Jason's POV

　　Leaving my Father's office, I felt like I was going to throw up; my only saving grace was that I had not eaten anything yet! Nor would I have time now! Following my Father and Marcus down the stairs with Tommy silently at my side, I could feel the apprehension rolling off him. I knew he was picking up on the dread that was eating me up. Kicking myself for being unable to hide it from him, I didn't want to concern the pack with my suspicions until I had chance to talk to Abigail! 

　　Coming to stand beside my Father on the steps of the packhouse, I tried to steady my racing heart, locking my hands behind my back stoically. Tommy and Marcus stood to my right, my mother; the packs Luna appeared beside her mate. Taking his hand in her loving embrace, I knew my Father had linked her and asked her to come and address the pack with him; he wanted to show unity and strength. Marcus whistled to get the pack's attention, sensing their alpha had something to say; they all assembled across the grassed embankment at the bottom of the stairs.

　　"There has been an incident in the town up the creek. The extent of the damage is unclear, but we know lives have been lost." He started sucking in a slow breath before continuing. "The village church has been attacked, with many innocent lives inside. It's my understanding that it was not an accident but rather a slaughter."

　　Tensing, I looked at the angry faces of the people I would one day lead. Steadying my gaze on their scared and angry faces, sighing hearing their questions.

　　"Who would have done this, Alpha?"

　　"It's a peaceful town; It doesn't get involved in disputes! I don't understand."

　　"Could it have been a rival pack?" Someone asked nervously; people started to talk among themselves before someone finally spoke, taking the words right out of my mouth.

　　"Why attack the church of a bordering town if it was a rival pack? They don't care for the Christian or Catholic faith! It doesn't make sense." My Father held his hand up; instantly, the pack fell silent. 

　　"At this point, I don't have any answers for you! However, as per the alliance and because the town has always been good to us, we need to send help and aid. Marcus and I will go into town to see how we can help and try to get a better understanding of the chaos that has been woven into the town.'' The sea of people at my Father's feet nodded in agreement; many wanted to help the town in any way they could whereas others wanted to stay here on pack territory to protect those that were left behind, just in case of a second attack. My Father and Marcus started delegating tasks to pack members while Tommy and I slipped off to grab supplies I knew we would need. 

　　Within ten minutes, we were piled into a handful of cars, and on our way into town, the closer we got, the more my gut twisted; remembering Abigail's face yesterday when she stood in front of the church, asking if there had ever been a fire there. The same church that, less than 24 hours later, according to my Father, would be nothing more than ash and memories. 

　　The second I stepped out of the car, the pungent stench of scorched skin and hair assaulted my nostrils. Covering my nose with my sleeve, I felt my eyes watering my senses going into overload. Marcus oversaw those pack members as they handed out water and masks, some offering first aid to those who needed it. Watching my pack jump into protection mode, I felt pride orbit from within me. Leaving my Father to talk to the town mayor, Tommy and I headed toward the devastation.

　　"Buddy, are you here?" I asked, concerned. He had been silent since we had entered my Father's office. 

　　"Do you think she did this?" His tone was laced with accusation, but the concern was unmistakable. 

　　"I don't know what to think, buddy. But it's too big of a coincidence not to be related to her somehow." I admitted sadly. "and if she is the reason for this... Slaughter then..."

　　"Then what?" He growled. I could hear the outrage in his voice; I wanted desperately to appease him, but lying to him wasn't the answer. 

　　"I don't know," I answered honestly because I genuinely didn't know what I would do. I hardly knew her, she could be the cause of this chaos, and if so, she had to answer for that, but my gut told me it wasn't that straightforward.

　　Feeling him slink back into the depths of my mind, I turned to see the church for the first time; an hour after the flames had started, with the towns folk desperately trying to douse the fire, the lethal rampage of flames showed no signs of slowing down. Feeling Tommy beside me, I sighed, looking into the frantic flames as they destroyed everything, including the stone walls and foundations. 

　　"It's not just fire," Archer announced, coming to the front of my mind as if suddenly realising what was going on; I felt him taking some control sensing the danger; seeing Tommy turn to face me, I acknowledged Rafe at the front of his eyes, obviously sensing the threat just like Archer had.

　　“It's like a rampant beast!” Rafe hissed, nodding towards the flames, his eyes alight with distress for the loss the town had suffered, he watched the unstoppable force of the fire sucking in a breath. "What is it?"

　　"Hellfire", My Father and Marcus answered from behind us in union; turning to look at them, I got the crushing sense that my Father and Marcus were locked in the past, in memories they both wished to forget.

　　"Are you sure?" I asked, regretting it instantly, seeing my Father's jaw locked angrily, although I knew it wasn't at me! . 

　　"I have seen it once before- It won't stop till it's eradicated its target!" He whispered, obviously not wanting to make the townsfolk nervous. 

　　"Who could have done this?" Tommy asked restlessly, looking between my Father and his. 

　　"There is only one family I know of besides the devil with the ability to control hellfire." He admitted, his eyes never leaving the malignant wildfire.