26. Silas

It's like I'm walking on cloud seven when I meet Annie the next day. It takes a bit for us to have a moment just the both of us because either Jun, Liam, or Dante are always around, but eventually they all head to prepare for the work of the day. Annie and I make sure to visit Charlie briefly before we leave to meet with Silas.

On our way to the infirmary, I give her the short version of what Dante and I talked about.

"Ella," Annie squeals, jumping forward to hug me. "I'm so happy for you!"

"It's just a talk we had," I say. "But I feel like we really reached a little milestone."

"You did," Annie reassures me.

"In a way, I think Charlie did heal Dante and me, much more than we realized," I admit. "Everyone always says that she is lucky we found her, but we are just as lucky."

I think of the day Dante received the call from his mom. The fact that it didn't make him spiral downwards for days shows how much he has healed by now. The three of us have become a family, and I'm going to do everything to keep this family.

Charlie beams happily when she sees me. She is even happier when she realizes that Annie and I brought her snacks and breakfast from the packhouse. I sit with her for a bit, cuddling her while we catch up. I give her a teenage-appropriate version of what happened at the mission yesterday, minus the fact that she is a hybrid. This information I will save for later. I also haven't told her yet that I think her father is out for her. This is something I really want to be certain about before tossing it at her.

The fact we have new leads instantly raises Charlie's mood. "Now I just hope I can get out of the hospital fast."

"Don't worry about that. They just want to monitor you for a few more hours," I reassure her, brushing over her head. "But tonight when Annie and I return from work you can come home."

"Good." She sighs in relief. "It's not bad here, but I prefer being home."

"Is Austen still here?" I ask her.

"Yes, he has a few check-ups now. I am going to work on my comic until he is done. Then he will come so that we can watch a movie. Gisela is in school but will visit after," Charlie explains. "And Jazz and Livia promised to come too."

"Good, then I don't need to be worried that you die of boredom," I joke.

Charlie giggles. "I'll be fine."

Annie leaves us alone for a few minutes, and I spend the time just chatting with my girl and promising her a dinner of her wishes. She wants chicken drumsticks with rice and coleslaw salad, which I can easily promise her.

When Annie and I leave her, we both see Austen walking down the corridor, a happy smile on his face. Annie grins. "Charlie will be sixteen soon, and when we tackle the threat, she will finally have a normal school life. So, bets on Austen inviting her to prom?"

I chuckle. "Not going to bet against that, but I'm curious how Dante is going to take it. He almost had a heart attack the last time she talked about boys."

"I don't even want to know how Liam is going to handle it once our girls reach dating age," Annie says. "Good thing they are still so small. Plenty of time left."

Shoot, this reminds me that she is working so much again at the moment instead of spending time with the family. "I'm so sorry I dragged you into this. I bet you would prefer being with your girls and mate."

"El," Annie says earnestly. "Yes, I'm a mom and I'm a wife, but I'm also a luna and a friend. Work needs to get done, and sometimes I need to be the one who does it. Today, the girls are with Liam. I actually think it's good for them to spend individual time with him too."

"Just don't stretch yourself too thin," I say.

"I won't," she promises. "My mom is coming this weekend and will stay for a week to be with her grandchildren. It will give Liam and me the chance to focus on your problem here," she pauses. "And have sex."

I laugh at her last words. "Yep, seems like when you are parents, every minute counts."

"Mom said she would babysit so that Liam and I can go out," she explains. "I can't wait for it."

"Let's hope Silas can provide some answers," I say. "So that we all can have some date nights soon."

"Well, at least we got Richie's picture cleared up," Annie says. "Our little IT team did it. I am going to take it to Silas to show it to him. Liam also talked to Dalila yesterday night. She is eager to help."

"Dante will make sure that Richie finishes the sketch of Imogen today." I pause. "Poor kid."

"Yes," Annie says quietly. "Another problem we have at hand. So far there is no one with the name of Imogen in the database of the town's hospital. She probably worked there under a false name. I bet she only did it to pry on her future victim. Richie had no chance." She shakes her head. "Seems like she just waited for him to be of age. Of course, it doesn't salvage him from the fact that he closed his eyes to the obvious red flags she and her team gave him, but…" Her voice trails off.

"I know what you mean," I say. "It makes me feel uncomfortable even thinking about it. I don't hold it against him, although it involves Charlie and me. But if it wasn't Richie, they would have found another victim to manipulate. At least Richie cooperated the moment he realized what was happening."

"Yes, but what are we going to do with him now?" Annie asks. "He knows so much about our world now and about us." She sighs. "Well, I need to put this problem aside for now. Visiting Silas is more important."

I agree with her, and we hurry back to the packhouse. Jun is already waiting for us, and to my surprise, Raffy is here too. "Alpha asked me to accompany you," he mutters. "I… I hope you don't mind, Luna."

"Not at all," Annie says with a smile. "With Ella, Jun, and you guarding me, nothing can happen."

"Hopefully you will survive a day without Dave," I tease.

Raffy blushes slightly. "Dave is busy," he grumbles. "Alpha Liam wants him and Levi to look after the human kid." He doesn't sound too pleased, making even Jun grin slightly.

"You know Dave is your mate," Annie says. "He is not going to be swooned by another guy."

"Yes, but…" Raffy looks almost a tad bit insecure. "It's the first contact with a human he has here on pack grounds. And… they can bond in a way we can't, and—"

"Okay, sweetie," Annie says gently. "You are all Dave needs, don't worry. He is just being nice to a very hurt kid."

Raffy rubs over the back of his head. "You are right, Luna, sorry. Don't tell him what I said."

It's so funny that such a huge and bulky guy like him is so shy. Even funnier that he is mated to an outgoing, sassy guy like Dave. I'm also pretty sure that Dave is well aware of Raffy's insecurities. The guy is a sweet and broody hunk, but he is an open book to read.

"Let's go," Annie says, sending Jun to get the car.

Before we can take off, our respective mates appear. Dave takes the opportunity to jump Raffy and pull him into a kiss while Luca gives Jun a tight hug. Liam meanwhile pulls his Luna into his arms. Annie whispers something to him, making him smile. Dante and I have never been the ones to display too much affection to the outside. We like to keep things private, but he takes my hand into his, squeezing it gently. Watch out when you are out there, he says.

Don't worry, I reassure him. And hopefully, tonight we will know more. Keep an eye on Charlie.

Of course, he promises. And I already ordered her dinner from the pack kitchen.

I notice how the others are climbing into the car. "Time to leave," I say, smiling at him. "Wish me luck."

"Instincts, remember?" he says. "Just trust your gut feeling."

The drive to Sunset Hills is without any disturbances. We mostly drive over country roads as the pack is far inside the countryside, hidden behind huge forests. Their mother pack is an ally as well, and the pack leader is a good friend of Alpha Elden, Liam's father.

Once we leave the forest, broad meadows stretch in front of us. They are lush and rich, the sun kissing the hills and dipping them into a warm light.

"Wow," Jun says. "This is beautiful."

"It really is," Raffy says in awe.

Sunset Hills pack is hidden between two of these sunny hills with the forest stretching behind them. They are a very small pack slash coven.

"How do they finance themselves?" Jun asks.

"They are partly self-sustaining," Annie explains. "They grow their own vegetables and fruits and partly receive their weekly groceries from their mother pack. Alpha Marcellus has grown into his position and rank, though, and I think he is starting to have more specific plans. From what I know he, Celine, and Liam have a meeting scheduled soon."

"Is there something in it for our pack and Celine's?" I ask curiously. "Don't get me wrong, if it's just an ethical project, I'm all in too, but I am curious."

"Actually, I think Marius has plans."

Annie's words surprised me. Marius is Celine's mate, and he is also one of Liam's younger brothers. He came from a very traumatic past of sexual assault by the former beta of his home pack. He is the lune of Celine's pack now, and it seems like he is invested in a lot of social projects. "Now I'm even more curious," I say.

"Me too," Jun admits.

"Marius is leading a shelter for teens of all genders, but also one for women leaving abusive situations," Annie explains. "His shelters are open for all supernatural beings. However, they are growing. I think the plan is for those who got back on their feet and who really want a new start to move here. It's quiet, idyllic, it's calm. And Alpha Marcellus and Silas are very special leaders."

"This would be a great idea," I say.

"Yes," Raffy says thoughtfully. "Sometimes a fresh start is all someone needs, and sometimes you want to do that as far away from home as possible."

I'm not sure what to say. Raffy went through a lot in his past; he knows one or two things about starting anew.

"It's good that this place exists," Annie says. "It's a place to give those a second chance who… who might not always look deserving at first glance, but do once you look deeper. And this little pack will open their arms to people in need."

"This whole thing is a great social project," Jun agrees. "Not everyone deserves to be condemned for life for a bad choice. Let alone the innocent victims Lune Marius looks after."

"Do we know anything about the coven?" I ask Annie.

"From what I know Silas and Marcellus met when Marcellus was a rogue and became friends from there on. They built this program up together." She pauses. "Silas is an ancient vampire and full-blooded, as some elitist vampires call it. He was fed up with the elitist ways of other old vampires and quit."

"Interesting," Raffy mutters. "I've heard most ancient vampires hate everyone and everything outside their kind."

"You will soon see for yourself," Annie says as we pass by two guards who wave us through. Soon we park in front of what I assume is the packhouse. It's a beautiful old building, almost looking like a mansion. I can see parts of it being renovated at the moment.

A tall, strong man greets us. He has rather long hair and a beard. He almost reminds me of Raffy, but he looks edgier and much more confident. His features are sharper, and his gaze a bit on the harder side.

"Alpha Marcellus," Annie greets him after she gets out of the car.

"Luna Annalise," Marcellus replies, politely shaking her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you again."

Annie introduces all of us before Marcellus leads us into the house. I see a young man peeking out of a room. Our eyes meet and I smile politely at him. He nods at me but then disappears again. Marcellus has noticed him too but doesn't say anything.

"How is Benjamin doing?" Annie asks quietly.

Marcellus furrows his brows. "Barely talks," he says. "It's a long process. I wonder…" He pauses while opening the door to an old yet beautiful living room for us. It feels a bit like we traveled in time. Everything looks antique but tasteful and inviting. "I've heard his story and how he acted in his old pack. I thought he would be difficult to handle, and I would need to make sure he won't fall into old patterns or start bullying someone, but nothing alike happened."

"It was a mask he wore," a calm voice interrupts him. "He wore it to protect himself and to survive the abuse. Once the mask was ripped off, his whole existence started to crumble." A tall, slender man appears. He wears his hair in a long ponytail and looks almost… gentle. He squeezes Marcellus's shoulder, and the two of them exchange a brief gaze.

Interesting. I thought Marcellus had a mate in his home pack; something about her choosing his twin brother over him. Maybe he has finally moved on. It's not my position to pry, although these two are quite the intriguing pair, judging by their past.

Silas approaches Annie, taking her hand and kissing the back of it. "The charming Luna Annalise," he says smoothly. "It's an honor." He turns to me, kissing the back of my hand as well. "And the smart Beta Ella, as I've heard."

Good thing Dante and Liam aren't here, I think with a grin.

"Thank you for having us, Silas," Annie says.

"I'm not going to lie," he says. "Your message had me curious. You mentioned a teenage hybrid and a vampire who hired a group of mercenaries to hunt her?"

"Exactly," Annie says. She hands Silas the photo. "It's about this man."

Silas frowns, eyeing the picture. It's silent around us while he keeps staring… and staring. "No way," he mutters.

"What? You know him?" Marcellus says. "Come on, talk to us!"

"Aloysius," Silas says. "But why?"

"Wasn't that your brother?" Marcellus asks. "The one you led your old coven with?"

"Yes, and this here"—he turns the photo to show it to us—"is one of his lieutenants."