Published at 13th of May 2026 6:10 am

Chapter 1841: The Strongest Sacrafice

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The relationship between Blackjack and Gary had never been inherently hostile. In fact, the two had provided mutual assistance in the past during some of their darkest hours. Unlike Lupus, who carried the heavy, blood-stained weight of a long and bitter history with the vampires, Gary viewed them more as a rival species rather than sworn enemies. Yet, despite their past cooperation, certain warnings echoed loudly in the back of Gary's mind.

He remembered the tension clearly, vows from both sides claiming that the peace was fragile, a thin veil that could be torn apart at any moment. It felt strange to Gary; he had spent his life in countless battles and street fights, but the idea of igniting a racial war simply because they were different seemed like a relic of a past he wanted to leave behind. Still, he couldn't afford to be naive. The vampires were a variable he had to treat with extreme caution.

The sudden realization that a high-ranking vampire representative was waiting in his living room acted like a shot of adrenaline. Ignoring the lingering ache in his muscles, Gary vaulted out of bed. He swept Xin up into his arms before she could even protest, headed for the open window, and leapt. He moved with a blurred speed that felt more like his old self, sprinting deep into the treeline bordering the manor until they were shrouded by the thick canopy.

"This should be far away enough so he can't hear us with those super-senses of his," Gary said, his breath hitching slightly as he placed Xin down on a thick, elevated branch.

As he stood there, the cool forest air hit his skin, and Gary finally took a look at himself. He froze. "Wait... these aren't my Howler leathers. These are... silk pajamas? How the heck did I get these on? Did someone have to undress me and put these on while I was out?" He looked toward Xin, his eyes wide with a mix of confusion and embarrassment.

"No, relax. It was your mother," Xin said, a soft, sympathetic smile playing on her lips. "She came to the town with your sister as soon as the news of the park incident settled. Kai made sure they were safe and that no one followed them. When she saw you, she got incredibly worried. Kai tried to keep it calm, but he had to let it slip that you were in something like a minor coma. She's been the one looking after your basic needs."

After everything their mother had already endured, Gary could only imagine the sheer terror she must have felt seeing him unresponsive for a week. He had promised her a nice trip, a life of peace... and yet here he was, once again at the center of a supernatural storm. He wanted nothing more than to run to her and prove he was okay, but he had to confirm the state of the world first.

"Do they know about Lupus?" Gary asked, his tone dropping. "And for that matter, where even is Lupus? I haven't sensed him since I woke up."

"He went back to Ruin City," Xin answered quietly. "He left a specific message for us to pass on to you. He said he's going to stay in hiding, deep hiding. He won't try to rebuild his old pack, and he'll stay in the shadows, away from Them for as long as humanly possible. But he made it clear: if you ever need him, for any reason at all, he will be there. He's your ally until the end."

Xin paused, then added, "Luzen and Slit decided to go with him. They felt they owed him that much."

It made Gary wonder. Now that Unzoku's corrupting influence was gone, did Alphas still feel that primal, competitive instinct to tear each other down? Or, much like the brief peace during Jack's era, was it something they could bear now that no one was pulling the strings?

A sharp pang of heartache flared in Gary's chest. He knew exactly why Lupus was choosing exile. It was a strategic sacrifice to ensure the vampires didn't have a reason to initiate a purge. It was hard to say if the vampire lords even knew Lupus was still drawing breath, but as long as he stayed out of sight and didn't cause trouble, they had no reason to target the current Howlers, with whom they had no direct bad blood.

Lupus had spent his entire life fighting for a world where werewolves could live in freedom, and in a poetic, tragic irony, the Howlers would now get to enjoy that world while Lupus was forced into the dark. He had played one of the most pivotal roles in their victory, yet he couldn't share in the reward.

'I'm guessing the vampires already know about Kai as well,' Gary thought, his mind racing. 'Their spies would have reported that a new Alpha rose after the presumed death of Lupus... as long as they think the old guard is gone, it should be okay, right?'

With a heavy sigh, Gary leapt back down onto the manicured grass of the manor's garden, Xin following close behind. They walked toward the house, approaching the open glass sliding doors that led into the massive kitchen.

Inside, the scene was unexpectedly domestic. The core members of the Howlers were gathered around the table, eating and talking as if it were a normal Tuesday, despite Blackjack's presence at the head of the table. When Gary slid the door open, the room went silent for a heartbeat before erupting.

"You're actually awake!" Austin shouted, nearly knocking over his chair.

"Right, and the first thing he does is disappear into the woods with Xin the second his eyes open?" Innu chimed in with a devious smirk. "I wonder what the two of you were up to out there while the rest of us were worried sick."

Marie didn't even waste words; she simply kicked the back of Innu's leg, prompting a flurry of familiar taunts and scuffling between the two. The chaos continued until Blackjack stood up and cleared his throat, the sound sharp and commanding.

"Alright, everyone quiet down," Kai said, stepping forward to play the mediator. "Gary is awake now, so let's get down to business. Blackjack, you've been sitting in my kitchen for two days, are you going to tell us why you needed to see him so urgently?"

Blackjack smoothed out his expensive suit and looked Gary directly in the eyes, his expression unreadable.

"I wanted to deliver this to Gary personally because it is a matter of extreme importance, though perhaps not immediate urgency," Blackjack said, his voice echoing in the quiet kitchen. "Gary Dem, I am here to deliver a formal message on behalf of the Vampire King himself."

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