you’d listen to me!”
“And I wish you’d listen to me! Nothing about him seems off. He offered information willingly,” she argued.
“And how do you know he’s not trying to gain your trust? It wouldn’t be the first time,” he seethed, referring to Kol’s past actions.
She shook her head, rubbing her forehead. “Why are you so quick to distrust people? Have you ever met a vampire? How can you be sure he’s our enemy?”
“They’re our natural enemy, Azalea. I don’t need to have met one to know they’re dangerous.”
“He doesn’t even have a clan, Liam. That’s the opposite of a wolf without a pack.” Their conversation was interrupted.
“Excuse me, I think we’re ready to begin,” a voice said from the doorway. A pale man stood there—the vampire. Liam growled, pulling Azalea close. She tried to pull away, but he held firm.
“You must be Alpha Blackfur,” the man said. “Theodore. I assure you, I have no ill intent. I’m simply here to work.” He smiled, then turned back to the dining room as if the matter were settled.
“Liam,” Azalea said, touching his cheek. His anger subsided slightly. “Come join the meeting. Then we can talk. You can’t rip him apart in the middle of the Inn.”
“I make no promises,” he snarled.
“It’s probably good you’re here anyway. I slept terribly last night, and my dedicated bodyguard will probably need the night off now,” she said with a smirk.