The playground shrub was surrounded by a soft breeze that stirred the leaves gently, brushing against the skin like a cool whisper. Birds chirped in the nearby trees, their melodies blending with the rustle of wind and distant laughter from a few young wolves sparring in the field. The air carried a calm, earthy scent sun-warmed grass, bark, and the faint aroma of wildflowers scattered along the edges. It was a perfect afternoon: warm but not hot, peaceful yet alive.
Tyler strolled over to where Sophia sat, her legs folded neatly beneath her as she read a thick book. Sunlight fell in dappled patches on her shoulder. As he settled beside her, she glanced up, her face lighting up with a gentle smile.
"What a welcome surprise," she said, adjusting herself slightly.
"What?" Tyler replied casually, taking a sip from a plastic water bottle.
"I can't believe you'd want to sit with me," she said.
"Why can't I?" he asked.
Sophia tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, a blush rising on her cheeks. "You just don't seem like the kind of guy who'd sit around with a lady."
Tyler looked at her, his expression unreadable for a moment. "Well, you're not just any lady. You're my leader and… friend" he paused, catching the word in his throat.
"Am I really?" Sophia asked, her voice soft, her eyes holding his.
"Everyone is," Tyler replied quietly.
"I wish I was more than that to you, Tyler," Sophia thought silently, her smile faltering just slightly.
She shifted the topic, her tone turning more serious. "Mr. Jack wants to see us tonight."
"For what? More vampires showing up?" Tyler asked.
"No… I don't think so. I don't know what exactly it is, but it sounded urgent."
"Have you told the pack?"
"Not yet. But I will soon," she said, locking eyes with him.
A pause.
"I'm sorry, Tyler," Sophia said. "For not believing you about seeing Susun. It was hard to imagine. No one's seen him since the Constantine era… It just didn't seem possible. I didn't want to think it was true."
Tyler looked away, his gaze falling on a bird flying above the treetops. "It's nothing, Sophia. I don't blame you. It was hard to believe."
She smiled, leaning forward and planting a gentle kiss on his cheek.
Tyler flushed red, startled but not unhappy.
"Thanks a lot," she said, her smile warm.
Tyler looked down, catching his own faint reflection in the water bottle's curve. He was smiling genuinely.
The council chamber was thick with tension, the air heavy and still. Dim lanterns cast flickering shadows across the stone walls, and the scent of parchment and aged wood lingered like ghosts of old decisions. The long table at the front was no longer occupied by Mr. Jack alone tonight, Mr. Taylor and Mr. Stark stood beside him, their expressions solemn and eyes sharp with urgency.
There were no formal greetings.
"We have very urgent information," Mr. Jack said, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "No time for ceremony."
Mr. Taylor stepped forward. "There have been multiple reports of missing people dozens including children. All from the Lake Blacksea region over the past several days."
The room seemed to drop in temperature.
"You're being sent there for immediate investigation and, if necessary, elimination of any vampire threat," Mr. Taylor continued.
Jasper blinked, startled. "Wait, Lake Blacksea? Isn't that another town far from here?"
"Yes, it is," Mr. Stark confirmed without hesitation. "You'll be packing tonight. Leave as soon as you're ready. Neutralize any threat you come across."
"Whoa why can't another pack handle this?" Tyler asked, a frown tugging at his brow. "I mean, a more experienced one. Why us?"
"I agree," Sophia added. "We're still trying to get going after Connor and Alex death. Another, older pack could manage better."
Silence.
Mr. Jack's eyes swept across the room before he spoke. "We're sending you because we trust you. No other pack has made as much progress as yours. Not in this time frame. You've handled every mission with excellence. We're not doubting the others
but right now, we trust you the most. While the other packs maintain the region, your team will handle Blacksea."
There was a pause before Bella broke it. "Alright. We can't say no."
"She's right," Jasper said, flashing a confident grin. "Let's do it."
"We'll handle it," Henry added, his tone resolute.
"We protect wherever we go," James said firmly. "Lake Blacksea isn't an exception."
Sophia nodded. "We'll take care of it."
The chamber went quiet again, all eyes turning to Tyler.
He met their gaze, then said calmly, "Leave it to us."
A small smile tugged at Mr. Stark's mouth. "We believe in you."
"Be careful," Mr. Jack warned, voice serious once more. "We don't yet know the vampire's strengths or numbers. It could be far more dangerous than anything you've faced. If there's any trouble don't hesitate to call."
The pack nodded in unison, solemn and ready.
Tyler exhaled slowly.
This was going to be tougher than he'd thought.