Indigo moved swiftly through the quiet streets, his focus locked on the fading scent trail ahead. He had left the Obsidian Athenaeum with purpose, intent on tracking down the next name on their list. He didn’t expect interruptions.  

Yet as he turned a corner, his senses picked up a second presence—familiar, determined.

He halted, turning sharply as Rose stepped into view, barely winded despite the pace he had kept.  

“You’ve been following me,” Indigo stated, his voice edged with disapproval.  

Rose crossed her arms. “You left without telling me where you were going.”  

Indigo exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Rose, this isn’t—”  

“I can handle myself,” she interrupted, standing firm.  

Indigo studied her, frustration flickering in his expression. He hated the thought of her getting caught in something dangerous. But Rose was stubborn—he had learned long ago that arguing with her was a losing battle.  

After a long pause, he sighed, shaking his head. “Fine. But you stay close.”  

Rose smirked. “Wasn’t planning on wandering.”  

Indigo gave her one last wary look before turning forward again.  

The scent was still fresh. The hunt wasn’t over.

And, whether he liked it or not, he wasn’t tracking alone anymore.

A new scent drifted in, nearly drowning out the one he had been following. Wild, sharp, unmistakable.

Indigo stiffened, his posture tense. “Wolf,” he muttered under his breath, eyes scanning the shadows ahead.  

Rose inhaled subtly, picking up on it too. “Is that normal?”  

“No,” Indigo said., He took another step forward.  

The moment they crossed the threshold into the next alley, a blur of movement exploded from the side—a wolf, dual-shaded brown, its body sleek but powerful, lunging directly at Indigo.  

Instinct took over. Indigo sidestepped fast, narrowly avoiding its snapping jaws before twisting, grabbing its scruff, and slamming it down against the pavement. The wolf snarled. It twisted violently, trying to throw him off.  

Rose didn’t hesitate. She grabbed the wolf’s hind legs, yanking it back, giving Indigo enough room to reposition.  

The beast lashed out again, claws slicing through fabric, barely missing skin. Indigo gritted his teeth, forcing it onto its side with brutal precision. With one sharp movement, he pinned it, holding it firmly against the ground.  

The wolf growled, breath heaving—but it didn’t lunge again.  

Its eyes flickered, recognition settling in.  

Indigo narrowed his gaze, not loosening his grip. “You’re not wild, are you?”  

Rose caught the hint of intelligence in the creature’s stare, her grip easing slightly. “It knew exactly where to strike. That wasn’t random.”  

The wolf huffed, muscles still tense beneath Indigo’s grasp. But it didn’t fight.  

Indigo studied it carefully before muttering, “Tell me who sent you.”  

The wolf didn’t answer. But its eyes said enough. 

Indigo kept the wolf pinned, his grip firm but measured. The creature growled low in its throat, but it wasn’t fighting anymore—only tense, defensive.  

Rose watched closely, her breath steady but cautious. “It’s protecting something,” she murmured.  

Indigo’s gaze swept the dim surroundings, taking in the worn structure ahead—a house, nestled deep within the thick cover of trees, almost swallowed by the night. It wasn’t just a shelter. It was a den. A home.  

Then, movement. A flicker of motion near the entrance, barely visible past the protective stance of the wolf.  

A figure stood in the doorway, tense, waiting.  

Not who he was tracking, but the scent definitely lead to the house in the distance.

Everything clicked into place.

The wolf wasn’t attacking out of aggression. It was defending one of its own.

Indigo slowly released his hold, stepping back. The wolf remained between him and the target, its body coiled, watching him with fierce distrust.  

Rose exhaled, realization settling in. “It’s a werewolf.”  

“This wasn’t an attack,” Indigo said evenly. “You thought we were a threat.”  

The werewolf didn’t speak, but the shift in its stance confirmed it.  

Indigo straightened, keeping his movements calm. “We’re not here to harm your pack.”  

A long pause, breath still lingering with the possibility of danger.  

Then, finally, the werewolf lowered its guard. Transforming into his human form. He clearly didn’t care that his clothes didn’t come back with him.

Indigo looked away, “Ah- you’re very naked.”

Rose had looked away the moment she sensed him transforming. 

“How do I know you aren’t a threat?” His voice was stern, dangerous. 

“We only fought out of self defense, we don’t want to harm you or your family.”

The wolf growled under his breath “why are you here?”

Before anyone could speak, a pink haired man walked over and handed the wolf a pair of underwear. “Emrys, what did I say about transforming…you know our clothes rip.” his voice was soft, angelic. 

The wolf, Emrys, practically melted when the pink haired man showed up. He put the underwear on and blushed a bit. Then he looked back at Indigo and rose. “Start talking.”

“We are just here to find a man named Everest Trefal. I tracked his scent here. We just came from the Obsidian Athenaeum.” Indigo kept his eyes on Emrys.

“You know Mr. Squire?” The smaller man spoke once more.

Indigo and Rose both nodded.

Emrys looked at his partner and sighed “Should we trust them, Ken?”

Ken nodded, smiling softly “we should, I can smell Mr. Squire on them. Please follow us.”

Ken turned around and walked towards the house. Emrys stayed close to him, guarding him with his life.

Indigo followed, pulling Rose along with him. “You are not leaving my sight.”

Ken opened the front door and let them in. “Welcome to our home! It’s not much, but please make yourself comfortable.”

Rose and Indigo walked in, looking around in awe. “This is really nice.” Indigo mumbled.

Ken plopped down on the couch, “you can wait here with us. Everest should hopefully be done soon.”

Rose sat down across from Ken. She crossed her legs and waited patiently. Indigo sat next to her. “Be done with what?”

Emrys snickered, “More like Sage is finished with Everest. With the way they rut, I’m shocked this place isn’t crawling with half‑breed vampwolves by now.”

Indigo rubbed the back of his neck “ah...” 

Rose was looking out the window. Indigo tapped his finger in his knees, waiting impatiently.

After a few more minutes, a tall, white haired man stumbled out of the hallway. His clothes were wrinkled and not on properly. “Oh, didn’t know we had guests.” 

Ken nodded “yup! They are here for you! Found you through Mr. Squire”

Everest nodded slightly “I see. Sorry for the tardiness, I have a very demanding boyfriend.” He walked over and sat down next to Indigo. 

“It’s no problem. I’m here to ask for your assistance.” Indigo looked at Rose, then back at Everest, “Our—Deity, Tshering has given us a mission. There’s a list of people meant to help, each playing a role. Our job is to find them, bring them together, and stop those who manipulate fate for their own gain. We ask for your assistance.”

Sage poked his head out of the door to his room, “do we get to kick ass?”

Rose smirked “obviously!”

Everest smiled “well then, I’m in. Although I can’t leave these guys. We’re a family.”

Indigo nodded “I suppose they can come with us.”

“So, what are your names?” Rose asked as she messed with her nails.

“Oh, right! I’m Everest Trefal. The grumpy one who’s death staring us is Emrys Accardi, that cute small one is Kenan Badiale, and the other one in the room is Sage Badiale!” Everest smiled brightly, briefly flashing his fangs.

“I’m Rosalie Saika but everyone calls me Rose, This is my brother Indigo. And your little family can come with us, you’re all on our list. Though, is Faye in your family? Faye Badiale, I assume you’re relatives?”

Ken nodded “she is, but she’s not here.”

Indigo exchanged a glance with Rose before speaking, his tone calm but firm. “We’ll come back tomorrow to talk more about everything—your situation, what comes next. Get some rest tonight.”  

Rose nodded, flicking a stray bit of dust off her sleeve. “Yeah, we’ve got a lot to cover. Just don’t disappear on us.”  

With that, the two turned and stepped out into the night, leaving Everest and the others behind. The air was cool, the distant hum of the town settling into quiet as Indigo and Rose made their way back toward the Obsidian Athenaeum. Their footsteps echoed against the worn stone streets, minds already shifting to what lay ahead.