Jeremy briefly explained the situation to the wolf pack. While the wolves were surprised by Celeste's departure, they were more concerned about her safety. Some wolves suggested following Byron to bring back Celeste.
After quickly preparing, they set off without a moment of rest.
Previously, after the rogue attack on the wolf pack, Byron had sent Betas to keep an eye on the rogues. They had located the rogues' hideout, but since the hunter's attack, they had lost track of them.
Jeremy knew that rogues were notorious for their nomadic lifestyle. They never stayed in one place for too long. That was why he feared they would move away during this time.
Driving through the winding roads and the rugged terrain, Jeremy could feel his heart beating rapidly. He couldn't afford to waste any time. Luckily, the rogues' hideout was not too far away. But he knew that every minute counted.
Finally, they arrived at their destination. But as soon as they reached the spot, Jeremy's heart sank. The place seemed to be deserted. Despite their haste, they had missed them. Jeremy's worst fears had come true.
This place resembled a warehouse with its vast expanse of empty space and towering shelves that stretched up to the ceiling. Upon closer inspection, they found several small rooms scattered throughout, meant for living quarters. The walls were bare, and the floors were made of rough concrete, cold and unwelcoming.
As they walked through the empty rooms, the stillness was deafening. It was clear that no one had been there for some time. There were no signs of life. It was as if the entire place had been abandoned.
The air was thick with the scent of dust, but beneath it all, Jeremy could detect the faint scents of his own kind. However, the scents were stale, indicating that it had been several days since any werewolf had been there.
Jeremy couldn't help but wonder if the rogues had left upon learning of the hunters' attack on his pack.
As they walked around the rooms, the air stirred, and the scents were instantly dispersed. But even with such weak scents, Jeremy's keen senses detected a faint trace of Kent. His nose wrinkled, and his throat let out a low growl, a warning to any potential threats.
Jeremy utilized his sensitive canine nose, attempting to search for any useful information in the air. He longed to catch a whiff of Celeste's scent, but he didn't find anything. The air was devoid of any trace of her.
With each passing moment, Jeremy felt his nerves getting tighter and tighter like a rubber band stretched to its limit. An inexplicable fire burned in his chest, a combination of frustration and disappointment. He felt like his nerves were about to snap in an instant.
He closed his eyes, focusing on his senses. He concentrated on the connection between himself and Celeste, hoping it to reveal her location. Finally, a glimmer of hope shone through the darkness of his frustration. He could sense that Celeste was in this city, although he wasn't sure where. This news at least gave Jeremy a small measure of relief.
Now the night had fallen. And they could see the moon through the window of the warehouse.
Jeremy's inner wolf was once again stirring, restless, and eager to roam free. Despite having already transformed earlier today, he couldn't resist the call. He felt the urge to explore the scents in the air, to track down the scent and seek through the mate bond that might lead him to Celeste.
But even as the desire to transform consumed him, Jeremy knew that the process would not be easy. His previous transformation had drained him of energy, and the long run had exhausted his wolf. He knew that to transform again, he would need to summon every ounce of strength and willpower he possessed.
He closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing, trying to still his racing heart. He felt a strange tingling sensation in his limbs, as if his bones were melting and reshaping themselves. The pain was excruciating, and he gritted his teeth, determined not to give up.
For what seemed like an eternity, he waited, his body racked with spasms of agony. But even as he pushed himself to the brink of exhaustion, nothing happened. His skin remained stubbornly human, his mind trapped in a prison of flesh and bone.
Frustration and despair gnawed at him, like a pack of hungry wolves tearing at his soul. He could feel the restless energy of his inner wolf churning within him, eager to break free. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't seem to make the transformation happen. All he could do was watch as a few scattered tufts of wolf hair appeared on his skin, teasing him with their fleeting presence.
Jeremy let out a frustrated groan and kicked the door, causing a thunderous boom that echoed through the room. The other werewolves jumped in surprise, their heads swiveling toward him in unison. The room fell silent, the disappointment so thick that it felt like a physical weight pressing down on them.
Ben suggested, breaking the silence. "Let's transform and go search for Celeste."
Jeremy forced himself to take a deep breath. He knew that he had to keep a clear head if they were going to find Celeste.
He weighed his options and shook his head. He knew that the other wolves were exhausted from their recent patrols. Their fatigue was obvious, and sending them out might not be helpful. Furthermore, sending them all out might not be a good idea. They were unfamiliar with the city. If they all left, it might raise suspicion and get them in danger. Instead of asking them to shift and run around in the city, it would be better for them to rest.
Finally, he made up his mind. "No," he said, shaking his head firmly. "We can't all go out. We need to conserve our energy and resources. Besides, sending out a large group of werewolves might raise suspicions. We need to be careful."
He asked the wolves to stay vigilant and rest up for the upcoming search. Then he strode out of the room, feeling the cool night air washed over him.
The moonlight shone brightly, illuminating his path as he searched for a quiet place to transform into his wolf form.