We wait for Scarlet and Shadow to return with the knowledge that we are all in danger of being hunted. Scared witless over the new development, but knowing that I have to maintain a semblance of calm, I pace back and forth in the room that has been designated as my own, careful to avoid passing in front of the window for fear of being shot at once more.
Though a part of me can’t believe what’s happened, another horrible part of my brain can.
Paxton Wells witnessed my transformation—and in the field, no less.
It’s no wonder this hasn’t spread like wildfire, I think.
But, I then realize, there is a reality I have not yet considered.
Paxton Wells is not a stupid man. As a business owner, he has had to work from the ground up, building a hunting and fishing empire that could compare with some of the biggest companies in North America. This determination, and his hatred for the red wolf of East Texas, has emblazoned his need for revenge, especially since it was his son who was injured by the Dark Wolf.
But I wasn’t the Dark Wolf when I turned, I think.
Regardless, the fact that he saw me change into a wolf, and saw another attack his son, would be enough to enrage him. Perhaps he isn’t even thinking logically in terms of what color the Dark Wolf was and what color the Light Wolf is.
Either way, I know that I cannot dwell on this for very long.
Soon, Scarlet Jane and her companion will return, and with them, will bring news of who exactly the Lillock Brotherhood are.
A knock comes at my door, startling me from thought.
“Hello?” I ask, lifting my eyes to face the threshold.
“It’s me,” Jackson replies. “Can I come in?”
I hesitate for a moment, though why I can’t be sure. Maybe it’s because of the near-death experience, or the threat of potentially seeing a man tortured, that has me so on edge.
It doesn’t matter, I think. It’s just Jackson. He’s not going to judge you.
For that reason, I step forward, and open the door.
Jackson steps inside a short moment later.
“Is something wrong?” I ask.
“I just—“ he starts, then pauses. A short moment passes, at which point he leans forward and drags me into his arms, hugging me tight.
“What’s this?” I whisper.
“A hug,” he replies.
“I get that. But why?”
“Because I could’ve lost you, Oaklynn.”
“I—“
“I couldn’t believe it when I heard the gunshot,” he says. “I thought I was imagining things. But when the second shot was fired, I thought, Jesus. Oaklynn’s out there! I was ready to go charging into battle when Scarlet yelled for me to stay back.”
“We’re lucky she and Shadow are supernatural too,” I say. “Because if they hadn’t been…”
“Who knows what would have happened,” Jackson finishes.
I nod.
Sighing, Jackson draws back and runs a hand along my face. “I couldn’t bear the thought of not seeing you again.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Jackson.”
“Still…” He leans his brow against mine. “Thank you for not dying on me.”
“You’re… welcome?” I ask.
He laughs. “I can accept that.”
A smile passes over his face a short moment later. “I just feel bad for Scarlet’s RV. Did you see what those shots did to it?”
“Remember? I was there.”
“Yeah. Right.” Jackson chuckles.
The sound of several hard knocks filters into the room from up the hall, causing my blood to instantly run cold.
“Is that—“ I start.
But Jackson stops me before I can finish, by saying: “Yeah. It’s them.”
Neither of us hesitate to leave the room.
“So,” Jackson says after Shadow and Scarlet have arranged themselves on the plush seats in the living room. “Who are the Lillock Brotherhood?”
Scarlet takes a long, hard swig from a glass of sweet tea that has been provided to her and says, “Angels to some, demons to others.”
Bernard exhales.
Justin sighs.
Jackson reaches down to take hold of my hand, and I hold tight to his the moment our fingers snake together.
“You’ll have to explain,” Zachariah begins. “This is new territory for us.”
“For you? Or your kids?” Scarlet asks.
“I’ve always known there were hunters. That’s why I’ve always encouraged my son to be careful when he’s shifting.”
“And the girl?”
I swallow as Scarlet turns her eyes on me.
“She’s new,” Scarlet continues. “I can tell.”
“Yeah,” Zachariah says. “She is.”
With a nod, Scarlet sips her tea once more, then leans forward to set the glass on the coffee table before saying, “The Lillock Brotherhood are the elite wolf hunters in the state of Texas. They are individuals who have bore witness to events in the supernatural world—either because they themselves saw something happen, or their families did. Most of them are human. Some, however, are not.
“Which is where this gets complicated,” Scarlet continues.
The room takes on a deathly chill. Unsure what to think, and even more unsure what to say, I remain silent and tighten my grip on Jackson’s hand as the woman before us prepares to continue her statement.
“Derek Lillock,” she says, “formed the group in the late 2020s, after a group of Howlers devastated several ranches across the state. They weren’t killing for food, but sport; and though the Agency knew what was going on, we could not intervene because—“
“They weren’t exposing the supernatural world?” I offer.
Scarlet nods. “Exactly.” She turns to face Shadow. “Wipers—which is what my friend Shadow here is—tried to infiltrate their cellular networks in order to determine who exactly were a part of the Lillock Brotherhood. Unfortunately, they’ve been unable to do so for the past ten years, especially since personal encryption technology has become more accessible and infinitely more powerful.”
“I’m sensing there’s a but here somewhere,” Jackson says.
“Yes. There is.” Scarlet lifts her eyes to face the two of us on the couch. “Since we now know that a mundane human knows a member of the Lillock Brotherhood, we can use Shadow’s powers on him and his wife to determine where exactly they’ve made base camp.”
“You’re talking about Paxton Wells.”
“The one and only,” Scarlet says.
A sigh passes from Zachariah’s lips. “He’s going to go undercover now that his contact has been wiped of his memories.”
“He will suspect something,” Shadow offers, “but not immediately.”
“Which means we have to act fast,” Scarlet adds, “and infiltrate his home as soon as possible.”
“Wait,” I say. “Infiltrate it?”
Scarlet nods.
“That’s crazy talk,” Jackson offers.
“On the contrary,” Scarlet replies. “It’s the only plan we’ve got. Unless you have another to suggest?”
I open my mouth to speak, but find that I cannot do so.
Scarlet smiles after a moment and says, “He lives right through these woods, right? I mean… he’d have to, if he was snooping around your old property.”
“He’s through these woods,” I reply with a nod.
The Hunter rises. “Give the two of us a moment to put together a plan. We’ll inform you of what your roles will be soon after.”
“You can’t drag these kids into this,” Zachariah says.
“Unfortunately, I will need a wolf or two to make sure that the men who are likely to be stationed around the home are distracted.”
“Why not pick one of us?” Bernard asks from near the doorway, where he and Justin have been standing.
“Because one of you is undergoing alcohol withdrawal,” Scarlet says, “and you are not likely to think clearly because of it.”
Justin lowers his eyes.
Bernard covers his face.
Scarlet returns her gaze to me and Jackson. “Can I count on the two of you?” she asks.
“Yes,” I reply, before I can think on it further. “You can.”
“Good.” Scarlet turns toward the doorway. “Now, if you’d excuse us…”
She and Shadow leave the home soon after.
Mister Meadows asks, “Are you out of your damn mind, girl?”
“I want this over with,” I reply, “and this isn’t going to happen so long as Paxton Wells and his family know about me.”
The man moves to argue, but stops himself before he can do so.
Jackson stands. “All right,” he says. “I guess we’re taking the fight to him.”
“It… would appear so,” his father replies, and closes his eyes.
All I can do is nod.
No longer will I hide behind closed doors, waiting for someone to solve my problems for me.
Now, I will make right everything that has been wronged.