章節 5: Laura Kinney

As the night deepened and the moon ascended high into the sky, its silver light bathed the mountain in an ethereal glow. Laura stood at the edge of the cliff, her figure illuminated by the moon's pale light. Her pack members were scattered behind her waiting for her next move.

Laura took a deep breath. "It's time," she said softly then She turned to Selene, who nodded in silent agreement.

Rather than searching for the Alpha in this unfamiliar town, they had decided on a different approach. If this Alpha was truly as powerful as Selene believed, then he would hear the call. And if he heard it, it would be up to him whether or not he responded.

Laura's eyes shifted from their usual brown to a bright, glowing yellow. She threw back her head and let out a powerful, echoing howl.

"Awooo… Awooo…"

The sound reverberated through the night, echoing across the mountain and down into the town below. It was a call for help, a call that only the true Alpha could hear and answer.

Laura knew it was a gamble, but it was their best chance. The others stood in silence as they waited for a sign.

---

Meanwhile, in the forest outside the quiet town of Whitehaven, James was preparing for a meeting with an old friend. It wasn't just any friend, though—he was planning to meet Benjamin, the bear he had met once when Hank was in danger.

Over the years, James and Benjamin had crossed paths multiple times during his travels. Their initial encounter had turned into an unlikely but strong friendship, one built on mutual respect and understanding.

James smirked as he recalled the last time they met. Benjamin had proudly shown him his new family, cubs that had been born while James was away on one of his many journeys. It had been a surprising but heartwarming moment, seeing the fierce, solitary bear now tending to his young.

As James made his way to the usual spot where they met, deep in the woods outside town, he suddenly froze. His keen senses picked up on something in the distance.

"Awooo… Awooo…"

It was a howl, but not just any howl. It was a call, a call that he felt in his very core. His eyes glowed red as his primal instincts flared to life. His head turned sharply in the direction of the mountain where the sound originated, a mixture of curiosity and caution brewing within him.

Before he could act, Benjamin emerged from the trees, his massive form moving with a surprising grace. The bear approached James, his deep growl low but friendly.

James turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "You hear that, too huh?"

Benjamin huffed in response, the sound resembling a grumble. He nudged James with his large head, as if encouraging him to investigate.

"Yeah, I'm thinking the same," James said, his voice thoughtful. "Someone's calling, and they're expecting me to answer."

Benjamin let out a low growl, his eyes meeting James's with a knowing look. The bear had seen much in his long life, and he understood the significance of the call better than most.

James reached out and patted Benjamin's head, his touch firm but gentle. "I'll check it out. You stay here with your family. No need for them to get involved in whatever this is."

Benjamin growled again, this time in a more serious tone. His eyes seemed to warn James, as if telling him to be careful.

"I'll be fine, Ben. Whoever it is, they don't know who they're dealing with," James said with a confident smirk.

Benjamin huffed one last time, then slowly retreated back into the woods, his large form disappearing among the trees.

James watched him go before turning his attention back to the mountain. Then he turned away to see the town.

With a final glance at the town behind him, he made his decision.

"It's time to see who's calling," James muttered to himself, and with that, he set off toward the mountain, his senses on high alert as he made his way towards the mountain.

---

As the werewolf pack awaited the arrival of the alpha, they all smelled someone approaching fast.

James who transformed on his way here is in his hybrid form, leaped up the mountain and landed at the peak.

James's hybrid form is a powerful combination of his human and werewolf sides, amplifying his abilities far beyond what either form could achieve on its own. In this form, he resembles Muzaka's hybrid form from *Noblesse*, with a few key differences.

His body is muscular and well-defined, with black fur covering his arms, back, and parts of his chest. Unlike Muzaka, James has no scars marring his skin, giving him a sleek and imposing appearance. His hair grows longer and wilder, flowing down his back, and his eyes glow a menacing blood-red, exuding an aura of primal strength.

In this form he can use his full strength so, he decided to use this form to meet who called him as he stood at the edge of the peak.

He stared at the members, observing them.

There were nine in total: one human woman who seemed strong and the rest were werewolves.

When his eyes met the young lady werewolf, he felt an inexplicable pull toward her. He also recognized her resemblance to Ana de Armas from his past life. However, he didn't let his guard down.

The pack members also stared at James in surprise. Three girls in the pack blushed, looking at him.

Laura's eyes widened when they locked eyes. He was her mate. Despite living for decades, she had never had a mate before.

The mate bond, a connection that made two people soulmates, was common among both vampires and werewolves.

Sensing the mate bond, Selene had a teasing smile on her face, prompting Laura to hiss, "Shut up," in embarrassment. The pack members tried to hold back their smiles to avoid embarrassing her in front of her mate.

James, unaware of what was happening, decided to get to the bottom of the situation.

"Who are you and why did you call me?" he asked as his voice carrying the authority of an alpha.

---

As the moonlight cast its silvery glow over the mountain peak, James stood in his hybrid form, listening intently to Laura's tale. Her voice was filled with the weight of centuries of conflict, loss, and survival.

"I am Laura Kinney," she began, her voice steady but tinged with sorrow, "the 23rd daughter of Romulus, the progenitor of our kind, the werewolves."

James's expression remained neutral, but his eyes flickered with interest at the mention of Romulus. He researched about the guy after his encounter with the vampire.

He had heard legends, whispers of the ancient werewolf king.

Laura continued, "For as long as we can remember, the werewolves and vampires have been at war, fighting in the shadows, hidden from the eyes of humans.... at least for most of the times. Our battles were fierce, and the losses were devastating on both sides. But it all came to an end when Dracula, the Prince of Darkness, decided to end our kind once and for all. He declared war on us, a final battle that would decide the fate of our species."

James could feel the tension in the air as Laura recounted the war. The werewolves around her listened in solemn silence, each of them bearing the scars, both physical and emotional, from that bloody conflict.

"The war was brutal," Laura said, her voice lowering as if the memories pained her. "Both sides fought with everything they had. We lost countless brothers and sisters. But the final battle was between our father, Romulus, and Dracula himself. They fought for weeks, their powers clashing in a struggle that shook the very earth. In the end, Dracula emerged victorious. He killed Romulus."

James's eyes narrowed. The death of Romulus was a blow to their kind, one that had left a lasting impact. But as Laura continued, he could see the pain in her eyes and the burden she had carried for so long.

"Dracula was gravely injured in the fight," Laura said. "He called off the war and retreated to heal. Both sides were nearly extinct, but even in our grief and anger, we knew we could not continue. Our numbers were too few. I was the only child of Romulus left alive. I gathered the remaining werewolves and led them away."

Laura paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "But Dracula's injuries were too severe. He died shortly after, and with his death, the vampires and werewolves were left leaderless. But our troubles were far from over. Humans, fearful of the unknown and our power after witnessing the war, began to hunt us down. They formed alliances, using their technology weapons, poisons and sheer numbers to nearly wipe us out. We are the only survivors," Laura said, gesturing to the small group of werewolves around her.

James absorbed her words, understanding the situation. The world had changed since the days of Romulus and Dracula, but the remnants of that ancient war still lingered for thier kind.

James who had returned to his human form midway through the story, turned his gaze to the other woman who had been silent until now. "And who is she?" he asked, his tone curious but wary.

Selene stepped forward, her presence commanding yet gentle. "I am Selene Gallio, the sorceress of this pack," she introduced herself. "In the old days, both vampires and werewolves had at least one sorcerer or sorceress among them. I am the last of our kind, the last one who can wield the old magic."

James studied her for a moment, noting the quiet power that seemed to radiate from her as she let loose a little. She was different from the others, not just in her role but in the way she carried herself, with an air of mysticism and knowledge.

As the conversation turned back to James, Laura spoke again, her voice tinged with hope. "We need a leader, James. You are an Alpha werewolf, one with the strength and power to lead us. We have survived for this long, but without guidance, without a true Alpha, we are lost. Only you can lead us, help us rebuild and protect our kind."

James looked at the group, seeing the desperation and hope in their eyes. They were survivors and they needed someone to guide them. He understood their plea, but the weight of leadership was not something he had sought out. Still, he couldn't deny the pull he felt towards Laura and the connection to these people.

James stood in silence, contemplating the decision before him. The weight of leadership wasn't something he took lightly, and the responsibility of leading a pack—especially one with such a tumultuous history—was immense. The werewolves and Selene watched him with hopeful eyes, waiting for his response.

After a long pause, James finally spoke, his voice steady but firm. "I need time to consider this," he said, glancing at each of them in turn. "Becoming your leader isn't a decision I can make on the spot. I need to understand more about what it means, what will be expected of me, and how I can actually help."

There was a flicker of disappointment in their eyes, but it was quickly replaced by understanding. Laura, though hoping for a different answer, nodded in agreement. She knew this wasn't a decision to be rushed.

"But," James continued, "you're welcome to stay at my place for the time being. I've got more than enough resources to provide for all of you. Food, shelter—whatever you need."

The group seemed relieved at his offer. Although they hadn't received a definitive answer regarding leadership, the fact that James was willing to support them was a good sign. It meant there was hope, that he was at least considering their plea.

Laura, who had been holding back her emotions, allowed a small smile to break through for the first time since they had met. "Thank you," she said softly, her gratitude evident. "We appreciate your hospitality."

James then introduced himself "I'm James Logan Howlett, but you can call me James. Now, let's head back to the town."

With the decision made, they began their descent down the mountain, heading towards the town. James led the way, his thoughts still processing everything that had transpired.

As they approached the town, James thought about how to explain the sudden arrival of these strangers. He needed a cover story that wouldn't raise suspicion among the townsfolk, especially the McCoy family.

When they arrived, James gathered the group and said, "To the people in this town, you're my workers. I'll tell them you're helping me with my business ventures. It's the best way to keep a low profile and avoid unnecessary questions."

The werewolves and Selene nodded in agreement. The town of Whitehaven was small and tightly-knit; new faces would undoubtedly attract attention.

As they entered the town, James led them to his home—a spacious estate he had built with the money he had earned over the years. The house was large enough to accommodate everyone comfortably, with plenty of space and provisions to go around.

Once settled, James made the introductions to the McCoy family and the other townspeople, explaining that the newcomers were his workers, brought in to assist with his various business ventures. The explanation was accepted without much fuss, as James had built a solid reputation in the town.

Over the next few days, the werewolves and Selene began to integrate into the town, each taking on roles that aligned with James's story. They kept to themselves for the most part, but there was a palpable sense of relief among them. They had found a temporary haven, a place where they could regroup and figure out their next steps.

Meanwhile, James spent his time reflecting on the offer to lead them. He knew the decision would shape the future not only for himself but for the entire pack. And while he hadn't yet made up his mind, he knew one thing for certain: whatever choice he made, it would change everything.

A few days had passed since the werewolves and Selene had arrived in Whitehaven, and they had settled in well. The integration into the town went smoothly, with the newcomers fitting in seamlessly. James found himself spending more time with Laura, drawn to her presence in a way he couldn't fully explain. Laura, on her part, was equally drawn to James but was too embarrassed to reveal the true nature of their connection—the mate bond.

One evening, as the sun began to set and cast a warm glow over the town, James and Laura stood together outside his home. They were talking about their pasts, their hopes, and their uncertain futures.

Laura, her gaze softening, asked, "James, what about your family? Do you have any relatives? People you're close to?"

James sighed, his expression distant. "Now" he said, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "My family is not in this world."

Laura placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry to hear that," she said gently. "I know how hard it is."

James looked at her, appreciating her empathy. "It is," he admitted. "But I've learned to live with it. This place has become my home now."

Laura's eyes met his, filled with a warmth that James couldn't quite place. They stood there in silence for a moment, both feeling a connection that went beyond words.

Just then, Hank appeared, a teasing smile on his face. "Looks like you're making quite the impression, James. Getting a girlfriend, are we?"

James turned to Hank with an amused yet slightly embarrassed look. "Shut it, bub," he said, trying to keep his tone light.

Hank chuckled, clearly enjoying the moment. "Just giving you a hard time," he said. "But seriously, it's good to see you happy."

The trio become best friends, spending time when ever hank was free.

Laura blushed slightly but maintained her composure. "Hank, don't tease him too much," she said, though a small smile tugged at her lips.

"Noted, future Mrs.Howlet"

That sentence gave him two punches on his head, Lucky for him they hold back.