Chapter 15

Lucas POV:

"Good morning mom. Morning grandma" I said as I made my way down the stairs. The two women froze in shock as though they just saw a ghost. My eyes darted from my mom to my grandma who was staring at me, guilt written all over their face.

I threw my hands in the air in confusion, "mom, is everything alright?" I asked as I walked towards her and kissed her forehead. She shuddered at the touch of my lips on her skin.

"C'mon, what's wrong? You guys have been staring at me most awkwardly and it's making me cringe" I added, rubbing my skin and mimicking a cold shiver.

"Lucas did you—" my mom began but Chloe quickly interrupted, "Everything is fine my baby boy" Chloe snapped, eyeing my mom.

"I hope you had a good night's rest, my boy" she added, softly pinching my cheeks and smiling broadly. I knew something was wrong and they didn't want to let me in on it but who cares anyway. My mom and grandma are so close and share each other's secrets, leaving everyone in dark.

As I walked up to the kitchen counter and poured myself a cup of coffee, I couldn't help but think about the hug I shared with Veronica. It was impulsive and unplanned as if I was scared of losing someone to a mysterious creature. I hope she doesn't read any silly meaning into the hug. My mind wandered back to the recent killings. I have to find that monstrous creature and take it down fast to avoid more killings.

"At least, one heroic act will make my father trust me to lead the pack well as the heir to the throne", I thought to myself as I sipped the warm coffee.

"Is there a family gathering holding in my absence?" A ruffled deep masculine voice said, causing everyone in the kitchen to simultaneously look in the direction of the staircase.

"Good morning, Dad" I greeted, bowing briefly.

"Morning Lucas, trust you had a good night's rest," my dad said, patting me softly on the back as he walked towards my mom and wrapped her into a warm hug. I smiled as they kissed each other.

"Where is Veronica", my dad spoke, his eyes scanning the kitchen area as he untangled himself from my mom's embrace. I noticed how my mom stiffened at the mention of Veronica's name. That was strange.

"She's probably dozing like a princess, I suppose" Chloe spoke for the first time, rolling her eyes.

"Good morning, Chloe" my dad chuckled trying to avoid Chloe's outburst this morning.

" She deserves to have enough sleep. I'm sure the events of last night scared her so let's just leave her", mom interrupted. "I'll go to her room and see how she's doing once I'm done inspecting the chef's cooking in the royal kitchen" she added, giving my dad a weak smile.

My phone beeped in my pocket as a notification dropped. I have a terrible habit of going to bed with my phone in my pocket. As I retrieved the phone from my pocket and saw a text from Jordan. We had agreed to go and check out the woods this morning to see if we could find any evidence or clue about the mysterious monster.

"Today's going to be a long day", I sighed. "Dad, I'm going to the woods with the rest of the pack warriors. You coming along, yeah?" I asked my dad, picking up the cup of coffee and gulping the rest of its content.

"No. I'm not coming with you. I believe you're strong enough to bring down this monster" my dad smiled, patting my shoulder. "Besides, I have an important discussion with your mom today" he added.

A contented smile played on my lips as I nodded and began ascending the flight of stairs. I got to my room, had a quick bath, and dressed in my favorite black leather jacket. I stood in front of the mirror as I adjusted my collar and ran a hand through my hair, trying to look presentable.

I got to my car and took out my phone to dial Jordan's number. On the third ring, he picked up. "Good morning, my Prince" a rough muscular voice rang at the end of the line.

"Morning Jordan, where are you?" I asked impatiently.

"We're waiting for you at the training ground," he said, I could hear the rustling of leaves and marching footsteps of the pups who were training.

"Ok, I'll meet you there in fifteen," I said, turning on the car ignition.

I got to the woods and met Jordan, Karen, Ethan, and J'cole. They were stressed in simple t-shirts and sturdy jeans. Jordan looked at me and nodded as we began to make our way into the woods. The search was endless and futile. The only thing we saw was the huge footprints of the monster which suddenly disappeared at a point. I felt exhausted and my stomach grumbled, I haven't had anything to eat since last night.

"You guys can go ahead with the search. I need to get something to eat", I called out to the rest of the search team as I headed toward my car. I pulled into my car seat and drove off.

Pulling up in front of my favorite restaurant, I took out my sunglasses to avoid unnecessary stares from people. I walked into the restaurant and ordered my favorite dish of Macaroni and spicy buffalo wings, alongside an apple pie. The waiter blushed as she took my order and within a few minutes she was back with my food. I'd barely had two spoonfuls of my food when a Facetime call dropped in. I picked up the call. It was Parrish.

"What?" I asked impatiently as I munched my food.

"Seriously? You're having a good time alone and you've subtly sidelined us" Parrish questioned.

"C'mon bro, the past few days have just been a busy one", I explained.

"Yo nigga, I heard there's a crazy beast killing people in the woods. Is that true?" Deaton asked, hopping on Parrish's back.

I looked around to be sure no one was listening in on the conversation, "Yeah, it's really crazy out there. Veronica was attacked by the mysterious creature last night". Parrish and Deaton gasped with a shocking look plastered on their faces.

"I hope she's okay now?" Parrish spoke.

"Hey, don't tell me that you've got eyes on my sister" I replied, eyeing him.

"Wow, see who has suddenly become a dotting big brother now" Deaton teased and we all laughed.

"We'll definitely find the terrorizing creature soon, I just came back from the—" I paused as a notification dropped on my screen. It was Matilda's text. As my eyes scanned the content of the text, I heard Parrish ask, "S.O.S?"

"Nah, it's not an emergency. It's actually M.A.S" I said, smirking as I bit into a chunk of meat.

"Wow," Parrish and Deaton giggled. "Alright man, have fun", they cheered and ended the call.

Parrish was the one who coined the word, M.A.S, which means 'Matilda And Sex'. It is a code we use to describe I and Matilda's meetings. In the text, Matilda had asked me to meet up at her place. I found that strange because we'd never met at her house before. I quickly gulped down a glass of water and headed out of the restaurant, leaving the apple pie and most of my food untouched.

The car tires screeched as I pulled to a stop in front of Matilda's house. The neighborhood was eerily quiet save for a few kittens which sprawled on the tarred road. Matilda's house was moderately beautiful, a neatly trimmed lawn and a small garage stood at opposite sides while the house stood in the middle. There was nothing out of the ordinary.

As I approach the front door, I'm greeted by the sweet scent of fresh flowers. Matilda's mom must be quite the gardener. I knocked on the door.

"Yeah, come in" I heard Matilda shout from inside. I opened the door and it creaked softly. The interiors of the house were plain but beautiful. The walls were painted a warm shade of beige, and the furniture was arranged in a way that made the room feel spacious yet intimate. The room was decorated with an assortment of vintage posters and photographs, which gave it a touch of nostalgia.

Matilda then led me into the kitchen, which was filled with the aroma of freshly baked cookies. "Hey, sweetheart", I said, wrapping my arms around her waist and slightly rubbing my abdomen against her luscious ass.

"Lucas, are you going to have the cookies or not" she questioned, unfazed by my affectionate actions.

"Nah, I want to eat you first before I eat the cookies" I mumbled in her ear, kissing her neck. She swallowed hard, took in a deep breath, and turned around.

"Lucas, stop!" She replied sharply. I was visibly shaken by her sudden outburst. I loosened my grip on her waist as I stared at her in confusion.

"What's wrong, M," I asked quizzically, following her closely as she walked to the living room.

"What were you doing in the woods with Veronica last night?" I asked, standing at akimbo.

"C'mon, M's, she was attacked by a monstrous creature and I went to save her" I laughed at Matilda's jealousy. " You don't expect me to leave my sister out there in the dark to be killed by a deadly creature, do you?" I asked.

"Oh, look who's acting all nice and loving to his 'sister' now" She mocked, stressing the syllables of the word 'sister'.

Matilda's words were beginning to piss me off. " I don't get it. You're mad at me because I saved my sister from getting killed in the woods?" I scoffed.

"I don't care whether she lives or dies", Matilda shot back, her eyes blaring with anger.

"Matilda, you're beginning to give me crazy ideas, you know right?" I asked suspiciously. "Are you the one who's been transforming into a wild creature and killing people sporadically?"

"Wow", she said, clapping her hands in amusement.

"Lucas, get out of my house now" she fired, pointing at the door. The glare in her eyes was frightening.

I took a few steps away from her, turned around, and headed to the door.

"Is Matilda the wild beast who's been terrorizing the whole pack?" I thought to myself.

My head hung low as I sat in the car, ruminating over Matilda's words. Immediately a call came into my phone, it was Jordan.

"Hello", I asked immediately after I picked up the call.

"I think we found something that could help us trace who that mysterious creature is" Jordan's voice rang on the other side of the phone.

My heart skipped a beat as I quickly turned on the car ignition and started driving to the woods near the training ground. I felt a knot in my stomach as uncertainty and curiosity tugged at my subconsciousness.