The three cousins decided to head to Busteni, the nearest mountain town, just for a little refill. The sky was bright blue, and a few people bustled here and there.

King rolled the cola lollipop in his mouth and flipped through the cooking magazine in the store rack while the others moved along the aisle.

Pandora narrowed her eyes at their youngest cousin. "Bryce, don't take too much. We can't squeeze up our allowance."

"Okay, okay," Bryce grumbled, reluctantly placing three bags of chips in the aisle.

King darted his eyes at the old lady who was cackling from a loud show on the CRT television. He stared at the customers and wondered how many items were stolen here before lowering his gaze back to the paper in his hands. He was so caught up in reading a pastry ingredient that he didn't manage to notice the roar of the engine of the car that parked outside.

"Hey, psst!" Bryce hollered. King turned to look at him, as well as the few people in the shop, shooting dirty looks, before going back to their business. King cocked a brow at him, and Bryce replied by pointing at his nose. The older lad looked confused for a spare moment before he slowly recognized the musky scent that clawed through his nostrils. It was distinct, but he was sure — it smelt like those goddamn werewolves!

He gasped and snapped his head around, trying to catch the faint scent in the small crowd. He looked so suspicious that the woman who was beside him, frowned and moved away. He blushed. When he tried to look away from embarrassment, that's when his gaze pushed past the store window and saw the men beside the nardo white car on the parking lot.

Pandora strode through the aisle, dragging Bryce, who dropped all the chips in his arms. People were looking at them.

"Let's go. Hurry up," she murmured while passing by King and out of the door. Bryce whined on her grip.

One of the werewolves was already about to head inside the convenience store. King popped the lollipop stick out of his mouth and threw it at the trashbin by the door. He crossed paths with the ginger guy on his way out, and both of them exchanged glances. The man didn't seem to recognize him, supporting King's theory that they might only be at the same pack as the werewolves they encountered days ago. Yet, the guy's eyes shot bullets. King reminded himself that he shouldn't be getting in any trouble. Not now at the least. So he walked past him without qualms.

"Pussies," King barely heard the word slide from the guy's mouth. Oh, how his blood boiled from those two syllables.

"Captain Sniffer," King huffed while still walking. So much for avoiding.

"You got a problem?" A low tremor pulled out of the werewolf's chest.

"I don't. You got one?" King's lips curled.

"Better watch what you're saying, puss."

"Got it, Sherlock Bones."

The werewolf growled. "You better know your place."

"Oh, I lived here for twelve years, alright—"

A familiar yell cut him off — Bryce's. King snapped his head to the side and saw them, a tanned black-haired man holding his busted lips. The man raised an arm to stop his men who were about to lunge at Bryce and Pandora.

"Ow," The guy chuckled, looking at the small trail of blood in his finger. "I was just going to confirm something."

"Try to touch her again, and I'll bash your face," Bryce growled.

"Calm down. I won't." The man placed his hands in the air, innocently smiling. "Anyways, are you here with anyone else?"

"Why would you wanna know that?"

The man emitted a soundless chuckle. "Tell me, which pride are you on?"

"You got any warrant?" Bryce snapped back.

"Just answer the damn question," one of the werewolves growled.

"I don't see any reasons why."

"Stop, Steve. It's alright," said the man. He turned to look back at Pandora and Bryce. "I'm sorry if I caused you both quite the scare and if I came off offensive. It's just that the scent latching on you... is really driving me crazy." He shrugged and eyed the two, his smile still there, fake as a plastic. "So tell me again... which pride are you on?"

Pandora slightly quivered, eyes stuck at the man's glowing blue eyes like he was spellbinding her. It was an alpha's ability. She tightened her lips, fighting through some invisible string that seemed to force her mouth open.

"T-tierra Madre," she failed, and her eyes widened.

The man's lips curled into a warm smile. "That wasn't too hard, is it?"

King gasped when hands clasped around him.

"We got one more in here, Yusef!" Captain Sniffer called out.

The guy — Yusef — turned towards them. His green eyes widened when he met King's eyes.

On the other hand, gritting his teeth, King dropped his weight against the man's grip and elbowed the guy in his groin. The man cried and curled in pain before he was struck again, this time in the stomach. He dropped on the ground, writhing.

"Run!" King yelled, and the three werecats bolted in different directions.

"Get that kid," Yusef snapped.