Chapter 0439

Three months had passed since Theodore joined our pack. The progress was undeniable. Nearly all our members now had finished homes or ones nearing completion. The main marketplace stood fully operational, with construction already underway for additional shops in the outer territories - a convenience for those who preferred living farther from the packhouse.

Isolde and I instituted monthly gatherings. These meetings served multiple purposes: updating the pack, making announcements, and welcoming newcomers - whether young wolves coming of age or refugees seeking sanctuary.

Oberon arrived every fortnight for training sessions. He always brought Natalia to visit her father. After Alpha Alistair returned with Titania, he confronted his Beta. The subsequent Alpha challenge ended predictably with the Beta's son victorious. Alistair spent a month ensuring a smooth transition before officially relocating to our lands with Titania. Their new home stood near the woods, in the same community where Alistair and Tobias had built. This strategic placement kept the sprites close to loved ones while positioning warriors along our borders.

Hunter activity had resurged. Our sylvan allies spotted multiple intruders in the forest. We either drove them off or eliminated the threats. Alpha Alistair and his elder reconnaissance team located only one compound so far. Though I wasn't present for the raid, reports described horrific conditions - supernatural beings subjected to torture and experimentation, reminiscent of Lillian's ordeal. We knew more facilities existed, but their locations remained elusive. Whispers of impending danger circulated again, prompting increased patrols. Fortunately, our territory now bordered both Sebastian and Adrian's packs, creating a stronger defensive network.

Isolde's abilities grew exponentially. Her power absorption range now extended beyond Evelyn to Adrian. Somehow, establishing their mind link enabled this connection. Oberon experimented with having her draw power directly from Adrian versus through Evelyn. During our last session, Isolde accessed not just Evelyn and Adrian's strength, but briefly tapped into Adrian's pack members. Sebastian still prohibited Seraphina's participation - a decision I supported. Each training left Isolde utterly drained. After discovering she could channel Adrian's power through the mind link, Oberon insisted Sebastian observe. Now Isolde could simultaneously draw from Evelyn, Adrian, Sebastian, and myself. Her already formidable strength amplified exponentially when combining our powers.

Late at night in my study, preparing for another weekend training at Adrian and Evelyn's territory, my phone rang. The conference call connected me with Adrian and Sebastian simultaneously.

"Victor, Adrian. We've got trouble." Sebastian's voice carried urgency. "Just returned from my city office. A panther shifter I met last year showed up - in terrible condition. She'd been imprisoned in a hunter compound for six months. Overheard them discussing the Guardians. Escaped to warn us. They're coming for our mates."

Adrian and I both growled at the revelation, needing moments to compose ourselves. "You think this is the major threat we've been anticipating?"

"Almost certainly. Isolde overheard them referencing the tournament incident. The hunters who escaped that day clearly reported back. They've been experimenting on wolves too - likely rogues, explaining why no packs reported missing members."

"I'll send my father to debrief her, if permitted. He'll want to locate that compound." Adrian proposed.

"Bring him over. She's secured here at the pack - unhappy but safe." Sebastian confirmed.

"What did she learn about their wolf experiments?" I demanded.