Dark Moon Rising

Chapter Twenty: Where Did He Go?

Lucius Void’s Point of View

He demonstrated brilliance, efficiency, and ruthlessness. I was always amazed when I watched Argus skillfully align the Collective’s strategic goals with its divisions’ operational needs, leading to successful project outcomes and organizational progress. Despite not being biologically related and having a supernatural background, Argus embodied all the qualities I could have hoped for in my child.

The intensity in his gaze and his deep hatred towards the Hunter Foundation captured the board members’ interest. They perceived my son’s strong disapproval of their shortcomings as a call for the organization to serve as a warning to others associated with the Collective. His anger was methodical, precise, and unforgiving. There were no survivors of his actions. His message was immediate and unmistakable to all supporters of the Collective: failure comes with consequences.

Argus analyzed drone surveillance footage of the Dark Moon pack to understand the situation in the area. A mystical barrier shielded the werewolves’ territory. A mysterious and dangerous creature also appeared in the ancient red pine forest. Lennox Armstrong and his government connections were causing obstacles. After his allegiance shift, acquiring permission to survey the land and purchasing properties connected to supernatural beings became challenging. Despite evading capture so far, the Collective persisted in their pursuit. Betrayal like his would have severe consequences, and I was determined to ensure he faced the consequences.

From the doorway, I observed my son diligently focused on his work. Sensing my presence, he briefly looked up, nodded, and smiled before returning to his tasks. Argus displayed remarkable dedication and diligence, earning his promotion despite initial hesitations from the board due to Seraphina’s actions. He outshone other recruits with his hard work, eventually climbing the ranks. After witnessing Evelina’s betrayal, my son wholeheartedly dedicated himself to our mission, leaving no space for love in his life. He chose to forgo the privileges of being the CEO’s son and holding a prominent position within the Collective, opting to stay single and unattached. If only I had his resolve, I sighed.

It seems I had a soft spot for captivating werewolves. Evelina wasn’t the first to grab my attention. There was another before her who became my lover. What started as fun soon turned into something more profound. Falling in love was unexpected, and my family was outraged. Despite Layla’s desire to demonstrate her worth by joining the Collective, they would never approve of her. When they discovered she was carrying my child, chaos ensued.

One day, after returning from a long assignment, Layla was nowhere to be found. It seemed she had vanished without a trace, leaving no signs of her existence in our home. There was no note, no explanation from Layla or my family. Despite my efforts to search for her, she remained elusive until I stumbled upon confidential paperwork that revealed she had requested a transfer to the Hunter Foundation to start anew, away from me. Surprisingly, her file didn’t mention a pregnancy. This discovery made me question if there had ever been a child, making me feel deceived. The pain I felt fueled my resentment towards everything I was supposed to despise, as if that was the inevitable outcome.

Even though I knew it was time to move on from her, I still kept an eye on her. She was involved with an operative for a while, but their relationship never led to a lasting bond. To advance in rank, Achan Mardochaios agreed to end things with her. Everyone has a price. It shouldn’t have pleased me to be the reason for their breakup, but it did. It wasn’t very kind of me to feel such satisfaction in seeing her rejected, mirroring how she had left me. My family provided whatever she needed to make her disappear. She chose that over me.

That’s what brought Evelina into my life. I truly cared for her; it was simply inevitable. She possessed a gentle, kind, charming, and stunning demeanor that captivated everyone, including my initially skeptical parents. Despite her background, they welcomed her, likely because they knew she couldn’t bear children. Despite our efforts and medical assistance, we were unsuccessful in conceiving. While my parents suggested adoption, I chose to fulfill my wife’s wish and adopted a child from the compound, against their expectations. Surprisingly, we adopted two hybrid children that day – a mix of a werewolf and a vampire. This decision left my parents fuming and me overjoyed.

However, an unexpected turn of events occurred. I developed a deep affection for them, akin to my love for my wife. Strangely, I overlooked their true nature and instead cherished them for who they were in my life. I was Evelina’s husband and the father of Argus and Seraphina until my daughter embarked on her initial mission. From then on, everything changed except for Argus. He remained unwavering, never letting me down, and his loyalty and affection were invaluable to me.

If Layla had been pregnant with my son as she had claimed, would that child have even compared to my Argus? She had perished in the attack on the Crimson pack led by Achan Mardochaios. They had a son together. I wonder what happened to him. Achan Mardochaios wasn’t aware of her werewolf lineage like I was. If he had known, he would have found it repulsive.

I was confident that the documents belonging to the Hunter Foundation were still intact despite the explosion destroying the building and all its staff. My curiosity about a child who may not even exist troubled me, but I was compelled to find out. Was it for closure? Maybe. I had always felt unsure about what had occurred, and seeing the son I raised perfectly made me contemplate the possibility of another child out there. Had Layla spoken the truth?

My parents and other family members have already passed away. After forming a deep bond with my adopted children, a tragic ‘accident’ claimed the lives of my parents and extended family members. I was the sole survivor, holding authority over the Collective and answering only to the board members. They wouldn’t challenge me, knowing I possessed incriminating information about each of them. Even though there are rumors questioning my compassion and conscience, I have displayed ruthlessness, even within my family. Evil is not inherent; it is shaped. From a young age, my family had ingrained this principle in me.

There was no harm in satisfying this sudden curiosity. Leaving my son’s office, I headed to my own. After starting up my laptop, I reviewed the files associated with the Hunter Foundation, explicitly focusing on their private employee database. Entering her name - Layla Agrona, I meticulously examined her file, seeking clues that could provide my sought answers.

Layla was pregnant when she left me. She had given birth to a son but never listed the father’s name or information. It was recorded as unknown. My family compelled her to leave. My father seemed to influence the transition from working for the Collective to joining the Hunter Foundation. Son of a b***h, if he weren’t already dead, I would kill him myself right now!

I understood the importance of proceeding cautiously in my next steps. Despite this prudence, my curiosity pushed me to delve deeper. The child is now approaching his late twenties. What happened to him after his mother’s passing? Where did he go? And where was he now?