Augustus trails next to me while I walk around the city of music. Now that I’m back here, I should really get Lina a souvenir since she asked for it weeks ago and I have forgotten all about it.

“Where are we heading?” he asks me, keeping a lookout for any suspicious activity. Many humans mind their own business, but the homeless would give Augustus and I the stink eye whenever we walk past them without giving them any money.

“Just walking around,” I answer without looking at him. “Newborough is a huge place so Eleanor and Caleb can be anywhere.”

Along the way, I had explained everything to Augustus so he won’t be confused. He knows that Eleanor and Caleb are Minotaurs. He also knows about Mr. Muller.

“Are you sure you know where you’re going? I don’t want to lose my car,” he says.

I roll my eyes at him. All he cares about is his car.

“Don’t worry about your precious car, Augustus,” I tell him.

“Why don’t you own a car?” he asks me. “You’re eighteen and you can drive.”

“I used to have a Ferrari. It even has a boost button and all since it was a limited edition. The only reason I got a car is because of Nate.”

He gives me a confused look. “Why? Even if he was still deaf at that time, he was able to ride a motorbike, right? I mean, I have heard of a group of deaf people riding motorbikes like gangsters.”

Surprised, I look at him. “Really? Wow, I didn’t know that. I would have, but I was a little paranoid. Ever since he lost his hearing, I had always been looking out for him. I suppose you can call me overprotective. I thought that it would be safer if I buy a car instead so I can drive him to anywhere without him getting hurt.”

“I would do the same thing with Aurora if she was deaf too,” he assures me.

I smile. “Thanks. You know, I have always wanted a motorbike. A Harley-Davidson. Maybe when I have the time, I can finally buy myself one.”

At least I can enjoy my last days with riding my dream motorbike, I sigh inwardly.

We walk in silence around the city. I barely remember the roads, but once we reach my former school, I remember the map in my head. Straight away, I lead Augustus to the music store where Lisbeth, Caleb and Eleanor usually hang out at. Lisbeth mentioned to me once that there is a studio above the music store that the three friends rent and jam out there.

“Bingo,” I say when we finally reach the music store. It looks like it is our lucky day because I see Eleanor inside, bobbing her head to some music she’s listening to.

“Is that one of the Minotaurs?” Augustus asks me in hushed voice.

I nod and walk into the store with him following behind me. The store is empty, except for a sleeping cashier at the counter. The cashier is human so it’s best if nothing ugly happens here and now.

Eleanor does not pay attention to her surrounding since her world revolves around music. Augustus tenses up for her reaction as I tap on her shoulder.

Eleanor’s eyes snap open in surprise and turn around so fast that I can smell the shampoo of her hair.

“Melanie?” she says in shock when she realizes it’s me, putting down the headphones. I notice an empty album in her hand. “What are you doing here?” Then she stares at Augustus with a gapping mouth.

“We’re here to talk to your Alpha. It is important,” I tell her, snapping her out of her daze.

Eleanor narrows her eyes at me. “Why do you need to see the Alpha?”

“It is important,” I say briefly.

She does not seem convinced with my answer.

Luckily, Augustus saves us by saying, “We need your – the Minotaurs’ – help to win an upcoming supernatural war. It was Athena who suggested to get you on our side.”

“Athena?” Eleanor repeats off-guard.

Never thought I’ll say this, but Augustus is a genius. The Minotaurs worship Athena since she was the one who helped one of the earliest Minotaur to gain a human side. If it wasn’t for Athena, all Minotaurs would have been stuck in their monstrous form.

“Not to mention Athena is Lisbeth’s mother and Lisbeth is the Peacekeeper,” I add.

Eleanor stares at the both of us with shock.

“And she is the reason why I’m in this – ” I point at my body and face “ – appearance instead of my real one.”

“Hold up,” she says, starting to breathe heavily. “What you’re trying to say is; Lisbeth Muller is a Demigod and is daughter to Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom?”

“Yes,” Augustus and I say simultaneously.

“And there’s going to be a war against whom?”

Augustus gives me a look to explain everything to her. I sigh in surrender. “You know that I’m a shifter, right?”

Eleanor nods slowly, as if preparing herself for a bomb.

“There is a shifter like us,” Augustus says impatiently. “His name is Thomas and he is the one who made a serum out of a Medusa’s descendant so he can have the ability to kill the Peacekeeper – who happens to be your friend Lisbeth – but unfortunately yet fortunately, Melanie’s mother got in the way by drinking the serum and turn into a Medusa instead. In conclusion, Melanie’s mother is a Medusa and the only person who can kill Lisbeth. Of course, Thomas has to try to kidnap Melanie’s mother and failed plenty of times. He is unable to make another serum because there is no more living descendant of Medusa left to be used to make another serum. Thomas has another plan which is to use Melanie and her brother against Melanie’s mother. So far, Melanie’s brother managed to escape and Athena changed Melanie’s appearance so Thomas couldn’t find her easily. Athena had also told us to persuade your Alpha to get us on our side since Thomas has demons, vampires and rogue werewolves on his side. Now can you do us a favour by not wasting anymore time and get us to your Alpha?”

I scowl at Augustus although he does not see me. Eleanor’s eyes keep darting from Augustus to me and then back to Augustus.

It takes a few second for Eleanor to recover her shock when she says, “Alright, since Athena did sent you, I suppose I have no option. Follow me.”

“I apologize for Augustus’s behaviour. He can be such an ass sometimes,” I tell Eleanor sincerely.

She waves my apology off. “That’s okay. It must be hard for him. At least he’s not as bad as Caleb.”

We walk out of the music store and into the streets of Newborough. Augustus trails behind us not far. I can tell that he is eavesdropping on us.

I tell you, that Mr. Grumpy Pants can never mind his own business.

“How is Caleb?” I ask the female Minotaur as we walk past the school.

“Truthfully, he’s not doing so well ever since you ‘kidnapped’ Lisbeth and knocked him out. He does nothing but mopes around at home. Let me tell you, it’s annoying. The only thing he actually does is watch sappy movies and eat whatever is in the fridge,” Eleanor replies with irritation painted on her face. “Where is Lisbeth by the way?”

“She’s in Blanefield on the way to Meadow Falls. If your Alpha agrees to help us, then you’ll be on your way to Meadow Falls too,” I tell her.

Eleanor grins out of the blue. “Then I can finally snap Caleb out of his misery. Gosh, all he ever talks about is Lisbeth. He loves her a lot.”

“I know…”

“Is it true that vampires and werewolves exist?” Eleanor asks with curiosity.

I nod, looking around us to make sure that no one is paying attention to us. That is except for Augustus.

“I was a werewolf hunter before I became a shifter,” I state in a matter-of-fact tone. “There are also mermaids, demons, witches, and so many other more.”

“Interesting,” Eleanor remarks in awe. “Why is it that we only know of the Gods and Minotaurs? Who had been keeping this knowledge a secret?”

I shrug. “I don’t know.”

“It is actually HQ that keeps all creatures separated,” Augustus chimes in. He catches up so he can join in the conversation. “It was vital to keep all creatures a secret from each other so there wouldn’t be war. It looks like the plan had backfired.”

“HQ?” Eleanor asks.

“HQ is also known as Hunter Headquarters. When I was a werewolf hunter, I thought that HQ only deals with werewolf and hunter business. As time passed, I learnt more about it. Their vision is much further than just werewolf hunters. Now that the head of HQ, who happens to be Thomas, burnt down the HQ building and that is why HQ no longer exist,” I explain quickly.

“This Thomas burnt down a building… Why?”

I do not even think of that. I look at Augustus for answers.

He also shrugs. “I think it is because he realizes that someone is working for your parents. In order to kill off the traitor, he has no time and burn down the building, killing off everyone inside so that way, he doesn’t need to worry about the traitor. It’s just my theory.”

I feel anger building in me again. One fine day, I’m going to kill Thomas and watch his body burn until he is nothing but ashes. He’s such an evil and selfish person to react without thinking of the consequences. How many lives are lost because of the fire? I forgot the exact amount except for the fact that over fifty bodies are found.

Fifty souls gone because of him.

Not to mention that he could be holding Wendy’s mother as captive.

I’ll kill him for the revenge of those fifty lives, Wendy’s mother and Nate’s near-death experience.

“I thought Thomas is a shifter?” Eleanor says with a very confused look that strangely reminds me of a bear cub.

I laugh softly. “Basically, every HQ Agent is a shifter.”

She nods like she understands. I know that she doesn’t understand a thing because she refuse to make eye contact with me.

Eleanor begins to lead us to her car, which happens to be a Porsche.

The very same-looking Porsche that I accidentally shoot at and make Nate deaf years ago…

I shake my head, clearing away that saddening memory.

“The Alpha lives in the woods since he’s an environmental person,” Eleanor explains to us. “He and his family stay together and some choose to stay close to him. Caleb, a few others and myself live in the city instead. We get together every weekend so we are still bonded.”

Augustus and I enter the Porsche. Eleanor is at the driver’s seat while I call shotgun. Augustus, in the meantime, sulks in the backseat.

The car is silent as Eleanor drives us away from the city.

“You better take us back so I can get my car back,” Augustus threatens Eleanor.

I sigh loudly. “Your car is not going anywhere, Augustus, so don’t worry about your car being kidnapped by Thomas.”

Augustus glares playfully at me through the rear window.

“Are you two going out or – ”

“No!” I interrupt Eleanor.

She has a knowing smirk on her face while Augustus looks amused at the back seat.

“Are you sure because it sure seems like – ”

“Eleanor,” I groan out loud. “We’re here to save the world, not about this.”

“Alright, alright.”

Augustus’ phone rings out loud. Without turning around, I watch as Augustus takes out his phone and read something on the screen through the mirror. His face instantly shows horror.

“Melanie,” he says in a shaky voice.

I turn around to see him handing the phone towards me.

Hesitantly, I grab the phone, only to read a text message from mum: Watch the Gurney News ASAP.

Author's Note

I just realized something... My writing sucks. I began rereading THiMF and begin comparing it to other awesome books on Wattpad. I'll try my best to make it less cringeable. Two, I'm sure most of you know a book called The Hunter's Mate and it is similar to THiMF. Truth be told, I spoke to the author and she had agreed to edit and make huge changes in her book after her book is completed. Three, I'm going to delete some stories that I post on Wattpad as I feel like they're not worthyof publishing. Don't worry, I'll leave THiMF and the series here and Solstice. Four, someone had actually volunteered to translate THiMF into French. Can you believe it? I still couldn't. I think that's all. Oh, and some of you might have gotten a heart attack when I commented on your story, I was bored and if you would like me to critique your story (Beware: I'm not a very good critique, I mean look at my stories!) just PM me or something.

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-M.