The restaurant buzzed with life, filled with laughter, clinking glassware, and the gentle hum of people talking over dinner. The warm lighting gave the whole place a golden glow, casting soft reflections off polished tables and colorful dessert bowls. A jazz tune played faintly through hidden speakers, mingling with the occasional cheer from a birthday table across the room. Every booth was full, and waiters zipped around with trays of food and drinks. Yet somehow, the energy at one particular table stood out from the rest.
In the far corner, near the wide glass windows overlooking the bustling street, the pack sat together finally, in peace.
Sophia sipped quietly on her tall glass of milkshake, the pink swirl catching the light. Tyler sat beside her, spooning slowly at a plate of creamy vanilla and strawberry ice cream. Bella, across from him, was already halfway through hers, her smile returning to her face like sunshine after days of rain. Jasper and Henry both nursed colorful smoothies, chunks of fruit visible through the glass.
James sat back with a small guitar resting on his leg, fingers strumming gently across the strings. His tune was soft, rhythmic enough to draw curious glances from nearby tables but not loud enough to disturb the mood. As the notes floated into the air, the others swayed gently to the beat.
"That was nice," Bella said with a grin, licking her spoon clean.
"Yeah, you should totally join a band," Henry chimed in, lifting his glass in approval.
James chuckled and waved a hand dismissively. "Oh come on, guys. It's nothing. I'm still learning."
Sophia smiled faintly, clearly pleased. This whole night had been her idea. She had made the arrangements called ahead, reserved the booth, even made sure they each got something they liked. Everyone had been excited for a change of pace... everyone except Tyler.
"Was this really necessary?" he had grumbled earlier. But now, seeing Bella laugh and Sophia finally relax, he didn't protest further.
A waiter approached their table just then, balancing two plates of ice cream. "Two ice creams ready now," he said with a professional nod as he set them down.
"Yesss!" Jasper exclaimed, practically diving in with his spoon. James followed with a grin, already scooping a mouthful.
The waiter lingered a moment. "I hope you all return home soon. The restaurant will be closing by 8:30 sharp."
The entire table paused.
"What?" they chorused.
The waiter straightened. "Yes. All businesses are expected to close early for safety. There's been a series of kidnappings and killings lately. Dead bodies with no trace of who or what did it. So I suggest you finish up and head home before dark. The town's not what it used to be."
He walked off without waiting for a reply.
Silence fell over the table.
James's expression darkened. He slammed his hand lightly against the table. "Nasty bloodsuckers."
Jasper leaned forward, his tone serious. "The killings are getting worse. No matter what we do, there's always more newborns."
Henry added, "Some parents have even pulled their kids out of school until it's safe again…"
His eyes dropped to his drink. The mood had shifted.
Tyler sighed and leaned back in his chair, gazing through the window at the flickering streetlamps outside. A long silence hung in the air.
"They think it's probably some serial killer," Bella muttered. "If only they knew."
Sophia straightened, her voice firm. "We have patrol tomorrow. Every one of us needs to be sharp."
The pack nodded.
"Also…" Tyler spoke up, "Mr. Jack wants to see us tomorrow morning."
Jasper raised a brow. "What for?"
Tyler shook his head. "I don't know.
Velvet banners with the insignia of the wolf council hung from the walls, and at the far end of the hall, under the soft glow of lanterns, stood Mr. Jack their elder and their mentor, .
The pack stood before him in a line, alert and respectful, their breath quiet in the stillness.
Mr. Jack's deep voice broke the silence. "The council is very pleased with you all."
He let the words hang for a moment, watching as pride flickered in the eyes of the young wolves before him.
"Know that your accomplishments have not gone unnoticed," he continued. "If you keep up this momentum, you'll soon be awarded a medal of honor."
A few smiles cracked across the faces of the pack. Jasper stood a little straighter, and even James looked momentarily proud.
"But," Mr. Jack said, his voice firming, "danger still hangs heavier than before."
The mood shifted.
"Vampires are going rogue. Humans are disappearing every day." His gaze swept over them. "We can't continue to let that happen let that happen."
Silence fell again. The weight of his words settled like fog.
"You've achieved much together," he went on, his tone slower now, more reflective. "But the road ahead will only grow darker. I want each of you to remember this."
He stepped forward slightly, his eyes sharp as they locked on theirs.
"It doesn't take the sword to kill the man it's the heart behind it."
A chill passed through the room.
"Let your fangs not just cut through flesh but feel the emotion behind the strike. Every vampire out there has taken something we once loved."
Tyler's jaw clenched, his eyes darkening. Beside him, Bella's shoulders stiffened, the joy from earlier fading from her expression.
"But we don't let that define us," Mr. Jack said, softer now. "We choose to fight. We carry the DNA of our ancestors in every cell of our being. Wolves don't break. Wolves endure."
He turned, his gaze locking meaningfully with Tyler, then Sophia.
"I believe in this pack. Deeply. And I'm counting on every single one of you."
The words echoed in the chamber like a vow.
"Yes, sir," the pack replied in unison, their voices strong.
And just like that, the air around them shifted charged with resolve, unity, and something far stronger than fear.
Purpose.
Tyler looked at mr jack, who was he really. Everyone knew about him as the elder but there was something else laying buried in his mind, something he didn't want to reveal.