<h4>Chapter 183: They Found Us</h4>


    <strong><i>Draven.</i></strong>


    Sleep had nevere easily, butst night, it refused me entirely.


    Two hours, maybe less—that was all I managed after I sent Dennis and Jeffery inside. The rest of the night, I spent seated at my desk, pen in hand, staring at maps, names, and possible leads.


    Trying to think ten steps ahead of the humans, and five ahead of the vampires.


    This was the weight a leader shouldered: the burden of staying awake so the others could sleep.


    But by dawn, the air in my study felt stifling. My thoughts, once sharp, had grown restless and heavy, like a de dulled by too much whetstone.


    I needed to move.


    I rose from my desk, pulling a ck polo from the back of the sofa and slipping it over my shoulders.


    Without another thought, I stepped out into the corridor, past the portraits and silent halls, and walked outside into the early morning chill.


    The stone steps were still cold from the night, dew gathering along the edges. The sky was just starting to pale.


    And then I saw Jeffery.


    He was standing near the edge of the courtyard, breath visible in the cold air. His posture rxed, but there was a restless tension beneath it. Then his eyes met mine.


    "Couldn’t sleep?" I asked, my voice low.


    He gave a short nod. "Thought a run might help. You?"


    "The same." I paused, then added, "This is what it means, Jeffery. The closer we get, the heavier the nights be."


    "I know, Alpha," he replied. And in his tone, there was quiet understanding.


    Then he spoke, hesitating just slightly. "About theb... If worstes to worst, perhaps we should consider using one of us as bait. Let them take us, and the rest will follow where they drag us."


    I studied him, seeing the seriousness in his gaze. The willingness to go that far.


    "There are times," I admitted, "when great sacrifices bring the only breakthrough." My voice turned colder. "But this would be thest option, Jeffery. Only when there’s nothing else left."


    "I understand," he said quietly.


    A short silence stretched between us before I shifted the topic. "Still have enough strength left for a run?"


    He nodded once.


    "Good," I murmured. Then, without another word, I shifted.


    My bones realigned, muscles stretched, and fur rippled across my skin. In seconds, I stood as the ck wolf,rge as a horse, eyes burning amber.


    The earth felt different under my paws. Alive. Sharper.


    Iunched forward.


    Behind me, I heard the bones and sinew of Jeffery’s transformation, then the soft drum of paws catching up. I didn’t look back—only felt him fall in beside me.


    We ran.


    Past the main house, around the perimeter, paws thudding rhythmically against damp soil. Past the watch posts, where guards caught sight of our dark shapes and dipped their heads respectfully.


    Wind tore through my fur, carrying scents of pine, wet earth... and something more.


    As we approached the northern stretch of the estate—the part where the grounds reached the old fence line—I stopped so suddenly that the dirt sprayed beneath my paws.


    Rhovan stirred in my mind, a low growl vibrating through my bones.


    Something was wrong.


    I shifted back to human form in a blink, the air cold on sweat-damp skin, my breathing measured.


    Jeffery, now beside me, transformed too, still catching his breath. "What is it, Alpha?" he asked quietly.


    I raised a hand to silence him, closing my eyes and letting my senses stretch.


    At first, it was faint. A trace. Old as air itself. Then the wind shifted.


    The scent hit me properly: ancient, cold, andced with something metallic. Not human. Not werewolf.


    Something that should have died out centuries ago.


    My eyes snapped open, narrowing.


    "They’ve found us," I said atst, voice low.


    It sure did take them long enough. But finally, I was going to catch one, if not more.


    Jeffery’s gaze darkened. "The vampires?"


    "Yes," I confirmed, the corner of my mouth twitching into a humourless smirk. "Just one of them, though. Testing the waters."


    Jeffrey inquired, "Did ite inside the estate?"


    "No," I answered. "It stayed across the fence. But it was here. Half an hour ago, maybe less."


    Jeffery didn’t look surprised that I could track the lingering trace of a vampire so precisely. He had known me too long to doubt such things.


    His brows furrowed. "If it watched from the dark, then it must know the guard rotation by now."


    I nodded once, still staring at the fence line. "Though in truth, vampires don’t need to watch anything before attacking. If they study, it means they’re nning a coordinated surprise."


    Jeffery’s voice dropped. "Then we should expect visitors soon."


    "Yes," I said, almost amused by the inevitability of it. "And it won’t be alone next time."


    Jeffery hesitated. "Should I alert the warriors, Alpha?"


    I turned my head to look at him, then shook it. "No."


    His surprise was obvious, though he masked it quickly. But I knew his question before he spoke it.


    "We let theme," I said, voice calm as stone. "Let my warriors prove what all their training was for. If anyone dies... then so be it."


    His expression tightened, but he dipped his head in eptance. "Understood."


    "We pamper them too much," I added, softer. "Let the vampires teach them what a real enemy feels like."


    He bowed his head, acknowledging the harsh truth in my words.


    We turned and walked back toward the house, our steps crunching over damp earth and loose gravel.


    It took ten minutes to cross the grounds on foot, by which time the sky had lightened to a pale grey that announced the morning.


    _{fr\eewebno vel .c(o)m}


    At the steps, I turned to Jeffery.


    "After breakfast," I told him, "bring the recorded testimonials of everyone who faced near abduction to my study. I want to listen to every word."


    "Yes, Alpha," he replied, his tone steady.


    Then we parted.


    I returned to my room, stripped off sweat-damp clothes, and stepped into the cold shower.


    Water streamed over skin, washing away dirt, sweat, and some of the darkness clinging to my thoughts—but not all of it.


    After dressing, I sprawled across the leather sofa by the window, the pale morning seeping through the curtains.


    In my mind, the n kept turning—about the call I was going to put to Brackham soon.