Chapter 67

Hunter watched the fire brigade point their hoses at his charcoal home, trying to put out the remaining embers of the flames. Everything was gone or at least somewhat burnt.

The front wall had completely collapsed, exposing what was once the living area and the kitchen.

An ambulance had arrived to aid Vic and his pack. Nobody was seriously injured but some needed to go to the hospital to get stitches. The police were also here to take statements and arrest the humans who first attempted to scorch the house. The human who Jacob caught had also been arrested. They were going to let the police do what they had to do with them and if any were released, they would deal with them privately.

"I guess, you'll get to see our old home sooner than we thought," Hunter sighed. He was sitting on the grass with everyone else because there was nothing for them to do.

The emergency services were taking charge of everything, so all that they could do was watch the smoke twist and turn, spoiling the clear blue sky.

Jacob pulled at the grass and tried hard to suppress a storm from brewing. Today's forecast is supposed to be sunny. He needed to stick to the schedule of the weather. He had already started a commotion over the past few days because of the constant thunder and lightning.

"What does your old home look like?" He asked quietly. He was going to apologise for not catching the humans sooner but it wasn't his fault. He had to stop blaming himself for things that couldn't be helped.

"It's big," Hunter watched him instead of his home crumbling to the ground. "Well, it'll be much bigger now that the extension is almost done. There are five bedrooms, all with en-suite bathroom. There's a huge garden that links to a field. Um... it's three stories which will be weird getting used to after living in a studio for so long."

"I'll be around every day," Sam beamed.

"You're around every day anyway," Hunter watched him and they were both still wondering about Zac. Was he in danger? Was he with werewolf hunters? Have they caught him and interrogated him?

"I think it's time we find out," Jacob was listening to his thoughts and he just wanted this to be over and done with. "I don't like feeling on edge."

"Me neither," Margo's soulful eyes were full of deep despair. "I think we should wait until the emergency services are gone first."

They told the police that they didn't know why anyone would want to burn their house down and they hardly expected the werewolf hunters to admit who they really are.

It was an issue that the authorities did not need to mingle with.

* * * * *

Anthony kicked his feet through the rubble and spotted a family picture. Half of the members had been burnt out of it. He sighed and took one more look around, trying to find anything that he could save but there was nothing.

"Come on Margo, Let's go," He took his wife's hand and squeezed it tight. She had tears in her eyes but followed him, no longer wanting to look at the state her humble abode was in.

Nathan stood with Scott and they both looked incredibly serious.

"Was this down to my parents?" Nathan asked quietly. He was livid by how close his son was to being injured.

"Yes, unfortunately."

That was all Nathan needed to hear as he stormed over to Hunter.

"If you're planning to go back to my parent's house, I'm coming with you." Hunter opened his mouth but Nathan hushed him. "I haven't seen them since I was eighteen. I don't feel anything towards them, especially now. They don't belong here anymore."

Jacob watched the storm in his eyes. He could feel his raging determination to banish the evil and for some odd reason, the mission was strong and pulsing through his veins. Nathan was a key pawn in this operation, he could feel it.

"I'm coming too," Vic appeared behind his father with slightly troubled eyes. "I want to help."

"No," Hunter crossed his arms and didn't lighten his gaze.

"Son, you're not-"

"I am," Vic interrupted his dad, knowing he was going to try and talk him out of it. "They are my estranged family. They're scum and I want to show them that they are missing out on a family who they could have had a life with."

Jacob then saw his slight heartbreak.

Thomas and Jillian have been a part of his life ever since he was born and they completely ignored Vic and his family. That obviously hurt a lot. However, he looked revengeful and he didn't want feelings to get in the way of actions.

"Sorry Vic, you can't be part of this." Jacob's voice was timid but he could feel that it wasn't a good idea for him to be involved.

Hunter narrowed his eyes when Vic began to glare at him.

"You've had the privilege of being loved by your family when they ignored us. You can't just-"

"Don't go there," William joined in. "You have no idea what you're talking about. Our grandparents hated Jacob. I don't think it's possible for them to love anyone but themselves. I get that you're family but don't act like you know us."

"Alright, settle down," Nathan warned when Scott walked over. "Vic, you're not coming with us, I don't want to hear another word about it."

Scott placed a gentle hand on William's shoulder. He still had to tell them about their mother running away and wanting a divorce. But they could be told at a less stressful time.

"We have to make up for lost years and being civil with one another is a start. I know you missed out on being with your dads family but trust me, Nathan's parents are not worth anyone's time of day. Also, we're here now and it's better to be late than not being here at all, yes?"

Vic looked down to his hands and nodded.

Scott then turned to Jacob. A lot of responsibility was on his shoulders and he needed to make sure that he was capable of carrying it. Although, Hunter was there to support that load at any time.

"Whatever you feel like you have to do, you'll never be alone doing it. Just because you're the God of the wolves doesn't mean that you don't need help. I'm not quite sure how your mind processes things now and how you feel the world and how you see it compared to me. But if any of us can offer any form of support then we will."

Jacob nodded and gave him a little smile.

"That means a lot. Thank's dad."

Scott beamed and gave his shoulder a little pat.

"Right, go do what you have to do. I'm going to help Margo and Anthony sort out this mess."

Hunter turned to his mate with questioning eyes.

"What's the plan lightning boy?"

Jacob sighed and ignored that comment.

"Um, I think we should turn up to my grandparent's house with Nathan. I know they're psychotic but they're human and must have a little bit of regret for abandoning him."

"I hope so or this plan could quite easily backfire," Nathan added. "But just whip out your lightning stuff and that should shut them up." He was nervous. He cut his parents out of his life because they cut him out of theirs, that included simply thinking about them, his childhood, and what they were up to on a daily basis. It was hard of course but he managed to do it.

Jacob was also nervous. They didn't really have a plan because he was powerful and could take control very quickly. But what if he froze if danger did occur?

"You didn't when you caught that human," Hunter thought and forcefully wrapped his arms around him. "I'm so proud of you for that. It was a brave thing to do. You surprised yourself didn't you?"

Jacob watched his face grow closer. Feeling the warmth of his arms around him was starting to feel normal but it still filled him with a sudden burst of affection.

"I did surprise myself. I don't know where I got the confidence."

Hunter smiled and gave him no warning before kissing his soft lips. He didn't need to anymore because he knew Jacob wasn't going to freak out. His mental stability was getting stronger each day.

Jacob kissed back and no longer cared who watched or whether he was doing it right or if Hunter was judging him. He simply allowed it to happen and it felt great.

"Come on then," Hunter thought after pulling away and softly squeezing his waist. "I do believe we have some people to argue with."

* * * * *

"Let's just... get this over and done with," Nathan breathed. His heart was pumping so hard in his chest. They were standing outside his family home which he hasn't seen in a very, very long time. It still looked plain and unloved from the outside.

Hunter looked at the same door he was standing in front of before his beloved home was burnt to a crisp. He was under strict instructions by Jacob not to lose his temper. However, he is very aware that he is too hot headed and might not be able to stick to that task.

He lifted his hand and rang the doorbell. It dawned on him that he had every right to barge in but he could feel Jacob's eyes on him so he took a breath and clenched his teeth.

Nathan's hands were almost trembling but he had to pull himself together because he could be in a lot of danger and needed to be in the right frame of mind for Jacob and Hunter. His pack, Hunter's pack and Anthony's pack were not too far away, just like last time.

When he saw an outline of someone coming to the door, he held his breath.

It was Jillian who answered this time and the look in her eyes when she first saw Jacob was pure filth. Her stare turned into a glare of deep hatred when she saw Hunter. She tensed and opened her mouth to shout her husband but that was when her eyes landed on her son.

Their gaze connected and her mouth slowly opened. A jolt of surprise spread through her expression and for a second, he was the only thing she saw.

"Nathan," She whispered and Jacob heard the quiver of emotion roll off her tongue. Her son was standing before her after all these years and she was not prepared for the explosion in her heart.

"Who is it?" They heard the rugged voice of Thomas yell which was shortly followed by an unusual murmur. It almost sounded like a little cry.

Hunter and Jacob both discreetly nudged each other, indicating that they heard it. However, Jillian didn't respond to her husband because she was so captivated by the sight of her child. Clearly, she missed him.

"Jillian?" Thomas's muffled voice echoed through the hallway. "Close that damn door. He has not got long left to speak!"

Hunter glanced at Jacob and Zac filled his mind. This had to be him. Who else could it be? Jacob felt his patience break and he suddenly stormed past Nathan's mother and into their home.

"Hunter!" Jacob yelled and ran after him, leaving Nathan with a choice. He could either talk to his mother or help the boys. He has lived for so long without his parents and he wasn't prepared to let them into his life, not now. So he ran after the boys and left his mother too shocked to move, standing hopelessly in her doorway.

Hunter looked frantically around. He invaded the living room, the dining room and the kitchen until he spotted stairs leading down to a basement. The light at the bottom was on, leaving an eerie glow to fade up the concrete steps.

He didn't think twice before bolting down them. He knew Jacob wasn't far behind him but any form of a plan had gone and he was in too deep to back out now.

Jacob didn't want him to do this but Zac was a member of his pack and if he was in trouble, they needed to help him. Yes, he was only his omega but smaller packs tend to be closer with their friendships.

When he reached the bottom of the steps, he saw Thomas leaning over someone and checking his heartbeat. Whoever it was, they were chained to a radiator and clearly in trouble. Thomas tried getting to his feet but Hunter sprinted up to him and pushed him over. He hit his head hard against the wall which temporarily weakened his defences.

Jacob ran over to Hunter with electricity pulsing and flickering from his hands as a warning to any threats. But his eyes widened when he realised that the prisoner was in fact, Zac.

"Hey," Hunter breathed and shook his limp arms. "Zac, can you hear me?" His skin was pale, his eyes were closed and his body was completely still.

Jacob's eyes instantly lost their light while he knelt next to him and brought a hand up to his neck. His skin was cold against his warm finger tips as they searched for a heartbeat.

Hunter stopped Zac's head from drooping down and tapped his cheek.

"Zac?" He said again but he was getting no response.

"Hunter," Jacob whispered when Nathan reached the bottom of the stairs. "I can't find his pulse."