Chapter 49: Ambush
The forest stretched like an ocean of shadows, its gaunt pines clawing at an ink-black sky. A heavy scent of humus and resin saturated the air, punctuated by the distant hooting of an owl. Hugo advanced alone, his boots crunching dead leaves with a sharp crack.
His eyes, an odd gold, glinted in the darkness, scanning every branch, every shadow. He wasn’t here by chance. A message from Alan, received on his phone at exactly midnight, had drawn him here: "Old oak, midnight. We need to talk." Hugo knew it was a trap. He could smell the scam from miles away. But he had to end it.
The icy wind bit his skin, his breath forming white curls. He reached the clearing, dominated by a twisted oak, its gnarled branches like a witch’s fingers. A massive figure emerged from the shadows, followed by others. Ten pairs of yellow eyes, glowing like embers, fixed on him. Low growls broke the silence. Hugo stopped dead, his muscles tensing instinctively.
"Alan," he growled, his raspy voice echoing in the clearing. "You’ve got five seconds to tell me why I’m wasting my time here."
Alan stepped forward, his leather jacket creaking. His yellow eyes gleamed, his claws already out, halfway transformed. Behind him, the Betas—ten werewolves, their massive bodies vibrating with menace—formed a semicircle. Their acrid scent, a mix of wild beast and saliva, stung Hugo’s nostrils.
"You quit, Hugo," Alan spat, his fangs glinting under the moon. "You ran from your responsibilities. You think you can just walk away? Asshole."
Hugo snorted, crossing his arms. "I don’t want this shit. You want to play loyal dogs? Find another master."
A collective growl rose from the Betas. One of them, a scarred wolf, took a step, but Alan raised a hand, stopping him. "You’re pathetic," Alan sneered, his tone dripping with contempt. "You think you can ignore what you are? We gave you a chance. You blew it."
Hugo felt anger surge in his temples. His fists clenched, his joints cracking. "What I am? A guy who doesn’t want your bullshit. You’re pissing me off, Alan. Say what you gotta say, or I’ll make you eat your fangs."