Sebastian sat with Ruoka's wolf form right up against his legs. He'd been dyed here and there and his silver collar had been placed back around his neck before they'd returned to Marquise's pack house.

Looking to his left, he nodded as Verander's little wolf sat down a few feet away and flicked an ear. His previously-white portions of fur were now colored black to match the rest of his wolf. He nodded in return after a moment, then turned his attention to where Marquise was sitting a short distance away, flipping through some paperwork that was likely relevant to their task. 

While they waited for him to finish, Sebastian continued to look around the room, becoming a bit uncomfortable as more and more werewolves walked in and took seats. He understood that the situation involved all of the three local packs, and then some, but he didn't like the amount of attention Ruoka was getting... especially from the female wolves. 

He hadn't realized that he was actually making an unpleasant face until he felt Ruoka nudge his knee and give a quiet whine, drawing his attention immediately back down to him. 

"Sorry, I'm letting myself get distracted," he mumbled as he reached down to sift his fingers through his wolf's fur. 

Ruoka grunted in appreciation and leaned against him harder, making Seba bite back a chuckle. 

I'm so glad that I ended up coming back to visit my master. I had been so shallow-minded before. If I hadn't come, you would have probably been stuck as a wolf your entire life. 

Ruoka's fuzzy head slowly lifted and turned so that their eyes could meet. 

I am also glad that master brought me here. 

Sebastian's hand slowed to a stop against Ruoka's soft fur. It wasn't that werewolves couldn't talk telepathically, but it was so rare for him to hear their voices that it took him by surprise. Especially since it was Ruoka who was talking to him through thoughts. 

I hope this goes well. I don't want anything to happen to you or alpha Verander, Seba thought nervously as his hand began to move against his wolf's fur again. 

I will not allow anything to happen to you. We will protect you. 

He... didn't really think that he was the one that needed protection since werewolves were their enemy's main targets, but he stopped that thought before Ruoka could pick up on it. Whoever was after the werewolves had also attacked his master, too. 

We will both be careful and watch each other's backs. No one will get hurt, he eventually replied, earning a quiet grumble and nuzzle from his wolf. 

"Alright, sorry for the wait. Some of my guards had brought me some new information right before you arrived and I needed to take a look at it. They found out the general area where the enemy gathers but we can't just send wolves in to try and find the exact location. They are armed with silver arrows. blades, and likely plenty of other unpleasant things. One of my guards has reported hearing muffled, distant howling from somewhere in the area, too. So, there's a good chance that they're actually trying to catch wolves, not kill them."

It made some sense, but that didn't make him any less worried about what they were likely walking into. 

"What are we getting as back up?" Sebastian asked. 

Marquise pursed his lips and looked over to Verander. 

"His large wolf is it. I know that this situation sounds like suicide, but there's a reason why they haven't killed the wolves they've caught. I just need to know where they're specifically being held, and if possible, what they're holding them for. As soon as you have that information you can get out any way you can, though I'd greatly appreciate it if you used discretion so that we don't raise their suspicion so much that they decide to relocate their operation."   

What do you think, Ro?

Ruoka, who had turned his attention to Marquise while the head alpha had been speaking, quickly looked back at him, settling his chin on Seba's leg as he did so. 

The task is simple enough. 

It was, but still very dangerous. 

"I understand. We ate before we came so we're ready," Sebastian said as he looked over to Verander's little wolf. 

It quickly nodded its agreement that it was also ready. 

"Very good," Marquise said as he stood from his larger chair and finally looked around the room at the werewolves gathered within. 

"I want everyone to be on their guard and not go anywhere without another wolf while this mission is in progress. Whoever is behind these attacks has grown bolder over the past several days. I don't want to lose anymore wolves, from any pack," he said sternly. 

All the werewolves present nodded their heads in agreement before most began to file out of the room, talking quietly amongst themselves. There was quite a number from each pack, making Sebastian think that, if anything came from this situation at all, it would at least bring the wolf packs closer. 

Sebastian, Ruoka, and Verander waited until most of the people were out of the room before standing, themselves. Marquise thanked them for agreeing to the mission, then excused himself to go check on Verander's territory. Sebastian felt a little uneasy about him going off on his own, even though he was definitely the strongest of all the werewolves, but right before Marquise stepped out of the back door, two of his wolves that had been standing on either side, possibly as guards, turned and followed after him. 

Glad he's taking his rule seriously, too. 

Things would definitely get a lot more complicated if alpha Marquise were to be captured. 

Brushing that thought aside, Sebastian looked down at the two wolves now sitting directly in front of him. Their ears were perked up and heads tilted slightly. They looked almost like mirror images of each other, except one was black and the other a mix of browns and a little bigger. 

"Alright, let's get on with this show, shall we?" he said as he took the two leashes he'd wrapped through his belt and fastened one to Ruoka's collar.

He made a small noose with the other one and slipped it over Verander's head. The wolf might have been small, but it had plenty of fur, especially around its scruff. The noose leash would look like a normal one well enough. Their enemy might even assume that he had a silver collar on, too, but just couldn't see it. 

They were briefed by another wolf as they were led from the house. The young female gave them the location they were expected to go, where they would stay to try and lure out their target if they weren't immediately confronted, and so on. Thankfully, everything she said was straight to the point, so by the time they eventually got to their destination area they knew exactly what to expect and where to go. 

If they hadn't known about the whole werewolf debacle then the southeastern area of town wouldn't have appeared all that different then the rest of London. With the knowledge that they now had, however, certain things began to become obvious the more they walked down the main street. 

People still went about their daily business, but every so often he'd notice a glare here or a scowl there. They were rarely ever directed at him, though, like they had been in the other parts of town for keeping werewolves that should be free, on leashes. No, they were saved mainly entirely for the wolves.  

Relax, master. We will be okay, Ruoka thought into his mind as he walked calmly at his side like he'd done his entire life. 

On his other side Verander gave his leg a gentle nudge, likely to reassure him, too, but immediately backed off when Ruoka bared his sharp teeth just long enough for the warning to get across. 

Seba should have probably reprimanded him for the abrupt display of aggression, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He kind of liked the fact that he'd gotten jealous over something so simple. 

I know that we're going to an inn pretty close to here for safety purposes, but I still feel like we're going to have to be extremely careful, he thought before Ruoka chimed in. 

My howl can easily alert Marquise's men from this distance, but I doubt that our enemies will approach so aggressively, and even if they do, he said that he doesn't want us to leave until we have the information he needs. We have to find out where they're holding the wolves. 

Seba knew that... he just didn't like the idea of being hunted. 

We will protect you. 

Fighting back the scowl he wanted to give Ruoka, since he didn't want to give away that he was bothering to talk to him through thought, Sebastian just tugged them forward a little faster than they had been walking, keeping up that pace until they got to the inn a few streets away. 

It wasn't anything special, but that was totally fine. He'd dressed as if he had money in a pair of nice black trousers and a matching shirt and trench coat, but it wasn't overbearing. He looked like someone who could afford to take decent care of his pet werewolves, but didn't care to waste money on going to super fancy inns. 

He checked in without issue, then headed up one flight of creaking stairs to the second floor. The room itself was basic as well, with a single bed, dresser, and a washbasin, but it was spotless and had a decent view of the street outside. 

He was just about to sit down on the bed and tell the wolves that they just had to wait for a bit now and see if they were approached, but before he could even speak his ears picked up the sound of someone coming up the rickety stairs down the hall. 

Humans. Two of them, Ruoka thought to him as he hesitantly settled at Sebastian's feet. 

To his surprise, Verander did the same, and even scooted right up against Ruoka, tucking his head near his paws and dropping his ears to the side of his head as if he were extremely nervous. 

Of course, Seba knew that he was just playing the part, but it definitely looked good enough to fool most people. 

Alright. This is what we're here for. They're moving much faster than I thought they would, be oh well. Let's do this, guys. 

Swallowing down his nerves, Sebastian licked his lips and dropped their leashes before walking to the door at the same time he heard a light knock against the opposite side. He waited a few more moments, giving himself enough time to take a deep breath and straighten his posture, then, putting on his best poker face, he reached forward and opened the door. 

(Edited)