Apologies for the long wait for only the second half of the chapter. Real life stuff stole too much of my time. I will try to update according to schedule again now.
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"Pureblood... It's been decades since I last heard of a pureblood sighting." the lead supervisor sits back in his chair, his expression pensive. "Their era may have passed, but they're still striving to reclaim their authority and reconstruct their realm." I listen intently and consider the implications of recent events.
The era of the purebloods is a familiar tale among our kind. They ruled over the frozenbloods—vampires suspended in time—while regarding humans as mere livestock. It marked the genesis of hunters who, after centuries of unyielding pursuit, brought an end to their reign.
After a moment, William looks up from his tablet, his eyes meet mine, and he raises an eyebrow inquisitively. "Is this your entire commission report?" he asks, seeking confirmation.
"Yes, sir. That's the entirety of it."
He hums thoughtfully before slightly tilting his head. "But it doesn't mention you acquiring and wearing Logan's jacket.", he notes, his expression neutral but his eyes sharp.
An electric current shoots through my veins, and I gawk at the male, caught off guard. "I...I...", I stutter, at a loss for a plausible explanation.
He interrupts my stammering with a disapproving scoff before setting his tablet down on the desk. "Don't look so surprised, Mr. Ezra.", he chides, removing his reading glasses. "The doctor, unlike you, actually submitted a comprehensive report." I swallow thickly as a sense of unease settles in the pit of my stomach. "Why did Logan give you his jacket?", he asks, his tone demanding an answer.
Feeling my composure breaking, I answer, "I-I... I don't know, sir."
He raises an eyebrow. "You don't know?" he repeats. "You expect me to believe that?"
I shake my head, feeling a knot form in my stomach. "I-I'm sorry, sir, but I really don't have an explanation.", I admit, my voice barely audible. The supervisor's piercing gaze makes me feel like he can see right through me, and I shift my weight from one foot to another.
Leaning back in his chair, he folds his arms across his chest, "I read about Logan's current condition. Even though city hunter jackets aren't that sturdy, they would have still offered some protection against such severe harm. That's why I wonder why Logan would prioritize you over his own safety. "
Guilt gnaws at me and I find myself pressing my tongue to the roof of my mouth. Emitting a hum, William rests his elbows on the desk and intertwines his fingers. "You see, according to the code followed in headquarters—", he begins as he leans forward, his voice low and measured, "—priority is given to the hunters with higher skills. It's a matter of practicality. And looking at the situation objectively, if there is to arise a need for sacrifice, it's clear that you would be the most logical option over someone like Logan."
His blunt assessment is akin to a smack to my face but I remain silent. "And despite being aware of this—", the male continues, "—Logan treated you as 'the protected.' Just like how humans are handled on a rescue mission. But even then, hunters don't strip off their own gear to give to the protected."
The male pauses, inviting my response. However, there isn't any. What can I possibly say? How can I explain the actions of either of us without risking the revelation of our forbidden emotions and relationship?
With a scoff at my silence, he reveals, "I've been closely observing the outcomes of your hunts, and it's become apparent that even though Logan surpasses your skills, he always seems to come out worse for wear. Whereas you... You always emerge with the least injuries. This recurring pattern is so suspicious that I'm beginning to suspect foul play."
