Lanasia and her family are waiting for us on the terrace behind the waterfall.
We got splattered when we passed through and landed safe and sound except that I almost slipped. I lift Dandeline with my arms again and took her inside her room urgently while Lanasia keeps throwing questions. It took an hour for both of us to rest and recover. For now, none else will visit her but only her acquaintances.
After a momentary rest, Dandeline can lift herself again. She's leaning at the headboard, Lanasia is sitting at the side of the bed, I'm at the white royalty chair provided beside, and Matheo with his son is at the window ledge. Lanasia hands me over a mug of tea, one for Dandeline as well. "That will support your body to regain strength faster," she said.
I saw a tiny spark swirling in the tea before I took a sip. The silence afterward holds back the words that must be told. Uncomfortable interaction. I wandered my eyes around until it landed on Lanasia's. We both glance at Dandeline at the same time but are still speechless. Zaeramil has been attempting to start the conversation but he's prohibited by his father—that will not be a good start to the conversation if he initiated anyway.
"Dandeline," Lanasia is binding her fingers to one another, "did you bring the enemies here?"
"... I did. Did they harm anyone?"
"None," I replied, recounting in mind what I've witnessed.
"Then... that won't be a problem."
Lanasia speaks again, "But why did you do that? Of all people, why did you prefer to betray us?"
"I betrayed none of you, technically. I am a Moon Priestess. Whatever I do is a service to the moon's will. I do not favor any pack over the other."
I heard when Zaeramil makes a sound of annoyance with his lips. Lanasia withholds the same reaction yet she's more understanding and logical. "You're right. Perhaps I was the one who betrayed my responsibility for the moon. I oversee only a specific pack. If it means not betraying my oath to my ancestors, then I'm still fulfilling my role. Now, maybe, it's my fault for taking the danger in here."
"I know what you're thinking, child. I did not betray you as a Moon Priestess... but as a friend."
Lanasia avoids glances from her.
Dandeline has her hands locked on the mug when she speaks with potent, "It's not wise to blame yourself. Are you concerned about this land? that Elibur will send reinforcement to ambush the white wolves you've been protecting your whole life? How heartless do you think I am to overlook such an obvious consequence? It may vary with Elibur's tongue from now on. But as a priestess of the moon, I will prevent that presentiment of yours."
"What do you mean?"
"That emchanter dog came here to fetch me, no? I'm coming with them."
"You're meeting with the Vengeance pack? What if they threaten you!? They did it to me and there's no way they will not do the same to you. Their Alpha is insane!"
A smirk draws on Dandeline's lips. "These werewolves are about to celebrate the anniversary of their liberty in Plandreas. As a moon priestess assigned in that area, I must be present. My presence brought disgruntle in this peaceful land. I suppose that reason is enough for me to leave. I'm not acquitted yet in addition."
"I'm going with you," I said.
And I expected Lanasia to oppose it right away. She says, "What? Hessuel, the black wolves will gather in that place—!"
"But Mrs. Lanasia, just like you've said, it's dangerous for her to go there alone. We came here together, so we're leaving together."
"Ugh! If this is about the romance of a senior citizen and a dog then I'm off," Zaeramil said wryly.
"You pathetic worm! Who are you calling old!?" I wince when Dandeline throws the mug at the cocky young man. He caught the mug willingly but was startled when the tea spilled on his cloth after the thought that it was empty.
"Wha— What dirty magic, granny!"
Dandeline attempted to throw a pillow at him, telling Zaeramil to leave through the window, until Matheo restraints. "Alright! That's enough!"
"But I'm still curious how old she is."
"Jerk. I'm nine hundred twenty-five months old."
"What the hell. Why are you counting the months?"
"You'll sound younger with months because it's similar to how we count the age of babies, stupid."
I chuckled in this fretful situation. But I pursed my lips right away when Lanasia fires a shockwave of her enchantment. "Boys, please leave us for the meantime. I deserve to hear an explanation from my friend."
I nodded and placed the mug on the table in front of me. "Thanks for this," I said and walked away. Matheo drags his son through its shoulder to leave. Lanasia is so sincere about this. The three of us left the room yet these two set their feet in front of the door, eavesdropping. They were pushed backward in surprise when the door hit them.
"Leave!" Lanasia screams from the inside. Matheo is reprimanding his son for being impudent, the reason why they can't hear Dandeline's reason now. On the other hand, I realized why Dandeline tackled the neutral behavior. She was bothered about this the whole time. However, I can't tell if she did great or not.
I came straightway to the hall of the Alpha instead of my room. The only way for me not to back out from my words is to have many witnesses. Cados was here when I arrived. That means it saves time for longer reporting. Most of them marveled seeing me walking in their midst. I bow my head politely, calmer than before.
"The moon priestess is recovering in her room. She's leaving as soon as possible, and I'd like to inform you that I'm coming with her."
"What?"
"You're leaving us?"
"We need you here! What if those black wolves came back!?"
Some of the white wolves threw those questions. The Alpha remains silent while intently looking at me.
"I'm sorry. I am truly grateful for your warm welcome. But I can't stay here longer. I have to go back to where I reside."
The Alpha finally made some motion except his mouth. He's silently walking towards me, exerting all discouragement in his pale eyes. And seeing my reflection in his eyes tells me that I crashed their long-awaited hope. "Hessuel, is this because we harmed your friend?"
"Absolutely not." I can't be honest.
"... I've never seen anyone escape the underground penitentiary. It only means that your strength is incomparable to anyone. As an Alpha, it is my responsibility to elect the next Alpha. Now, the Moon Goddess has answered my supplication. I'm getting old. My wolves need their new leader. I don't want to leave them without assurance. I don't want them to feel hopeless. I hope that you can grant it to me."
"But..." I looked at the white wolves in this hall and met their begging eyes. I lack a huge portion of knowledge about werewolves. Strength alone will not suffice. And I want to live a simple life on the farm... or fill someone's emptiness if permitted. "I can't just accept it. I'm sorry," I said softly. "I can have the resolve to be a defender but not a leader. I want to protect the white wolves, too. And as long as I live, the safety and hope of your wolves are guaranteed. Will that help to make thee feel better?"
"..." He taps me on the shoulder and whispers, "Let's have a walk."
I simply nodded with the sudden twist of conversation. He touches me at the back as he leads the way to an empty hallway, matching the slowness of his steps. None of the other white wolves were permitted to come along.
"It is our nature to kill when hungry, or when necessary. You're reluctant to accept my invitation because you lived being a human, not a werewolf. The difference is nothing but a small bean in the vast soil of doubt. The only thing you can put in the category of 'endless' is learning.
"I've seen how powerful humans can become. Their intelligence is their power. The Moon Goddess granted the same to us but it requires to progress. And you succeeded. I can tell, you can become one of the greatest leaders of the Moon's Order pack."
"... I'm sorry."
His laugh is frail. "You're such an adamant werewolf. Perhaps you're overwhelmed. Let me exhibit to you what more an Alpha can become."
He took me to one of the sacred places inside the palace: the great hall of a brass statue of the ancient Alpha. It's an open hall surrounded by giant trees, pillars on the sides, and a marble floor. The statue is standing above a solid rock foundation and inside of it is a copper chest box. He shows me that it contains a silver hinged cuff bracelet, and the full moon is engraved.
"This cuff is handed down to the very first Alpha by the Moon Goddess herself. And this is passed down from generation to generation of Alphas. It's the token given to the rightful leaders to amplify their strength, the token that black wolves coveted in time." He wears that cuff to his right wrist. "It's been a long time... Would you like to try it?"
"Uh, but only the Alpha can wield that—" My senses, my arms automatically safeguarded me from the incoming fists but the impact pushed me several steps away! I just found the Alpha with his stance with his claws. It's flabbergasting how a weak old man suddenly became monstrous through that cuff!
"No one else withstood against an Alpha who wore this cuff for decades. Only you made it happen again." He removes the cuff and puts it on my wrist, confidently. "I choose you to be the next Alpha of the Moon's Order pack. And have the authority to choose who is more deserving if you can't think the same way about yourself."
"Alpha Shio... Thank you for trusting me."
"And you better protect that trust!" His weak voice returns. "You know every werewolf has their own special gifts, mine is to smell secrets. I know you've found your mate."
I openly stammered in embarrassment, then he laughed while tapping my shoulder.
I stare at the hinged cuff for a short silent moment. I'm afraid of what it takes to be an Alpha in this complicated situation.