Sour Souls The Morningstar Series Book 6
Sour Souls Chapter 8

After leaving Tia's office I went home to pack. Sounds like we might be there for a while. All of us are due back in one hour to leave. The Alpha of the Blue Water Pack knows we're coming. Apparently, we are driving, so it's going to take us a while to get there.

I walked up to Kee's room, and knocked on her door.

My least favorite person on the planet answered.

"Oh, it's you." Bexley said.

I rolled my eyes, and she turned her head, flipping her long hair into my face.

"One day, I am going to shave that small head of yours." I said.

Bexley stuck her tongue out at me.

"What's up Ares?" Kee asked.

My little sister is sitting on her bed in her pj's. I'm surprised she's up, and that Bexley is too. Kee's hair is a wild mess of thick dark curls around her. Her glowing eyes are boring into me. She knows exactly why I'm here. "Pack. We're going on a mission." I said.

"What?" Kee asked surprised.

"We are going to investigate a pack that Bexley's dad believes is behind the trafficking of supernaturals. I told Tia to give you a chance. You're perfect for a mission like this. So, get to packing. We leave in an hour." I told her. With that I closed her door, and went to my room.

The two babies are still sound asleep in my bed. I tried to be as quiet as possible while I packed. Unfortunately, I was not quiet enough.

"Unc Aes." Jaja's little voice floated to my ears.

Jaja sat up in my bed, and rubbed her eyes. I smiled at her as I walked to the bed. I snatched her up in my arms, and she rested her head on my shoulder. "You hungry?" I asked.

Jaja let out a small yawn, and nodded her head. I took her downstairs, and passed her off to my mom. The little girl was more than happy to go to her grandmother.

By the time I made it back upstairs Silas was awake. I did the same with him, and passed him to Mom. Only, Silas complained that I didn't stay.

"Why don't you just join us for breakfast?" Mom asked.

"I have to pack for a mission." I said.

Mom pouted at me. "Surely, you have time for a quick breakfast with your niece, and nephew."

I looked down at the two kids.

"Unc Aes?" Jaja asked.

I sighed, and sat down.

Fuck, I'm running late.

****************

I ran to the front of the school where two SUVS are parked. The rest of the team is already here, including Kee.

"Could have helped me Kee." I complained once I reached them.

"Finally, you're here." Karla whined.

I rolled my eyes at her.

"All that muscle, and you can't carry your own bag?" Kee teased. "Why didn't you just teleport here?" She asked.

"Not all of us can teleport willy nilly like you. Some of us get more drained." I said.

"Did you just say willy nilly?" Marco teased.

"Shut up." I ordered. "Everyone ready?" I asked.

"Just waiting on you boss." Karla said.

"Alright, let's get going." I said.

I threw my bag into the back of one of the SUVs. Then I hopped in the driver's seat. Kee joined me in this car. Karla drove the other SUV with Melia, and Marco. Then we were on our way. "Why do you think they had us take two cars? There's only five of us." Kee asked.

I shrugged. "Maybe in case we have to bring anyone back."

"Cause we should totally bring back prisioners in an SUV." Kee snorted.

"Just be happy for the extra space." I said.

We were quiet for a little while. Honestly, I'm surprised that Kee hasn't cranked the radio yet. We've been driving for almost an hour just listening to the car go down the road. "Thank you." Kee said breaking the silence.

"Don't." I said.

"I mean it Ares. It means a lot that you convinced Tia to give me a chance." She said.

"I said don't. I don't do mushy shit, and you know it. It's about time you got back in the field. You've been sober for four years now Kee. You deserve a chance. Plus, this mission is perfect for you. It should be lowkey, and even easier with someone who can read all their minds." I said.

"Yeah, you keep telling yourself it has nothing to do with the fact that you love me, and know I want to prove myself to Tia." She said.

I rolled my eyes.

"Just shut up."

"Gladly." Kee replied.

***************

We've been driving for hours. Even made it a few states away. It's dark now, but Kee is still cranking the radio.

I pulled over to a gas station, and turned the radio down.

"We need gas, and I need a break. It's your turn to drive." I said.

Kee hopped out of her seat, and took over in the driver seat. I filled the tank, and so did the other SUV. Then we were back on the road. Eventually, I was able to doze off. Apparently, for a long time too.

"Hey, get up. We're stopping for food." Kee said.

I opened my eyes to see the sun shining.

"How long was I out?" I asked.

"A while. We are only a few hours away now." Kee told me.

I looked at her incredulously.

"What?" I asked.

Kee shrugged. "Guess you needed some sleep."

We needed sleep. Rex said in my head.

Rex is my wolf. My best friend. The source of most of my grumpiness.

That much though? We're almost there. I asked.

Rex huffed. We needed to be prepared. He said.

For what? I asked.

To save them. He stated.

What? I asked.

Rex huffed again, but retreated to the back of my mind. I rolled my eyes at him. He could have at least told me who 'them' are.

"This diner looked cute so I stopped here." Kee said.

I got out of the car, and we made our way inside. It's a cute old fashion place. We sat ourselves, and I picked a booth in the far back. It was only a few minutes before our waitress came. "Hi there, I'm Lisa. I'll be taking care of ya'll today."

*********

"I'll drive the rest of the way." I said as we walked out of the diner.

Kee tossed me the keys, and we were back on the road. We stopped one more time for gas. Next thing I know, we are turning down the long road that leads to the Blue Water Pack.

"I have a bad feeling." Kee said as we drove deeper down the narrow road.

I nodded. "I feel it too."

There is a coldness here. An unsettling darkness covering this land. It's thick in the air here. It might look normal, but it is not. This place is tainted with something evil. "When did we enter pack lands?" I asked Kee.

"A few miles back." She said.

I gave her a nod.

That means this feeling came over us the moment we entered pack lands. What a wonderful sign that must be. Should be a piece of cake doing what we need to. Eventually, we came up to a set of gates with two gaurds outside. I rolled my window down as one walked over to the drivers side of the car. The other stared Kee down. "Name." The gaurd said.

"Ares Morningstar." I said.

The man's eyes went wide.

"Your Alpha is expecting us." I said.

The man's eyes glazed over. A moment later he turned to the other man, and nodded. The gates opened for us.

"Alpha Frederick is waiting for you at the end of this road." The man said.

I rolled my window up in the middle of his sentence, and then continued on.

"Typical Ares fashion." Kee mumble.

I ignored her.

Rex started to surface. He's hovering. He never does that.

Do you feel something too? I asked him.

Something different than what you feel. He replied.

Uhm, care to explain? I asked.

Rex only gave me a grunt in response.

We came to the end of the road, and I can see the Alpha standing there, along with his Gamma, and a couple warriors. They all reek of sin. I haven't even gotten out of the car, and I can still smell it. Pathetic. "Where is his Beta?" Kee asked.

We can sense the power coming off them. It's a Werewolf trait, to be able to sense power from someone. We know who the Alpha is, the Gamma.. but there is no Beta.

I shrugged at Kee.

"What did Ryce say about this pack?" Kee asked.

I called Ryce this morning after replaceing out about the mission. Just to get some more information. Not that he had much.

"All he really said, was that if a pack was behind something cruel, it's most likely this pack." I said. "And that he isn't sure how they haven't managed to crumble from the inside yet. Whatever that means." "Why wouldn't he do something before? He's the Lycan King." Kee asked.

"Rules to follow probably. I don't think Ryce thought they were doing anything like this, just that they're a bunch of stuck in their ways assholes." I told her.

"Makes sense." She said.

I parked the car, and Kee and I were quick to get out. The other team mates also hopped out of their car. We all walked up to the Alpha.

Alpha Frederick smiled kindly at me. I can see right through his fake kindness. This man is not right.

Rex growled in my head.

The Alpha extended his hand out to me.

"Hello, you must be Ares. It's a pleasure to meet a Morningstar." He said politely.

I looked at his hand, and then back to him with a scowl.

His Gamma growled at me.

"You will not disrespect our Alpha while you are here." He said.

"Make no mistake Gamma, Alpha. We are not here for pleasantries. You are aware you are under investigation. I owe neither of you loyaltly. Until you are proven innocent, I will show no one here an ounce of respect." I said dangerously. The Gamma sneered at me. I held his gaze. I dare him to give me a reason to tear this pack apart.

"Now, now, it's alright Kyle. He has a point." Alpha Frederick said.

I turned back to him.

"Let me show you to your rooms. I'm sure you are tired after your long trip." The Alpha said.

I looked at the others. It seems Kee and I are not the only ones who feel the tension in the air. Not from me, but from whatever they are hiding.

The Alpha had some of his Omega's grab our bags. Of course Marco helped them. Just the person he is. Then we were lead to our rooms. All on the ground floor, all right together. "Well, I will leave you all to it for the night."

**************

The next day I woke bright, and early. Kee and I put spells on all of our rooms just in case. We do not trust this pack. Especially after meeting the Alpha.

Alpha Frederick has a heart as black as the most evil Demon. He's up to no good. I can feel it in my bones.

After not getting any sleep at all, because of Rex, I called a meeting to my room.

"We are getting started today. I don't want to be here any longer than I have to be." I said

"Thank the Gods for that. This place is creepy." Karla said.

"They are hiding something." Marco said.

"I've barely been able to detect an ounce of light in this place." Melia added.

I looked to Kee.

"Alpha Frederick must have heard about me, and recognized me right away. He tried to keep his mind clear. He's scared though. Worried that we'll replace something." She said.

I nodded. "Today is about gathering information. Kee, I want you to sweet talk with the Alpha. See if you can peak into his mind at all. If not, make him squirm. I want him to feel uncomfortable." I said. "Got it." Kee said.

"Melia, search for light in this pack. If it's a person, talk with them, if it's a place.. get back to me first." I said.

"Okay." She said.

"Marco, keep to the shadows. Listen to what the pack says. There has to be word about us coming here. I want to know why they think we're here. If they don't know the truth... plant seeds." I ordered. "No problem boss." He said.

Marco is like a mini Simon. Annoying, but loyal. And always the perfect person to bring on any mission.

"Karla, I want you to scope out their land, and their warriors. See if they are hiding extra muscle somewhere. Just in case we have to fight our way out of here. I want to be prepared." I said.

Karla nodded. "Can I join in on their training?" She asked.

I gave her a pointed look.

"If you do, make sure you don't show them your full strength." I said.

"Works for me." Karla said with a smirk.

"What are you going to do?" Kee asked.

"I'm going to wander around. So far, it seems that the Alpha is most worried about you and I. You will stuck to him like glue. I, on the other hand, will just be wandering around, making him think that I'm snooping, which I will be, but it'll make him squirm more." I said.

"Your plan is to drive him to do something rash?" Karla asked.

I nodded. "While we are still looking for evidence, I'm hoping that the Alpha will break, and show me exactly what we came here for." I said. "All he needs to do, is grow paranoid." I smiled wickedly. "Alright then. Let's get started." Kee said.