A semblance of the truth

Gabriel

"I refuse," I declare firmly, my tone allowing no compromise. "I won't join forces with you. It's too dangerous, and I don't even trust you in the slightest."

Lucas doesn't reply immediately. I can hear his laboured breathing on the other end of the line, evidence of his anger. This only confirms that they took what they were after.

He finally speaks after a drawn-out silence. "I must find out who let them in. They stole the moonstone, Rivers. With it, they have enough power to annihilate us all."

Moonstone? Is it even real?

Rumours have circulated about this stone - supposedly possessing the power to control the entire supernatural realm. But much like stories of the Nightshade Syndicate, it all seemed like a fanciful tale.

How could Lucas possibly have such an artefact? This makes no sense at all.

I try to steady my racing thoughts and concentrate on the problem. So many questions plague my mind.

"Allow me to visit your pack and meet everyone; I might be able to identify the culprit."

"No, we shouldn't even be having this discussion. We're supposed to be enemies, Rivers - you know that."

He continues to use my last name – Rivers. Anger seethes behind each utterance. "Our personal animosities are irrelevant now. If the moonstone is real and they possess it, then we face far graver concerns."

"We must handle this my way. I need to get that stone at any cost. If you won't help me, I'll take matters into my own hands – even if it means killing them all."

Despite my confusion over Lucas's intentions and targets for retribution, one thing is clear: this situation impacts me and us all.

I inhale deeply, attempting to steady my nerves. "Tethering is a risky endeavour, Lucas. It means blending our thoughts and energies and establishing a psychic connection between us. This is not a matter to be taken lightly."

"I'm aware," Lucas retorts. "But we have no other option. We cannot risk others discovering the moonstone. This must remain our secret."

I don't like this situation.

It has always been clear that Lucas is impulsive and doesn't think things through. This has been his way since I've known him.

The idea of associating with Lucas to any extent seems unfathomable, but now he wants to tether with me.

Wolves are meant to tether with their mates, but this has nothing to do with love or passion. This is about protecting the fragile peace I've built for my pack and myself.

Resigning myself to the inevitable, I take another deep breath. "Alright," I say at last. "We'll do it, but we go by my rules."

Lucas hesitates before accepting my terms. "Fine. What are your rules?"

"We'll perform the ritual in a neutral area so no one from either pack can witness it," I say firmly. "We're limited to five minutes—just enough time for me to identify the traitor. Any longer and it's too risky."

He grumbles in agreement. "Fine. Meet me at the long-abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town—right now—and don't be late."

And with that, he hangs up, leaving me angry and insecure over my decision.

That arrogant fool.

I have no clue what I'm getting into or what awaits me, but I must try.

The warehouse he mentioned isn't far away, an unfamiliar building that I've spotted many times when passing by—it's old and weathered with shattered windows and peeling paint on the walls, as though it hasn't seen life in ages.

Suddenly, the roar of a motorcycle engine rips through the air. I turn to find Lucas, confidently astride his bike, revving the engine in front of the warehouse.

He strides into the dark, musty building and I follow close behind.

Surrounded by shadows while rats scuttle across the concrete floor beneath us, Lucas stands taut with tension at the warehouse's centre. His eyes are fierce and penetrating—I can feel his fury like ocean waves crashing around us.

"We're running out of time," he mutters as I nod in agreement. We must be strategic, moving forward—he needs to think clearly when dealing with the traitor to uncover any insider knowledge and locate the stone. If he kills our only lead, all will be lost.

"Why do you have possession of the moonstone?" I question him.

"It doesn't matter," he dismisses.

Clearly, he's attempting to dodge my question.

"Look, if you don't open up to me – hell, just a little bit – I'm done helping you."

Lucas inhales deeply and exhales slowly. As he speaks, his tone is steady and devoid of anger. "The stone holds immense power," he reveals. "I've been aware of it for ages, yet it only came into my possession when they murdered my mother."

"What are you implying?"

He averts his gaze from mine. "My mother had the stone. She protected it from the world, it was her responsibility, passed onto her by her mother. She kept it under wraps so well that even I was kept in the dark. I only discovered her secret when they took her life."

"Your father claimed my pack was behind the attack that led to your mother's death," I remind him of all the rumours his pack has spread throughout the werewolf society.

He simply shrugs. "Hatred is a destructive force. While I don't know who orchestrated the attack, I'm certain she lost her life due to the stone – and people remained unaware of the real motive."

"Why not inform the council? They could've assisted you. The stone could've been safeguarded or destroyed."

Frustration grows within me; this situation might have been preventable.

"The council?" He scoffs. "I trust no one, including that damned council."

Lucas is accustomed to handling everything solo. I question if that's the ideal approach. Indeed, our packs are adversaries, feeding off mutual animosity, but this issue surpasses our feud.

It's greater than his fears.