CHAPTER 49 : TRIGGERED

Their date night had finally come to an end after a cool swim, and now Bryan and Kira were heading back home.

They arranged and packed up their stuff before leaving and when they got back to the room, they noticed that Aiden was back and everyone had already had dinner. Well, that was not a problem as they had already eaten too.

"So lovebirds, how was your little date?" Aiden asked them immediately as they walked into the room.

"It was fantastic, I absolutely loved it," Kira said, smiling widely, answering for both herself and Bryan.

"More than mine?" Aiden inquired teasingly.

"Stop it, I loved both. I like that my first dates were unique, different, sweet and all. Don't even think about comparing, even you too Bryan," Kira warned them, not wanting that vibe.

"I know, I know, just pulling your little legs, nothing more," Aiden laughed and got on his bed, laying on his end.

"My legs are not little," she shook her head at Aiden, "And I will freshen up and get ready for the night," Kira informed them, before heading to the bathroom.

"So, how did the meeting go?" Bryan asked Aiden on the investment they were currently working on.

"It was great, we got it. We are making a lot of progress with this investment." Aiden informed him with a proud smile. 

"We always do."

As they both continued their conversation, a soft knock came on the door, breaking their conversation. Bryan, who was now seated at the edge of the bed, exchanged a glance with Aiden.

"Who is it?" Aiden asked.

"It is I Alpha, a message for you and Alpha Bryan," A maid they knew said from the other end.

"Come in," Aiden called, already standing.

The door creaked open, and the maid came in. She dipped her head first in respect before stepping just inside the doorway. The twins may look calm and all, but there were lots of things about them that actually terrifies people.

"Speak!" Bryan ordered.

"Alpha," the maid murmured as she started, her voice trembling slightly, "Beta Ryker is looking for you both. He says it is time-critical."

"Did he say why?" Bryan asked, also standing up.

The maid shook her head, while looking down. "No, Alpha, just that it's important. He is waiting outside."

Aiden's jaw clenched, he could sense that something might be wrong. "Tell him we will be down in a minute."

"Okay, Alpha." The maid said and bowed, before she left, shutting the door softly.

As the maid left, Aiden turned and looked at the bathroom door, where he could hear water running.

"We should tell her before we go." He glanced at Bryan.

Bryan nodded. "I'll do it."

He approached the bathroom door and knocked softly, hearing the water stop abruptly. "Love?" he called out gently.

"Yes??" Kira opened the door and peeked out. "What is it?" she asked, noticing the seriousness that was now activated on his face.

"Something's come up," He explained to her as he reached out and brushed a stray strand of her hair from her forehead. "Ryker's here with urgent news."

"Is everything okay?" She asked, getting worried. "What is the news? I will finish up quickly and come with you." Kira said and turned, wanting to go in and finish up fast, but Bryan stopped her.

"It's okay, we will handle it and be back soon. Just shower and get some rest."

Kira sighed and nodded, letting out a soft, "okay."

"Okay." Bryan rubbed her cheeks.

"Be careful, though. Both of you." She said softly, placing her hand on Bryan's arm.

"We will. We always are." Bryan and Aiden both said. 

Aiden heard her from where he stood.

"We will be back soon, don't worry." Bryan leaned in, pressing a brief kiss to her forehead.

With one last look, they left the room, closing the door behind them. They were now in full Alpha mode, their movements sharper, their ears on alert as they descended the stairs toward Ryker.

Waiting just outside the front entrance, Ryker stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his face grim and just by looking at him, Aiden knew that his suspicions were right. Something was wrong!

The second they approached, Ryker nodded in greeting but did not waste time with pleasantries.

"One of our wolves killed a rogue tonight," Ryker said, relaying the information to them. "It was self-defense. He's shaken, but unharmed."

Bryan's jaw tightened, as he asked, "Which wolf?"

"Jeremy," Ryker replied. "He didn't mean to- he was cornered."

Aiden cursed under his breath, wondering how close the rogues were aside from this one. They were beginning to be an issue. "What about the rogue?"

"Dead," Ryker confirmed. "But we need to act fast. There may be more of them lurking around."

"Take us to where Jeremy is and then round up some men, clear the area, if you spot any more rogues, kill them and bring me their heads. I think we have warned them enough but of course, they don't ever listen and learn." Bryan ordered.

"Gladly." Ryker said, nodding firmly. 

Ryker turned on his heel, already signaling for a few of their warriors to gather outside as he led Bryan and Aiden to where the boy waited.

They moved swiftly and the scent of blood still lingered. They had no idea why Jeremy was out this late, but that did not give the rogue the right to try to attack him. 

It didn't take long before they reached the clearing, where Jeremy sat slumped against a tree, his face pale and eyes wide with shock.

Ryker had informed Bryan and Aiden that everything happened outside the Pack's border and the boy after escaping ran back into the pack, slumped on the tree and had not moved. 

But right now, they needed to get the boy's mind back to him and leave the questioning for later.

The young wolf, who just turned eighteen, was trembling, his hands still stained with the rogue's blood. He just kept gazing at nothing, his gaze distant. It was as if he could not fully process what had just happened.

Ryker stopped a few feet away and gestured silently to the boy. "He's here," he murmured before giving a brief nod. "I will round up the others and carry out your orders."

Bryan and Aiden nodded, and Ryker left. They approached the young wolf slowly, calm and slow. It was not the first time they had dealt with a first kill.

Bryan crouched beside Jeremy, his voice calm and low. "Jeremy," he said, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "You did the right thing. You defended yourself, and we are proud of you for that."

Jeremy looked up at him, trying to breathe properly, his eyes filled with guilt and disbelief. "But I-i I killed him," he whispered, his voice shaking. "I- I killed someone."

"You had no choice," Aiden said to him, his voice a bit strong. "If you had not, you might not be sitting here right now. You did what any of us would have done."

Jeremy shook his head. "But I also triggered it," he rasped, his chest heaving. "My curse… I am not ready yet, but I triggered my werewolf curse."