93

Jamal's POV

My father's last warning echoed in my mind, "Never trust a stranger, Jamal. Especially one who claims knowledge of the supernatural."

Yet, here I was, standing before a weathered, moss-covered house, drawn by an inexplicable force. The house seemed to hum with an energy I couldn't quite place, an energy that both repelled and intrigued me.

I knocked hesitantly, and the door creaked open, revealing a man who appeared to have stepped out of a time capsule. His clothes were a hodgepodge of styles, his hair unkempt, and his face lined with the wisdom of ages.

Great, I got sent to a fucking soothsayer. Just absolutely amazing.

"Alpha Jamal, I presume?" he asked in a voice that sounded like gravel scraping against metal.

I nodded, my voice caught in my throat.

"It's my utmost pleasure." He said, bowing slightly, "I have been expecting you."

I said nothing, preferring to give as little as possible away and let him figure out this shit by himself.

"I sense some skepticism." He sa