Chapter 99 A Step Ahead

*Eric Lockwood *

I climbed into my car, regretting having the black sapphire around my neck. There were no journals or any information regarding the after effects of the black sapphire among my mother's things. After speaking to the mage and learning the members of the Black Resistance had disappeared without a clue to their whereabouts, it was clear they had encountered something they did not bargain for.

I took out the black sapphire from under my shirt and held the pendant with the black sapphire in my hand. As I gazed at it, I noticed there was something different about it. There seemed to be a red swirling light moving through it. I hurriedly grabbed the chest which contained the remaining black sapphires and found they also had a red swirling light moving through them. What had happened since the time I spoke with the mage?

I closed the chest. There was nothing I could do. What was done was done. Whatever effects this black sapphire did to my wolf, I had to ignore it. Right now, I needed to get back the Alpha Ring that once was mine and if I have to drag others into this quagmire I had made, then so be it.

As for Chase, he has been with me since the beginning, so might as well have him with me until the end. Better I have a son with me than be alone. I had enough money locked away just in case we needed to disappear. I believed One also had a nice little nest egg in case things went south.

I turned on my car and drove out of the parking lot of the Wolf Penitentiary which looked like a warehouse to the humans on the outside. I decided I'd see the Chief before I went to the apartment I bought just in case I had to hide. The Bronx was unfamiliar territory for Lucas, Michael and Athena and I knew I could hide here without them being able to find me.

Chief's headquarters wasn't far from here. Since the property here wasn't as expensive as Manhattan, the Chief bought a building here that had all the amenities he needed without breaking the bank.

On the outside, the Chief's building looked like any ordinary office building. I drove the car into the entrance of the parking area where I was stopped by one of the Chief's men. I rolled down my window, took off my sunglasses and unrolled my scarf so the Wolf Troop could get a good look at me. He stooped down and peered at me through my car window. I noticed the surprise on his face.

"Elder, do you have an appointment?" The Wolf Troop asked. He was a tall man with platinum blonde hair and crisp blue eyes. He had a scar on his eyebrow which gave his pretty boy look an edge.

"Not exactly," I told him. I was about to tell him I could call the Chief right now to inform him I was here when the Wolf Troop broke into a smile.

"Just playing with you, Elder Lockwood. You don't need an appointment to see the Chief. Just drive your car to the second level and take the elevator to the fourth level. Someone will be there to greet you," he said while taking his radio out of his pocket. "I'll radio ahead to tell them you're here."

"I have a small request. Is it possible that everyone refrains from saying my name from here on. I need to stay invisible from the black wolf," I explained hurriedly.

"You too, huh? Sure, I'll radio your request," he replied.

Thank you," I said and smiled at him. He stood up and gestured for me to enter the parking lot.

I maneuvered my car to the second level parking area, my tires squeaking as I swerved up. There were just a few vehicles parked, so I didn' have trouble finding a parking space. I tucked the chest under my arm, got out of the car and took the elevator to the fourth floor. When the doors opened, another Wolf Troop greeted me, this time, to my surprise, he was shorter than me and Asian. It was rare to meet an Asian wolf, since they were a proud lot and didn't like to associate with other wolves. I guess times have changed.

He bowed at me. "Sir, it is an honor to meet you. This way please. The Chief will meet you in his office." I bowed my head at him and walked out of the elevator to the door he was pointing at. He followed me and before I could reach the doorknob, he stopped me and placed his hand on the knob to open the door. "Allow me, Sir." He opened the door and announced my arrival. "Chief, the Elder is here to see you."

"Let him in," I heard a low voice from the inside. Only one wolf had that voice and that was the Chief. The Wolf Troop swung the door wide open and stepped aside to allow me to enter. I walked in, impressed the Chief's office was clean with a minimalistic style. Aside from his desk where he was seated at, there were two comfy armchairs infront of his desk, a glass book shelf while the windows were covered with slate gray curtains. There was a door on his left which I assumed was his restroom.

The Chief was a big fellow. He was tall as he was wide. The muscles around his neck and shoulder bulged with his every movement. He had jet black hair that was cut short with black beady eyes and a scar that went through his face from his right eye to his upper lip. He was the type of wolf you would never call handsome and you could never tell if he was scowling or smiling.

"The one wolf who can give me information that I need. Why are you here?" He asked without even looking at me. He was busy shuffling through papers. "Are you here to nag me to kill your son and that granddaughter of yours? No need. I'm doing all I can to get the job done." The wolf can speak. Of all the years I have seen him, I have never heard him say more than two words. It was as if he never had time for small talk.

"I am here to aid you in your mission. We all have one enemy in common and I'm afraid she knows all. What if I tell you I can make you invisible to the black wolf?" He put down the documents he had in his hand and finally, lifted his head to look at me.

"How so?" He asked, puzzled. I got his attention. I took the small chest from under my arm and placed it on his desk. He opened it, peered inside and took one small black sapphire in his gloved hand and lifted it to the light for a better look.

"By wearing a black sapphire," I answered and showed him my necklace with the pendant. "I was accompanied by Lucas and his Beta Michael to the city this morning and I was able to escape from them. If the black wolf still had power over me, she would have already manipulated the situation and Lucas and Michael would have already accosted me on my way here." He opened a drawer of his desk and took out a jeweler's loupe to inspect the black sapphire up close. I was impressed he even had one in his desk.

"There is something red swirling inside this gem. Is this a magical gem? And the red pigment, is that blood?" He asked after he completed his inspection.

"Yes, all the black sapphires in the chest are magical. They were once owned by the Black Resistance," I replied. "As for the red pigment, I only noticed that when I arrived here." He put back the black sapphire into the chest, closed it and pushed it back towards me.

"Magical gems are always cursed. As for the Black Resistance, they disappeared or so the legend says. In short, they did not prosper with the use of these black sapphires," he said.

"So, you do not wish to use them. Very well, I will give them to wolves who will and we will carry out what none of you can do while the black wolf sees." I bent down to pick up the chest, but the Chief pushed my hand aside and picked up the chest and placed it inside his drawer.

"That is not necessary. I might have a use for the gems after all," the Chief said. I smiled at him.

"Very well then, I'll take that as a yes," I said. "There are only six in that box. Give them to wolves you trust. As for your other men, they should not know of your plans lest you want the black wolf to know. The black wolf will be anointed as the Alpha of Alphas tonight when the moon is highest in the sky. If that happens, the black wolf will be unstoppable. Call me when you have decided to use the black sapphires." I took a sheet of paper from my pocket and placed it on his desk. "Do not look at it until you wear the black sapphire." The Chief nodded his head and placed the piece of paper in his pocket.

"Very well," he said. I bowed and turned to leave. The black wolf must have already seen my face through the Chief and knows where I am. I had to go back to being incognito.

I hurried to the elevator before I could be escorted out and decided to leave the building from the front entrance. I had noticed the black car that was following me as I left the penitentiary. I assumed it was Lucas and Michael and if I was correct, they were waiting for me to leave through the exit of the parking area. I switched the sides of my overcoat and took out a gray scarf from my pocket to cover my face.

As I exited into the lobby of the building, I noticed a hat stand near the door with several hats. I took a black newsboy cap and placed it on my head to cover my eyes. I had my burner phone, the extra black sapphire for Chase, and my keys. I had everything I needed. I'll just blend in with the people who were busy finishing their Christmas shopping in time for Christmas Eve tomorrow night and walk to the apartment near the area.

I walked outside and situated myself among a group of people walking with bags of gifts and hid among two tall humans.

So long Lucas and Michael! You'll never find me now. I'm always a step ahead of you.
_______________

*Chief*

I lifted my head to watch Eric Lockwood exit my office, but for an old man, he was quick. I took the chest out and called in Wolf Troop Wang. He was my best tracker.

"I need you to follow the Elder, Wang. Here, use this." I tossed him a black sapphire and he caught it in mid air. He opened his hand and looked at it.

"What is it?"

"A black sapphire. It's suppose to make you impermeable to the black wolf," I answered.

"Uhm, what do you mean, Chief?" He asked, taking the gem between two fingers and raising it to the light to get a better look.

"It should keep you safe from the black wolf's attacks."

"What I've learned through the books of my ancestors is that magical gems shouldn't be trusted, but if this gem stops the black wolf from haunting my dreams and making me wake up with injuries, then I'll use it." He placed the small gem inside his breast pocket. I pushed a button underneath my desk and the wall behind me moved to show the monitors concealed behind it. I turned around to find Eric Lockwood and saw him inside the elevator. He was going to the lobby of the building and not the parking area.

"It looks like the Elder will be leaving through the main entrance. Do you have his scent in memory?"

"Yes, Chief. I'll take the stairs and wait for him at the alleyway."

"I'll have the scouts radio in his location once he exits into the street. Now go." He turned to leave, but I stop him before he exited my office. "And Wang, don't lose him. I want to know his every move."

"Sure thing, Chief. I'll call you if there are any developments." Wang leaves and closes the door behind. I take out my radio from a drawer and watch Eric Lockwood intently. He switched the sides of his coat before he exited the elevator. At the lobby, he stopped at the hat stand, took a cap and put it on making sure his eyes were hidden.

He knows he's being followed. "Men, do you see anyone who appears to be watching the parking area? Did anyone park near the entrance after the Elder came in?" I radioed the scouts.

"A black car parked a block from here and two men walked into the bistro from across the street. Owner called it in saying the men have positioned themselves near the window and are watching the entrance of the car park as we speak," a Wolf Troop answered.

"Send some men to check out who they are," I told him.

"Copy that, Sir. By the way, I got eyes on the Elder. He is walking, headed eastbound."

"If there are any other wolves following the Elder, you guys know what to do," I ordered my men.

I heard a sudden howl, it was high pitched and hurt my head. I placed a hand over my head to brace myself from the intensity of the sound while the Wolf Troop I was speaking to on the radio was screaming. I looked at the monitor where Wang could be seen and I noticed he wasn't affected by the high pitch sound. It was true then. The black wolf had no effects on a wolf wearing a black sapphire.

The howl seemed to go on forever and the pain in my head hurt so much, it was more than I could bear. When it finally stopped, I took the trash bin beside my desk and puked my guts out. My office seemed to be spinning, my stomach was churning, and my head felt it had been split in two. Damn the black wolf to hell!

I wiped my mouth, walked to my bathroom and turned on the light. I washed my mouth of the remnants of vomit in my mouth and splashed some cold water on my face. I didn't notice the bathroom light had dimmed and when I looked in the mirror, I panicked when I saw green eyes glowing staring from behind me in the darkness. I couldn't move. I wanted to turn around and face it, but every nerve in my body froze.

"Stop your foolishness. There are grave consequences from using the black star sapphires, little wolf. Much worse than death. You will lose everything," the black wolf said. Her voice was husky and made the hairs on my arm stand.

"Much worse than the pain and suffering you have caused?" I asked. I couldn't believe I actually had the guts to speak. For the first time in my life, I was scared. I closed my eyes hoping she would not hurt me.

"You have not listened to my call to repent. Ask the Moon Goddess for forgiveness and join me. Then you and your men will no longer feel my wrath. Weigh your choices, little wolf. If not, I will have no choice, but to kill you," the black wolf growled. I could feel her breath next to my ear. I opened my eyes and I felt the blood drain from my face from what I saw. Her large teeth was an inch away from my head.

"Then why not kill Eric Lockwood? He was the one who gave me the black sapphires in the first place. Kill him not me," I begged.

"He is a means to an end," she said. "Keep the black star sapphires in the chest. Give them to Lucas Lockwood who is seated in the bistro across for your location so my Beta can destroy them," she commanded. "However, if you decide otherwise, I will kill you before you have the chance to touch one. AND IF YOU ALSO TAKE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO KILL LUCAS, I WILL MAKE SURE YOU AND YOUR MEN NEVER WALK AGAIN. The choice is yours, my little wolf."

The light in my bathroom came back on and the black wolf had disappeared. I only have a couple of options and unfortunately, if I made the decision to go against the black wolf, it will cost me.

I had to plan accordingly. I walked back to my desk and picked up the radio. One of my men was looking for me.

"Chief, do you copy? Over."

"What is it?"

"We've identified the two men in the bistro."

"It's Lucas Lockwood. Hold your position. I repeat, hold your position. No one lays a hand of him. I'm going to the bistro to meet him."

"Copy that." I threw my radio on my desk, took off my gloves and picked up the chest.

I had to make the right choice. I decided I would listen to the black wolf and give the chest to Lucas Lockwood.