WOLF WALKERS

Chapter 13.

 Missing

No One's POV

It had been a week since the ex-mayor set the forest ablaze, reducing it to a charred wasteland. The once lush and vibrant trees now stood as blackened skeletons, the green grass replaced by ashen remnants, and the ground scarred and scorched by the relentless flames. Currently, Casper stood by the fireplace in the ex-mayor's office, his expression grim. The ex-mayor, having claimed new land in the wake of the devastation, assumed the wolf walkers were either dead or missing, their mystical presence eradicated by his ruthless plan.

The ex-mayor sat behind his grand oak desk, a smug smile on his face as he surveyed the maps of his newly acquired territory. He believed his plan had succeeded flawlessly.

Casper's mind, however, was in turmoil. He couldn't shake the image of Thomas, Kiyoko, and the rest of the pack fighting to protect their home. The loyalty and courage they displayed haunted him, and guilt gnawed at his conscience. But he had no choice; he was bound by the ex-mayor's will, a prisoner in both body and soul.

"Excellent work, Casper," the ex-mayor said, not looking up from his papers. "With the forest gone, we can begin our development projects immediately. The land will be far more profitable now."

Casper nodded absently, staring into the flames that danced in the fireplace. He knew he had to find a way to atone for his betrayal, but he was unsure how. The ex-mayor's grip on him was strong, and defiance seemed impossible.

"Are you even listening, Casper?" the ex-mayor's voice snapped, breaking through his thoughts.

"Yes, sir," Casper replied, forcing his attention back to the present. "I'm just thinking about the next steps."

"Good," the ex-mayor said, his eyes gleaming with ambition. "We need to move quickly. I want construction to begin within the month. This land will become the jewel of the city."

Casper clenched his fists, his mind racing. He needed to warn the wolf walkers if any of them were still alive. He had to find a way to break free from the ex-mayor's control and make things right.

Despite his confident words, the ex-mayor's eyes held a hint of unease. He paced back and forth, his brow furrowed with worry. He couldn't shake the feeling that the wolf walkers might have survived. Their resilience had surprised him before.

He turned to Casper, his expression hardening. "Casper, I have a task for you."

Casper looked up, his face a mask of compliance. "What is it, sir?"

"I need you to go back to the remains of the forest," the ex-mayor said, his voice low and menacing. "Track down any survivors. If any of those wolf walkers made it out alive, I want you to find them and kill them. We cannot risk them disrupting our plans."

Casper's heart sank, but he nodded, hiding his inner turmoil. "Understood, sir."

"Good," the ex-mayor said, his gaze piercing. "Report back to me as soon as you have any information. And remember, Casper, failure is not an option."