Chapter 5

Chapter 005

Reynaldo's Point Of View

My office looks like any typical workspace, but it is slightly larger than average. Windows span the full length of the wall behind my mahogany desk, while dark espresso-colored bookshelves on both sides allow in constant natural light. The thin curtains allow soft illumination to fill the room, which softens the impact of harsh sunlight. My desk area features two navy-blue velvet chairs with deep button-tufting that stand around a dark espresso French coffee table. Positioned on opposite sides of the room are two black velvet couches with matching tufting, which provide seating for several guests. The area displays refined elegance but maintains a relaxed atmosphere.

As I'm about to sit down and start working I hear someone knocking on the door.

I call out "Come in" while pressing my nose bridge to fight off the emerging headache.

Mariana greets me with “Morning, boss!” in a voice that seems too bright for early morning.

Mariana Torres is my pack’s Gamma. Although she’s only 21 years old, she secured her position by demonstrating hard work and determination along with superior skills that surpass what I’d care to acknowledge. Mariana stands out from her pack parents, who are ordinary members. She lacks the brute strength of our strongest warriors, yet she can still fight effectively even though her body size is small. She moves quickly and nimbly while trusting her smart thinking. Above all, she maintains engaging discussions, which typically involve me.

She drops into the chair opposite me while her familiar smile lights up her face.

I deliver a dry “report” as I settle into my chair and attempt to block out the building pressure around my temples.

She notes with a raised eyebrow that someone started their day on the wrong side of the bed.

“I’m already facing disasters today, and it's before 10 AM,” I say while rubbing my eyes and leaning back in my chair.

She warns me that things will only deteriorate from this point. A small notepad in her possession opens up as she brings it out. For some time now we’ve monitored a group of rogues who moved northwards. They’re still out there. Their intentions remain a mystery, and current conditions look dangerous. The Underworld Council’s operatives intervened to rescue a human village that was attacked a few days ago. The Underworld Council’s operatives were nearby enough to intervene when needed. There were only a few human casualties.”

I lean forward, raising an eyebrow. “The Underworld Council? What reasons would bring the Underworld Council near our borders? They usually stay out of our way.”

The Underworld Council represents a group composed of vampires, fairies, shapeshifters, elves, and other supernatural entities who work to maintain secrecy between their world and humans. The Underworld Council serves as the supernatural world's law enforcement, but we werewolves resist interference from external parties in our matters. We prefer to resolve our issues rather than let outside parties handle them, especially regarding rogue wolves. We don’t trust anyone else.

Mariana tightens her gaze while she searches through her notepad pages. “Yeah, that’s the weird part. One of my sources informs me that they actively monitored the growing use of dark magic throughout the region. The Council’s operatives tracked the Shadow Witches who were under suspicion. Upon discovering the rogue group, their immediate response was to intervene. I have acquired information from another source stating that these rogue creatures operate under organized command. There exists a person who directs the attackers about their next targets and timing for assaults. Something’s off here, Reynaldo. It doesn’t feel right.”

I stop to take a deep breath while I process what I've heard. I’m uncertain which is more concerning: the rogue wolf attacks on human villages or their potential alliance with dark magic followers. Trouble awaits us in either situation, which is exactly what we can't afford at this moment.

Mari tracks the rogue wolves but monitors the Council at the same time. We need to investigate both their activities and the witches. I’ve got a bad feeling about this. Didn't you have a Light Witch friend to ask for help? Maybe she knows something.”

A playful twinkle appears within her smile. Boss, you’re distinguishing between ‘good’ witches and Light Witches. There’s a difference. Light witches obtain their powers through natural elements while performing virtuous actions. Shadow witches practice magic through dark means and necromancy. You’d think you’d remember this by now.”

I give her an exaggerated glare. “I know the difference, thank you. Bad Witch, Good Witch. Same thing.”

She grins, clearly not buying it. “You think you’re clever, huh? What name should you give to a vampire who isn't afraid of sunlight?

“Is it called a Daylighter?” I question while anticipating her correction.

She shakes her head and laughs. “No, he’s a Daydrinker!”

My earlier frustration vanishes as I join her laughter. Mariana’s contagious energy serves as a perfect way to release the stress accumulated throughout the day. She has always been our go-to person for mood improvement because she can make Susana laugh at crucial times and pull me away from my work-related bad moods.

“Alright, alright,” I say, waving her off. “Go rest up before the party tonight. Susana will feel elated to spend time with you.

Her face falters for just a second. Reynaldo, I apologize, but I won’t make it tonight. Rogue bandits appeared in the vicinity close to this location. I must track them down because their tracks are still fresh. Mauricio already linked you about it, right?”

I feel my shoulders sag. “Great. Susana will be furious with me when she learns you're leaving early.

Before departing, she states with a gentle smile that she’ll stop to say hi. “I miss Little Alpha. It’s been a while.”

I remind her with a smile that his name is Carlos, but she has already started to leave. Even as she prepares to leave, she pauses to turn back toward me.

“Reynaldo, you gave me everything I have today,” she declares with gravity in her words. My current self exists today because you gave me this opportunity. We will always stand by you no matter what happens. Always.”

She nods her head downward briefly before exiting the room, which leaves me with a grateful yet inexplicable sensation. The afternoon slips away as paperwork and last-minute tasks overwhelm me until suddenly it's five PM. I still need to verify a few things because the guests will start arriving shortly.

“Álex, what do you think? “Shall we go running?” I ask as I tap my fingers on the desk while waiting for my wolf to answer.

Álex’s voice vibrates with pure excitement when he says excitedly, “Finally!” I had begun to question when you would finally ask me.

I exit the office and proceed towards the garden. Staff members rush throughout the house to complete the final preparations for the party. I move cautiously to avoid disturbing anyone while I approach the French doors leading to the garden. I cast a brief look around before I take off my clothes and transform into my wolf shape. I hand over control to Álex, who takes command during a few amazing moments.

Álex’s fur shares the same intense black shade as my natural hair color, while our eyes both have an identical pale blue hue. In wolf form, we become enormous creatures that exceed the size of most wolves and resemble beings from ancient legends. Not the sparkling-vampire kind of myth, though. More like the beastly, powerful kind.

We move through the grounds as we inspect the perimeter and sense complete tranquility. Too calm. It’s strange. The silence of the night combined with the surrounding air creates a sense of unease within me.

Once our patrol ends, I transform back into my human shape and proceed into the house by entering through the kitchen. The place is chaos, as expected. The staff is pushing themselves to work twice as hard to prepare everything. I make my way through the chaos before entering the service elevator to ascend to the third floor.

My nights have mostly been in Susana’s room since she became pregnant, and I have hardly slept anywhere else following Carlos’ arrival. The room’s quiet as I enter. Susana and Carlos rest peacefully with their gentle breathing providing a comforting counterpoint to the chaos occurring downstairs.

I take a silent shower and dress myself before I pick out my navy blue tunic. This navy blue tunic represents one of our pack’s colors while also standing as my personal favorite choice. My eyes flicker toward Carlos’s crib while I wear a smile of contentment. He appears so tranquil that I make sure to not disturb them while I quietly exit the room.

I return downstairs to discover the party has reached its peak. The ballroom buzzes with activity as guests move through it. While I exchange greetings with different pack leaders and share old news, I notice Roberto García, who leads the Colmillo Gris Pack.

“Reynaldo! He calls out to me, and we fist-bump, saying, “It’s been too long.”

“Roberto! How’s life treating you? Am I right in thinking you're still in search of your mate?

He lets out a deep laugh. He hasn’t appeared yet, but I am confident he’ll show up tonight.

“What? Here?” I ask, raising an eyebrow. “You mean here, in this house?”

“Yep,” Roberto grins. “My wolf, Guillermo, can feel him. Our wolf says he smells our mate, who has the scent of lemon custard, and he detects it originating from your home.

“Really? After that revelation, I can’t help but joke that you might even have a fairy godmother too!

Roberto shrugs, unfazed. “Hey, if the shoe fits, Cinderella. But yeah, Guillermo’s not wrong. There’s a scent around here.”

I take in the garden with a quick look and draw a deep breath. I catch a whiff of something. The fragrance starts faint but reveals notes of raspberry and black currant with a touch of sugared musk. This sweet, intoxicating aroma strikes me as completely familiar.

Álex's mind voice emits a low growl that combines both admiration and lurking danger. “She’s here.”

"What do you mean she's here?" I mutter as my mind races to understand what's happening. “Our true mate?”

“Raspberry combined with black currant and sugared musk,” Álex states while his voice carries an intense urgency.

I remain motionless for a brief moment. The scent is undeniable. Even the slightest scent makes my heart race inside my chest. She’s here.

I look at Roberto as a wave of realization strikes me. "It’s her."