Chapter 29 TWENTY-EIGH

ALARIS' POV It has been a long time since I left Great Oaks to visit the neighboring town, Maldi. Wolves also reside here but unlike Great Oaks, this place is not very strict on vampire regulation. It was one reason why there are a lot of people moving from Maldi to Great Oaks and I can't blame them. Vampires are getting wiser in tricking normal citizens. Compelling them to invite them inside people's homes is one of the things they do. If only we have something that could stop a vampire's compulsion. "What exactly are we doing here?" Morgiana asked the moment we got out of the car. I supposed she's never been in this part of too. Then again I remember, her life under her aunt wasn't really that free. Hawke got out of the car and surveyed the area before he looked at me. "I think this place is suitable," he said and went to the space next to the car. "Suitable for what?" Hawke looked at Morgiana. "I'm going to perform a spell," he said and she gave me a questioning look. I wanted to say something but my eyes kept wondering what she was wearing. A sundress that exposes most of her legs. "Did somebody tell you we're going somewhere relaxing?" I asked and she just rolled her eyes at me. I resisted the urge to laugh. Hawke took something from the pockets of his coat. It was a silver brooch I got from Adrian right before his body was taken. I thought it was only a normal brooch but as I looked closer, there was something written on it. Two fangs and some words were written that read 'Black Ordinance'. I have a feeling it has something to do with the organization that Adrian told Morgiana about. "You're going to perform a spell using that? How does that work?" Morgiana asked Hawke. "This brooch has some of that vampire's blood so we should be able to locate where he came from." Morgiana looked at me questioningly and I just managed a shrug. She walked towards me to give Hawke some space and the gentle wind carried her smell, filling my nose. Fuck-- The fact that she is my mate doesn't help. Wolves, being beasts, are quite possessive when it comes to their mates. It all comes down to our nature and I have been having a hard time controlling my urges. It doesn't help too that she's so damn near. "Why does he have to do the spell here, though? He could do that in Great Oaks, right?" "He has to do it at the border to the next town. Since we are suspecting Adrian came from here." "So what happens when he does the spell?" "He's going to try and locate others that owns the same brochure and pinpoint their location." She gasped at that. "He can do that?" I nodded, trying to gaze away from the sweeping neckline of her dress. "Witches can do that. Hawke is the coven leader so he can do more than what ordinary witches can." We both looked at where Hawke was standing when he started chanting something. I have seen and heard Hawke doing spells before but it still never fails to amaze me. Witches are powerful creatures. They can do magic and can snap a vampire's neck with just a flick of their wrists. They could do the same to wolves but I have not gotten myself involved on the bad side of a witch. Especially not against Hawke. Before Hawke became the coven leader, he was rumored to have massacred a group of vampires a long time ago. He never confirmed or denied the rumors and the mystery shrouding around him makes the others wary about him. But so far, with the years of us working together to make sure this town is safe, I could tell he's a good person. He was the one who initiated to have every private owned homes be warded. Vampires won't be able to get in unless they are invited by the owner. It was a genius idea and then witches from other places started doing the same. When he was done doing the spell, he looked over in our direction and that was our cue to get closer. "You're right, Alaris. They are indeed just situated near here. Most specifically, in Great Oaks' neighboring town." He took the paper map and handed to me. Morgiana took a peek. "That is honestly cool. And you also made Arleigh her vampire ring. How do you have magic?" Hawke smiled at her and I had the sudden urge to pull Morgiana closer to me. Fucking instincts. "We get out magic on the Earth. Witches are stewards of nature. We keep everything in balance." "You mean keeping the vampires and wolves in balance." "You might be added on that list in the future if you're not careful," Hawke said and Morgiana went silent. "You are one of your kind, Morgiana. No one's got your back when everything goes south for you." "She has the wolves, Hawke. She has me." Hawke look at me, wearing that familiar knowing smile. I have seen that kind of smile before many times and most of the time, whatever he says are true. "She may have you, Alaris, but it will only be a matter of time before someone from your pack would challenge your authority. Whatever you need to do to prevent that from happening, do it as soon as you can." I clenched my jaw as I stared at him. He knows. The bastard knows that Morgiana is my mate. But he's got a point. If I announce Morgiana as my mate, she will be respected in the pack. Some would not accept her right away but it will only be a matter of time. They won't be able to do anything since she's my mate. No one would dare challenge my authority unless they find another reason to do so. It would only be arrogance if I say they could challenge me anytime they want and I would still defeat them. This is about maintaining peace and order in my pack. Without any rivalries and fights. "I know," I muttered and glanced at Morgiana who was busy looking at the map that Hawke had made. "So what do we do now?" she asked, looking at me. "We go to the town and try to observe. Vampires are quite obvious, especially the weak ones. You can spot them easily," I answered and I made it sound so easy. Vampires are hard to spot. They mingle well humans too much and one wouldn't know they are vampires. I was about to say more when I felt something different. The hairs on my body rose as I listened to my surroundings closely. Morgiana was doing the same and Hawke too. "Someone's coming," I said. "Not just someone," said Hawke as we three stood at the center of the space to have views on different sides. And true enough, several people came out of their hiding spots. Vampires. We are just getting ambushed. Either they knew we were coming or perhaps they have heard of what happened to Adrian and were just trying to get into the border. "This is ridiculous and incredibly unfair. There are only three of us!" said Morgiana. I looked at them closely and I saw they were wearing the same brooch that Adrian had with him. There are about ten or more of them surrounding us. Of all the times they could attack us. One of the vampires stepped forward and I instantly recognized him. Nara the ripper. "Well, this is unfortunate," Hawke raised his hands. I already knew what he was going to do and the vampires knew too. Nara instantly got something sharp out of his pocket and threw it on Hawke's direction. But I was fast and I was able to grab the sharp object just when it was mere centimeters away from Hawke's throat. And then Hawke flicked his wrists and I heard their neck snap before they all fell to the ground.