In the darkest part of the early morning, when the moon was low in the sky and all the shades were down, he woke up. A lot of Betas were tired and in the meeting room. Cayden knew they were tired because most or all of them had been up all night, but he didn't want to waste time.
"Thank you for coming," said Cayden. "I know you're all tired, but please pay attention."
"This is the car that Dr. Colin was driving when he vanished," Cayden said. "Since then, no one has seen it. It had to happen quickly. The FBI found Dr. Colin's car was abandoned near Highway 28."
"What about their phones? Couldn't we trace them?" Max asked.
Cayden replied, "Unfortunately, their phones were found smashed at the scene. I wish we knew more, but right now, this is all we know."
Cayden paused. Max looked at Cayden with a mix of frustration and concern on his face. "So, we're starting from scratch here," he said, his voice tinged with disappointment.
"I want you to divide into groups and cover as much of this area as possible," Cayden said. "A lot of it is woods. I want you to work in teams with the Omegas who have volunteered. Try to use your senses of smell, hearing, or anything else that can help us find them. Try to look for abandoned houses or houses where nobody is home. Also, keep a lookout for abandoned cars or anything that appears out of the ordinary. Are there questions?"
The group nodded in understanding, their anticipation clear. Cayden's disappointment was quickly replaced by a sense of determination as he continued.
"Thank you. I know you're tired; if you need to get some sleep, please do. Everyone will understand."
All the betas stood up and exited the room. Max walked over to Cayden.
"Have you called Thalia? We must take the council's help."
"Yes, I did...." Cayden's phone pierced the room with its shrill ringtone. He had been expecting this call, and his senses immediately snapped to attention.
With a swift flick of his thumb, Cayden answered the call, his voice low and commanding. Hawk's voice, which had a hint of something sinister, crackled over the line.
"Hawk, I was expecting your call." Cayden spoke stiffly. "What do you want?"
Hawk's voice sounded like a dark whisper that had a hint of evil in it. "Alpha Cayden, I think it's time we had a little chat."
Cayden's eyes flashed, and he told his betas, who were waiting and ready to track down the call, what was going on. They were the best at this kind of thing, so they got right to work and figured out where Hawk was.
Hawk kept talking, his voice full of evil purpose. "I think it's time for us to meet in person, don't you?"
Cayden got a tighter hold on the phone. "Where?"
Before Hawk finally told her where he was, there was a tense moment. "My place, of course. The Silver River Pack Cayden, you know where it is, right?"
"How can I ever forget?" Cayden mumbled. He frowned. What had Hawk done? How did he reach his territory, and where was David? Cayden's mind raced with questions as he tried to piece together the situation.
Cayden cut the call short, saying nothing else, his mind running like wildfire. This was an obvious challenge and a threat that couldn't be ignored.
Cayden dialled Thalia's number quickly and with practise; his voice was loud as he gave his orders. "Thalia, get your forces together. Hawk called me. He is back in his territory. Have you gotten in touch with David? What's going on?"
Thalia sounded euphorically baffled.
No, I haven't been able to reach David yet," Thalia replied, her voice tinged with concern. "But I'll gather our forces immediately and try to get in touch with him as soon as possible. This sudden return of Hawk raises a lot of questions. We need to act swiftly and cautiously."
Cayden didn't give up after that. He called his allies and told them the same thing. They were going to attack the area of the Silver River pack in a big way, not only to fight Hawk, but also to catch him. And this time, he would get rid of Hawk permanently.
************
Hawk was sitting on a chair that looked like a throne in a dark room in the middle of the Silver River pack's territory. He had an unsettling grin on his face. His muddy boots, which looked like they had fresh blood on them, sat arrogantly on the elaborately carved wooden table in front of him. There were symbols of his cruel victories all over the room, which was a chilling reminder of the man who ruled here. Hawk kept his phone on and smiled smugly.
Hawk's betas stood around him with their eyes down and their bodies shaking. They were loyal, but they were also scared. No one dared look into the sharp eyes of their cruel Alpha because they knew what would happen if they did.
David stood closest to him. His heart was pounding so hard in his chest that it felt like it might burst from all the fear in his blood.
Hawk's evil smile grew wider as he looked at his son, who was shaking. "Did you really think, David," he snarled, his voice dripping with disdain, "that you could plot against your own father and become the next Alpha?"
David's resolve broke like glass, and he fell to his knees and apologised over and over, his voice shaking. "Father, I'm sorry. I didn't mean—"
Hawk's cruel laughter filled the room and cut off David's stuttering words. "Oh, David, you were always a disappointment," he said with a sneer. "But I guess your betrayal has done something."
David's eyes got bigger, and he felt both hope and fear. "Dad, what-"
Hawk gave him a look that stopped him in his tracks. Then, in a voice that left no room for debate, he said, "Listen up, my boy. You must do what I say. We have people to greet, after all."
David got chills when he saw the evil look in Hawk's eyes. He knew that his father's orders would not be kind, but he had to do what he was told. To go against Hawk was to risk death, and David wasn't ready to face such a terrible end.
"Yes...... yes, father." David mumbled.
He lowered his gaze, feeling a mixture of fear and resignation.
"Good! So how was your mother's funeral?" Hawk asked.
David's heart sank at the mention of his mother's funeral. He mustered the strength to respond, "It was a solemn affair, father. She was laid to rest with dignity."
"That bitch deserved worse," Hawk interrupted, his voice dripping with venom. "But at least she's finally out of our lives." David clenched his fists, fighting back the anger and sadness welling up inside him. He knew better than to challenge Hawk's words, knowing the consequences would be dire.