Chapter 0281
Alexander
‘Silverwood.’ Titan murmurs. ‘That name rings a bell.’
‘There was a pack named Silverwood decades ago. Far south. Long before my time. They were completely destroyed.’ My Alpha training included studying fallen packs.
Silverwood wasn’t eliminated by war. It was a natural catastrophe. Massive floods triggered a devastating landslide. My father said they were either drowned or buried alive. Our healing abilities mean nothing against such raw, destructive force.
“Silverwood was a Wolf pack.” I mutter to Lucas with a frown.
He smirks and shakes his head.
“Lycans?”
He takes another drink of beer and nods. “Many packs pretended to be Wolves. Easier to hide their true nature. Wolves can’t tell the difference, as you well know.”
Silver Creek had done exactly that. They made Athena believe she was a Wolf her entire life.
“You’ve eliminated packs?” I press.
“I eliminate Rogues. My ancestors wiped out packs. I chose to focus on the real threats.”
“Are you claiming Seraphina is from this Silverwood pack? That’s impossible.”
He grins. “My grandparents blew up a dam near their territory. Made it look like a structural failure. Then… everything was just gone.”
It was brutally efficient. One act erasing an entire pack. It made me wonder how many Lycan packs I’d unknowingly encountered.
“You think Seraphina’s mother escaped?”
“Perhaps. Or she wasn’t there when it happened.”
“That’s why Seraphina came for your family when she was old enough. Revenge.”
“In my line of work, every action has consequences. My grandparents should have ensured no survivors. Their mistake became my problem to solve.”
“But why take Charlotte from you? What was the point?”
“You can mourn a death. You never recover from knowing your child is alive somewhere out there. You always wonder if they remember you. If they ever think of you.”
I couldn’t imagine that pain. If someone tried taking one of my boys, nowhere would be safe for them. I would hunt them to the ends of the earth.
“Brianna had an encounter with Seraphina.”
“I heard.”
“Seraphina mentioned a pack. Said she was trained before going Rogue. She caught herself and reacted violently. If Silverwood was destroyed, which pack was she referring to?”
“That’s what I haven’t figured out. Several Lycan packs remain in this country. Others moved overseas when Wolf numbers increased. I’ve watched them. Never seen her with any. I considered she might be deceiving Wolves into believing she’s one of them.”
It wasn’t a far-fetched idea.
“Did you know about Silver Creek?” I challenge.
He looks directly at me. “No. Not at the time you’re referring to. They were recorded as wiped out.” He sees my annoyed expression. “Being a Hunter doesn’t grant omniscience. I can tell the difference. I can smell their distinct scent. Training and knowledge are passed down. We record pack information. I assure you, there’s only one record for a Silver Creek pack. It says deceased.”
He taps his empty bottle on the table. “Why did you accept her? Even after learning what she was, you let her stay. Let her thrive.”
“I searched for my mate for years. When I found her, I knew I could never let her go.”
“She’s a Lycan.” He stares intently with his hazel eyes.
“Sometimes the heart doesn’t care about origins.”
“Did you pity her? You did save her from a horrific situation.”
“She told you about that?” I ask, surprised. She rarely volunteers that information. Details slip out occasionally, but she mostly keeps it buried.
“She didn’t need to tell me. I see it in her soul.”