𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑

18. 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗹𝗽𝗵𝗮'𝘀 𝗥𝘂𝘁

Baekhyun sighed, putting his phone back in his pocket after reading Chanyeol’s text. He ran a hand through his messy hair and stepped into the crowded pub. Immediately his eyes scanned the place filled with customers drinking alcohol. The loud conversations he could hear made him rolled his eyes. He hated being surrounded by drunk people mostly because only a few customers were innocent human being.

The rest was composed of hunters and wolves. The pub was like a neutral ground when they could get wasted without shedding blood. And if Baekhyun knew one thing strange about life, it would be the alcohol that bring together mortal enemies. He walked over the bar, watching Ten pouring liquor in a shaker.

The omega noticed him and sent him a quick smile, nodding toward the back door. He handed Baekhyun a shot that the hunter drank instantly before disappearing behind the door. He cracked his neck, tasting the burn the vodka left in his throat as he closed his eyes for a moment when the door shut behind him, the noises from the pub finally quiet down. He climbed up the stairs in front of him, the wood emitting some cracking noise under him. When he reached the first floor, he walked towards the only door there and knocked three times quickly, before taking a moment and knocking one last time.

“Come in” he heard.

The hunter twisted the knob and entered the room, closing the door behind him. He found himself in a small studio, the same rusty and old aspect than the pub had. A man was sitting on a chair by a table, playing some card game, a glass of whiskey close to his left hand and a cigarette between his chapped lips. His hair was grey, wrinkles visible on his face.

Anyone who didn’t know him would think he was an old man, probably an alcoholic without any purpose in life but Baekhyun knew better. And the glint in the man’s eyes proved those assumptions to be wrong. Baekhyun nodded as a greeting and came to sit across from him.

The hunter was annoyed and a little bit pissed off because he had to cancel something Chanyeol had prepared for them just to go on this meeting. He already knew he wasn’t going to like what the other had to tell him.

“So oldman, what do you have for me ?” he asked bored.

“You took your time to come here” the old man began.

Baekhyun knew he was right, he received the text eight days ago but only managed to take time tonight. Plus the old man was busy so they had to arrange their schedules. Baekhyun didn’t answer and waited for the older to speak again.

“Look like someone has resurrected from the dead” the old man said while leaning back, a smirk on his lips.

“What do you mean ?” Baekhyun asked with a frown.

“Your name is slowly coming up, I keep hearing about you Shadow” answered the other.

Baekhyun crossed his arms on his chest, thinking while holding the man’s stare. Kino had mentioned his name first, but then Youngbae did too. Why was his hunter’s name brought up when he was keeping his actions hidden ?

“Do you know something about that ?”

The old man shook his head with a sigh.

“I knew you’d ask me that so I’m trying to get information on that case, but there's nothing for now. I’m still working on it. You do have to know that it’s not good for you. If people, doesn’t matter wolves or hunters, think Shadow is alive and out there hunting, it might bring you problems.” The old man warned him.

Baekhyun sighed and stood up, putting his hands in his jacket’s pockets.

“Don’t worry for me old man, I can take care of myself.”