Chapter 109: Mission back to Kraken Forest

Erick hoisted his backpack high up on his shoulders as he stood in front of the police headquarters. Hamish had dropped him there earlier and drove his car home after school. Erick told him that he wanted to meet with his father so he probably will hitch a ride from him later on.

Standing before the massive building in front of him, he took a deep breath as he tried to calm himself down. He wanted to ask his father's permission to go look for one of Dane's souls. He wasn't sure how long it would take but he thought that it would be better if he looked for one as soon as possible. Though he wasn't sure whether his father would allow him to go since school had just started.

He let out a long breath as he thought again about how he might not see Amber for a few days. It was frustrating but it was something that he had to do. Dane needs him.

He scratched the back of his head, feeling a bit vexed. It would be great if Amber knew of his origins. But then again, he was still afraid that Amber might not accept him or even worse, became afraid of him. He really hates his insecurities. He doesn't like the unexpected. He sighed, feeling more infuriated.

He had been standing in front of the building, lost in his thoughts for a few minutes, attracting curious and weird looks from the bystanders around him.

It was not until a man slapped him on the back, startling him back into reality. Erick blinked his eyes furiously and turned his head. Noaz stood beside him, his hand now on Erick's shoulder. He peered down at Erick with a curious smile and asked, "What's with you?

"Ah, nothing," Erick said sheepishly.

Noaz gestured at the building in front of them. "You're going in or not?"

"I am, I am!"

The two of them walked together, up the steps towards the building. Inside, the atmosphere was lively and bustling where there were people rushing here and there. The vibes around the place were hectic and happening, making Erick feel like he was in a middle of 'quiet' chaos.

One of the policemen saw the two of them just standing inside the lobby and walked over to them. His arms were filled with folders and files that it looked like he had a hard time holding them all. "Noaz, what are you doing here?" he asked. Apparently, Noaz was one of the regular people who constantly visited the headquarters. And also, it seems like the man was one of the shifters in their pack.

"Is the Chief in?" Noaz asked instead, taking a step forward.

The policeman shook his head. "He went out a couple of hours ago. He only came back a few minutes ago to drop the Deputy here. Maybe you can ask the Deputy," he suggested.

Noaz nodded.

"Well, I'd better go," the man said hurriedly.

And before he left, Noaz commented, "Because of the elections?"

"You got it!" the man said, letting out a rueful smile before leaving the two of them. Since Noaz knew his way around the building, he didn't stay to bring him to the Deputy's office.

Noaz gave a little wave at some of the policemen that they walked past, showing how familiar he was with them, even those who were just human beings.

Moments later, they arrived just near Fergus' office and Noaz knocked on the door. When they heard a voice calling out to tell them to come in, Noaz opened the door and walked in, followed by Erick.

Fergus was working on a report when the two of them entered. He waved them towards the two chairs in front of his desk, without raising his head. After the two of them made themselves comfortable, Fergus wrote a bit more before placing his pen down and looked at them. "What brings the two of you here?" he asked, looking curious. He then turned to Erick. "Any food?"

Erick rolled his eyes. Just because he always brings food whenever he comes to the police headquarters, it doesn't mean he would bring it that day. He just ignored Fergus' question and shot him with a question of his own. "Where's dad?" he asked.

Noaz frowned as he slapped him on the back. "Be polite to your Beta," he scolded.

Fergus just waved away Noaz's concern and grinned as he leaned against his seat, crossing his arms across his chest. "The Chief?" he repeated. "I wonder where…"

Erick frowned, not in the mood for Fergus' jokes.

Fergus laughed, seeming to enjoy Erick's dark look. He then said, "Alright, alright. Jokes aside. The Chief is still out, checking out the mayor candidates with their campaign. Why are you looking for him?"

"I know that he would be working late today and tomorrow as well because of the elections, but I just want to meet him before he gets even busier," Erick said, looking serious.

Fergus nodded as he tapped his chin with his finger thoughtfully. "Ah I see. Well, you can stay here while you wait," he invited, waving his hand. "He's probably on his way back."

He then turned to Noaz. "What about you?"

Noaz shrugged. "I'm just accompanying the pup," he said nonchalantly.

Erick rolled his eyes.

Few minutes later, Erick was still sitting on the chair, playing games on his mobile phone while Fergus continued on with his work. Noaz, on the other hand, had left the room earlier, wanting to get some fresh air. Though he was more likely to hang out with the other policemen outside.

Shortly after, the door to Fergus' office opened and Lachlan walked in, with Noaz behind him. He then saw Erick sitting on the chair, playing games.

"In my office," Lachlan said curtly before turning back around and out of the room. Noaz quickly stood aside to let Lachlan walk past him.

Erick immediately stood up and grabbed his backpack from the floor where he placed it earlier. Fergus just waved them goodbye before he continued to do his work. Noaz followed Erick from behind as they walked towards Lachlan's office, which was a couple of rooms away.

Inside his office, Lachlan was looking out the window with his hands behind his back, looking a bit distracted. Erick knocked on the door and entered in, together with Noaz, after Lachlan gave his permission to enter.

"What's this about?" Lachlan asked immediately after the two entered the room.

"Dad, I want to go out and look for Dane's soul," Erick blurted out, looking at his father straight in the eye, without flinching.

Lachlan's eyes narrowed. "Do you know how dangerous it would be?" he asked. "And what about your school? The school just started. You can't possibly skip it."

"It won't be dangerous," Erick argued. "Dane mentioned about the Adorosa plant. So, I believed it's in the Kraken Forest. I've been there before!"

"And what are you going to do with school?" Lachlan asked, his eyes still narrowed with his arms crossed across his chest.

"I can go during the weekends!" his son further argued. "I mean, since I know the place well, I shouldn't have any problem navigating my way through it. And I think I know the exact place."

"What do you mean?"

"When I was there before, I think I saw one of Dane's souls," Erick admitted.

Lachlan's eyes widened in surprise. "How can that be?"

"I wasn't sure at first but I saw an imagery of a white wolf when I first came to the forest. I thought that I was seeing things… I'm not sure back then but I'm sure now. That's one of Dane's souls," he said, with a confident look on his face.

Lachlan frowned at him. "Have you told anyone about this?" he asked.

Erick shook his head. "No," he said. He turned to look at Noaz, who nodded and back again at his father. "Just you and Noaz."

Lachlan nodded. "Good," he said firmly. "Make sure to tell no one, other than the people here."

Erick nodded.

Lachlan then turned to Noaz and ordered, "I'm giving you the permission to go with Erick. Make sure that no harm will come to him. You have the weekend to go there and accomplish your mission."

Noaz placed a hand over his heart and kneeled on one knee as he bowed his head. "Yes, Alpha!"