Chapter Twenty-One
The ambulances and paramedics were already on the scene by the time the group arrived.
Gabriel, Dolph, Ray and Scott were all being seen by the EMTs while Holt stood with Cade. Both were scowling. The flames of revenge burning in their eyes.
Kain ran up with Charlie, Jill and Damien. “Holt, what in the name of Tenebris happened here?”
“It was some of their goons. Humans seeking to be turned that set this place ablaze. They will pay for this Kain.” Holt clenched his fists at his sides as he fought to hide the fangs grinding against his teeth.
Kain's eyes scanned the landscape. He appeared worried. Chase, his beta was nowhere to be seen. “Chase?”
Cade and Holt shook their heads.
“He...he didn't make it, old friend.” Holt said, putting his hand on Kain’s shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
Damien's heart sank as he watched his friend lower his head, the pride that defined him shattered in a single moment.
“I see. Knowing Chase, he gave his life to get everyone out safely.”
“Oh, Kain.” Jill wrapped her arms around Kain's waist, hugging him close to her to offer some comfort. “I'm so sorry.”
Kain smiled at her, kissing her forehead before walking away to be alone.
Concerned himself, Damien followed Kain into the woods behind the burning gym. The alpha had fallen to his knees on the cold ground.
“Kain, I'm sorry about Chase.”
Kain looked over his shoulder. “It is nothing for you to be sorry for. Casualties are a part of war. It's our existence.” Kain rose to his feet, his posture straightening back up to the strong figure Damien had begun seeing as a mentor. “But that is not all you wanted to say, is it?”
Damien never understood how Kain seemed to know what he was thinking.
He took a deep breath. “No. This morning. I was worried about you.”
Kain's hand on his shoulder made Damien raise his eyes to meet Kain's own. “You were worried about me?”
Damien nodded his head. “I know it's none of my business, Kain.”
“Give it time. Mature a bit more and I give you my word I will tell you. You have a strong heart and soul, Damien. As a lycan you would be an amazing alpha. Watch over Jillian for both of us.”
Kain stepped around Damien to head back to the others, stopping briefly. “Thank you for your concern, my friend.”
****
Kain and Damien arrived back at the site of the flames to see Holt trying to comfort Gabriel as he knelt before his gym. One of the homes for his pack, as it collapsed in the snow.
Rob ran up to Damien, struggling to catch his breath. His eyes wide in surprise. “Is it true? God, D, tell me it's not real. Tell me she's lying?”
Damien got the hint. Jill told Rob and his father what was going on while he was away comforting Kain. “I wish I could say it was a lie but it's not. It's true.”
“So, Chelsea...Chelsea is really a?”
“Afraid so.”
Rob stared at Kain who stood behind Damien as if he was ready to protect him. “And... Alex, Jill, Gabriel and Holt? All werewolves?”
Kain winced, a growl rumbling in his throat.
“Lycans, Rob. They don't really appreciate being called werewolves. I know. I didn't understand there was a difference at first either.” Damien responded.
Rob started backing up from Kain. Jumping away from Jill as she walked up beside him.
“Rob, they aren't monsters. Nothing you think you know about them is true. I've spent time with them.”
“D, dude, I'm sorry. This is just too much. I swear I won't tell anyone but I can't get mixed up in this. My parents would freak if I called them to tell them my best friend was dating a…lycan.” Rob said, his voice shaking with nervousness.
Damien's heart broke. His best friend from childhood. The one who talked about chasing around cryptids for a living, ended their friendship when he actually met one.
Rob turned and walked away, his shoulders slumped forward.
Damien stared at his father, wondering if he would react the same way Rob did. His body burned as the pain hit him at the realization that his father may abandon him over a technicality after all they'd been through.
Damien tightened his jaw against the burning flames inside of him, his hands rolling into fists at his sides. “Dad, I can understand if you don't want to ever see me again but I'm in love with Jill. I can't be without her.”
“Dame, nothing's changed. Your mother and I knew you were different after your accident. It scared us so bad, we nearly walked away. Then you looked at us with the same eyes you're giving me now,” Charlie took his son in a hug. “You were our child. Just as confused about what happened as we were. You're still my son, Dame. I may not understand what’s going on, but I will stand by my son. I'll try to help in any way I can.”
Damien had to fight back his emotions as he hugged his dad closely to him. He didn’t know what to say so he just stood there.
“Thank you, Charlie.” Kain said, sighing.
“Alex, you sly dog. You should have just told me.”
Kain chuckled. “Would you have believed me?”
“Hell no, but it beats the alternative. Now tell me what I can do.”
“For now, old friend, just keep the townspeople calm. Keep them out of the surrounding woods. Make sure they don't let anyone they don't know in their homes. We'll end this as soon as we can but we don't yet know what our enemies fully intend to do.”
Charlie nodded. “I’m pretty sure as police chief, I can find some way of justifying a curfew. Now get out of here. We’ll wrap it up. I’m sure you don’t want any unsolicited questions.” He snickered, waving the group off.