Hunt

Chapter 57: Starting an Investigation

I was worried Reyna would think of me differently after I tell her about the massacre with the Bravepelt pack. Especially after what we just heard from that refugee wolf earlier. But as I'm pulling up into her driveway she stops me before I can step from the vehicle.

She looks me in the eyes, her hands cupping mine gently, "It would be a lie if I didn't have my concerns about our alliance, but it's not you that I'm worried about. I know that you want this to work as much as I do. As much as the rest of us do. Regardless of what happened in the past, I know you'll do everything you can to make it work."

We embrace as we say our farewells. She holds me close for a long time, tightly hugging each other in the car. She places a small kiss on my cheek before she pulls away, stepping from the car. It wasn't nearly as long as I really desired, but it still gave me the reassurance I needed in this moment. This truce had been my idea, and I'll be damned if I let someone tear down all of my hard work. I wasn't going to see another Bravepelt massacre. I had manage to foster some trust between the Alpha of the Silverlock pack and at least myself. I'm not going to waste this chance, not on my life. 

I make sure to promise Reyna that I'll reach out when I have information on the scouting mission as I slip the car into reverse, sending a quick text to Vince before I toss the phone into the now empty passenger seat:

"We're done with training for the day. Let me know when I can drop off your rifle."

The drive home was spent in silence. My mind too much of a buzz to even listen to the radio. I now had another problem added onto my already long list that I'd need to get to the bottom of. To find out who or what was responsible for condemning nearly one hundred people to death. But the pendulum of thought swings the other way; Could I even trust what the she-wolf said? Was she even telling me the truth? Or was this all one big lie, a manipulation to get the heat off her dead pack's actions. My head's spinning by the time I pull up at my house.

Crashing on my bed I let out a long low groan into the pillow, the stress of the day beginning to melt out of me and into the mattress. Glancing at the clock it was just past noon. It was still rather early despite my exhaustion, I still had a couple hours until Julie got home from school. A couple hours to figure out a game plan about how to address the situation I was just handed.

A buzz in my pocket has me digging for my phone. A new text from Vince greets me as I check the Lock Screen.

It reads: "Just finished up here. Stop by anytime, I'll be home."

Taking a deep breath I push myself from the comfortable embrace of my bed. My tired body aching to return to a horizontal position, but being tired wasn't anything new to me. I hate to say it, but I've had more than enough practice for a lifetime and I also know deep down that if I don't go now that I'd forget to go later. I'd get caught up in something else and lose track of time.

I had only been to Vince's place once before, when I picked up the rifle last night. He owned a couple acres at the edge of town, around the same place Nick and I handled that ghoul infestation a while back. It was a nice place, close enough to town to not be a burden but far enough to be peaceful and quiet. The drive didn't take too long. It was just far enough to give me time to get my head clear. Driving always seems to help improve my mood, maybe it was just the sense of freedom that being on the road gives, or maybe it was the feeling of control it gives me. God knows I need some control in my life right now...

I pull up the driveway just as he's opening his garage. I could see another individual behind him in the shadows. Quickly recognizing Walker as the door opens all the way. I had thought he'd be itching to get back to the pack. But maybe not...