The myth

Gabriel

The scents are different.

I take a deep breath as my wolf tries to even uncover something from the site where my patrollers were attacked. I smell the blood, but I smell the rest of them.

"What the fuck?" I let out a huff as confusion warps my mind completely. One of my greatest strengths as the Alpha is my ability to track. To interpret scents and follow them to the source.

I don't even understand this one bit.

We are outside my fence that protects my people and from this angle, I can see the Shadow claw den. Their fence is just as strong and secure as ours, if not more so. It's an unnerving sight, knowing that just beyond that barrier lies a pack that I've been taught to despise.

Blackwood should be at the summit, so I know I don't have to worry about him and his irritating presence.

I am alone and it is late at night, I have been trying to understand what this is. Usually when I get the scent, I am almost able to see what happened. Trace it, understand what the fuck is going on but right now, I am seeing blanks.

"Seems like you have a long night ahead of you.''

I turn around and Blackwood has a smirk on his face.

"What the fuck do you want Blackwood?" I demand with a growl. He is not supposed to be back, so what the fuck is he doing here?

Blackwood smirks, crossing his arms over his chest. "Just thought I'd come over and see the great Alpha Gabriel in all his glory," he mocks, his tone laced with sarcasm. "But it seems like you're just as clueless as ever."

I clench my fists, fighting back the urge to lunge at him. I know better than to let him get under my skin, but his presence and constant insults are grating on my nerves.

"You think you're so superior, don't you?" Blackwood continues, his voice taunting. "But look at you now, unable to protect your precious pack."

I grit my teeth, my anger simmering beneath the surface. Lucas knows exactly how to push my buttons, using every opportunity to remind me of our rivalry and my perceived failures.

"Save your insults, Blackwood," I retort, my voice icy. "If you have nothing useful to contribute, then get lost. I have more important matters to attend to."

He chuckles, a malicious gleam in his eyes. "Oh, Gabriel," he says, his voice dripping with venom. "You always were a disappointment. I can't wait to see how you handle this situation."

I resist the urge to react, knowing that it's exactly what he wants. But deep down, his words sting, fueling the fire of determination within me. I won't let him undermine me or my pack.

"Watch your back, Blackwood," I warn, my voice low and dangerous. "One day, you'll pay for your arrogance."

He laughs almost finding amusement in my words "Oh how about right now. I challenge you dear Alpha, make me pay for my arrogance,' he mocks me.

At this point we are so close to each other, so close that his scent overshadows all the other scents lingering around.

That night springs up and my abilities that I am supposed to use to find out who hurt my people chooses to work in this moment. With this man that I hate so much.

I see that night and all the things we did.

Fuck.

Shaking that thought out of my head I take a deep breath, steeling myself against the anger bubbling inside me. "I won't give you the satisfaction, Blackwood," I say, my voice steady but filled with determination. "You're not worth my time or energy."

His smirk widens, a glint of triumph in his eyes. "As expected, Gabriel," he sneers, his voice dripping with disdain. "Always too afraid to face a real challenge."

I resist the urge to lash out, reminding myself that I have a responsibility to my pack and a duty to protect them. Engaging in a pointless fight with Lucas would only distract me from the greater threat we face.

"Believe what you want, Blackwood," I reply, my tone measured. "But mark my words, the day will come when you'll regret underestimating me and my pack."

With those words, I turn away from him, refusing to give him any more of my attention. My focus returns to the investigation at hand, determined to find the truth behind the attack on my pack. Lucas's insults may sting, but they won't define me. I will prove him wrong, not through petty fights, but through my actions as an Alpha.

I stride away from Lucas, leaving him behind with his taunts and arrogance. As I walk back towards my pack, a sense of resolve washes over me. No matter what obstacles lie ahead, I will protect my pack and overcome the challenges we face. And one day, Lucas will witness the strength and resilience of the Crescent Moon pack, proving him wrong in the process.

*****

"Nightshade syndicate?" I repeat Olivia's words, completely confused.

"Yes, have you heard of them?"

I don't know why she is asking me this "Just in passing,'' I manage. The nightshade syndicate is a myth. They are supposedly a group of rogue werewolves, that cause chaos and instigate conflicts among packs. They are said to be highly skilled and elusive, operating in the shadows and manipulating events to their advantage. The Nightshade Syndicate is considered a boogeyman, a tale told to scare young wolves into obedience.

"What does this have to do with a tale told when we were young pups?" I add.

"There are rumors that they are real. The reason why you and all the other trackers have been unable to get a glimpse of their scents is because they use magic.''

"Magic?"

She nods "The dark kind, the kind that makes them untouchable. If they are the ones responsible for the attack, then we have a bigger problem on our hands than just a pack dispute."

I listen intently to Olivia's words, my confusion giving way to a growing sense of concern. The Nightshade Syndicate, once believed to be nothing more than a bedtime story, could actually exist. The thought sends a chill down my spine.

The idea that these rogue werewolves possess supernatural abilities that make them virtually untouchable adds a whole new level of complexity to the situation. It means we're dealing with a threat unlike any we've encountered before.

Olivia continues, her voice filled with urgency, "Gabriel, we need to be cautious. If the Nightshade Syndicate is behind the attack on our pack, it means they're targeting us specifically. We can't underestimate their capabilities."

My mind races as I try to grasp the magnitude of the situation. The Nightshade Syndicate's existence would explain the strange scents and the elusiveness I've experienced while tracking. But now, it's no longer just about finding the culprits behind the attack; it's about defending ourselves against a powerful force that operates outside the boundaries of normal werewolf abilities.

"We can't face them head-on," I say, my voice filled with a mix of determination and caution. "If they possess dark magic, we need to gather more information, find out their weaknesses, and come up with a plan to counter their abilities. We can't afford to rush into a fight we're not prepared for."

I know our capabilities as a pack, I know just how much of this we can handle but I don't even know what we are dealing with. I need more than just words, I need facts and Olivia isn't giving me that yet.

"I am on it boss, just give me a couple of days. I leave for neighboring packs in the morning. I should be able to get more information and if there have been other attacks. You can count on me,'' she smiles and I completely believe and trust her.

"Olivia, I trust in your abilities," I say, my voice filled with confidence. "Keep me updated on any progress you make. We need to stay one step ahead of our enemy."

She nods, a determined glint in her eyes. "I won't let you down, Gabriel. Together, we'll unveil the truth behind the Nightshade Syndicate and protect our pack."

As Olivia and I part ways to carry out our respective tasks, a sense of anticipation and responsibility settles within me. The fight against the Nightshade Syndicate won't be easy, but we won't back down. We'll face the darkness head-on, armed with knowledge, unity, and the unwavering determination to ensure the safety and well-being of our pack.