The sound of a gunshot rang out in the air, and soon more shots were fired. In one split second, the ceremony turned into a massacre as there were people from my pack with guns and knives slaughtering each other, but what really shocked me was the sound of a blood-curdling scream.

"Noah!"

My eyes widened when I saw an attacker, one of the men Derrick and Liora brought back, rushing to Noah with a knife in hand. Noah acted instantly and protected his wife. The blade pierced through his stomach.

"Noah!" Mariane screamed, and with one swing of her claws, she decapitated the attacker.

I acted instantly and rushed to Noah.

"You have to save him, please."

I examined his wound and felt a bit relieved. He was gravely injured. It looked as if it might’ve pierced a lung, but I was just thankful it didn’t hit his head. I didn’t waste another second and immediately sank my teeth into his neck, turning him so that he would heal from his injuries.

After I was done with Noah, I turned my attention back to the scene that was unfolding in front of me. Some of the humans Derrick had brought back were attacking my pack. The werewolves and skinwalkers in my pack were fighting them off easily, but some of the humans were getting killed.

"What is happening?"

It didn’t take long for the humans who suddenly attacked us to be disarmed and killed. I couldn’t help but think that there was something I was overlooking. Something I was failing to notice, but then it clicked.

"Someone is missing."

"Darling?" Selthia looked at me questioningly.

"Where is Isabella?"

"I-I don’t know; she was here just moments ago, but then she suddenly disappeared."

It was all starting to make sense.

"Help them handle things here. I’m going back to the office," I said to the others as I rushed off.

When I got to the office, I pulled out one of the drawers and took out the ring Eira gave me and used it to summon the witch. Instantly, the same witch as before, Ember, appeared. She had an amused smile on her face as she looked at me.

I wasted no time and got to what I wanted to ask.

"This is the Veymont clan, isn’t it? They compelled some of the humans before they got here. Gave them orders to attack."

"Why would they do that?" the witch asked, playing innocent, but from her body language, I could tell that she was enjoying this. "You don’t seem hurt. If the Veymont clan came after you, then surely you would be sporting an injury or two, but yet you look perfectly fine."

"That’s because their real target was Isabella."

"So you just stood and watched her get taken. Was she really so weak that she wouldn’t put up a fight?"

What the witch was saying was true, but if it was her mother, then Isabella wouldn’t have fought back and would go with her willingly. Isabella could handle herself, plus I promised to let her handle things with her mother without intervening. That wasn’t the real reason I summoned this witch.

"Don’t tell me you called me here to ask about your lover going missing," she mocked.

"No, I just want to inform you that I will be going after the Moth Queen."

"When?"

"Today. I’ll be leaving in a few hours. I’ll be back with her head in a few days, then I’ll have you take me to Purgatory."

She smiled, satisfied.

"I see, so you’re done stalling. I was beginning to think you were really a coward. I’ll make sure the Veymont clan knows of this, since this is the only reason you’re telling me this, isn’t it? You don’t want any more attacks on your pack. It’s a young pack; they can’t surely handle vampires, so you’re doing your part to protect them. How noble of you."

"I’ve said all I needed; you can go now."

"It’s good to see you. I hope we meet again," she hummed as she disintegrated into thin air.

Sigh.

I need to prepare to leave right away. I sat in my office contemplating my next move when suddenly I heard a knock on the door.

"Come in."

The door slowly creaked open, and soon Selthia stepped in. For some reason, she looked in distress.

"What happened?" I questioned, feeling an ominous feeling rise in my chest.

"We need to talk, darling."

...

After my talk with Selthia, I felt as if everything was spiraling out of control. What she told me was going to complicate things. After she left, I summoned Eira and told her I would need her to handle things for a few days.

"Is everything alright?" she asked, looking at me worriedly. "You seem anxious. Don’t let what happened with those humans bother you too much. It was my oversight, and I’ll face whatever punishment you’ll give me."

"Don’t worry about it. It was also my oversight. I never thought about any of the humans being compelled by vampires. Anyway, I’ll be leaving tonight, so I’m leaving you to explain things to my pack; come up with an excuse for me."

"Yes, my alpha. I’ll make sure that things stay in order while you’re gone."

"Thank you, Eira. I’m trusting you."

I rested my hand on her head and gave her a smile before leaving the office. I was heading back to my room. I needed to pack a few things before I left. Since Selthia and Isabella wouldn’t be joining us, then it meant it was just Sylvie and Kumo coming along with me.

I opened the door to my room and immediately I was greeted by Sylvie.

"Lee!" She smiled and hugged me tightly. I stroked the back of her head slowly to comfort her.

"A lot has happened today, but I’ll need you to—"

"Lee?" Sylvie cut me off. Sylvie looked at me nervously. This was one of the few times I’ve seen her this serious.

"What is it, Sylvie?" I asked, dreading what was going to come out of her mouth.

My instincts told me it was something important, and with everything that happened today, I couldn’t help but feel anxious.

"Lee," Sylvie whispered my name softly, her voice sounding like a melody. "We need to talk."