Lucian drove the Range Rover out of town to a small, low building surrounded by a thick fenced-in grove. He opened the automatic gate and followed the driveway up to the entrance. Another black SUV was already parked there.
Upon hearing the vehicle, Michael and Ty stepped out and approached. Ty opened the rear door and grabbed the werewolf by the shoulders, dragging him down. A groan escaped him as his wounded leg hit the ground, but Ty dragged him inside and forced him onto an iron chair.
The others followed closely behind and positioned themselves in front of the prisoner.
The werewolf twisted his mouth into a grin, revealing his canines.
"You managed to catch me," he mocked. "Fitting that it was a vampire who did it!" He let out a derisive laugh.
Christopher grabbed him by the collar.
"Who are you, you bastard, and why are you hurting innocent people?" he growled.
The male kept smiling.
"Never mind my name. But remember Patrick's. He's Nereus's brother—the one you killed. And now he wants revenge."
Christopher clenched his fists, resisting the urge to strike him.
"Civilians had nothing to do with it!"
"But you're here, aren't you? He got your attention."
"Tell him to come directly to me instead of hiding!"
"Don't worry. He will."
Christopher released him.
"Tell me where to find him."
"That's all you'll get from me."
A grimace passed over his face. Foam began to spill from his mouth, his eyes rolled back, and he slumped in the chair.
"What the f—"
Lucian quickly pried his mouth open, then shook his head.
"He had a poison capsule stuck between his teeth."
"Damn it!"
"Ask Markus what we might need to identify him. Then let's get rid of the body."
After checking his fingerprints—and finding them wiped—they took a photo of him. Lucian and Ty disposed of the body while Michael and Christopher returned to the mansion.
Once home, Christopher went straight to Markus and asked him to dig up any information on Patrick.
---
Jia Hao returned home and took a shower. He bandaged his wound, knowing it needed stitches, but he didn't feel like going to Dr. Clayton, who would immediately notice he still hadn't fed. He put on a black T-shirt and sweatshirt, grabbed a beer from the fridge, and sat on the couch, sipping it while gazing out at the view.
When he saw Mu Yang's name flash on the phone screen, a wave of concern made him freeze—he never called while on duty.