Vanished (Ongoing)

Chapter 2

As we drive onto the main road, smooth r&b begins playing softly in the background. My mind starts to drift away from the song as I return to the present moment. Ever since my father stepped down, the once united pack has been divided into two factions. I now lead the Ace Pack, while my brother Jullian leads the Spade Pack. The emergence of rogue wolves has become a pressing issue, and my pack is left to protect our territories on our own.

The lack of experienced wolves in my pack has put immense pressure on our young trainees to complete their ultimatums quickly. Despite my concerns, my father and the elders believe this is the best course of action. I sigh and rub my temples, trying to figure out a solution. We can't sustain this situation much longer if both packs remain divided. My father's dream could slip away right before our eyes.

"We have arrived, Alpha," Reno's voice snaps me back to reality. I glance out the window and see that we've reached East Mountain. I thank Reno as I step out of the car, finding solace in the quiet surroundings. Hoping this meeting won't take long, I instruct Reno to wait nearby as I make my way up the trail.

Walking the familiar trail brings back fond memories. The majestic oak trees lining the path are adorned with vibrant fall colors. My thoughts are interrupted as I arrive at the meeting spot where Ramsey is directing a trainee. He senses my presence and sends the trainee away.

"Ja!" Ramsey greets me with a smile, offering a fist bump. He's been my closest friend since we were pups, and his unwavering loyalty has supported me through tough times.

"Ra? What's so important that you got me out here in this damn cold?!" he chuckles, his playful nature on display. Ramsey's goofiness has always been a part of his charm. He's been my best friend since we were young pups, and our fathers have a close bond, almost like brothers. They even go golfing together on Sundays. But it's not just his humor that makes him special; Ramsey has been my rock through dark times. After losing Noel, he was there to support me and helped me out of many difficult situations. His loyalty is truly unmatched.

"Honestly, Ra, you could've reached out to Jullian's patrol. You know we don't have enough wolves for this," Ramsey remarks, his concern evident.

"Yeah, call Jullian's patrol... They can't even remember the days of the week! How do you expect them to patrol effectively?" I respond with a hint of amusement. "But hey, you're right. They can be as useless as a white crayon." We both share a laugh, acknowledging the truth in his jest. Despite their shortcomings, I have to agree that having my patrol here has been crucial in tracking the source of these rogues. Someone needs to take a proactive approach to handle the situation.

We've caught one of those rogue bastards." Ramsey remarks.

My eyes widen with surprise. "We caught one? Where is the rogue?"

"Let's talk as we walk," He replied, and we head toward a quieter spot. A surge of excitement courses through me upon learning that we've finally caught one of those rogues. It means I might finally get the answers we've been searching for. Dealing with these troublemakers has been a real pain, especially since they all seem to be coming from the same pack, evident by the distinct scent they carry.

As I begin to speak to Ramsey about the rogue, a familiar smell fills the air, interrupting my sentence. "Ja, do you smell that-" I cut Ramsey off, confirming that I senses it too. My heart sinks as I recognize the scent of sandalwood. This can't be happening; he wasn't supposed to be here.

"Ra, take the rogue to the packhouse dungeon QUIETLY! He's not going to get the upper hand," Ramsey communicates telepathically with the trainees, who swiftly comply. He bows, then disappears into the brush to ensure a smooth and discreet transport. The scent is overwhelming, and as I look up, there he is – my brother and his followers.

"Brother!" Jullian greets me with a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. I grit my teeth; this is the last thing I need right now.

"Fucks sakes" my wolf groans.

Suppressing my annoyance, I respond, "Jullian, what brings you here?"

"Just checking in on you, little brother," he says nonchalantly, a hint of arrogance evident. "I heard about the rogue and thought you might need some help."

"We've got it under control," I reply firmly, determined to handle the situation with my pack.

Jullian smirks, seemingly enjoying the opportunity to provoke me. "Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find us."

"Yeah, in hell bastard" my wolf spats.