12. Ethan

12

ETHAN

L eaving Hutchin and the rest of my fellow shifters, I run like the wind toward the parking lot, hoping against hope one of the other loggers left the key in their ignition.

I really have no time left to figure out who the rogue shifter is. If he's still around and catches wind of Grace's research, he won't hesitate to attack to keep his identity secret. Based on his track record and what he's capable of, I know he won't hesitate to harm her.

Spying a set of keys dangling off one of the motorcycles, I don't hesitate to jump on and borrow it for my errand.

"Hey, Ethan! That's my bike!" I hear one of the crew yell out after me.

"I'll bring it back in one piece!" I promise as I zoom out of the parking lot, leaving a swirl of dust and gravel in my wake.

Racking my brain for what day of the week it is, I figure that Adrian may be working at the café by this time. Gathering the elders immediately may be a challenge, but I'm hoping Adrian will help.

Revving the engine to increase the speed, I arrive at the café in the nick of time. Leaving the bike on the road, I kick the stand and rush in. The café is bustling – a line of people are already waiting to give their orders. It takes a few seconds for me to spy Adrian at the back of the room, busy foaming some milk.

"Adrian!" I gasp as I reach his side. "I need your help!"

He looks up at me with his calm eyes and just puts down what he's doing.

"Ezra, take over," he commands swiftly, removing his apron.

"Sorry, it's an emergency," I start.

Adrian raises his palm to stem my apologies.

"I take it that something has happened?" Adrian queries.

Quickly, I give him a short version of events. Grace's friend getting killed twenty years ago, the possibility of it being a rogue shifter, the information I'd gleaned from Hutchin and the others…

Adrian just listens with his chin cupped in his hand.

"Sounds like we have no time to waste," he says, the moment I finish. He takes the phone off its cord and starts dialing.

"Do you know anything about the rogue shifter, Adrian?" I ask. I know the question may be in vain. Adrian has only been our pack leader for a decade, and the attacks happened long before then.

He again raises his hand as he listens to the other end of the phone. Adrian replies to a question from the other end of the line. After a quick minute, he ends the call and tells me the elders have agreed to meet me. They're gathering now as we speak.

"Thank you," I say.

We both rush out toward the bike I'd left on the street. With a rev of the throttle, I quickly speed off again.

As I pull up to the address Adrian gave me, a sense of urgency propels me forward. I park the motorcycle hastily and rush towards the entrance of the building. Uncaring that I've left my Alpha behind. It's an old, worn-down structure that seems to blend into the surroundings, a perfect disguise for the secretive meetings of the Elders' council.

I enter the dimly lit room, filled with a heavy air of secrecy. The council members, Andrew, Morgan, and Leticia, stand together in silence, their eyes filled with wisdom and knowledge that surpasses their ageless appearances. They exchange a knowing glance with each other as I approach, acknowledging my presence but unwilling to discuss the topic at hand.

Confident nonetheless, I reveal the reason for my visit. "I come before you today to seek your advice on a matter of some urgency," I begin, my voice steady. "The death of Grace's friend, Becky, twenty years ago. I believe it was the work of a rogue shifter."

The council members' expressions remain unchanged, but I can sense their reluctance to delve into this painful subject.

Undeterred, I continue. "But that is not all. There's a human woman, Grace, who I have fallen deeply in love with. I want to make her my mate, but I cannot do so as long as she believes that I am part of the pack responsible for Becky's death."

A heavy silence fills the room as the council members contemplate my words. The tension is palpable, and doubt lingers in their eyes. Just as I begin to worry that they will deny my request, a figure emerges from the shadows. It's Adrian, our pack alpha, who had been silently observing the proceedings all along.

Adrian's presence commands attention, and a sense of respect and authority radiates from him. His voice cuts through the silence, breaking the hesitation of the council. "I vouch for Grace," he declares, his tone firm and unwavering. "Our pack has already welcomed several human mates, and there is no reason why Grace should be treated any differently."

A sense of relief washes over me as Adrian's words carry weight with the council members. Their expressions soften, and they begin to consider the possibility I have presented. They understand the power of love, even in a world filled with darkness and uncertainty.

After a moment of contemplation, Andrew, the elder who works for the electrical company, speaks up. "We have been aware of the presence of the rogue wolf within Pilham," he admits reluctantly. "We have kept his identity a secret to avoid further bloodshed, but we have been keeping tabs on him."

My heart quickens at the revelation, and I cannot help but demand. "Tell me his name. I need to know who he is."

The elders exchange a somber look before Leticia, the elder who works at the DMV, finally speaks. "His name is Adam Straker," she reveals, her voice filled with regret.

As Leticia's words hang in the air, shock courses through my veins. I've heard the man's name before somewhere.

I feel a surge of curiosity and desperation to understand the man behind the name. I pause for a moment, catching my breath, before turning back to the council with an imploring gaze.

"Tell me more about Adam Straker," I plead, my voice tinged with a mix of urgency and intrigue. "I need to understand who he is, what drove him to become a rogue, and how we can stop him."

The elders exchange hesitant glances, their expressions etched with a mix of sorrow and regret. Finally, Morgan, the elder who works as a janitor, steps forward, his weary eyes fixed on me.

"Adam Straker was once part of a neighboring pack," he begins, his voice heavy. "He was a natural loner, much like you, Ethan. But, in his case, socializing didn't come easily to him unless it served his own ambitions."

My mind races, drawing parallels between Adam and myself. The realization that there's a fine line separating us sends a shiver down my spine. I listen intently, eager to uncover the truth that lies hidden within the folds of Adam's backstory.

Morgan continues, his voice filled with a mix of sadness and frustration. "Adam was destined to be the next pack Alpha, but when his time of Reckoning arrived, he turned his back on the pack, declaring that the rules no longer applied to him. It was a betrayal that shook all the shifters to the core."

A pang of empathy tugs at my heart as I imagine the pain and disappointment the pack must have felt. To have believed in someone, only to witness their descent into darkness. I swallow hard, my mind grappling with this revelation.

"He went on a rampage, declaring his separation from the pack," Morgan recounts, his voice laced with bitterness. "We managed to impose our own brand of control over him, but their pack alpha at the time, he was merciful. Adam had been his protegee, and he felt guilty for not seeing the signs of what Adam was truly capable of. So, he let him free with a warning."

I can't help but feel anger and frustration building within me. How could someone turn their back on their own kind? How could they abandon the values and responsibilities that come with being part of a pack? The questions whirl in my mind, begging for answers that may never come.

The elders' somber expressions reflect the weight of their past decisions. They had chosen to keep Adam's identity a secret, to prevent further bloodshed and protect the innocent. But now, the time for secrecy has passed. It is time to confront the darkness that lurks within our midst.

With a hasty expression of gratitude towards the council, I turn on my heel and bolt out of the den. Urgency pushes me forward as I race towards Grace. I need to find her, protect her, and reveal the truth about Adam before it's too late.

I've remembered where I'd heard the name before. Grace mentioned it. He works with her!

With a renewed sense of purpose, I turn and sprint towards the exit, my heart pounding in my chest. The path ahead is uncertain, and the dangers are real, but I know that I must face them head-on. For Grace's sake, for the sake of our pack, and for the sake of all those who have suffered at the hands of Adam Straker.

As I leave the den, my responsibilities settle upon my shoulders. The confrontation ahead will be treacherous, but I'm prepared to face it. With every step I take, my determination grows stronger, fueled by the love I have for Grace, the desire to prove myself and my loyalty to the pack.

The chase has begun, and as the wind whips through my hair, I can't help but wonder what will happen when I see Adam? I'm ready to confront the darkness and bring an end to Adam's reign of chaos. Whatever fate has in store for me, I'm ready for it.