Inside the SUV, there was silence and the silence was oppressive.

Kael's eyes still glowing, molten dark gold, stayed locked on the road ahead, though he didn't seem to be seeing it. He looked like a beast on the brink. Like the wolf in him could tear through any flesh or steel if anything tried to stop him.

Lucien kept glancing from the windshield to the backseat where Kael sat rigid and silent. He chose to stay with the Beta in the front seat while the beta drove. He couldn't risk staying with the brooding Alpha. The beta and gamma were getting increasingly uncomfortable.

"Okay, Supreme Alpha" Lucien finally uttered, he twisted in his seat, his voice laced with concern "What is the matter at hand now? And what's up with this attitude today."

Lucien had been Kael's gamma for only about 50 years of his life and hadn't seen the Alpha in this kind of off mood neither have Roran who had been the Beta for close to 200 years now. It's not that Kael hasn't shown this side time and time again but today was different.

"You've been acting like a caged beast ever since today," Lucien continued. "I mean mood swings.Snapping at the board like you were about to claw someone's throat out."

Roran stole a glance at Kael through the rearview mirror. His eyes scrutinized the silent Alpha. "He's right. You’ve been off all day, Alpha. What is it? Is it the vampires? The witches? That conflict between them is escalating fast..."

"No," Kael cut in, his voice was sharp, low as his eyes never left the road. "This has nothing to do with politics."

Lucien narrowed his eyes. "Then what could possibly be the problem?" He asked, his voice careful, trying not to incite any form of anger on Kael.

Kael didn't respond immediately. His always expressionless face showed doubt and that was the first.

Lucien and Roran were shocked as they stared at each other in disbelief.

"I don't know" His reply shocked them more. The Supreme Alpha had never made use of these words. He was never doubtful of anything. He was always with a precise plan which he followed so for his Gamma and Beta to hear such words from him, this must really be serious.

"You barked at us like we were a damn omega." Roran couldn't help but say. "That's not like you."

Lucien once again looked at Kael from the rearview mirror. His stoic and aloof face showed a warning that said, he wouldn't give a damn for anything at this moment. Lucien got an idea.

"How about we just visit some plush restaurant" he commented, trying to lighten up the mood. "I mean, it wouldn't hurt to eat, right?"

Roran just shook his head as he glared at him like he was a doofus or something. "Is that the only idea your 100 year old skull could think of?"

Lucien pouted, his voice low "Oh Mr-High-and-Mighty Beta, do you have any other ideas"

"Yes" Roran sighed "Just don't say things that might anger him."

The noisy guy, slouched back in his seat, eyes on the road as he muttered "It's not that I'm not trying my best. Gosh, it's not easy working with two aloof men"

"Yes, pup," Roran agreed as he smirked. He knew how much Lucien didn't like when he was called a pup. He was the youngest amongst the trio. He was 100 years old while Roran was 300 years old.

"I'm not a pup," Lucien retorted. He always felt offended for being called a pup. "If I were human, I would have had grandchildren."

"And I would have my eighth generation, if I were human" Roran responded with competition in his voice.

"You wouldn't have to live this long if you were human" Lucien had corrected "No human could live for three hundred years."

This dialogue was mostly a joke shared between the both of them

"We both can't beat him" Roran gestured as he pointed at Kael from the back seat.

Lucien followed his gaze and looked at Kael who looked more terrifying than before but he was calm. Indeed, no one could beat Kael's age. He was centuries old.

The street of Nashville city was still alive despite it nearing 7 p.m. Roran and Lucien heard Kael's guttural voice.

"Turn left"

"What?" Roran thought he had misheard him and asked, just to clarify. He looked at Kael from the rearview mirror and saw Kael's dark golden eyes looking back at him dangerously. The order was so unexpected that Roran wasn't responsive enough to change direction; he nearly missed the turn when Kael jolted up, leaning forward as he seized the steering wheel from Roran.

"I said turn left," Kael roared.

Angry horns blared from behind as an accident almost occurred .

"Oh gods" Lucian yelled when the car took a sharp turn towards an empty alley. He put on his seatbelts immediately.

They drove deeper into the city, towards the slums, the place where the skyscrapers gave way to skeletons of buildings and the air—minute by minute— turned sour with decay. It was the kind of place people dared not walk alone at night unless they were looking to disappear.

"What the actual fuck, Kael?" Roran started, as he drove like a maniac. "What are we doing here?"

"Yes, alpha?" Lucian asked, his eyes looking sharp and confused as he gazed around. "Could you tell us the purpose for bringing us here, so at least we could be prepared in case of any upcoming danger."

Kael's body was already tense, nostrils flaring. "She's near" he breathed. The low lighting from the dashboard cast golden shadows across his face, emphasizing the tension carved into every inch of his jaw.

"Who?" They both asked excitedly, looking at The Alpha with wide eyes from the rearview mirror.

Kael didn't respond immediately. He leaned forward resting his elbow on his knees. His expression slightly softened but looked troubled.

"My mate".