Chapter five- The Clue

Back with Skulker, the hunter was severely angered he had been duped by a heated Omega. But not just any Omega, THE Omega, the Omega that had been driving any and all Alphas mad over the past couple of months. The one that had damn near driven the Emperor to insanity driven suicide. He was going to find that thing and flail it till it knew who owned him plus he nearly had, luckily he had come across a brothel with some very delectable Gammas and Omegas— he had some of each plus it doubled as a bed and breakfast. At the moment he was in the bar area, his hair simmering in agitation. Where would he start to hunt for the Omega? It was outright obvious, it didn't want to be found but rumors were spread fast amidst the country folk, It wouldn't take long.

"Damn that sneaky lil~! ARGH! BLASTED ALL! " Another hunter has wandered in and he was not happy. Skulker subtlety scanned him, turns out the Hunter's name was Aragon— a high ranker and known controller of dragons. Apparently Spirit hunting was just a side hobby for him.

"Hey, my good fellow.ĺ He called out, getting the man's attention, he waved him over. "Join me for a spot of Ambrosia ." Aragon shrugged but walked over, free drinks who could say no? "Rough pickings? "

"You could say that again." Aragon replied while downing his drink.

"Mind I ask, what's the latest try? "

"What do you think?!" Aragon acclaimed after slamming down his cup. "That blasted Phantom Omega! Ever Spirit Mage and Hunter worth their salt is after the thing, " He then motioned for Skulker to lean in. "They say Warden Walker has upped the bounty out on him."

"How much? "

"So far, five hundred- thousand gold and five platinum. No take backs. " Skulker whistled at the claim and ran a hand through his hair but calmed himself, he was under a different employer now. One with a nasty temper and power to back it up. Back in the day, the pale hunter could've afforded to renig on a deal to satisfy the higher bidder. But he was under orders, and he had to move fast before someone else snatched his bounty.

"Any word where this 'creature ' might be holed up at?

"Five miles north east of here in Casper." Aragon supplied. "Not much competition, the Fenton's— local mages but couldn't catch a spirit under their own roof. But there is one worth her salt out that way. Every heard of the Red Huntress?" Skulker strokesd his goatee but it did come to him, as did a bout of jealousy. She was the true huntsman of the Emperor but constantly went rogue which is why he didn't employ her services too often.

"Yeah, she's a wily one..." He commented.

"There's gossip afloat about her and Phantom. "

"What kind? " Skulker pressed, while ordering up another round of Ambrosia.

"It appears the thieving snicket wronged her a ways back. " Aragon supplied. "But no one knows over what. She says if she catches him she'll rip out his core fibers bit by bit till she's got a nice new cardigan for winter. " At this the two laughed but Skulker narrowed his eyes in anger and worry. Not only did he have to catch the bedamned thing, he also had to protect it from a fellow member of the Emperor's inner circle. Maybe he could strike a deal with her and avoid bloodshed but he rarely dealt with the Red, who knows if she could be reasonable at all?

"Anymore advice before I blow this joint, comrade? " Aragon gestured for him to lean in close, closer than before.

"You give me a hundred gold right now..." He started. "And I'll throw in info on the Phantom, stuff that no one but me alone knows..." Skulker did him one better.

"Ten platinum, if you make it worth my while, Beta. " Aragon smiled and... Kissed the hunter.

"Come back to my room, later... "

After a very lustful and informative romp, Skulker waved the brothel goodbye and went about his way. He flew the way Aragon had directed him and was soon met with some buildings in view. Casper was small but quaint, hard to believe the town was met with spirit troubles. During his flight, he couldn't help but muse over his and Aragon's post - sexing conversation. The Beta had stood by his word and had made it worthwhile— Skulker could now say he fucked a dragon. But the most important part to their time spent together was what he let drop about the Phantom... He was a halfa. THAT! PIECE OF INFORMATION. NARROWED THE FIELD BY TWO THOUSAND PERCENT. Especially with his ability to discern scents. It didn't take long, thanks to his little battle with the heathen. He remembered that liquor of essence to a T. After circling like a vulture for hours on end, he decided to post up at a local inn. The town was only lit with gossip about one thing... The Phantom. Some praising its heroic efforts or the select dirty minded who were looking to ride it. Skulker had had enough of that— being he was in a rut himself but still— so he went out to the local diner. It was a jovially place but as soon as he stepped in many stared at his muscular and scarred frame immediately recognizing him as a hunter.

"Give me your strongest drink. " He demanded.

"That Phantom giving you trouble to huh? " Skulker looked up upon recognizing that voice.

"So this is what becomes of the Huntress when she's down? " At that a blast of powerful musk hit his nose, sandalwood plus cinnamon with a hint of marmalade. He had agitated her, perfect.

"Just because I'm not readily called upon like your doesn't mean I'm not in good standing. " This was the identity of the Red Huntress, a short but strong and ill-tempered teenage girl. She had mocha skin with teal eyes and curly dark hair, pretty by all accounts; why the hunting?

"Well, my dear. I need help... " He began. "Of which it pertains to your target and you may find it to be bad news... "

"What? " She growled, mad he was testing her patience. What could this monster tell her about Phantom, that she couldn't gauge herself or find out from up top. Now that it's been mentioned, why hasn't she heard it from up top?

"Still confused? "

"Quit yankin my chain. And tell me what's going on? " She ordered, while yoking him by his shirt. "I got a lot of time invested in hunting that damn thing and I intend to claim that reward for the bounty on his head so if you want a piece of that, you'll have to go through me..."

"That bounty you want so terribly has been outranked." Skulker callously answered. "The Emperor's gotten involved... "

"SHIT. " The Huntress whined and threw up her hands in exasperation. "So there goes my revenge huh? "

"Yup. " At this they had a long talk, upon which the huntsman found out about the huntress' hatred of their quarry. Apparently, the thing had destroyed her father's place of business at which they went into the poor house due to the unpaid bills that followed. Skulker would have to vouch for her unto Plasmius. Awhile into their chat a group of teens came in, they weren't too noticeable but ranked low on the normality bar. A mocha boy dressed in a yellow tunic, red beret with green pants and boots, Beta. A young gal with black hair and periwinkle eyes, wearing an all black minstrel dress then the last boy, black hair, blue eyes who was with them was rocking a concealing red cape but that did little to conceal the scent of battle and carnage upon him but hell! Even Skulker paid them no mind— PERFECTLY LOGICAL SCENT ON A CHILD. That is until the last boy's true scent was jostled by his eager friends at which a highly familiar scent struck his nose... White orchids, fresh mountain snow, lime vodka, and a dash of blood blossom... The Phantom Omega.

Skulker turned so fast, his neck caught a cramp but that did little to deter him from his current objective. He took another glance at the clique that had walked in. They went to the back, separating themselves from the masses and creating their own little world, the main boy was fidgety and wore a worried look plus when his friend accidentally nudged his right arm, he winced and shot his buddy a glare. He amped up his senses and listened in.

"How ya feeling, Danny? " Asked the young lady.

"Better than most days, I can't believe they nearly got me again. " Whined Blue eyes. "At least my dad's aim is still crap. "

"Yeah, dude. " Chimed the mocha boy. "You're lucky their aim is still dog turd but why won't you just tell them?"

What's he gonna tell em, Tucker? " The Goth countered. "Oh, hi mom and dad, I got zapped by this spooky ooky portal and now I fight monsters all day. Real smart. "

"Sam, Tucker may have a point. " This 'Danny' whined. "I'm tired of them constantly hounding me. Not to mention the fact Walker upped my bounty. "

"Yikes. " Tucker chimed. "By how much? "

"Five hundred thousand gold plus five platinum."

"Damn. " Sam exclaimed. "Whoever does snag you would be sitting pretty for years to come. "

"Yeah. And thanks for sticking your necks out for me. " Danny mused. "You can back out if you want to. "

"No way! " Sam leaped up and grasped his hand, causing the boy to blush something fierce. "You're ours, DANNY. We won't let any of these dipshits lay a finger on you. We've, well I got claim to you and I intend to keep it. You're too sweet and kind to just hand off to some idiot." At this the Goth's grip became tight but being Danny was a halfa, he could deal with. He was more so battling the blush spreading across his body. Sam's Alpha eyes shined brighter as she accidentally caught a whiff of Danny's pure and untainted Omega essence, so delicious so pure. She wanted to jump him now and that was just a tickle, thank his somewhat lucky stars he wasn't in heat otherwise... She would've kidnapped him on the spot. She kissed him and kissed him hard. Her Alpha scent was so welcoming and overpowering, Danny's mind instantly melted like butter while butterflies went off in his stomach. His natural Omega instincts took over and gave her what she wanted. They rocked and made out like puzzle pieces, everyone in the restaurant was watching. The A-list in disgust, Valerie in jealousy and annoyance while the huntsman... Skulker was appalled at the action but hell in truth he wanted a taste of the boy, but... Was he really the Phantom?

"Dammit, Sam! " Tucker exclaimed and tried to pull the horny alpha away but that opened up their Omega for an assault from the side in the form of... Paulina. An upper class alpha who was shallower than a near dried puddle of sticky Ambrosia. She was Latina in origin with dark brown hair and ocean blue eyes, no man could resist her charms but she was jealous of Sam for keeping such a delectable Omega to herself.

"Oh, Danny~..." She tilted his head back and stole... A kiss. Which lead to a roar, and a punch then a scratch, plus insults thrown then finally... ALL. OUT. WAR.

The Omega who had started it all, was the first to leave but not before turning his friends intangible — including Sam who was happily bashing Paulina's head into the floor. Skulker caught this action and followed but before he left. He shot upwards and the bar instantly calmed down, eighty percent out of fear. Valerie then took over and her scent screamed rage, nobody was going anywhere till the bar was SPOTLESS. She wasn't mad at the Omega for what he was, in truth she felt sorry for him. After she had been knocked from the upper echelons of the privileged, she understood the lower ranks better. But her main question was... Where did Danny go? He wasn't entirely off the hook, first off he was the main cause of this whole disaster. But his scent was so delicious ~ It couldn't be helped plus he was adorable on the eyes. Everyone in town wanted Danny as their Omega and to bear their future babies but for now it was known... Sam Manson owned him along with her beta, Tucker. But once, his heat came... Free for all.