I shifted my focus back to the documents I had uncovered in the hidden compartment behind my mother's portrait, spreading them out on the dining table. As I examined each paper carefully, I came across repeated mentions of the "Scarlet Trust," an entity tied to various transfers and property ownership certificates. The name "Scarlet" hinted at a potential connection to the Royal Vampires.

The sound of keys caught my attention, just to see Annie gathering her belongings, and preparing to leave.

"Dinner is prepared for your guests, my lord. It is time for me to call it a day. I will convey your message to my mother. I'm certain she will answer your call."

"Would you mind if I walked you to your vehicle?"

"Not at all."

I walked Annie to her car, hoping my request hadn't added any discomfort. As she settled in, I closed her door, giving her a small wave. Despite her easy acceptance of my request, I felt a touch of awkwardness. I had a tendency to overthink, especially when I feared I'd crossed a line or made an irreparable mistake.

I realized that validating the documents I had uncovered would require a meeting with the Royal Vampires before making any claims. Upon entering the house, I was greeted by the sight of Derrick and Antolio seated in the receiving room. As soon as they noticed me, they knelt, bowing their heads.

"Please, stand up. We'll need to work on those formalities."

"Tobias, we have found the location of Dylan's pack. They move Northeast towards the hidden caves. Unfortunately, that is not the only information we've uncovered." Derrick said.

"What else have you found, Derrick?"

Before he could respond, Antolio interrupted, using sign language to convey something urgent. I watched as his hands moved with precision, relaying the information to Derrick.

"Antolio's hearing is sharper than ever," Derrick said. "He overheard guards discussing a prisoner in critical condition. They said he urgently needs medical attention, or he might not survive."

Time was slipping away, and if this prisoner was indeed Harold, rescuing him had to be my top priority. But without confirmation of his identity, I risked losing both momentum and the element of surprise. I need to act decisively and gather all the information I can before making my move.

"Exceptional work. I'm pleased with your results. Now, there's food prepared in the kitchen, and I've arranged rooms for both of you. Take the time to rest and recharge; I'll need your assistance again later."

"Wait, you mean we can eat whatever we want?" Derrick asked, slightly surprised.

"Please, indulge yourselves. Is the least I can do to show my gratitude."

Antolio's smile widened as he looked over at Derrick. "Antolio is very happy, sir," he signed.

I approached him, resting my hands gently on his shoulders in the same gesture my mother often used when she needed my help with something important.

"Eat plenty, my dear friend. I will require your aid very soon."

Antolio's face lit up, and he glanced at Derrick with a grateful nod before heading to the kitchen.

"Derrick, what can you tell me about the Royal Vampires?"

Derrick hesitated, then answered my question. "The vampires hold immense control over the town's economy. They dominate investments, real estate, and the banking system. From what I know, most werewolves avoid getting entangled with them, and it's been this way since the very beginning of Adams Town. They have been hunting us for a very long time."

His tone held a tension that hinted at a deeper, possibly personal history with the vampires—a history that still affected him.

"I must handle some matters with the vampires. I'll be back as soon as possible. In the meantime, enjoy your meal. When I return, we'll gather and discuss our next move."

"You must let me accompany you, young master. We cannot afford to lose you now that you have finally arrived. Also, you must take into consideration, that a hearing with the vampires could take months."

I nodded, appreciating his concern. "I understand, Derrick, but it's a risk I have to take. And I certainly don't have months to wait for an audience. Trust me, I won't do anything reckless."

"As you wish. Be careful, Tobias. They're not an easy crowd to deal with. Look for the Vernara Building on the east side of Adams. That's where the vampires usually conduct their business." He gave me one last look before heading toward the kitchen.

He glanced at Antolio, watching him using his hands to eat. "Did you wash your hands before you touched that meat?"

I headed upstairs to my room, deciding that a more presentable outfit would be essential for meeting with the Royal Vampires. Even if the elders wouldn't be available during daylight, I needed to make a good impression. Securing my family's finances and tapping into the resources my mother left behind might be my only hope of keeping the estate afloat.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

As I stood in front of the mirror, my gaze was fixed on the patch of white hair amidst the sea of dark strands. For years, I accepted the explanation that it was a mere deficiency. Now, a nagging feeling in my heart tells me there's more to the story, that my parents intentionally kept the truth from me.

With my father's truck keys, the emblem I'd discovered, and the documents from the gathering room in hand, I set off toward town. Before long, I stood in front of the Vernara Building, an awe-inspiring sight that radiated opulence and authority. The building's flawless white marble exterior and gold accents gleamed under the sunlight; every inch was crafted with incredible detail.

As I neared the entrance, the scale of the towering golden doors caught me off guard, their polished surface reflecting the sunlight like a beacon. A row of well-dressed guards stood at attention, watching all visitors entering the building. Above the entrance, the words "Vernara Investments" shimmered in bold gold letters, immediately exuding luxury and opulence.

Before I could take another step, one of the guards stepped forward, his baton raised, effectively stopping my advance.

"Entry is strictly by appointment, sir. Please refer to your petitioner, to make the necessary arrangements." The guard said.

The sudden intrusion of the baton against my chest ignited a surge of anger. The guard's dismissive attitude and the invasion of my personal space only stoked the fire within me. I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to maintain control, to remind myself that this wasn't the moment to act recklessly.

"I understand the protocol. But I have an urgent matter that can only be handled within this building. I need to speak with someone who can facilitate my entry—someone from the Scarlet Trust."

"Werewolves are not allowed to enter this building. I will suggest you leave at once!" The guard said, pushing me away from the door with his weapon.

Without hesitation, I reached out and seized the baton with my left hand, gripping it tightly. The force of my anger was channeled into my grip, and with little effort, I snapped the baton in two pieces. Almost instantly, a second guard charged toward me, baton raised, shouting, "You're under arrest!"

But his words were lost to me. A surge of adrenaline coursed through my body, clouding my senses and narrowing my vision until all I saw was red. The beast within me stirred, initiating the transformation, trying to break free in broad daylight. I felt the sharp ache of fangs extending, the familiar pull of the transformation taking over as my body readied itself for a fight, I'd promised I wouldn't start.

But it was too late—I was already blinded by rage. With unnatural speed, I lunged forward, grabbing the second guard by the neck and lifting him into the air. His attempts to break free were in vain as I held him effortlessly, staring directly at his eyes.

"You don't understand," I growled, my voice twisted, layered as two voices spoke in unison. "I don't want to hurt anyone!"

Without thinking, I hurled him away from me, his body flying through the air like a feather riding a gust of wind. He collided with the wall, the impact resounding through the entrance, leaving him dazed and momentarily stunned.

Suddenly, I stumbled back, clutching my shoulder where a silver dagger had pierced my skin. The pain was unlike anything I'd felt before—a searing fire that coursed through my veins. Gritting my teeth, I looked up to see a woman in tight red attire, her eyes cold and calculating, holding another identical dagger with a menacing grin.

"The blade of this dagger is forged from the purest silver humankind could ever find," the mysterious woman said. "So, if I were to drive this into your heart, you'd be dead before you even hit the ground."

She stepped closer, her hand hovering over the dagger lodged in my shoulder. I braced myself as she pulled it free, the searing pain flaring for a moment before my body's accelerated healing took over, quickly sealing the wound and leaving only a faint mark behind.

Her eyes widened in astonishment as she observed the wound healing at a speed she had never witnessed before. "Impressive," she said. "But you're still out of your depth, wolf. What's your purpose here, storming the doors of Vernara Investments in broad daylight?"

I forced myself to calm down, reining in the transformation just enough to regain control. Encounters like this were to be expected—after all, the Royal Vampires wouldn't simply allow someone to storm into the Vernara building unannounced.

Ignoring the woman in red, I walked past her, making my way over to the guard I had thrown against the wall. He was still catching his breath, looking dazed as he leaned back against the wall.

"Please, accept my apologies," I said, extending my hand to him. "It wasn't my intention to harm you. But you should know that picking a fight with a werewolf isn't exactly wise... especially since your friend here was the one who started it."

The guard looked up at me, surprised. After a moment's hesitation, he reached out, accepting my hand as I helped him to his feet. I felt the tension in his grip, but he steadied himself, casting a glance at his fellow guards, who seemed equally surprised by my sudden shift in behavior.

"If you wish to be seen by a doctor, the Reinhart Family will take care of the expenses," I said, noting his eyes widen with astonishment at the mention of the Reinhart name.

"Thank you, sir."

I spun around to face the woman in red. "My name is Tobias Reinhart, the son of Helena Reinhart and rightful heir to the Reinhart family fortune."

"You should know, your kind isn't welcome here. You must have a death wish, showing up uninvited. What business could you possibly have in this building?"

Noticing her dislike, I grinned, "Oh, just the usual errand...I came to withdraw some cash."

The woman in red laughed hysterically, "You are on the wrong side of the court, mutt. Leave before I etch the name of the Scarlet clan into your flesh."

Before I could respond, the bank's doors swung open, and a striking woman stepped out, dressed in a richly adorned purple gown, her feathered hat perched elegantly atop her head. She seemed familiar—a face I'd seen before, perhaps under the old tree just before my father vanished.

"What is the matter here?" She asked, unfurling a purple umbrella. A group of children clustered around her, each holding onto a ribbon that hung from her corset, their faces obscured by golden masks, lending an eerie sense of mystery to the scene.

"This raggedy mutt is spewing false claims, milady. A mere child like him could never be the new leader of the Black Lotus clan."

The woman's piercing gaze scrutinized me, her half-smile suggesting a knowing anticipation, as though she had expected my arrival.

"Take him to my quarters. If he fails to prove his claims, he will never see the light of the day again."

The woman in red bowed slightly. "As you wish, milady."

The woman in red forcefully grabbed my arm, feeling her strength trying to overpower me. Recognizing that resistance here would only complicate matters, I decided to let her guide me. She tightened her hold, locking my arm against her in a clear display of dominance as she led me deeper into the building.

Although I hadn't yet tested the full extent of my strength, I could sense that I had the power to break free if necessary, especially given the effort she seemed to be exerting just to keep me restrained. The plan to infiltrate the building had gone mostly as I'd intended—except for the dagger wound still throbbing in my shoulder.