The pack stood before the council chamber, its tall stone walls casting long shadows across the floor. The air smelled faintly of burning pine from the torches mounted along the pillars.
Mr. Jack's voice broke the stillness.
"I'm proud of you all," he said, his eyes sweeping over them with quiet approval. Beside him sat Mr. Edward and Mr. Stark, both watching intently.
"I must admit," Jack continued, his tone softening, "this one is on me. I thought the other pack would handle it but I was wrong. I underestimated the vampires." His lips curled into a faint smile. "Next time I won't repeat such a mistake, you'll all go together."
A ripple of pride moved through the pack.
"And James" Jack's gaze found him, sharp yet warm. "Another wolf has unlocked the One Mind Wolf. I'm proud of you."
Tyler clapped James lightly on the shoulder, smiling along with the others.
"Jasper," Jack said, "your visions guided us when we needed it most. As you grow stronger, more will come." "Sophia, your leadership will only sharpen."
"And Tyler," Jack's tone grew firm, "you've shown courage and strength from the very start. You and your sister… and Henry as well. I commend you all."
The pack's smiles faded slightly as Jack's eyes lowered, his voice dipping into a more somber tone.
"But… like I always say we are only beginning. The danger ahead is greater than anything we've faced. The vampires will stop at nothing to win. And we," his gaze rose again, sharp as steel, "must be ready for them."
He took a step closer, his presence filling the room.
"I need every single one of you to unlock it. The One Mind Wolf, every single one of you should know Susun must be stopped."
The sun hung low over the Davidson estate, spilling warm, honeyed light across the sprawling gardens. Rows of manicured hedges framed winding stone paths, and the air carried the faint scent of roses from a nearby tree. The gentle splash of the fountain blended with the laughter of children chasing each other across the soft grass, their small feet kicking up clouds of petals as they ran.
Tyler and James strolled side by side, boots crunching lightly on the gravel path.
"I'm going to see Helen tomorrow," James said, his tone casual but weighted.
Tyler turned his head, brows lifting. "Why?"
James's gaze drifted over the gardens, as if searching for the right words. "I don't know… but I think I'm getting emotionally attached to her. She was the reason I unlocked the One Mind Wolf. When that vampire spoke about pain about seeing humans suffer it struck something in me. Helen's pain reached me. I remembered her telling me how her sister saved her from a vampire, just so she could survive. I couldn't bear it anymore. All I wanted was to rip that vampire apart."
"I know," Tyler said quietly. "It was the same with Bella. I couldn't stand seeing her in that much pain and then it happened."
"I want to talk to her," James went on, his voice low. "See her again. I don't know how Mrs. Jane will feel about it, but" His gaze dropped to the path. "I won't rest until I meet her."
"Can we come with you?" Tyler asked.
James shook his head firmly. "No. Mr. Davidson wouldn't be happy if we all went together. And I don't want you to come either. You're too important to this pack."
Tyler smiled faintly. "You're very important to this pack too, James. I'll tell the others about your decision. When will you be back?"
"Once I speak with her. Maybe in two days. I'll check into a hotel once I'm in Mugen."
James's eyes flicked toward the far end of the gardens. "I've seen Redwill and Sophia talking late at night out here," he said, glancing at Tyler.
Tyler gave a sidelong look. "How does that concern me?"
"I know how close you've gotten to Sophia," James replied with a knowing grin. "Closer than you admit. I can see it."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Tyler muttered, turning away. "Sophia's doing what's expected of her. I have to do what's expected of me make sure Bella is safe."
"I know," James said. "But sometimes we have to face the truth. It's only when we face it that we see who we really are—and what we're capable of. Or what our heart is reaching for."
Tyler's gaze lingered on him for a moment, unreadable. "James," he said, his voice dry, "I didn't expect you to be an emotional tutor."
James smiled faintly, his gaze steady.
"I'm not Tyler," he said quietly, "I just want to show you what you keep hiding from yourself."
Tyler shifted, eyes narrowing. "What do you think about Jasper's visions?"
"They'll only get stronger," James replied without hesitation.
"Mr. Jack said the same thing," Tyler murmured.
"Yes. Jasper must come from a powerful werewolf bloodline one that can see the future, maybe even prophecy. That's why he has those visions."
Tyler gave a short, dry chuckle. "Bloodlines and history all wrapped into one. Mr. Jack and Mr. Davidson always said we could be the ones to stop Susun. I don't believe it. I'm not good enough and the last thing I'd want is to lose you guys in a war. A war we didn't start. A war we were born into. His voice dipped lower, almost breaking,"i always wanted to stop Susun, but every fight with a vampire makes me question myself whether I'm strong enough to face him, if we could even defeat him if we met him. I did meet him once. That night"
Tyler's eyes darkened. "The way he looked at me it was like he'd seen me before. And whatever he remembered… it made him shake in fear."
James leaned forward, his tone grave. "The only wolf who ever made Susun shake was Constantine. No other wolf has ever come close."
"I don't know what memory he had," Tyler said, his voice sharpening, "but I wish I knew so I could make him remember it every single day."
James's eyes glinted with a cold resolve. "Mr. Jack was right. The battle isn't over. And it won't be not until we snap that vampire lord's neck."