Chapter 25
25
J ake
The day after my unsettling conversation with Alex, I decide to take matters into my own hands. I need to find out more about what happened to Opal and see if I can gather any clues that might help us understand why she was targeted. Using my heightened senses as a werewolf, I head to the park where she had been found.
As I arrive at the park, the familiar scents of nature and the distant sounds of city life fill the air. I take a deep breath, trying to focus on any lingering traces that might lead to a clue. The spot where Opal had been discovered is eerily quiet, and I can still sense the residual fear and confusion in the air.
I start by circling the area and sniffing the ground and the surrounding foliage. My senses pick up various scents—animals, people, the faint aroma of food from a nearby vendor—but I filter through them, searching for something that stands out. I move closer to the gazebo where she had been found, hoping to find a more specific trail.
As I hone in on a particular scent, I catch a faint whiff of something unfamiliar and distinct. It’s a mix of sweat, adrenaline, and a hint of something metallic, like the scent of blood, though very faint. I follow the trail, my senses alert and my movements cautious.
The trail leads me to a more secluded part of the park, away from the main paths and deeper into the trees. The scent grows stronger, and I realize I’m onto something. I find a small, hidden clearing, and as I sniff around, I spot signs of a struggle—trampled grass, broken branches, and a few drops of dried blood.
I kneel down, examining the ground closely. The blood is human, and I can tell it’s been here for a couple of days. This must be where Opal was initially taken. I continue to sniff around, trying to catch any other scents that might be useful. There’s another scent mixed in, something pungent and foreign. It smells like a chemical, maybe a substance used to knock her out or disorient her.
As I stand up, I hear a rustling sound nearby. My senses immediately go on high alert, and I turn toward the noise, ready for anything. A figure steps out from behind a tree, and I tense, ready to defend myself.
“Relax, Jake. It’s just me.”
It’s Eric, one of the pack members.
I let out a breath, force my canines to retreat, and relax slightly. “Eric, what are you doing here?”
“I heard you were sniffing around,” he says, stepping closer. “Thought you might need some backup.”
I nod, grateful for his presence, even though I’m wondering how he heard that. “I think I’ve found where Opal was taken. There’s a strange chemical scent here, something they might have used on her.”
Eric sniffs the air, his expression turning serious. “Yeah, I smell it too. This isn’t good. They’re getting bolder.”
“We need to figure out what they’re planning,” I say, my frustration evident, “and why they targeted her in the first place.”
“We’ll get to the bottom of this,” Eric assures me, “but you need to be careful. Alex is getting too close to this, and she’s starting to ask questions. If she finds out about us…”
“I know,” I say, cutting him off. “I’m trying to protect her, but she’s determined. I just hope I can keep her safe without pushing her away.”
“We’re with you, Jake,” Eric says, placing a hand on my shoulder. “We’ll figure this out together.”
As we head back toward the park entrance, I feel a renewed sense of determination. The clues I’ve found today are a start, but there’s still so much more to uncover. And with Alex digging into this investigation, I need to find a way to balance protecting her and earning her trust.
The pack is counting on me, and so is Alex. I just hope I can live up to both their expectations and find a way to bring this conflict to an end before it spirals out of control.