Liam:

After breakfast, Azalea and Lily took the rogue children, two adult females, and Felix to the yard. The packhouse was slowly emptying as pups went to school, warriors to training, and others to their various duties. Graham, the male who spoke with us last night, and another female joined Damien and me in my office.

"I hope you slept well last night," I said as we sat down. Damien stood behind me.

"Yes, thank you very much, Alpha. The food was delicious, and the children were so happy to be sleeping in beds again," Graham replied. "We can't thank you and your Luna enough for your kindness."

"Last night, you said your pack was destroyed. Would you tell us about it?" I asked.

Graham nodded. "We're from the New Horizon Pack on the eastern coast. We were a small pack, but we lived well. Our Alpha had strong relationships with neighboring packs, and we had no issues with them. We rarely encountered rogues."

"Our Alpha cared for us, but we had few warriors," the female added.

"It happened suddenly. A man demanded an audience with our Alpha. Our Alpha granted it, but shortly after they went to the Alpha's office, the stranger emerged holding our Luna by the throat and our Alpha's head in his other hand," Graham said solemnly.

"It was awful. Our Luna's screams brought everyone out. Once many were assembled, he slit our Luna's throat and went on a killing spree. Everyone panicked and fled," the female said.

Graham nodded. "We escaped, but my brother went back to try and stop him. We got to safety and watched. Hours later, smoke rose from the area. I snuck back and saw our packhouse and other houses burning. Bloody bodies were scattered everywhere…"

"I'm so sorry," I said. "One wolf did all this? Did you see him clearly?"

Graham and the female shook their heads. "No. He wore a hood. But I don't think it was a wolf. His movements were unlike anything I've ever seen," Graham said.

"If not a wolf, then what?" I linked Damien.

"Vampire? Fae?" he suggested.

"But why attack a small, peaceful pack?" I asked. Damien didn't respond.

"Your pack was on the eastern coast?" I asked.

"Yes," the female said. "We've traveled for weeks. Four packs turned us away before we found yours." This explained our unawareness of the attack; we were much closer to the western coast. They'd traveled far and fast.

"Others escaped?" I asked.

"We think so. People ran in different directions. I don't know where they went, or if the man pursued them," Graham said.

"These are unusual circumstances. Your pack's distance explains our lack of knowledge. We rarely have rogues approach like this," I said carefully. "My Beta and I will investigate. I want to believe you, but for my pack's safety, we need to verify your claims." I gave Graham paper and a pen. "Please write down the names and ages of your group members, and your former Alpha and Luna."

Graham wrote down the information, including birthdates and relationships. He also provided details about his pack. "I was the Gamma. I'm not a fighter. When it happened, I was helping build a new home for a pack member. I wasn't near the packhouse to help my Alpha…" he said sadly.

"We're sorry for your loss," I said. "I'll investigate. For now, stay as our guests. After school, the pups can play with yours. Rest and recover. We have a clinic. My Beta can help you find others in your group. Let us know if you need anything."

"Thank you, Alpha," Graham said, bowing slightly. The female also bowed. They left, Damien following.

"Call Langston and see what he found," Damien linked me as he left.

"You read my mind," I replied.

Missy:

"What is this place, V?" I asked. We'd driven on an abandoned road into the woods. He stopped, got out, and told me to follow. Ten minutes later, we stood before a surprisingly nice cottage.

"I don't know. I found it the other day. Come on," he said, opening the door.

"Maybe we shouldn't!" I called. "What if it belongs to someone?"

He waved me in and disappeared inside. I hesitated. The cottage was worn but not dilapidated. It looked loved, but its location was odd. Who owned it? It had to be a pack member, since we were still in pack territory.

Reluctantly, I followed. The inside was relatively clean. The main room was cozy, with a fireplace and couches. Dust coated the surfaces, but it was well-maintained. Two doors led off to the side, and a small kitchen was in a corner. V motioned for me to follow him through one doorway.

It was a spacious bedroom. The cottage seemed much smaller from the outside. Blankets and pillows were on the queen-sized bed. A tall wardrobe stood beside a large window. It was charming. "V, what is this place?" I asked.

"I found it. No one's been here. It's abandoned," he said.

"It looks cared for. It doesn't seem vacant long," I commented. There were few decorations, no pictures. V smiled. "What?" I asked.

"You're allowed out for runs, right?"

"Yes, but only a couple of hours. Why?"

"Because now we have a place to run to. We were spotted at the waterfall. The patrols probably don't know about this place. We can see each other outside the packhouse if you tell the Alpha and Luna you're going for a run," he explained happily.

"I don't know…" This was more than a small lie. Something felt wrong. I looked around, chewing my lip nervously. V embraced me gently.

"Do you want to keep hanging out at the packhouse? I don't mind. You always say it's suffocating…" He coaxed. I pursed my lips.

"What if it belongs to someone?" I asked.

"We apologize and find somewhere else," he shrugged.

I looked into his light green eyes. Sighing, I nodded. His face lit up.