STIGMA

1. The rogue attack

August 11, 2017,

A rogue attack occurred on the outskirts of the Red Shine Pack's territory located in Seattle. Several of the trees had been uprooted, and the fences surrounding the Alpha's territory had been broken, clearly indicating the rogues ' Aggressive trespassing.

There were small pools of blood on the ground on every second step, as well as wolf fur and human hair. Certainly, the one who was attacked would have fought back. Metallic scent of blood lingered in the air .

"Nothing exists in the south. " In order to gain clear and smooth access to the area the warrior who accompanied Alpha Hercules climbed up on the trees.

"I can't see anything for miles." He added as he peered down at his alpha who was standing with a sword in hand, examining the region with his vigilant gaze.

At forty-three, he was tall, had a well- built torso, bronze skin that glowed in the sun rays filtering through the leaves of trees and lesser wrinkles around his eyes as compared to the other wolves of his age. His cinnamon brown eyes cautiously assessed the area as the rogue wolves he just killed were lying at his feet.

"Look more closely, I did hear someone shout for help. I feel that person is nearby." As he talked, he knelt down and rubbed the blade of his sword across the body of a dead rogue to clean off the blood.

Then he continued to move forward in the west direction, "Ryley! Ryley!"As he called out a name repeatedly.

"This guy," With a slight groan, he vaulted over the fallen tree and stepped on the other side as he searched for Ryley, his son. His front fall of charcoal black hair enhanced his good looks.

"Yes, dad!" He received a reply before a young guy with identical stunning cinnamon eyes and similar features sprang out of the bushes to his front, carrying a sword in one hand and some wolfsbane in another hand that was protected with a glove.

Just the difference between him and the alpha was that he was the younger version of his father, otherwise a perfect replica.

Alpha Hercules gave him a stern look as he said, "We are here on a rescue mission, aren't we? But looks like you have forgotten the purpose and got yourself occupied with other and rather mischievous activities." He eyed the wolfsbane in his hands.

Ryley gave his father a sheepish grin. Hiding the wolfbane behind his back, he lied, "I am sorry dad, I mean Alpha Hercules, but I was collecting some wolfsbane for a project. I swear."

The looks on his father's face indicated his disapproval, "I don't remember your Principal informing me about any project involving wolfsbane."

Ryley nibbled his lips as he stressed his brain to come up with a good excuse. "That's because our teacher from botany class has yet to inform the principal.We only discussed it on the last day."

“In that case, why don't you give me the wolfsbane, Ryley Shine? I'll return it to you once your Principal has informed me about the project and explained to me as to how exactly the students are going to use a deathly plant like wolfsbane in a botany project when it should be kept away from the students in the first place." his father snatched it from him and hurled it behind his head on the ground.

'Dang it!" Ryley muttered annoyingly while father slipped past him with a cool look on his countenance as if he did a greater job.

Come to think of it, it was indeed a great job because his son, seventeen year old, was a bully.

When Ryley learnt that his father was taking him on a rescue expedition, he promised his friends to get some wolfsbane so that they could use them on their next target the next day he arrived at school. Seeing the plant on the muddy ground he pouted before composing himself and following his father ahead in the woods.

'So what if he didn't let me have it from here, I can steal some from the science lab where it is growing alongside other harmful plants for research purpose.' he thought with a malicious beam.

He rushed over to his father while handling his sword. Stopping next to him. "By the way, I discovered this." he handed his father a necklace he had plucked out of his jeans pocket.

It was a pendant made of diamond that read "Valentine" within.

While his father intensely scrutinized the neckpiece, Ryley beamed boastfully. Observing how his father was examining the pendant, he became certain that he made a useful discovery.

"Jason, it's a girl named Valentine. We have to find her." Alpha Hercules communicated over his psychic link to the pack's senior doctor and his BFF, Jason Pereira.