77: Open Season

Aaron saw the portal floating in the distance. The vampire high lord had definitely filled the elder werewolf up with what had happened. The Alpha longed for another minute to breathe. He wrapped his arm around Sophie and kissed her on her head. Sophie spontaneously recoiled as soon as he touched her injured arm. Aaron quickly bailed. It reminded him what she had been through. Sophie regretted her reaction. She grabbed his hand and wrapped it around her. They were safe for now. The imminent threat of a demon lord and hordes of vampires coming after them was dealt with. The ground suddenly started to shake. Aaron gave Sophie a confused look and got one in response. They looked around and everything was disintegrating. The dead trees were turning to dust. The horizon became blurry. They checked on the castle and found it crumbling. It came down brick by brick. The confusion in Sophie’s head was short lived.

“What in hell?”, Aaron exclaimed. Sophie seemed to have the answer.

“The creator of this realm is decaying as we speak. What do you think will happen to the creation?”, Sophie responded and her logic seemed understandable to Aaron. He realized that they didn't have the minute of peace he wished for. They quickly got up to their feet and sprinted to the portal. He took a look back at his fallen comrade and felt the guilt for leaving him like that. Deep down he knew that Boris would have suggested doing the same thing. The mirror had started to blink and making haste proved to be the right decision. They jumped into it as soon as they were there.

Mike paced across the dark kitchen anxiously. The elder werewolf constantly stared into the portal, waiting for something to happen. The phone call from the Hudsons had pushed him off the cliff. Sandra had tried her best to spare him the grim details but the father had sniffed trouble from a mile away. The portal had started to distort and the expressions on the elder werewolf’s face weren't positive.

“The realm is ceasing to exist. Our portal is losing its connection”, the old werewolf spoke, staring into the void. He didn't want the father to worry but he felt that he needed to know. All he cared about was the young Alpha that was supposed to pull his people out of centuries of misery. He couldn't even think of losing him to an unnecessary battle with the demon lord. Mike’s to and fro walks ceased. He started to pray. He was having Deja vu on feeling of overpowering helplessness. It hit him moments later that it was the same feeling that he had when the cops were taking him to the junkie’s spot to find little Jack. A tear dropped. The portal shook vigorously. The stuff in the kitchen was starting to cause a loud clattering noise. The noise picked up some strength. Suddenly, Aaron and Sophie dived out of it and fell on their backs. The portal didn't stay open for more than a mere moment after the couple emerged from it. The mirror vanished and the clattering stopped. Mike ran to his panting daughter and immediately figured out that her arm was done for. The elder werewolf checked on the Alpha and found him exhausted. He lied on the ground and needed a moment to catch his breath. Sophie and Aaron had sprinted through the darkness. It was one of the most frightening experiences in their entire lives. Aaron smiled as soon as he saw the elder stand over him. The elder werewolf knew what the smile meant. Sophie and Aaron got back to their feet. They looked at each other and immediately knew what they had in each other’s mind. It was the same thing. Aaron grabbed her and pulled her close to him. He passionately kissed her and Sophie let go of herself. After a long kiss, he still didn't want to let go of her.

“Samael is dead?”, he asked the Alpha and Aaron nodded in response. The old guy was jubilant. There were hugs all around.

“But there’s a problem. He said something about his people carrying out his orders on earth”, Aaron spoke as soon as the sentiments had worn off. The expressions on the elder’s face changed. Aaron could see that the old guy understood what the demon lord had meant.

“Samael had a thing for theatrics. He would definitely do something eye-catching”, the elder said as he tried to think of the options the demon lord had in order to cause chaos. The door to the kitchen abruptly opened and a waitress ran in with obvious stress on her face.

“Sir! You need to see this!”, she exclaimed and ran back outside. The four had no idea what she had meant. They just decided to follow her. All sorts of bad scenarios started to flood Aaron’s head. He knew that the demon lord was ruthless. Samael wouldn't think twice before starting a nuclear war. The more death, the more chances of the rise of his people. With that guy, everything was possible.

“Please stay here, Sir!”, the waitress said when she saw Aaron follow her outside. The urgency in her tone convinced Aaron that it would be better if he stayed behind. Sophie, Mike and the owner of the restaurant ran outside. Aaron was getting more anxious by the minute. The negative thoughts were eating him from the inside. There were the least chances of the demons showing themselves publicly but he didn't strike out the possibility. Even a dying human is known to take extreme measures and a mad demon lord is definitely not immune to it. The suspense was killing him.

He decided to step out anyway. Just as he was approaching the door, the three returned. Their faces didn't paint a pretty picture. Aaron interrogatively gestured to them and none of them had the courage to tell him what was happening. Mike decided that it was easier to show than to tell. He pulled out his phone and played a livestream of a news channel. He handed the phone to Aaron. The Alpha almost dropped the phone after seeing what was being aired.