Chapter 8

**Derric Shadow's P.O.V.**

I pull up to the gates of the eastern border of the Blue Moon Pack and two warriors stand inside the gates. I roll my window down.

"Alpha Derric Shadow," I say "And guests. Alpha Sinclaire is expecting us."

One warrior looks to the other who looks at a sheet and then nods, confirming my statement. The gates glide open and I pull through, watching the gates glide closed after my entrance. I drive towards the pack house and park my Escalade.

"Alright," I say "All of you, wait while I speak with Alpha Sinclaire. I'll come and get you when I'm done."

They all nod and I get out.

"Hello," A man says "Alpha Derric, I presume?"

"Yes," I say "Alpha Pierce?"

"That would be me," Alpha Pierce says "The rumors weren't joking when they said that you lupus are tall."

"Yes," I say "Lupus males often stand seven foot or over. Females are normally six foot and over."

Alpha Pierce lets out a low whistle.

"The attack happened on the northern border," Alpha Pierce says "My Head Warrior is still out there, inspecting the scene. I can take you out there."

"No," I say "I have a hellhound and two hounds who are going to go take a look at it and document their findings. Myself, the bloodhound, the other hellhound, and my mother are going to speak with the hellhound you have in custody."

"Alright," Alpha Pierce says "This is my Beta. He'll take the three going to the scene over there."

I nod, walking over to the vehicle and opening my mom's door. She takes my hand, letting me help her out. She sighs, stretching her legs and I squeeze her shoulder.

"Don't worry," Mom says softly "I'll stay close, my precious boy."

I nod, tapping on the back door. Darian pushes the door open and the three get out. I open the trunk and Lindsey jumps out, Vincenzo climbing out behind her. Pack members gasp, eyes locked on the bloodhound who whimpers.

"Lindsey," I say, gaining her attention "It's okay. They can't touch you. You're safe as long as you're with me."

Vincenzo relaxes, stroking his mate's fur and easing her wolf's anxiety.

"Stay near me," I say, looking to Vincenzo "You and Lindsey. Darian, the three of you be careful."

They nod, the group following me over to Alpha Pierce and his Beta.

"This is my accompaniment," I say "The bloodhound is Lindsey, her mate is Vincenzo. This is my mother, Claradine. Darian is the hellhound and Charles and Marcus are the two hounds. Darian, Charles and Marcus will be going to the scene."

"Alright," Beta Paul says "Well, if the three of you will follow me, I'll take you over to the scene."

The three look at me and I nod, the three following the Beta. I look to Alpha Pierce.

"Well," Alpha Pierce says "Right this way."

We follow him towards the woods.

"Since our pack often has rogue attacks," Alpha Pierce says "We keep our pack prison in the woods, safely surrounded by wolfsbane and silver fencing so anyone inside or outside can't get in or out without permission. We've had a witch who safely blessed it to make sure the other species who are unaffected by wolfsbane and silver can't get out if they're inside."

Alpha Pierce places his hand against a scanner.

"Good afternoon," The scanner says, clicking green "Welcome, Alpha Pierce Sinclaire."

Alpha Pierce pushes the door open, allowing us through before he pulls the door shut behind him. He unlocks a gated door and pushes it open, leading us down a long hall of whimpering rogues and other types of wolves. He leads us to a full silver door.

"This is the hellhound," Alpha Pierce says "There's a room on the other side of his cell with a window that we can see through."

"We want to speak with him face to face," Mom says "It's best that way."

Alpha Pierce nods, pulling out a set of keys and unlocking the door. We all enter and Alpha Pierce closes it behind us, leaning against the wall.

"Lindsey," I say softly "Go."

Lindsey approaches the pup who is in the corner, shaking in terror.

"She won't hurt you," Vincenzo says softly, following his mate "This is Lindsey, she's a bloodhound. Do you know what that is?"

The pup nods.

"Lindsey and I lost our pup a week ago," Vincenzo says "And the loss caused Lindsey to lose control of her wolf. Do you know what type you are?"

He shakes his head.

"I killed them," He says "I'm a monster...they should kill me, too."

"No," Vincenzo says, shaking his head "You're not a monster, kid. Your wolf is just different from a normal wolf. You're like me. You're a hellhound. Was that your first time shifting?"

The boy nods.

"It's okay," Vincenzo says "Whenever a hellhound shifts for the first time without the presence of an adult hellhound to keep control over him or her, the newly shifted hellhound can easily lose control over their wolf. It happened to me and it happened to Lindsey and I's pup."

"So," The boy says softly "You're not here to kill me?"

"No," Vincenzo says "Lindsey and I are here because you and your wolf need us. This is our Alpha and his mother. Alpha Derric and his mother, Luna Claradine."

Mom and I nod, mom smiling gently at the young boy.

"Okay," The boy says softly "If you're not here to kill me, why are you here?"

"We have some questions," Vincenzo says "Do you mind if my Alpha approaches?"

The boy shakes his head as Lindsey lies down, stretching out and wrapping her body around the front of the pup who immediately relaxes, sinking into her sandy colored fur.

"So," Vincenzo says "What's your name?"

"Christopher," He says "But everyone calls me Chris."

Vincenzo nods, looking to me.

"You're fine," I say "You can stay close to him and Lindsey. Hi, Chris, my name is Alpha Derric Shadow. When you shifted, did you hear a voice?"

"You mean," He says "The woman's voice?"

I look at my mom who nods.

"Yes," I say "Can you describe what she sounded like?"

"She sounded sad," Chris says "And scared."

"Okay," Mom says "What did her voice sound like? Was it soft, loud?"

"Soft," Chris says "It reminded me of how my sister talked to me during thunderstorms to calm me down."

Vincenzo looks at me.

"Lindsey said that's how it sounded to her," Vincenzo says "It's her, isn't it?"

"Yup," I say "It's the Gaia. Chris, what did she say?"

"Uhm," Chris says "She tried to calm my wolf down after the third person that he...I killed. She made me feel safe and so I stopped killing and shifted back. She told me I had to fight the sleepiness...that I had to get to Black Moon Pack because I would be safe and understood there...I would be protected. I remember trying to tell her that I couldn't but she just kept saying "You can do it". And then I passed out and when I woke up, I was here."

"She was trying to direct you to me," I say "She tried to save you."

I look at my mom.

"So," I say "What do we do, mom? We can't leave him here."

"Alpha Pierce," Mom says "If he's convicted of his crimes, what would be his punishment?"

"Death," Alpha Pierce says "His punishment would be death."

Chris whimpers and Lindsey growls lowly, eyes locked on Alpha Pierce.

"Alpha Shadow," Alpha Pierce says "I advise that you get control over your bloodhound before I call in my warriors to do so."

"She's in an overprotective state of mind," I say "Don't threaten my pack member again, Alpha Pierce, I don't take lightly to threats. As for gaining control over her, right now, she sees Chris as her pup. You just stated that he would be killed if convicted, he got frightened so she got angry. Did she attack you? No. She simply growled. Gain control of your threats. My pack member is just fine, she was justified in her actions."

Mom winks at me, letting me know I handled the issue well.

"Fine," I say "You said six months from today, correct?"

"Yes," Alpha Pierce says "Unless the Council tells me otherwise."

"Considering the Gaia walks the Earth now," I say "I have a feeling you'll be getting a visit from her soon to get him freed. And the Council won't stop her."

Alpha Pierce stares at me.