Chapter 9

[MAVERICK]

"The deal with the Milo Brothers came through. They will push our products to the west side of the Grimden border. It's our first trade outside Grimden, we should fucking celebrate!" Don's hoarse voice resounded through Club Nine. Another property opened by him. It was exclusive, however, belonging to only members of their Mafia organisation- RiverHound. And where they held their meetings with practical investors, big people that wanted to make secret deals, and fuck exclusive escorts.

The applaude from the men in suits around Filled the club, and the DJ began a mix that caused everyone to saunter around and begin to break into groups of small discussions.

Maverick stood downstage and waited for Don to come down after his announcement before walking with him. His girlfriend, Kate, was sitting at a corner and drinking, watching him while she talked with other men..

"Congratulations, Dad." Maverick said.

"Thanks, son. Where's Junior?"

"He'll be here any minute. Still handling the other business."

"Ah, I see. Very well then. Where is Kate?"

"Over at the bar."

"You shouldn't leave your woman at a bar in a club full of capable men, Mav. Where are your manners?"

"She can handle herself." Mav laughed it off. "But I'll bring her to you soon. She's been wanting to say hello all evening."

"Mr. Charles." Kate's voice bloomed out suddenly, and Don turned swiftly.

"Oh, speak of the freaking devil!" He chuckled. "You look stunning. How are you?"

"I'm good, thank you. However, you're stealing my date tonight, sir."

Mav rolled his eyes. "Come on, Kate."

"No, it's okay, son. But you know, he works for me, beautiful. He is my right-hand man. "

"You have him all week. Today is Saturday!" Kate groaned, Don smiled at her.

"I don't know why Mav won't just marry you in. You need to be family. Seriously." Don said as he walked, and the three of them laughed, Kate blushing.

"Mav will be with you shortly." Don said, and Kate winked, and nodded in agreement and walked away.

"I'm sorry about that."

"Don't be. She's feisty. I like that. Better than those dead ass bimbos your brother howls into this club every time." Don said in a tone that made Mav chuckle.

Don walked into his office at the club along either Maverick and after he had relaxed, sighing as he kbserved that they were finally alone. Don's tone changed. He turned serious.

"Mav, we need to talk. "

"What's up?" Mav took a seat.

"Have you ever heard of a set of people called Noctari?"

Noctari. That word hit something in him, in his chest, head, heart. But he didn't know what. It sounded like a familiar word, but a distant memory.

Mav raised an eyebrow. "A Noctari? What's that? No, I haven't."

"What about the U.V assembly?"

"Uhm, no. What's U.V?"

"It's short for the Umbra Vigilum. It's a sinister organisation of hunters."

Maverick scoffed. Almost laughing. "Hunters? What, you want to start an abattoir or something?" He chuckled.

"No. Not those kinds of hunters, son. They're deadly as whatever deadly thing you can think of. Skilled set of assassins that hunt down a certain kind of predator or... prey."

Mav sat up. "Prey? I'm not getting you, dad? What do they want? Do we have business with them?"

"No."

"Are you afraid of them?"

"No. But it's not about them. It's about you. You're the prey they hunt. Your kind. " Don said.

He brought out photographs in an envelope and tossed them over to Mav.

"Before we entered into business with the Milo Brothers, I ran a thorough search of the west border city-Amoden. I found out that some Noctari recently killed a pack of wolfkin that lived in Amoden for over 50 years now. They killed them brutally, Mav."

"There are other wolves out there?"

"I recently found out. Most are in hiding, and as they are shape-shifters like you, they've come to be hard to find. But that's not the issue here." Don reminded. Mav's face remained unreadable as he viewed the pictures of slain wolves in their human and wolf form alike.

"So, this Umbra Vigilum, how do we come at them?"

"Today, you will get lenses. We need to make sure that your eyes remain dark brown, as is the natural colour during the day. I've made sure your fists, Ken and Zane, spoke to the men. And you don't show your little sharp claws out in front of the men anymore. "

"What? So we're not coming at them, i take it?" Mav peered. Why was he being unserious?

"I'm protecting you, son. Believe me now."

"Do you know something else? Is there something you know that I don't?"

"Get those lenses, and do as I've said."

"Dad, you sound afraid. " Which was unbecoming of Don Howardson. But surprisingly, Mav wasn't afraid. He was rather intrigued. Curious, if you will.

"No, I sound like a father. And anyone who knows the Umbra Vigilum is wise to steer clear from them. Humans don't interfere with the dealings of the moon and night."

Dealings of the moon and night? Mav almost laughed.

"Okay, okay." Mav shrugged.

"Go to your woman, and send for Junior when you see him."

Mav nodded, stood up, and walked out.