Headed toward the helicopter. I am taken to a private airstrip and flown to Banemont alone in a private jet—to be a high ranking officer in the military, wealth is a necessity. Things like this are very common.
I'm lost in thoughts thinking about my reason reason for joining the military in the first place. I remember being bullied for being so tall and strong for a woman.
Standing tall at six foot two, most girls aren't as gifted, mentally, physically and psychologically.
And in my world, the military is one way to get to power and the high rankers are considered VIP individuals in every city. It was a dream and I made it possible.
The plane touches down at Banemont with a gentle thud, while I'm still lost in thoughts.
"Sergeant. We're here," the flight attendant recalls my attention to reality after a three hour flight I know no detail about—quite stressful, yet the physical exhaustion is nothing compared to the mental preparation I need for what lay ahead.
"Thank you LORD," j say in appreciation after everything I've been through.
I step out of the jet to witness the city of Banemont dawning upon its beauty.
My mom had two black luxury SUV's waiting for my arrival. The driver walks up to me to get my things.
"It's okay, I can find my way home myself. I need some space," I try shaking them off.
"I'm here on strict orders to pick you up ma'am. We were asked not to return without you."
In this case I have go to with them, knowing how my mom can be sometimes.
"I'd love a detour before going home," I order.
"Sure mam. So where to?" The driver replies as he gently opens up the door with a smile.
Sliding in with my military uniform still on, "my penthouse," I reply nonchalant and exhausted.
After minutes on the road as the city flashed passed me, I noticed we were being followed. I alert my driver and he decides to drive around the city till we lost them.
After minutes of driving in circles, we lost them.
We got to the heart of Banemont, an unmatched elegant city of luxury and towering buildings. A city of class and authority.
We finally arrive at my destination there she is, my penthouse in nineteenth floor of the twenty four storey building. My place of serenity when things get too messy. To avoid getting distracted by my mom, I decide to spend a while here before going back home.
After brief rest, I go straight to work, reviewing even the smallest detail and evidence I copied.
The discovery leaves me even more shocked than I was previously.
It was all a lie, he showed me fake clips and results—
"So it wasn't just some reaction to chemicals, everything I saw was real."
I zoom in from different angles, one of us saw it go from human to beast. The same human I saw—about six foot five and over seven foot as a beast.
Km so dumbfounded, tears roll down my eyes.
The files describes Hybrid humans who can shapshift, a mixed DNA race from the antediluvian world. Somehow they managed to survive and still live amongst us.
"I thought they were fairytales," I whisper, hitting my nails in curiosity. "I even doubted what I saw. Making me believe those false clips weren't so hard," I chuckle in amusement.
My fingers click quickly on my keyboard, browsing with resources only few had access to.
I know I can't trust anyone with this information yet. I have to keep them to myself for now.
And then, my hand clicks one of the files mistakenly, I see names, history and documents about these creatures.
The Egyptian god, Anubis pops up and the word "Wepwawet," I whisper slowly, "meaning opener of ways. Human consciousness in a wolf.
Sumerians called them Ur-Idim, meaning wolf man. Salüwa / Qutrub, the Arabians called them. And Asanbosam in Ghana Africa. The origins stretch far beyond what I expect. This is ancient."
Then a familiar logo appears. I remember seeing this in the secret base I was in few hours ago.
"Isn't that the Vane family logo?" I question my own reasoning.
A pictures of men bold and Alpha written below them.
Then I stumble upon one familiar face, The heir of the Vane family and the richest bachelor in Banemont.
Turns out he's the leader of something they call an Alpha pack, otherwise known as— damn!! I didn't lead enough trouble reveal everything
The lieutenant is among them. Majority of people I saw in the huge room I was wheeled into were in on this too. I'm too shocked to move or think. My hands tremble in fear.
I have questions to ask. The mission. The Elite—
And especially—
"How do I know if this isn't some bunch of crap?"
Understanding—Chapter Four
My phone rings me back to reality.
It's my mom.
I stare at the screen for a moment before taking a deep breath to cool off and pick up.
"Hi, Mom," my voice escapes subtly.
"Is everything okay? How are you? Why don't you want to come home?" she asks all at once.
"I just have a few little things to attend to," trying hard to mask my emotions.
"I know you just got back from a stressful mission, but I've been invited to an elite party, and I'd love for you to come with me, my darling."
"But, Mom—"
"You don't have to if you can't," she interrupts gently, "but I miss you so much, and this would mean a lot to me."
I sigh—here she goes again. I run my fingers over my hair. She knows I can't refuse her when she sounds like this.
"Okay..okay! I'll be there," I say plainly.
"Put on something grand my dear. I'll be waiting for you—we have a lot to catch up on." The call ends.
I recline on the seat, staring at the ceiling for a while before summoning the courage to get ready.
After a refreshing hot shower, I step out. My eyes still feels heavy—I've had enough for one day.
The touch of brush on my hair always makes me relaxed. I've grown to love my hair and eyes, though it seemed to freak people out in the past. Now all I get are compliments—doesn't mean I don't feel insecure about it.
I have my hair dropped over my shoulder—flowing like a River of Red. Behind it, a pair of hand cut diamond earrings.
What was I thinking when I decided to wear this gown? It quietly emphasizes curves I rarely bother to show, with a split by the side showing a lot of my leg than I'd love to show. I pause for a second wondering if I should take it off or go with it.
I'm too exhausted to change my mind. Perfect black heels go on next, followed by the expensive perfumes, and a matching diamond necklace my mom insists I keep for situations like this.
My style has always been simple—too simple, according to some people. "You dress like a man," my mom says. I've never cared much for anything overly fancy.
For the kind of party I'm about to attend, this dress probably doesn't meet the unspoken standards. But it's clean, sharp, and classy enough for me—and that's what matters.
I decide to check myself out in the mirror after grabbing my things to leave.
But…. I'm stunned.
"I might've overdone it," I murmur, lost in the eyes of my own reflection. I must say, I'm looking too good in this, though I'd hate to admit. In shyness, I let out a little giggle.
"Gosh! Shake it off—seems like I'm too exhausted to even think. Who blushes at their own reflection?"
——————
My mom already has luxurious cars parked outside, polished and waiting.
I let out a slow sigh. "Is this really necessary?" I ask the driver, who already has the door open for me. I miss the entire ride, trying to piece everything together.
We arrive at Echo Mansion.
It's a grand event—clearly for the upper class of the city. My mom isn't the richest, but she's well-off enough to afford the kind of necessary luxury that keeps her very relevant.
The gates swing open automatically, revealing a beautifully manicured garden and beyond, a massive, ancient building—shabby in age, but imposing in presence. Its architecture feels old-world, heavy with history.
I'm helped out of the car, walking in practiced steps toward the entrance.
"Welcome, ma'am," the guard greets as I step inside. I guess my mom spoke to them on my behalf.
I deliberately keep everything minimal, hoping not to attract attention—but it's useless.
Heads turn the moment I walk in. Eyes glued to me as if I were their prey—everything about this party suddenly seems to be off.
Is this a trap?