Chapter 19

Sven P.O.V

It had been five very long weeks. We were no closer to tracking down the mystery black wolf. I had spoken to my friends at the Forest Moon Pack. They hadn't seen or heard of a black wolf which concerned me. It meant that the wolf was only after Sophie.

When Gary told me the full story, I couldn't believe that Sophie was Diana's daughter. I had loved Diana. She was the comfort I needed after my wife had died. She'd moved to our pack, but she wouldn't tell us where she originally came from. I didn't have the information that Gary was looking for. I didn't even know she was pregnant. I only every remember telling her about my hero, Gary and how wonderful he'd been training me to be the doctor I am today.

There was something that bothered me. Something about Gary's story that hit deep within me and I tried to work out the maths. The last time I saw Diana was eight months before her death. It was when the war was close to an end and I was caught up in the drama of it all. I had pushed her away when she clearly needed me. If she was one month pregnant it could be a possibility that I was the father, making Sophie my daughter. I would have to talk to her when we got back. For now, I wanted to keep quiet. There was no point exciting Gavin who wished for so long for a sibling.

We were considering going back to Blue Moon, but Gavin was trying to convince us to visit the Golden Sun Pack. I couldn't bring myself to cross their territory border.

"Come on Dad. Seriously, it's been years since the war was over. There was a treaty put in place they can't hurt us." He was flicking through his phone.

"Son it's a little more complicated than that." I began.

"No it's the most obvious place. The Golden Sun Pack werewolves are skilled in magic. That black werewolf obviously used magic to injure Sophie's brain and supress her wolf." Gavin did have a point. "I'm informing the Alpha now." He said tapping away on his phone.

I sighed and shrugged my shoulders at Gary who sat in the back of my car looking nervous.

They might not want to help us." Gary said chewing on the corner of his nail.

"It's the only hope we've got left. Even if Sophie's wolf is returning, we need to know why the wolf is after her in particular." Gavin tucked his phone back into his pocket and started the car. "The Alpha has given us the all clear."

I couldn't help feeling that being Diana's child was the reason she was being sort after. Because she hadn't told me about her home I had assumed she had been abandoned. What if she came from Golden Sun? She had an aura about her that was like no other wolf I had encountered. Was she part witch? That would mean Sophie would be a descendant and possess magical abilities. I felt the urge to race home and protect her.

"I was thinking…" I thought it was best to tell Gavin and Gary something about Diana. "From my time with Diana I remember her having this aura about her. You know how wolves have their sent but magical beings have an aura?" I turned back to looked at Gary who had lent forward, listening intently. "What if Diana was from Golden Sun and part witch?" The car fell silent. Everyone was thinking about the possibility.

"Then we start there. We start by asking if anyone knew Diana." Gavin said breaking the silence.

Gary leaned back in his seat and let our his breathe as if he'd been holding it for a long time. After I had told him about Gavin about my affair with Diana, he seemed a little distant. He would often be like that when trying to figure out a hard medical case and I knew he was trying to organise Diana's timeframe in his head. I only hoped he wouldn't figure out too much.

***

The drive to Golden Sun was uneventful. The road from Forest Moon was a direct almost straight line. The car trip itself was very silent. I kept thinking about Diana. Why hasn't she come to me when she found out she was pregnant? Didn't she want me to know? Maybe Sophie wasn't mine but someone's whom she didn't want anywhere near Sophie? That would be a reasonable assumption.

We drove through the little Golden Sun main town before driving up a winding hill to the pack house which was situated on top of the hill. As we pulled up, it looked dark and foreboding. For a pack that chose its name from the sun, the pack house didn't reflect it. Gavin parked us close to the entrance and we all got out looking up at the large house.

"Well, well, well." A voice called from the shadows. "We don't often get your sort here." A tall, thin, balding man emerged from the doorway. "I'm Beta Johnathan what can we do for you." He extended a thin, spiny hand. I shook it and cleared my throat.

His eyes were dark and menacing looking and I could feel Gary shrinking back behind me.

"Nice to meet you Beta Johnathan. I'm Dr Sven. This is my son Gavin and Dr Gary. We were wondering if we could ask your Alpha about someone who may have lived her probably 20 years ago."

Johnathan looked around me towards Gary. "Our Alpha is sadly away…on business at the moment. But I am sure I can help you with your enquiry." He continued to look at Gary without breaking eye contact.

I shifted and tried to pull my body in front of Gary trying to gain back Beta Johnathan's attention.

"Apologies." He chuckled, sensing my movement. "We haven't seen humans here for a very long time. It might be best if he stays in the car. Our Were-Vampires do love the taste of human flesh." He grinned at Gary who shuddered, then turned away.

"I'll wait in the car." Gary mumbled then retreated inside on the back seat. I raised my eyebrows at Gavin who shrugged his shoulders before turning his attention back on Beta Johnathan.

"This way gentleman." Beta Johnathan took off into the house. Gavin and I flowed.

"Do you smell that?" Gavin whispered to me. I could smell decay and musk, mould and blood and I crinkled my nose in disgust.

"The smell of death?" I asked as quietly as I could.

"No, a sweeter scent." He sniffed the air as Beta Johnathan led us down a dimly lit corridor. I shook my head.

Beta Johnathan stopped outside a dark wooden door before twisting his hand in mid- air. The door swung open by itself and he beckoned us inside. We sat down in front of a solid oak desk as Johnathan closed the door. He glided over to the desk and sat himself down on the opposite side, relaxing back in the chair.

"Tell me, who is this person you seek." He held his fingers together in an apex waiting for our response.

"Her name was Dianna. We did not know much about her."

He pushed himself from side to side in his chair. A look of recognition danced across his face, but it was only for the briefest of seconds before he composed himself again.

"Hmmm, Diana. I can't say I know that name. I have been Beta for nearly 30 years and it does not ring a bell." He shook his head and sighed apologetically. "I can have a quick look into our archives if you wouldn't mind waiting." He stood and walked towards the door. "Won't be long." He retorted smoothly with a sly grin.

As soon as the door opened Gavin gripped the arms of his seat. He turned pale and moved around as if something was biting at his legs. A growl echoed out in the corridor before a banging sound of another door.

"What's the matter with you?" I asked.

"That smell, its so strong. It's… it's. I don't know. Nitro is going crazy and keeps telling me to wait but at the same time he wants me to get up." He closed his eyes and breathed in, holding it for a couple of seconds then breathing out.

Suddenly, I smelt it to. My body was on fire and I wanted to race after the source of the smell. It was intoxicating. I braced myself as my wolf Leo ran around delirious from the scent. It weaved its way through me like a drug and I sank back into the chair feeling elated. I looked over and Gavin was smiling. We snapped out of it when the door opened again and in marched Beta Johnathan.

"I do apologise for keeping it waiting." He moved around the desk again and I looked up at the clock on the wall. We had been sitting here for 20 minutes but it only felt like seconds. I knew we had to get out of here. "Sadly, I could not find any information on your friend. Even in our questioned rouge files there is no Diana that has passed this way." He looked sad but I could feel it was an act.

"Thank you for your help." I said trying to stand without falling. I grabbed Gavin's arm who looked perplexed. "No need to show us out. It right down that corridor correct?" I asked as we made our way to the door.

"Yes. Again, I apologise that we could not help you." He extended his hand out towards me and I shook it.

I grabbed Gavin by the elbow and smiled back at Johnathan. We moved quickly down the hall. I felt as if shadows were closing in around us and I moved as fast as I could to get us out of there. I could see the exit and continued charging towards it, Gavin's elbow tight in my grip. He stumbled next to me struggling to keep up, but I kept hold of him. I was afraid to look back this house literally terrified me, and I wanted out.

We reached the front door, and I was glad to step over the threshold. I took a big gulp of air breathed out. Gavin looked at me in shock. I patted him on his back, and we made our way towards the car.

Soft, high-pitched singing sounded from behind us. We turned and standing in the doorway stood a tall, young woman. Her hair was long and reached to her knees, it was golden in colour, her eyes a piercing sea green. Her skin was the colour of the pale moon. She was captivating and we were drawn to her. She stopped her song and held up her hands and we halted walking towards her. She walked gracefully towards us and smiled.

"I apologise for using my powers on you." She said, standing in front of us. Beauty radiated from her. "My name is Rhea and I know all about Diana."