Chapter 3. His Destination

* Prince Vincent *

We have track the enemy for almost twenty four hours now, however we still couldn't find a clue on where he is heading until almost sun down beside the road where we stop for gas. As soon as I step out of the car, the scent of a wolf mixed with the smell of fuel roughly thrust inside my nostrils. It seemed that the twenty four seven convenience store beside it looks very silent but the smell couldn't hide the wolves who shifted and was here about five to six hours before.

I close the passenger's door of the car slowly and gave a sign for Alex and Caleb to stay alert.

I close my eyes and sniff the air focusing on the scent which I know belongs to the white wolf. He is not here anymore, I can feel the presence he left behind in this place but he might have taken a ride and headed to the main road in order to get away from this place. Taking the highway which leads to the City is his best option.

"He was here."

I proclaimed when the two come down from the vehicle and move their eyes around the area. The place seemed to be almost deserted  but there is someone who came out of the shop door and greet us. An old man in his fifties, he smells like human.

"Good day gentlemen, full tank?"

Caleb turn around and face him with a friendly smile while I stood up and observe. "Yes, premium please."

The old man nodded at Caleb and took the gas fuel pump to put in the car. He seemed normal but I could feel the connection between him and our enemy who's scent is lingering in the area. I took a few steps near him and speak.

"Mind if I ask you something old man?"

"Oh! Please call me Alfred, and not at all go ahead and ask."

I look straight in his dark grey eyes when his gaze meet mine. "Have you happen to meet a man who came here today and ask for anything to drink and food to eat?”

I paused for a few seconds before going straight to the point, I have no time to waste!

“Just so you know, we are from the Langston palace and we are tracking a bad wolf who escaped the prison. He is very dangerous and humans should not trust him nor lend a hand or they would be defying the treaty with my father the Alpha King."

His eyes widened as he stare back at me and he took a few steps backwards, I  can see his hand swayed from holding the gas pump. "I'm so sorry your majesty but I don't see anyone who asked for food or beverage for free if that's what you are implying. Everybody comes to buy a little bit of this and that in our small shop and I ain't giving anything to any man for free."

"By our, do you mean that you have somebody here with you?"

I stood closer to him, very much aware of the sound in his heart getting faster inside his chest. I did notice some movement inside the shop explaining that he is not alone. But the old man is lying about something through his bones and he knew that I could tell.

 "Yes majesty, my wife and my two sons. We are taking care of this business on our own."

"Great! But I don't seem to see anyone aside from you today."

I tried to sound casual while Caleb walk towards the shop door and get inside. The old man's gaze followed him and he took a deep breath before answering me.

"My two sons went away with a friend that needed their help today. I am alright here alone I can manage since we are not really having a lot of customers lately."

A tiny smile curve in my mouth as I tried to meet his gaze but then again he look away. Finishing the task, he motion to put back the gas pump on its own place when the door of the shop opens and an old woman get out. 

"Oh darling, have you heard about the boys yet? This is Caleb here and he said that he knew James back in high school. I am worried about our boys hanging out with a wolf they just meet, he seemed to be unwell and I have no idea where they were going. Did they happen to tell you?"

She smiled at Caleb after our gaze meet. The old man gritted his teeth and talk slowly. "Get inside Laura, please let me talk to this gentlemen alone."

"But Alfred darling, Caleb is asking for James and I couldn't contact his phone."

"I said inside Laura! Now!"

The smile on her face vanished as she look at us one by one. She looked genuinely clueless on what is going on but she follows her husband and turn to head back inside the shop. As soon as the door of the shop closes, I tilted my head and instructed Caleb through the mind link. His head nodded before taking a quick step to face the old man.

"Alfred, you are good at lying. I wonder why that is? Did you perhaps know that the friend of your sons is the wolf that we are looking for?"

His voice is not so loud but his hand is fast when the old man step back and was about to get away. Caleb got him with one hand.

 "No, please don't hurt me we have no intention of helping the rogue. We barely know the man but he held one of my son hostage while he asked to be accompanied in the luxury hotel at the City. Please don't hurt my family your majesty, we know that the Alpha King does not allow wolves to hurt innocent humans and you don't interfere with our affairs as long as we keep our business to ourselves. None of us wants to be in between you and the rogues, we are simply taking care of ourselves as he could kill my sons if I don't agree."

Caleb is holding him at the neckline of his shirt putting him upwards about a few inches above the ground. I notice the clear liquid surrounding his eyeballs as he speak and the look on his face while he talk to Caleb. "Put him down Caleb."

He put him down harshly that he almost fell down to the ground but he manage to stand back up and walk towards me, stopping a few feet away from me he knelled on the ground and he look up to me. "I am telling you the truth your majesty. Please, they said you can tell if a person is lying or not and right now I speak of nothing but the truth so please spare me and my family."

Alex move towards us and growled when I pretended not to show any feeling of sympathy for the old man. "You lied earlier! What made you think we should believe you now?!"

He trembled when Alex shows him his fangs. "Enough Alex, let me hear the rest of his story I want to know which hotel did this man go to."

"You heard him old man! Tell us the name of the hotel they were staying before we burn this whole place down!"

His tears fell down on his wrinkled cheek when his quivering mouth began to speak again. "Hotel Blanca, my other son works there and that is where they are staying right now. Please your majesty let my two sons live! I beg of you, I would trade my life so that you will make them live!"

His cries begin to hurt my ears however I need to warn him of the real consequences of their action. "You should know Alfred, the moment your sons helped the enemy of my pack they have branded themselves as my enemy too but if what you are saying is true. Then I would try my best to let them come home unscathed."

I turn my back from him and headed for our vehicle followed by Alex and Caleb. Now my worries have gotten worst. Hotel Blanca, a place owned by the Snipes family. When was the last time I've been there, it feels like forever. I thought I have no reason to see her anymore, but this situation just give me enough courage to meet her.

"Are we going straight to Hotel Blanca your majesty?"

Caleb started the car while asking for my confirmation. "Yes."

I promptly answered. Alex smiled at the back of the car while looking at me in a surprise gaze. "Isn't that hotel a place where Miss Ashley lives?"

"Oh shut up Alex, we are going there to track down the enemy and nothing else!"

I know I sounded defensive but I need to somehow convince myself that it is the only reason why we are heading out to the City and will be going at the hotel where my mate lives.