📎A/N. Hello wonderful readers... hope your weekend went well and you are ready for the upcoming week.

We are now joined by readers in - Guatemala, Guyana, Chile, Ghana, Serbia, Kuwait, Quatar, China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Fiji, Norway.

Welcome to you all. I hope you are enjoying the story thus far :)

Have a wonderful day - where ever you are!

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Murphy's mood was as severe as the Boston weather which had recently turned stormy. The previous week, three more bodies had turned up. Then nothing. For one whole week, everything had gone quiet.

Everyone from the Mayor, Police Commissioner and the Director of the F.B.I had been on his case to find the killer.

He hated this part of the job. The politics that inevitably went with the high profile aspect of the crimes he worked on got on his nerves and slowed everything down. However, it was a necessary evil in his position. He had always known Elijah would surface, and he needed to make sure he was given the case when he did so.

The media, in a feeding frenzy had jumped on the connection to organised crime. Each day a new headline questioning the F.B.I.'s ability to keep the city streets safe would emerge and consume talk-back radio. Each evening the story would be the focus of each of the local news stations. Everyone wanted answers - and the culprit's head on a stick.

Unfortunately for them, once Murphy got his hands on Elijah, there would not be much body left for them to get their sense of justice.

Much to O'Neill's surprise, Kaitlyn had been correct about the victim profiles. Reluctantly, he had admitted he'd been too focused on his hatred for Elijah, that he had failed to see the obvious change in whom his nemesis was targeting.

The first four victims had links to the New England Mafia. Some more tenuous than the others, but enough that they could assume a connection. The latest victim, an accountant from a small firm in the suburbs, appeared to be the first that did not fit the profile.

Kaitlyn however, was adamant that there was a link, and had been working tirelessly to find it.

Entering the situation room he discovered it empty. However, his partner's laptop had been switched on, and bag tossed under the table. Why he was surprised he didn't know. She was the first to arrive and the last to leave.

When does that woman sleep?

Murphy was aware that since the incident with Abe she had been getting very little. For some unfathomable reason, he felt guilty for being the catalyst for her current predicament.

He regretted his show of force. Why he did it, was still a mystery to him. Murphy kept on justifying his action, arguing that she needed to understand exactly the type of person she was up against.

He should have known that instead of backing down and allowing Joshua and himself to get the job done, she had hardened her resolve to catch her fathers killer.

Much to his annoyance, Kaitlyn was now attending mix martial arts classes each night, and when time permitted during the day, she was at the gun range.

He snorted in disgust, the frustrating woman was under the delusion that this would help her go head to head with a Werewolf.

Deciding to see where she was, he followed her scent through to the kitchen. His wolf sitting up as they walked through the door to find her pouring a coffee. "Anything?" Kaitlyn questioned without looking who was in the room behind her.

This was another thing that irritated him. She seemed to instinctually be aware of when he was near her. He knew he had not made a sound audible by the human ear. Yet, she managed to detect his presence.

Murphy shook his head in answer to her question. Crossing his arms across his broad chest he leaned against one of the benches. Kaitlyn poured a second cup and handed it to him.

"What about Josh?" she asked.

Taking the offered beverage he again shook his head.

Kaitlyn frowned as she took up a similar position to his. "Is that normal?" she questioned, "Elijah's been in the City at least a month and he hasn't made contact with anyone?"

Murphy was also finding it hard to believe. Both Joshua and himself had questioned nearly every Werewolf in the city that he might have had contact with - as well as those he would not have. Not one had seen him, or had contact with him.

"He's up to something. I just don't know what," declared Murphy in frustration.

"He can't live in a city like Boston without money," mused Kaitlyn, "where is he getting it from?"

Murphy thought about this for a moment. "He could still be in contact with his Alpha. She has the funds to allow him to stay invisible."

A slightly confused look overtook Kaitlyn's expression. "I thought he was a Rogue - how could he have an Alpha?"

Murphy shot her a surprised look.

"What?" she asked seeing his expression, "Just because you want us 'weak humans' to be kept in the dark, doesn't mean that I am going to stay that way."

Kaitlyn had been grilling her grandfather at every opportunity on Werewolves. As she couldn't consult a library or the internet, she found out as much as she could from Joshua. Her grandfather was more than happy to answer all her questions. Answers she knew without a doubt, her broody silent partner would not furnish her with.

She glanced across at the man beside her. His expression unreadable as he looked down at his cup. The only telling movement was a slight tightening of his hand around the coffee mug.

After his 'demonstration' outside of the nightclub, Kaitlyn had been not only stunned by her reaction to his closeness, but the pure power that radiated off of him.

Dismissing her body's physical reaction to the man she came to the misguided conclusion that the only reason he had so quickly overpowered her, was that she was unprepared for his attack. She resolved the next time, her guard would not be so lax.

Kaitlyn was fully aware that he considered her inferior to Werewolf standards. She could not afford for him to continue thinking this. He and Joshua were her best chance of finding Elijah and getting justice for her and her mother.

In reality, she needed him more than he needed her. The Werewolf had already shown how weak he believed her to be. Resolving to show him she could handle herself, she had spent each evening enhancing her physical combat skills as well as improving on her shooting skills. The next time he tried to overpower her, she would be prepared.

Each day she had come to work, more determined to show him that she deserved to be the one chasing after the madman, and more tired as each day passed.

The man was still as frustrating as hell, overbearing and thought he knew it all. However, an uneasy truce had evolved between them, and slowly but surely she had managed to elicit snippets of information from him as he got used to her presence.

On a number of occasions they had even managed to have a number of friendly conversations. She always knew when the discussion became too personal. He would immediately retreat behind the concrete facade that he had built up over a long period of time. From the information she had managed to glean from Joshua, the broody Werewolf had not always been this way.

After what seemed an eternity, Murphy finally answered. "Do you remember the FDA alert awhile back on the virus that had been placed in a caffeine additive?"

Kaitlyn nodded. "I don't think any of us will forget it. There were a number of deaths around the country and for a while we thought it was a terrorist attack. Why do you ask?"

"The virus was placed in the food additive by a group of extremist Werewolves," he said quietly.

"I beg your pardon?" came the shocked reply.

Murphy turned his head to listen for anyone else on the floor that might overhear their conversation. Hearing nothing he turned back to face her. "Some Werewolves, like Humans, carry a number of prejudices. There are a few Werewolves who believe that we should only have pure bloodlines."

"I don't understand," said Kaitlyn as she turned to directly face him, her facial expression reflecting the confusion that was evident in her voice.

Murphy struggled with how to proceed with this particular conversation. "Werewolves can either be born or in some cases turned."

"Joshua's already explained this to me," she confirmed.

"Josh would have also told you that we typically live in Packs, and that most of the American one's originated in Europe," he explained.

Seeing she was listening he continued. "There is a pack in France that goes by the name Sandulf. It's a very old pack and is run by the Luazon bloodline. The name Sandulf literally means 'True Wolf'. Historically they were the loudest and most vocal around putting an end to mixed breeding. The current Alpha - Elise Lauzon was so entrenched in her belief, that for the past two decades she, and a small army of her acolytes, have developed a disease that can kill Werewolves."

"But I thought you don't get sick?" Kaitlyn stated, more confused than ever. Based on what her grandfather had told her, Werewolves were not affected by the same illnesses and diseases as humans.

"We don't. But somehow she managed to work out how to suppress our immune systems and introduce a deadly disease into our bloodstream. The disease was originally targeted at Werewolves who were born to a turned parent or were turned themselves."

"So if all these dead people were Werewolves, how did they all end up in the hospitals? I thought you all tended to shy away from possible exposure."

Kaitlyn knew she was not going to like the next words out of his mouth. His expression had very quickly morphed into fury as he continued.

"That's the problem, her hatred extended to all the humans that could possibly be turned. She found a way in which to target any human that had a dormant Werewolf gene," he said as his eyes locked with hers, "those that died in the hospital were like you. Somewhere in their ancestry they all could be traced back to a Werewolf."

She was rooted to the spot as the words sunk in. The ramifications of what this meant, had they succeeded, was astounding. There was no telling how many innocent lives could have been lost. Kaitlyn gulped as she realised that she was one of the targets. The word 'genocide' screamed back at her.

Letting out a shaky breath. "Is that why Joshua keeps on going through my kitchen?" she asked.

He didn't need to reply - she already knew the answer.

"I threw it all out weeks ago, straight after we were all briefed on the biological attack in the food," she paused, "what does Elijah have to do with the caffeine additive? I'm not seeing the connection."

"He was with Elise and her little army for the past two decades. And from what we can tell, she kept him in full supply of victims."

"Does that mean he has the same beliefs?"

Murphy shrugged. "No one is really sure. He hates everyone. Humans and Werewolves alike."

Kaitlyn fell quiet again. She contemplated just how little they knew of the real world that was going on around them. She, like millions of others, was living under a fantasy of being the dominant race. Kaitlyn was learning, extremely quickly, that this could not be further from the truth.

Taking a sip of her now cold cup of coffee she noticed Murphy's eyes narrowed as he looked at her. Without warning the cup was removed from her hand and he had grabbed her arm and had pushed up her sleeve to expose a very bruised wrist.

"What's that?" he demanded coldly.

Pulling her arm back she quickly pushed the material back down to cover the purple injury. "Nothing," she muttered.

"That's not nothing," growled Murphy, "you need to stop spending hours every night at the gym. It's not going to help. You have no hope of overpowering us, or defending yourself."

"Don't tell me what to do," she spat out angrily, "you're the one who pointed out that humans are a lot weaker. I'm just trying to even the playing field. Next time you won't be so lucky. I'll be ready for you."

Instead of replying Murphy slammed his cup on the bench and stormed out of the room muttering "Stupid humans," under his breath.

"I heard that," she called to his retreating back.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. She had been teemed up with Antonio to go over the dead Accountant's life with a fine tooth comb. While she and the detective had interviewed his family and colleagues, Daisy was charged with obtaining a warrant to go through his financial records.

They were still none the wiser as day turned to evening. Both Tony and Daisy having left earlier, left Kaitlyn pouring over the financial information the DA's office had managed to secure.

After the new found knowledge from that morning, her mind was now more made up than ever to track Elijah down. What had chilled her to the bone was the fact that her focus was no longer bringing him in to face justice.

She knew without a doubt, if she had the chance - she would kill him, or die trying. She could not allow a creature that had wreaked havoc on so many, to continue to draw breath.

Her inner turmoil was interrupted by Murphy's return.

"How did it go?" she asked, knowing he had been with the Bureau Chief and Police Commissioner for the past couple of hours.

An inaudible sound came from him as he reached for his jacket readying to leave. His broody silence routine was wearing thin on her nerves.

"I'm glad you asked Kaitlyn," she began sarcastically in an exaggerated deep voice, in an attempt to mimic Murphy, "pretty shitty actually. I had to pretend that they were superior to me and pretend that I actually was going to bring him in. I just love the red tape and the hoops that bureaucracy entails."

The only indication that he had registered her sarcasm was a slight rise of an eyebrow. As he turned to make his way out the door she could have sworn she noticed a slight twitch in his mouth as it fought to hold off a smile that was threatening.

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The traffic out of the city was light for that time of night and Murphy made good time getting home. His mind on Kaitlyn the entire time. She was a frustrating and very loud and opinionated woman. His life would be far more quieter had he not had the misfortune to meet her.

However, he could not help but admire her natural investigative abilities, as well as her determination to prove him wrong. Her total disregard of his authority was another thing however, one he was still undecided on what he thought of it.

As he arrived home, Joshua was waiting for him on the porch. From his expression, Murphy could tell something was up.

"We have a problem," began Joshua as soon as the porch door was closed.

"And that is?"

Joshua rubbed his forehead, reluctant to speak. "Alpha Nathan," he finally admitted.

"The Alpha is your problem, not mine," said Murphy as he went into the house.

"He contacted me earlier today," explained Joshua as he followed Murphy indoors, "he knows about Kaitlyn."

A slight hesitation in Murphy's stride was the only indication he had heard the other Werewolf.

"He's demanded that we return to Tudor Falls with her," said Joshua

"No."

"No, what?"

"Not going."

"You don't have a choice, and you bloody well know it," exclaimed a frustrated Joshua.

Murphy turned on Joshua. "I've already told you. I am not going."

"Ignoring it also won't make the problem go away," snapped Joshua.

Murphy, still trying to ignore the other Werewolf grabbed a beer from the fridge. "You act as her protector."

"You know I can't be primary. You're the one who revealed himself," began Kaitlyn's grandfather, "and I will not allow you to sentence her to death."

Joshua was startled with the sound of the beer can exploding as Murphy crushed it. Still unopened and full.

Murphy knew what Joshua was saying was true. He also knew if he didn't go, Kaitlyn's life may be forfeit. Werewolf law dictated that if a Werewolf revealed themselves to any human other than their mate, they needed to guarantee that the person was trustworthy to keep the knowledge to themselves.

If he didn't stand as protector it would say that he didn't trust that she would keep the secret. The Alliance would have no option but remove her as a threat to their existence.

"I assume that beer all over the floor means that we are going?" Joshua asked quietly from a distance.

A grunt was all he heard as Murphy disappeared out the door heading towards the forest.

Now their only problem - how to explain this to Kaitlyn

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A/N.... good lord, Kaitlyn's life could be in danger if Murphy doesn't vouch for her... hopefully he doesn't back out from going home :-(

... and I think the ramifications of a more powerful unseen race is starting to dawn on our Katy... what do you think?

Next chapter ... well that's a tough one..... I have an extremely busy week so I can't guarantee the next chapter until the weekend. However, I will try to get the next chapter out earlier ...but cannot make a promise :-(

Don't forget to vote :-)

Take care and be safe.

M.