Blood Enigma

Mayhem Commence

Kenneth had been wandering aimlessly for hours. Exhausted, he sat down on a public bench, struggling to catch his breath. He knew his due date was approaching, and each step felt like running a marathon, though all he had done was walk.

He had no idea where to go, but it was late, and he desperately needed a place to rest. Realizing he was close to the woods, he decided to head to the small cabin where he had grown up. It would be a shorter walk, and he could settle there for the night. With renewed determination, Kenneth got up, grabbed his suitcase, and made his way through the dense woods.

After what felt like an eternity of walking, he finally caught sight of the cabin. A tired smile crossed his face as he quickened his pace, taking in the familiar surroundings. The cabin, once a place of comfort, now looked weathered and worn. Nature had begun to reclaim it, with vines creeping up the walls and roof. Kenneth found the old firewood stack where he used to chop wood, gathered some, and brought it inside, ready to settle in for the night.

Once inside, Kenneth closed and locked the door, securing the small cabin that hadn't been lived in for nearly a year. The place was dusty and cluttered, so he set about cleaning. As he changed the sheets on the mattress, memories of his mother sitting in that very spot flooded his mind. He missed her terribly, but knew that staying away and not contacting her was necessary for her safety.

With the bed freshly made, Kenneth moved on to cleaning the floors and windows. After an hour of decluttering, wiping, and sweeping, the cabin felt livable again. He lit a fire in the small heater and sat beside it, letting the warmth wash over him.

"That's better," he murmured, starting to drift off to sleep. But just as his eyes began to close, he heard the unmistakable rustling of dried leaves outside. Someone was there.

Heart pounding, Kenneth quickly stood up and grabbed a knife from the kitchen. He would do whatever it took to protect his baby. The rustling continued for a while, then suddenly stopped. Kenneth's breath caught in his throat. The silence was unnerving—why had the noise ceased so abruptly?

A loud knock on the door jolted Kenneth out of his thoughts. His heart raced as he tightened his grip on the knife, bracing himself for the worst. If it was the Wallace family's henchmen, he knew he didn't stand a chance. But he would die protecting Keithan.

With trembling hands, he slowly approached the door, battling the urge to flee but knowing he couldn't avoid this confrontation. Deciding to face whatever was on the other side, he unlocked the door and swung it open. In a split second, he acted on instinct, plunging the knife into the figure standing before him.

But as his eyes adjusted to the dim light, horror washed over him. It wasn't one of the Wallace's men. It was worse—it was Ethan.

————

The High Council—a formidable assembly of pure-blooded beings who ruled the world—was the most powerful organization known to Lycans, Wolves, and Humans alike. With their unparalleled strength, power, and intellect, they maintained the fragile peace among the species, a peace born from a treaty that ended centuries of bloodshed and chaos. Revered by all, the Council's authority was second only to the Moon Goddess herself. Membership was reserved for those of the purest lineage, who proved themselves worthy of such a distinguished title.

"We have only a month before the end of the world is upon us. Are we really going to entrust our safety to a failure?" Antagi, a fourth-rank member, spoke with disdain. "Wallace has proven himself unworthy. Why are we giving him such a critical task? I say we move now and eliminate the threat before its powers develop further!"

Another cloaked figure nodded in agreement. "Prevention is always better than a cure, great one. Why risk letting Wallace ruin this for all of us?" Rogue, a third-rank member, added, his voice laced with skepticism.