Chapter 4

It took more than two hours to get ready. Once the crew was assembled, they boarded the private jet. The jet's interior was gray, with the seats covered in black leather with a hint of gold on the sides. The clan's crest was a wolf on top of a sand dune. It was discreetly placed at the corner of the armrest.

Rooka sat down in one of the seats near the window. His gaze was at the airstrip as the rest of the people around him got ready for their long flight. He could hear Wayne giving orders about what they were about to do and what would happen if something unexpected happened. He closed his eyes and tried to remember Serena.

He remembered seeing her the first time they visited Egypt. It wasn't just a courtesy visit, but a friendly one too. Since both women are casters and frequently exchange home remedies. Their fathers have been friends even before the mantle of Alpha was given to his dad.

She was a tiny little thing. Short black hair, with coffee-colored eyes. At seven years old, she was more interested in whatever she was listening to than the things around her. Rooka can't really blame Serena. As a kid, being surrounded by adults talking about adult stuff is not fun. Her mother said something, and she nodded. He wondered if she really understood what they were saying or just being polite.

He concentrated his hearing on the earphones she was using, trying hard to listen to whatever was playing. Rooka's sudden laugh caused everyone in his father's office to look at him. His father raised his eyebrows in question. He shook his head and smiled. He peaked at the little minx; a small smile was seen on her lips. Medical murder, he thought. Of all the podcasts she can listen to, she chooses the one that is not suitable for her age. Let alone her knowledge. She will be a handful.

"Rooka," Wayne called, pulling back from his past musings, "we are ready to take off. Any additional insight?"

Without looking at his Beta, he said, "Call hotel reservations, just a book room that will be used by the pilots. We leave as soon as we get there." Rooka closed his eyes then continued, "rent a helicopter, if we have to. But as soon as we land, we move. All of us. My wolf is telling me that something is wrong. His agitation also affecting me," he took a deep breath and looked at his companions. "He is trying to get out, and talking to him that we will be there is the only thing that keeps him pacified."

"Don't worry, Alpha," Kaz said, "you rest. We will handle the logistics. That is what we are here for."

"Thank you, everyone," giving them a tight smile as he leaned his head and closed his eyes. Hoping that when they reach the Daire property, the little minx he remembered will not be lost.

~~~~

It took them nineteen hours to reach the property. They would be exhausted if they were ordinary humans, but Weres have more stamina. Hence they can travel without too many breaks. So what they did was eat. Lots of eating.

The moment they touched down, two rented cars were already waiting for them. The twins and Kaz were together, while the Alpha and the Beta were in the other. Their first stop was a drive-thru. Several drive-thrus. From McDonald's to KFC, they ordered enough food to feed an army, and each time they collected their orders, the person at the window would gawk at them. And they would just smile.

The next leg of the journey was a chopper ride, how they managed to rent a chopper in the early morning hours. Rooka didn't question it. On the last leg of the journey, they rented two cars. The rental office made sure that it will be ready and waiting for them. It took another two hours to reach the property. Once they reached the outskirts, the lingering power of Mackenzie Daire was still in the air.

The place was beautiful. Lush coconut trees filled the back of the property. A two-story house sat in the middle of a driveway filled with tall bushes and flower beds. However, there was a stillness in the place. They parked alongside a black Ford 150, and what they saw made them pause inside their cars.

The pool of blood was absent from the scene. Three figures huddled together near the doorway of the house would forever be in their minds.

The death shot in the female Alpha was clean; even from a distance, Rooka can see it was the cause of her demise. The alpha male, though, was in his changed form. A massive seven feet dire wolf cradling his mate. His fur made it impossible to see how much damage he took before reaching his mate. Rooka's wolf howled at the loss of life. Mackenzie and Celeste were royalty among the Weres. The Daire Clan was among the ten Alter Wolf beings in the whole world. And the three people in front of him were the last of the line.

He and the others got out of the car. He quickly sent a signal, telling them to stay. He walked towards the dead couple. Listening to the lone heartbeat that sat huddled by the Alpha's side. Serena's face was buried in his thick fur, shielding her from the cold bite of the morning wind.

A whimper of distress escaped her lips, and she pressed her face more on his side. Rooka's wolf howled inside him, feeling its mate's fear and sadness. Stop it, he commanded. Being mad will not do anything. We need to make sure she is okay. You can have the heads of whoever killed her parents, agreed? His wolf howled in agreement.

Once he reached the landing, he brushed her hair away from her face cradling it in the process. He had to close his eyes to control his anger. Her tears were still flowing, and the little sobs were escaping her lips. "Serena," he softly called her. "It's me, Rooka, remember?"

Serena felt a warm hand touch her face, the kind that heats up your insides. She slowly opened her eyes and looked at the man who sat beside her. Fresh tears sprang from her already wet face, "Rooka?" She whispered, vaguely remembering the face behind the name.

A slow sweet smile bloomed on his face, "Yeah, it's me, Rooka." He wiped the tears as they flowed and slowly drew her into his arms. He saw the change in her eyes when she remembered who he was.

"Rooka," she said in a broken voice, "they are gone. My mom and...and...dad are gone, Rooka." Her words jumbled, "they killed them...they killed them, Rooka." A wail of anguish followed.

Unable to do anything, Rooka took her on his lap and held her tight. Rocking her back

and forth while keeping his lips on her hair. She, in turn, cried and let the pain inside her heart bleed out. She could hear him, though, the deep timbre of his voice. The soft-touch on her back, the little kisses on her hair. Serena was aware of the other people on the property. But for now, it was his heartbeat that matters.

With one arm holding her, he lifted her face using the other. Their eyes met, one tearful while the other full of pain and sorrow. She closed her eyes and felt him kiss her forehead and whispered, "All will be good, my minx. I'm here. All will be good." She nodded, burying her face in his neck, and letting fresh tears flow down his shirt.

Rooka howled, releasing the anger inside him. They would pay, he vowed, as he looked at the alpha pair in front of him. If she wants revenge, we will assist her, but their death is ours. I, Rooka of the Middle Eastern and African Were Nation, vowed to protect my mate at all costs.

Three more howls followed as the sun reached the horizon, forming new bonds. Finally, vows were given, and death was accepted.