Chapter 45

45 The Elders Meeting

Werewolves, no matter how civil, would always have that beastly side that was hidden beneath their subconsciousness, deep in their heart, engraved in their skull. This beastly side was necessary to survive, to thrive in the wilderness when killing was often the only other option after getting killed.

Werewolf packs of ancient times used to engage in ferocious battles over territories and food. It was not rare for one mighty werewolf pack to completely destroy another pack and take over its territory.

Along with the progress of civilization and the decreasing number of werewolves, packs were discouraged from engaging in wars. Even if such wars were to happen, the winning pack must minimize casualties. Unnecessary deaths must be avoided to preserve the precious werewolf bloodline.

Unfortunately, beasts were still beasts after all. They often failed to control their urges and fall victim to their own bloodlust. The younger werewolves especially lacked self-restraint.

To ensure that all existing werewolf packs were able to co-exist peacefully, the Werewolf Council was established. It had representatives from all packs, particularly ex-Alphas or esteemed Elders. Packs with grievances were allowed to lodge a complaint against other packs and the Werewolf Council would then investigate and make a decision for the greater good.

It was said that only the Werewolf Council had the power to completely obliterate a whole pack. This was typically done when said pack crossed a certain taboo line. An assassination attempt toward another pack’s Alpha mid-negotiation, for example, was one of the despicable things that could drag the Silent Walkers Pack in front of the Werewolf Council.

Lucien was desperate to straighten the facts before the Night Prowler Pack started to develop more suspicion toward the Silent Walkers Pack.

He wanted to meet Kinnon again after speaking to Annalynne. Unfortunately, the Alpha was still recuperating from his injuries and was thus not available for an audience.

Lucien tried again the next morning but again, Kinnon was not accepting any guests. Lucien had no other option but to wait with a nervous Annalynne, who felt as if the sky above their heads was doomed to fall any second. Three days later, there still was no progress. Kinnon still refused to meet up with Lucien and Anna became quite desperate.

.....

“Lulu, I am so sorry,” she kept apologizing over and over again. “I did not think my actions through. If the Night Prowler Pack insists that the attack is planned, then let me take the blame. You and the pack must not suffer... Owww!”

Lucien flicked hard at Annalynne’s forehead, causing the latter’s eyes to become misty from pain. She rubbed at the spot on her forehead and protested, “What was that for???”

“You are my only sister. The Night Prowler Pack must kill me first before they get through to you.”

Lucien furrowed his brows and squinted at Annalynne. “Remember that.”

“... Oh, Lulu!”

Annalynne jumped at Lucien and hugged him tightly. Lucien put his arms around Annalynne and sighed into her thick wavy hair.

He wanted to settle the misunderstanding but what could he do if the Alpha refused to see him?

Find the next most powerful pack member in line, of course.

It just so happened that Bjorn was expecting him and was thus well-prepared. When Lucien and Annalynne were looking to speak with him, they were told that Bjorn would spare some time for them in the evening. When the time came, the two siblings were led to the audience hall where Bjorn was sitting together with all Night Prowler Pack’s Elders.

The temperature inside the room seemed to drop a few degrees as Lucien and Annalynne found themselves surrounded by a bunch of high-ranking werewolves from the Night Prowler Pack.

Bjorn cleared his throat and gestured for Lucien and Annalynne to take a seat.

“Please have a seat, Lucien and Anna.”

Lucien and Annalynne sat side by side, holding hands while they were struggling to maintain their composure under the many judgmental pairs of eyes that were looking at them from all directions.

“Anna, why don’t you tell everyone what happened? I am sure this will help Lucien to understand what is happening.”

Annalynne swallowed hard and then began retelling the story from her point of view.

Annalynne contacted Kinnon prior to her departure from Blue Hill City, telling him that she had something personal to discuss with him about.

Kinnon had initially refused. He was after all courting Lucien to be his Luna. Meeting up with Annalynne, his future in-law was not appropriate.

And yet, Annalynne insisted. She left without waiting for Kinnon to agree. By the time Annalynne arrived at the Central Train Station, she was greeted by the two same men in black suits who picked Lucien up.

Annalynne was led to Kinnon, who had been waiting for her to arrive.

Once they met up with each other, Annalynne asked for them to go somewhere quiet with no one to listen to their conversation. Kinnon led her into the forest to talk privately.

“I refuse to inform the nature of my conversation with Kinnon,” Annalynne said with burning cheeks. Thankfully, no one pressed her in that regard.

While they were speaking to each other, five werewolves appeared out of nowhere in their wolf forms. Although Annalynne was with Kinnon at that time, they were focused on attacking Kinnon.

Annalynne testified to fighting alongside Kinnon in her wolf form. Biting and tearing at the other werewolves to chase them away. Kinnon also landed a few strikes. Together, they managed to kill the five werewolves, but Kinnon was heavily injured. Annalynne was the one who dragged him back into the Pack House and got some help.

Bjorn nodded in appreciation. “Thank you for telling us what happened, Anna.”

“Anna already told the story from her point of view. May I know what the Beta and the Elders think about it?”

An elder cleared his throat to draw everyone’s attention toward him.

“Elder Luke, would you like to say anything?” Bjorn asked politely.

“Miss Clearwater, we are very thankful that you brought our heavily wounded Alpha back to the Pack House that day. You yourself did not sustain a single scratch. I am interested to know why.”