4

Just as Gama had not noticed his organization's cell phone vibrating earlier, Lexton also ignored the tense atmosphere present in his residence that night.

The wind didn't seem to be blowing, even though the Alpha had opened the windows wide to get rid of the foggy feeling. With the cigarette still tucked into the corner of his lips, Lexton looked ahead with a watchful bead.

Standing right in front of the balcony's guardrail, he could look around his luxurious mansion from his room on the second floor. Gama's room was right next to Lexton's, but you could tell it was pitch black right now.

Something didn't feel right.

The garden lights that Lexton had imported directly from Sweden looked a little dim, and it looked like he was thinking of replacing them after this night was over.

There was no movement of guards or men who would normally still be seen passing by, as Lexton Alfacht's luxurious mansion also functioned as the headquarters of the Alfacht clan.

What was even more striking was that the guard post adjacent to the mansion's high fence seemed to be deserted, whereas usually, Lexton could hear the voices and chatter of some of his men standing guard there.

What was wrong with this mansion?

His cigarette was almost out when Lexton turned around, just after throwing his cigarette butt towards the nearest trash can.

Right at that moment, the sound of hurried steps penetrated his ears, making Lexton raise his attention to the door that was now being pushed forcefully by someone.

Oliv was breathing heavily, with his arms folded in front of his chest.

"Sir, Sir...."

The young man's voice sounded like it was still stuck in his throat, as he also seemed to be struggling to catch his own breath.

Lexton frowned, setting off a distress alarm.

"What's wrong?!" Lexton's shout echoed throughout his room, looking at Oliv who seemed to be trembling slightly now.

There had to be something going on, and it didn't seem like it would be a good thing.

"Fredo is holding our employees at the oil refinery hostage, sir!" Oliv reported quickly. "Someone's already been killed, and he's threatening to take more lives!"

Startled, Lexton was petrified.

'Fredo? Isn't that rancid bastard no longer breathing?'

"Fredo?!" repeated Lexton in confirmation.

That son of a bitch should be dead, right? Wasn't it Gama himself who said he had gotten rid of that jerk Fredo right before he left earlier?

Oliv nodded quickly. No longer making a sound, the man waited for instructions from their leader.

"How many hostages are there?" asked Lexton in a heavy voice. His bead rotated perfectly, as his brain began to work hard.

"Nearly a hundred and twenty people, and damn it, he's got the whole factory surrounded."

Lexton sighed. It was certain that Fredo would bring more troops, judging by how many of the men had lost their lives in their last fight.

Growling, Lexton vowed that he would take that bastard's life with his own gun. Coming back from the dead was not really an option for Fredo Alzair, because now Lexton would be the one to pull the trigger on the man's head.

"Call Forthenwish headquarters," Lexton ordered. "Have them ready, I'm going to finish Fredo off with my own gun this time."

There was a tinge of hatred in Lexton's tanned eyes as he realized Oliv was nodding even more emphatically. The order to fight had fallen from their leader's lips, and of course, the Alfacht clan was ready for it.

"Yes, sir!" replied Oliv understandingly.

"I'll contact Gama since he's not far from--"

Just as Oliv was about to speak, Lexton turned around with a sharper look in his eyes.

"No need!" he cut in quickly.

Calling Gama back home would probably cause two things. First, it would disrupt the vacation that the man had just taken after a dozen years of fighting alongside the organization. And secondly, it would only make Gama feel guilty because Fredo had not really disappeared from the earth's circulation.

And Lexton didn't want either of those things to happen.

"Get my car ready, and get down below right now," Lexton continued to give orders.

Oliv bowed his head in a respectful gesture, then turned around to carry out the order.

After the sound of the door closing was heard loudly, Lexton wasted no time in swinging his steps towards a large closet on the left side of his private room.

Opening the dark brown cabinet with a single pull, Lexton looked intently at the rows of firearms neatly arranged inside.

Choosing with a jaw that had somehow already hardened, Lexton slipped a small pistol right into the back pocket of his jeans. Carrying another spare one that he tucked in between his waist, Lexton walked resolutely towards the door then.

The door slammed loudly, but the Alpha did not look back.

He was not going to play it easy tonight.

---

Aurora Vernon shook her head with a firm thump.

"No, Brother!" she refused. "You just arrived and now you're leaving again?!"

The young woman's voice was booming, but it seemed that Gama's mind was already made up beyond negotiation. Not in the slightest.

Gama cleared his throat.

"Listen, Aurora," he said, trying to soften his voice.

He was used to speaking in a stern tone of voice during this time, but to Aurora, he didn't want to show that.

"I have to go," Gama continued. "There's urgent business that I can't explain to you, I'll tell you when I get back."

Aurora still didn't agree. It was almost three in the morning and they should be asleep by this time. But suddenly Gama received a call, which immediately made him get up from the sofa with a leap.

Reaching into his backpack on the right side, Gama seemed to be rummaging around in there for something.

Aurora could only widen her bead when she saw her brother pull out two firearms and slip them around his waist in a swift motion, not even allowing her to get a better look.

She wondered to herself what kind of life Gama had been living, and why did he have such weapons in his bag?

"Take this, Auro!"

Gama's voice broke Aurora's reverie, finding her brother thrusting a box in front of her now.

"What is this, brother?" asked Aurora in confusion.

Gama transferred the box to his sister's hand, looking at Aurora's hazel eyes which were wearing a frightened expression. Grabbing one of Aurora's hands, Gama squeezed her fingers tightly.

"Listen, Auro," Gama said softly. "Keep this box. If I don't come back until this weekend, then open it. Don't be curious about what's inside, because I'll be back."

Aurora frowned, not understanding what Gama was talking about now. But Gama's sharp eyes were boring into her deeply, and she had no choice but to nod her head despite the seemingly weak movement.

"Good girl," Gama praised. Stroking Aurora's hair briefly, the man rose to his feet. "Lock your door, and wait until I return."

No longer looking back, Gama walked along the wooden floor to pull the doorknob. His steps sounded hurried, as the roar of a c

ar could be heard not long after.

Gama left completely, with Aurora still holding the velvet box tightly in her hands.