HELLHOUND (Book Two of the Wisteria Chronicles)

CHAPTER 4~Pay off~

Titus

          I traced my fingers over the black envelope. Inside held the opportunity we’ve been waiting for. It's been six years since I promised Lotus that I would find the Collector. I spent the first two years devising and building my business so that I could get a step into the Bayliss underground. The last four were spent expanding the business and making a claim in the supernatural and human industries. Six years of hard work and it was finally about to pay off. 

   My phone rang and I fumbled with it in my pocket. I answered the video call and was greeted by three curious little faces. “Uncle Titi!” they shouted in unison. I cracked a wide grin and greeted them back. “Titi, mama wants to know if you are going to come for the twins’ birthday.” August asked, getting straight to the point. I chuckled, he was just like his father. “Don’t worry bud, I’ll be there.” August gave a firm nod. 

   The phone jumbled around, Summer and Autumn coming into focus. “When are you coming?” questioned Summer. Her gaze was curious as she puckered her lips, waiting for my response. “Soon, Teeny.” She scrunched her face at her nickname. I chuckled louder and sent her a wink.

     “Will you bring us presents?” Autumn asked excitedly, her green eyes bright with hope. “Of course, I will, Tiny.” Autumn squealed, her innocent response made my day brighter. “Why do you three have my phone?” a voice yelled in the distance. The triplets looked panicked before they threw the phone down and their mother picked it up.

    “Titi!” she chirped. “Hey Lo.” She beamed at me with sisterly love. “I’m so sorry about them. They didn’t interrupt something important did they?” she asked. I shook my head, “No, I’m actually getting ready to head out.” “Oh, ok.” she said then stayed silent. I sighed, “I know you want to ask, so just get it over with.” 

   She pursed her lips and gave me a guilty look. “Do you have any updates?” she hesitantly asked. “I do.” She smiled from ear to ear and started to bounce from side to side. I chuckled, “Don’t get too excited. It’s not a strong lead but it’s better than what I’ve been able to find.”

   Lotus was practically bursting with excitement but took a deep breath to calm herself. “Do you know what the Infinity Exchange is?” She shook her head, so I explained. “The Infinity Exchange is a supernatural gathering that happens once every three years. It's where rare magical items, goods, and even people are sold and bought. The Exchange is held throughout the world at random locations.”

  Lotus listened intently, I could tell that she was trying not to ask any premature questions. “The Collector has attended the Exchange every year since the early 1700’s.” She pursed her lips, “Ok? Titus where are you going with this?” “Guess who’s hosting the event this year?” Lotus started to bounce around again, “Titus, don’t play with me. Are you doing it?” 

    I held up the black invitation. Written in gold letters it stated that my business and I were selected to host this year’s Infinity Exchange.  Lotus read the letter out loud and squealed. “Titus! You did it! You actually did it!” she started to tear up, relief in her eyes. I held my hand up, “Hold the tears Lo. This is just the beginning. I still need to know where she will be staying and if she will even have the boys with her.”

    Lotus continued bounce, tears freely flowing. “I know, but I’m just so happy. We’ve never been this close before. All of the years of danger and hard work are starting to pay off. I’m so happy and proud of you and your efforts.” Her words struck home and I struggled not to show it on my face. “Goddess, you’re being such a mom.” I joked. She busted up with a loud cackle, tipping her head back.   

   “I am a mom!”  she giggled. I couldn’t help but to laugh with her. “Thank you so much Titi.” she said once she sobered up. “You’re welcome.” Her face turned serious, “So what are the next steps?” I let out a sigh, “Well, the Exchange isn’t until the last week of October. For the next few months, I'll continue to run the business and my pack as always. Once I get confirmation on where the boys are we will grab them.”

    She grunted her approval then gave me a worried gaze. “Is everything ok back at home?” she asked. “Yeah, everything is fine. The business doesn’t keep me away too much since we live an hour away from Bayliss. I only visit every once and awhile.” I told her and broke eye contact. She squinted, studying my face. “What else?”

     I let out a soft chuckle and ran a hand through my beard. “My ranked members are hounding me to take in a chosen Luna since I haven’t found my mate yet.” Lotus gasped and covered her mouth. She quickly recovered, anger on her face. “YOU BETTER NOT! What if you found her after you replaced her with some bimbo?!” her left dimple poked in and out as she shouted.

      She reacted exactly how thought she would. I interrupted her rant, “Lo, calm down. I’m not going to replace her anytime soon.” Lotus quieted, “Please don’t give up on her. You deserve to be happy.”  I shrugged, “I want to find her, and I’ve been looking for her since I was 18. I’m just getting tired of waiting.” She sulked, “I’m worried about you.” 

   Lotus was always worried about me. Ever since she met me when I was 16, she had taken over as my unofficial big sister. If I had a problem, she would try to fix it, but this was something she couldn’t help with. I was tired of being alone. I watched all of my friends become happily mated and most of them already had pups. I wanted a family of my own. Spending all of this time in Bayliss has really shown me the dark side of life, I prayed my mate would be the light. 

   “I’ll be fine. I gotta head back home. I’ll call you back if I get any updates.” I told her, ending the conversation. She gave me a sad look but said ok and disconnected the call. I stood up and walked out of my office. I exited the front of my business, the Hell’s Shield Center. It was a massive shopping center that sat on the border between the Underworld and Bayliss. 

   Hell’s Shield consisted of a variety of restaurants including fine dining or ethnic street food. The stores and boutiques offered everything from everyday necessities and supplies to high end couture clothing. It catered to supernaturals and attracted humans, all looking to spend their money. The crowded population created a bustle of activity that was necessary for its real purpose.

    The Center also served as an underground safe haven. We established a network to help locate and shelter captured lycans. I offered them the protection of the pack and ensured them a livelihood that didn’t involve servitude. Due to our efforts, Black Pines has almost doubled in numbers, making us the largest lycan pack in the world.

    We also housed runaway slaves, and helped supernatural families locate their missing relatives. Countless people came in searching for their loved ones who were hunted, abducted or sold. My team had an endless list of clients who needed our assistance. It was an exhausting and dangerous job, but it was worth it. Now that I’ve secured the invitation for the Infinity Exchange, all I wanted to do was go home and rest.

Phoebe

    I spent years frequenting the darkest parts of the world, searching for my brother. I followed several merchants and raided then liberated dozens of slave cargo hideouts, none of them held Faedan. I followed every lead I could find. I tracked all the known merchants who specialized in the elven market and still came to dead ends. I was becoming frustrated and it felt like I was beginning to run out of time.    

    My last hope was to seek help from the infamous Hell’s Shield underground agency. Throughout my travels, I have heard nothing but great things. Their recovery rate was 97%, their target was found dead or alive. The only thing was that they were expensive and they had an extensive waitlist. If I wanted to find Faedan soon, I would need to speak directly with the man in charge.

    From the rumors I’ve heard, Alpha Titus Jones was a formidable man who fought his way to the top. His businesses not only flourished in both worlds but he has also become a force strong enough to host the Infinity Exchange. The whole city of Bayliss was abuzz with his achievements, I guess it also helped that he was rumored to be handsome. 

    He was the only one who could help me, and I wasn’t leaving until I enlisted his aid. I may not be able to pay him now, but once I returned Faedan to Nysthgroth, I would be able to afford a very large reward. I frowned, my mood immediately soured at the thought of returning home. After Kyra left me in the forest, I made sure to keep a close eye on the kingdom. My father’s body was discovered earlier that morning by the guards. 

   Queen Rhistel was panicked and in a state of grief when she went to locate Kyra. She found her “beaten” and left for dead in her bedroom. Kyra had faked her own assault and announced that Faedan and I were also dead, our bodies too disfigured to display. The kingdom had grieved the loss of its king, prince, and princess for a total amount of seven days. 

    Kyra was promptly crowned queen and married to Malakai a few days after that, claiming that she would honor the agreements made between kingdoms since I was no longer alive to do so. The announcement of my death made it difficult to stay within the realm and therefore hindered my investigation. I couldn’t roam around and risk being seen by a citizen. I didn’t want Kyra to know I survived until I knew I could defeat her.

   I mentally shook myself and clenched my fist. I would worry about that murdering back-stabbing b***h later. My first priority was finding Faedan. I marched in the most dangerous city known to my kind and I stood on the edge of the massive shopping center. Hell’s Shield Center took up three of Bayliss’s most frequented streets.

   I pushed my way through the crushing crowds and followed the directions I received from my last raid. I ended up in front of the main administration building and stared up at the great two-story brick structure. With a determined step, I entered the office. There were two women at the main desk, both had an annoyed look on their face. 

  I walked up to them and asked sweetly, “Hello. I’m here to meet with Titus Jones in reference to finding a family member.” A woman with red lipstick stared at her nails and chewed her gum. “Do you have an appointment?” she rudely asked. I smiled in an attempt to keep the annoyance from my voice, “No, I don’t I was hoping I could see him without one.” The second receptionist scoffed, “You can’t see Mr. Jones without an appointment.” 

    “Is he in his office by chance? I’m sure if he just heard my story he would be willing to help.” They gave a nasally laugh, “I’m sure. Mr. Jones has already gone home for the week. You should return when you’ve made an appointment.” I closed my eyes and gathered the last of my patience. “Fine, I would like to make an appointment.”

    Red-lips popped her gum and handed me a calling card. I filled it out and returned it to her. She inserted it into a locked box that already had hundreds of calling cards inside of it. “You are now on the waitlist to see Mr. Jones. Thank you, have a great day.” She said and turned back to talk to her desk mate. 

   I rolled my eyes and started to walk out, listening to them gossip. “These f*****g fangirls have some nerve! Can you believe what she's wearing?” one said in disgust. “I know, as if Mr. Jones would go for the Goth type.” the other said. “And did you see her dye job?!” They laughed, “Don’t even fret. Mr. Jones would never be with someone as big as her anyways.” They continued to snicker as I made my way out. 

      I struggled for peace once I got outside, all I wanted to do was punch a hole in the wall. I was used to being called names and people judging me by the clothes I wore. I didn’t care if they called me fat, I loved my curves and dark clothes. I was more pissed off that I couldn’t see the Alpha. If only there was some way I could see him without having to go through the proper channels. 

  I walked over to a coffee shop around the corner and bought an iced chai latte. I tapped my chin as I thought of a plan. If I couldn’t reach him through his office, then I would just find a loophole. What if I summoned him? I grinned when I decided my next course of action. Are you f*****g insane?! Phoenix screamed. 

     I shrugged, No. If I can’t see him in his office, I’ll just bring him to mine. He’s an Alpha Lycan! Summoning him is the most disrespectful thing you could do. Not to mention practically impossible! He will kill us if you succeed. Phoenix tried to reason. 

     You never know until you try. I said, trying to downplay how scared I actually was. I knew this would be the most dangerous thing I’ve ever done, but I needed to do it if it meant finding Faedan. I just hoped Alpha Jones would let me live long enough for me to ask for help.