Chapter 7

Madeline sat stiffly in Domenico's study, her pulse thrumming with unease. 

 Bookshelves lined every inch, filled with old tomes and artifacts from a past Domenico rarely spoke about.

Across from her, the Alpha lounged in his leather chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin as he studied her. The smirk from earlier was gone, replaced by a stillness.

"You know," Domenico mused, "I almost didn't believe the rumors when I heard them."

Madeline frowned. "What rumors?"

"That you had a child." His green eyes sharpened. "That you, of all people, had settled into something so… human."

Madeline's fingers curled into fists. "I don't have time for your taunts. If you have information about Ivan, tell me."

Domenicy tilted his head as if considering her request. Then he shifted his gaze to Catherine, who stood near the window, arms crossed.

"I assume you told her what she was walking into?" he asked.

Catherine's jaw tightened. "I told her you'd help."

Domenico chuckled. "Of course. And what a noble role you play, dear Catherine. Always the bridge between past and present."

Madeline's patience wore thin. "Enough games, Domenico."

His gaze snapped back to her, and for a brief moment, a flicker of something passed through his eyes. Then, he leaned forward.

"Your son was taken by someone who knew exactly what they were doing."

Madeline's breath hitched. "Meaning?"

Domenico gestured toward the large desk between them. "Kidnappings in our world aren't random. If this were a simple power move against you, the boy would have been used as leverage by now. But there's been no message, no ransom demand."

Hugo, who had been silent near the door, finally spoke. "Then what do you think happened?"

 "You're the detective, aren't you? Use that human mind of yours."

Hugo's gaze hardened. "I think whoever took Ivan isn't after money or power. They want something else."

Domenico smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "Precisely."

Madeline's stomach clenched. "Then what do they want?"

Domenico leaned back, eyes glinting. "I have my suspicions."

"Which are?" she pressed.

Domenico stood and walked to the bookshelf behind him, his fingers trailing over the spines of old books. After a moment, he pulled one free and flipped through its worn pages.

"There are whispers of a resurgence," he murmured. "A faction of wolves who believe in the old ways. The kind that sees humans as nothing more than cattle, and hybrids…" He looked up, meeting Madeline. "…as abominations."

The air in the room grew even colder.

 "Hybrids?" Madeline asked.

Domenico nodded. "Your son, Madeline."

A sharp breath escaped her lips. She had always known Ivan was different, but she had never stopped to consider the weight of his existence in the supernatural world.

Hugo's expression darkened. "You're saying he was taken because of what he is?"

Domenico closed the book with a quiet snap. "I'm saying that whoever took him sees his very existence as a threat."

Madeline's vision blurred with fury. "Then we have to find him. Now."

Domenico softened slightly. "We will."

She swallowed hard, pushing back the fear that threatened to consume her. "Where do we start?"

Domenico set the book aside and walked back to his desk. "I have contacts—wolves who operate in the shadows, ones who hear things most would never be privy to."

Catherine narrowed her eyes. "You mean informants."

Domenico smirked. "Call them what you will, but they are useful."

Madeline nodded, gripping the arms of her chair to keep herself steady. "When can we meet them?"

Domenico studied her for a moment before responding. "Tonight."

Hugo frowned. "That soon?"

 "If my suspicions are correct, time is not on our side."

 The Domenico's building loomed in the darkness, its broken windows like empty eyes staring back at them.

Domenico was the first to step out, his movements fluid, predatory. Madeline followed, every nerve in her body on high alert.

 Hugo trailed behind, his hand resting near the concealed weapon at his side.

Catherine led them through the rusted entrance, her footsteps was silent against the concrete. The air inside was something else—something primal.

A tall, lean man, and dressed in tattered clothing, the man had an aura. His eyes glowed faintly under the lights.

"Domenico," the man rasped, his voice rough as if he hadn't spoken in days.

Domenico inclined his head. "Luca."

Luca's gaze swept over the group, lingering on Madeline. "You brought company."

Domenico's lips curved. "She's the reason we're here."

Luca tilted his head. "I know why you came."

Madeline took a step forward, her heartbeat hammering. "Where is my son?"

Luca studied her for a long moment before speaking. "The boy is in danger."

Madeline's breath hitched. "I know that. Tell me where he is."

Luca shook his head. "It's not that simple."

Domenico's patience wore thin. "Then make it simple."

"There's a faction—a group that believes in blood purity. They've been growing in numbers, more organized than ever before."

"And they have my son?"

Luca hesitated. "They took him, yes. But he's not the only one."

Silence stretched between them.

Catherine's voice was quiet but sharp. "There are more?"

Luca nodded. "Children. Hybrids. Taken from different packs."

Madeline's stomach twisted. 

"But why?"

Luca's expression darkened. "Because they believe these children will bring ruin to our kind."

Hugo's voice was laced with anger. "That's insane."

"Is it? To them, hybrids disrupt the balance. They see them as a threat to the natural order."

Madeline's blood ran cold. "Where are they keeping them?"

Luca hesitated.

Domenico stepped closer, his presence suddenly suffocating.

 "Tell us, Luca."

The informant swallowed hard. "An old fortress. Deep in the mountains. Guarded heavily."

Madeline's pulse raced. "Then we go now."

Domenico's expression tensed. "No."

She turned on him, fury blazing in her eyes.

 "No?"

Domenico's eyes were cold and calculating. "Rushing in blindly will get us all killed. We need a plan."

 "We don't have time for plans!"

Domenico's voice turned. "And if you die before reaching him, then what?"

Silence.

Madeline's breath came in short, uneven gasps. She hated that he was right.

 "We prepare. We gather intel. And when we strike, we do not miss."

Madeline swallowed hard, forcing herself to think clearly.

Luca shifted. "I can get you inside."

 "How?"

Luca hesitated, then rolled up his sleeve, revealing a brand burned into his skin—a mark of allegiance.

"I was one of them," he admitted.

Shock rippled through the group.

Madeline's stomach twisted. "You worked for them?"

Luca's eyes darkened. "Not by choice."

Domenico watched him carefully. "And now?"

Luca's voice was quiet but firm. "Now, I want them to burn."

A beat of silence passed before Domenico nodded. "Then we have our way in."

Madeline's heart pounded.

They had a lead. A way forward.

But as she met Domenico, she knew one thing for certain.

This is only the beginning.