I could not understand much of what I had witnessed. But one thing was certain, if the credibility of the mysterious man was exempted, the northern chief and Ryan's clan, had something intricate. 
It was almost dawn and I couldn't sleep well. 
With the first ray of the morning light, I gathered Midnight and a few chiefs. We rode off towards Ryan's tribe. The battle was just brewing. 
" Sherizad? Midnight? Whoah! Why are you guys so early? "
It was Josh. We met him right at the entrance to their tribe. He was probably out there attending his nature's call or just wandering. 
" It's Alpha Sherizad, you, thick head... "Beck came in from no where and hit Josh right at the back of his head. He smiled and bowed as we passed right beside them. I could hear them bickering at the back which made me smile a little. 
" What a pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting you so early... " it was Ryan. He remarked as he extended his arm, trying to help me dismount. I sprang beside him without accepting, of course. 
I was about to tell him something when suddenly a figure caught my attention. 
It was the mysterious man I met last night. He was standing at the back of a cottage and peeking at us. 
I immediately took off after him. Ryan and the rest followed close behind, bewildered. 
The man vanished from sight the moment I reached the spot where I thought I had seen him for sure. As I looked around, I found him peeking from another place. 
The cat and mouse chase went on for a few minutes to my frustration. But I could spy a hint of amusement on that man's smiley face at my disappointment. 
" Sherizad what, on heaven's name, are you chasing around? "
Ryan finally caught upto me and pulled me towards him, grabbing my hand. 
" It's... it's a man... where... " I was trying to look for him when suddenly the man appeared behind Ryan's back. 
" There he is. " 
I pushed Ryan and almost lunged myself at him. 
" Got you. Enough of your fleeing. "
I was so glad I would be able to wring the answers out of him finally, which kept me awake all night. 
" Sherizad... Sherizad... let go of him. How do you even know him? He is a distant uncle of mine. My mother's cousin. "
Ryan pulled my hand away and broke my grip. 
I stood there looking at the face of the man who was smiling, like all times. 
" We happened to meet while I was coming to your tribe my dear nephew. Your beloved and I, shared some interesting finds. "
" She is married... "
" I am not his beloved... "
Both Ryan and I, protested in unison. 
It made the man, laugh even louder. 
" There is no greater confirmation than a strong denial... Well, well... let's say you are both correct... now shall we get to the main business. I don't have much time to waste around. "
" Oh yes. I am so sorry. Sherizad, he has some valuable input about the Northern lands that we could use for our raid. He used to be very close to my mother and apparently, they spent a lot of their time, playing in the northern mountains, before their tribe was massacared by my father."
Ryan explained as his voice dropped a little, at the end. 
" I have sent word around. The Alphas who will be assisting us on the battle field will join us shortly. We can map out the entire landscape. "
" Alpha Ryan... where is your hospitality. The lady in front of you clearly came to you, waking straight up from her bed. You atleast aught to feed her and her companion some of your delicacies before jumping to plans of the battle and strategies. "
I was about to contradict the man whe Midnight wasted that thought of fine. 
" Yes please Alpha Ryan. I am starving. "
" Yes, of course. This way. I am so sorry. "And immediately Ryan got busy, yelling orders. The rest of us were slowly walking behind him when suddenly the mysterious man, caught my arms and whispered in my ears, 
" I would keep the happening of last night to myself if I were you. It is the best for my nephew. "
I gave him a sharp eye. 
" Best for Ryan? How? "
I asked him, a little concerned to be honest. 
" A oath of mine, forbids me from directly conveying the threat. But I am willing to guide you to the clues if you are indeed interested. "
This statement made me doubt him a little more. 
" Why are you keeping it from Rya if it concerns him. "
I asked. 
" The nature of the truth is such that he will be helpless even if he knows about it. Only another person, who is genuinely worried about him, can undo evil, that is waiting to happen. "
I was definitely scared at what he said and something about him told me that he wasn't lying. 
I suddenly stopped in my track and turned towards him and asked, 
" You are neither human, nor a werewolf. What are you?"
" Oh, uncle has spent a lot of time in the mountains and forests. He has had close brush with darkness and divinity. This is his wolf form. But he has learnt to transform his beast into human at will. That is probably the reason you were suspicious of him right? Because he doesn't smell normal ? "
Ryan was back. He probably had come looking for us because we were delayed. 
I remembered what he told me about something sinister comcenring Ryan. So I obeyed him and dodged the question. 
" Whatever. Is the food ready. I feel like I could eat an entire sheep. "
I saw Ryan's confused expression from the side of my eye and the broad smile on his uncle's face. 
" Apparently dear boy, you are much more loved than you might have ever desired... "
His uncle patted his back to amplify his confusion before heading towards the food court himself.