Chapter 18: Council’s Fine Accommodation

“He’ll only give you the crest once you accept the proposal.”

“What proposal?”

“The envelope he gave you the other day.”

          The glossy cream-colored envelope on my hand crumpled, replaying what his Beta said last night. He did give me a fake one and the envelope he gave me back in the cursed palace was actually a written marriage proposal as Marcus said!

          And what’s unacceptable was it just contains…

‘Birds do it. Bees do it. Even educated fleas do it; let’s do it. Let’s fall in love.’

          Who calls that a marriage proposal?!

“Speed up, will you?” Sydney burst in and kicked me from the side causing me to nearly fall down a cliff.

I swiftly grip a tree’s popping root and forcedly carried myself up. “Could you stop physical assault being your name?”

“Uhm, no,” she shook her head. “It’s in my blood.”

          Laxon was so generous to lend us nothing but a pack of only clothes on our departure. And they wouldn’t have given us that bag if I hadn’t forced them to. The emblem, it’s back in its case. Safely inside of Verdiga’s pillow.

“I haven’t been to the council but I remember Father mention it is on the Madfur Okami’s territory.”

“Between Sanguine’s and Madfur’s borders to be exact,” I corrected.

“So, if we walk on foot…” Sydney paused. Then latter looked at me with her eyes widened. “Denise, we’ll be taking two days! Shouldn’t we be on our wolves?”

“I’m not into running today,” I complained. Always I have been not into shifting always and prefer my human form as possible. And added by my unusual laziness level three this time. It’s like my body feels heavier than before.

          Maybe because it’s been a long time since I frequently used my wolf.

“Sometimes, I really question myself why I have to be with you,” she sighed and returned to walk along the path.

“Simply because you need my influence to get enough distance from Rylan.”

          Calculating the hours wasted on that two days, I hastily leaped in the air and shifted on my deep blue-colored wolf.

“That’s good you changed your mind,” she commented and leaped the same way I did and landed on the ground with her chestnut wolf.

          Boosting speed, the remaining fifty kilometers were to be junked out in half a day.

*****

“You didn’t tell me there was a river to be crossed!” Sydney grumbled through the mind-link, hesitating to jump from the other side of the Amtala river.

“Seriously? You didn’t know we’re crossing this?”

“You didn’t tell me!”

          I rolled my eyes, “Just jump, will you? Are you a cat?”

          She growled in response and hurled me a bad glare. Then she really jumped out carelessly that she almost slip down the boulder rock on the center of the river.

          I couldn’t stop but laugh which she growled even more and quickly leaped towards my place, letting out her claws. Attempting to scratch me. Luckily, I dodged and rolled away. And again, bolted back to the way leading to the council.

          Taking hours of travel, we almost crawl towards the gates of the council. Why? Firstly, because the generous Laxon only offered tea. Second, there was nothing on the way to hunt or even fruits to climb but only pine trees! It’s like food resources intentionally were repelled from us.

          Lastly, the council’s defense system was turned on that we need to jump, run and flip just to dodge the silver bullets! Also, that was intentionally activated as part of the exam. A screening process.

“Welcome to the werewolf council. I’m Neferna, a ranger patrol. May you let me lead you to your room, miss Shadowstone,” introduced a lady in an off-shoulder white top, a black corset hugging her waist, and a long red dress.

          And on her hands were two robes of natural green furs. Oh, that looks comfortable.

          Shifting back to my human form, I hastily stretched my hand towards her. “Can we borrow those?” I smiled at her.

          The lady smiled back and handed the robes, “Oh, this is really intended for you. Here you go.”

“Thank you,” replied Sydney.

          I quickly wore the fabric and smiled back at the lady. “Where are the council heads?”

“They are scheduled for assembly in an hour, Shadowstone. And they want you to know that the council always demands a formal conference. Hence, your clothes are prepared accordingly. So as the manners and behaviors are strictly observed. I hope miss Shadowstone could be under the rules during your stay.”

         

          I nodded. “If that’s the propriety, I don’t have a right to disobey,” I answered and bowed respectively.

          She claims that she is a patrol ranger, but I see no badge on her. Werewolf Council holds strong defense and security that being each rank and role that a wolf was here for serves commitment and loyalty interpreted by a badge that is attached to them all the time.

          And being a patrol ranger is not an exception to that badge.

          This lady not having her badge is potentially an imposter. Across the five directorates who are the second positions in the werewolf council, they’re all men. But I know one who can easily copy and be someone he wanted to be. Gifted the ability of a swindler.

          Carlos Insigno, the head directorate of the werewolf council.

“This way, miss Shadowstone,” the lady gestured and opened the door leading to a room.

“Thank you,” I responded before entering.

          Sydney was to follow and enter the room I’m in, but the lady raised her hand. “Only one person was allowed in every room, miss Darlia.”

          Council had already known her? I shrugged. Why am I even wondering? With their records and fast intel. Of course, they do!

“It’s a policy. I hope you understand. We have plenty of rooms, two are prepared. Follow me,” she added.

          Sydney looked at me meaningfully. I nodded in response, replying an approval, and closed the door. My eyes quickly roamed around the room, memorizing possible exits and parts that can be useful if combat happens.

          Beside the king-size bed was a large olive-painted box. My forehead creased as curiosity hits me. I stepped furthermore until only a meter was left between mg foot and the box. My hand stretches and pulled the ribbon off.

“A formal conference, they say,” I winced.

          Pulling the ribbon causes the box to collapse and reveal a dress. Plain design and no sequins stitched, the deep green color of the outer fabric blends well with the underskirt’s dark auburn. From the bust down to the waist, a silken string was tied closing the garment and acting as the corset itself. Its sleeves were long and were cut laterally. And the end of the dress reaches the floor.

“The council was to be assembled in the next minutes, I hope miss Shadowstone would take the remaining time wisely and be earlier than the Panels’ and Directorates’ arrival,” knocks the same voice of that lady behind the door.

“I will, please rest assured,” I calmly answered before throwing myself into the bathroom and starting a bath conserving every second that ticks.

          Everything went well and on time. Until I found myself in front of the mirror under the garment they provided. My eyes narrowed noticing my face seems to have swelled up. I raised my hand and poked my cheek.

I don’t remember getting bitten by a bee or something. Why is this?

“Then tell me how would I secure my pack if I’ll be letting her go again? If I always would listen to you or her, would that save Nightshade? If you’re thinking that Silvan could take over, I don’t want to risk my brother’s life. If things go against the plan, all eyes will focus on him. I don’t want to burden him with responsibilities at that age,”

“W-what if— she got pregnant? Then you’re giving another responsibility to her.”

“Let her be… I will let her decide. She can reject me but not the child. I will let her go, take her with you. But when the clock stops ticking, I will get her back.”

          I shook my head numerously, taking off those words from my head. I must be overthinking. Right, I’m just overthinking. It’s just one time, one time! It’s impossible.

          That red mushroom! If he dares slick his nose in my matters, I swear I’ll tear him into pieces!

“Miss Shadowstone? Are you ready?” knocks the woman out of a sudden that I accidentally dropped the hairbrush in shock and tossed a glass perfume canister.

“In a minute, please!” I answered in a modest tone as I tried to seize the bottle before it crashes to the floor. But as soon as I touched its mouth, it slipped right away and a loud shattering sound was made.

          Great!

“Miss Shadowstone, are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m good. It was an accident.” I stood up and opened the door, showing the broken glass to her. “I’m really sorry for my carelessness. Don’t worry, I’ll clean it after the conference,” I assured and forced a smile out.

          Her eyes moved towards the vanity table and down underneath. “I will expect that, miss Shadowstone.”