Chapter 278

Chapter 278

Dane

‘Everwood.’ Aero murmurs. ‘Why does that sound so familiar?’

‘There was a pack called Everwood years ago. Down in the south. But that was a long time ago, before I was even born. They were wiped out.’ Part of my training as an Alpha had been to learn what had killed off certain packs.

Everwood was not wiped out by a pack war or anything like that. It was a disaster. There was massive flooding, followed by a landslide. My father had said they had either been killed in the process or had been buried alive. We may be able to heal from a lot of stuff, but things like that take out everything in its path. Destruction at its finest.

“Everwood were a pack of Wolves.” I mutter to Abraxas with a frown.

He smirks at me and shakes his head.

“Lycans?”

He takes another swig of beer and nods. “A lot of packs masqueraded as Wolves. Easier to keep their identity hidden. Wolves can’t tell the difference, as you are aware.”

Moonshine had done just that. But they had also led Neah to believe she was a Wolf her entire life.

“You’ve killed packs?” I press.

“I kill Rogues. Though my parents and grandparents did wipe out packs. I decided to focus on the real problems.”

“Are you trying to tell me that Blair is from this Everwood pack? Because that can’t be possible.”

He grins, “My grandparents blew up a dam not too far from their location. Made it look as though the thing cracked and then whoosh everything was gone.”

It was impressive. A single act that wiped out so many. But it also made me question how many Lycan packs I had actually dealt with unknowingly.

“You think Blair’s mother got away?”

“Maybe or maybe she wasn’t there at the time.”

“That’s why Blair came for your family when she was old enough. Payback.”

“In my line of work, every action has a consequence. My grandparents should have made sure everyone was dead. That was their mistake and a mistake that I am now having to clean up.”

“But why take Dorothy from you, what was the point in that?”

“You can mourn a death. You never get over knowing your child is out there, alive somewhere. You wonder if they are thinking about you or if they evern remember you.”

I could only imagine what that must have been like. If someone tried taking one of my boys, I don’t think anyone would be safe. Actually, I know they wouldn’t be safe.

“Mallory ended up in a situation with Blair.”

“I heard.”

“Blair let slip something about a pack. About being skilled from training before she went Rogue. She caught herself and reacted badly. If Everwood were wiped out, what pack is she talking about?”

“That is something I haven’t figured out. There are several packs that still reside in this country. Others moved overseas when the Wolf numbers started growing again. I’ve watched and never

seen them at any of them. I wondered if maybe she led Wolves to believe she was one of them.”

It didn’t sound ridiculous.

“Did you know about Moonshine?” I challenge

He looks me dead in the eye. “No, well, not at the time you are thinking of. They were recorded as wiped out.” He looks at my annoyed face, “Being a Hunter does not make you suddenly aware of all packs. Yes I can tell the difference. Yes I can smell their strange odour. Yes, training skills are passed down through generations. We do record information on packs, and I can assure you, there is only the one recording of a Moonshine. The one that says deceased.”

He taps his empty bottle on the table, “Why did you accept her? Even after you knew what she was, you still let her stay and thrive.”

“I was looking for my mate for a long time. When I found her, I knew there was no way I was letting her go.”

“She’s a Lycan.” He stares at me with his hazel eyes.

“Sometimes we can’t help who we fall for.”

“Did you feel sorry for her? I mean you did save her from a terrible situation.”

“She told you about that?” I ask, surprised. It wasn’t something she voluntarily discussed. Things would slip out now and again, but mostly, she tried to keep it buried in the past.

“She didn’t need to, I see it in her soul.”