Chapter 7 - Summers

I stared at myself in the mirror for a while. My hair was neatly packed up in a bun; I was dressed in a light blue outfit, and I found it funny that I had to be dressed like this every time.

But I liked my new appearance. I looked cleaner than I ever had in a long while. Not like I was always walking around looking unkempt and tattered, but I didn't have the luxury to afford skincare products. It was funny how my new room was stuffed with new clothes and good cosmetics. I even felt like there would be no need to touch the clothes I brought from home.

A knock on my door made me leave the mirror to open the door. As always, Reid was standing at the entrance of my room.

I was stunned as I stared at him. He was wearing a casual outfit, but something about it still made him look formal.

“It's time to introduce you to the pack elders; they're all waiting for you in the meeting room.” He smiled softly. Under the soft glow of the light, he seemed to look even more handsome.

“Sure…” I said and stepped out. I walked behind him until he reached a massive door and pushed it open.

I took a deep breath as I walked into the air-conditioned room. There was a long, massive mahogany table, the type you find in a business conference room. Seated around were like 7-9 people, seriousness etched into their features.

For the first time since I stepped foot into the pack, I actually felt intimidated by the aura emanating from these people. They watched me with careful eyes, making me fiddle with my fingers as Reid led me to a seat, where I sat with my head bowed, not daring to look them all in the eye.

“Good morning, elders. I really appreciate y'all for coming when I requested.”

“This is the healer you told us about?” A woman's voice rang out. I raised my eyes to watch. All of them had their gaze still set on me, and I was starting to feel like they didn't appreciate my presence in this pack.

“That's right, Elma, meet Healer Valerie Romeo,” Reid said with a small smile. Because he was the one with the most power and command here, he looked way more relaxed and at ease than the rest of them, like everything that's happening in here is all a play to him.

“She looks too scrawny and way too young to be what you described her to be…” a man who looked older than the rest spoke. I could immediately tell he was the beta. He spoke with a kind of authority that made me, who wasn't even a member of their pack, cower.

“Beta Mason!” Reid cautioned, his tone suddenly serious.

“She's going to start officially as my dad's personal healer, and not just that, she volunteered to treat whoever the pack doctors can't seem to handle…”

“Entrusting the lives of our alpha and our people to her is more of a rather rushed decision, don't you think?” A woman sitting beside Elder Elma said. I suddenly didn't feel good sitting here. The atmosphere was tense and uncomfortable; I could already feel the cowardly side of me kicking in. Reid met my gaze from across, and his expression changed when he noticed how uncomfortable and scared I was sitting in here.

His face hardened, and suddenly the smiley and shy Reid I thought I knew was replaced with someone I couldn't recognize.

“You all knew about the condition of my dad. His health kept deteriorating every passing day, but you all did nothing to help with it apart from planning on how you're going to plan a coronation to reinstate me as the new alpha when he finally passes away.” He slammed his hands on the table, and everyone flinched. His eyes were empty and stern as he spoke. It was at that moment I knew that he did live up to his reputation as the ruthless Alpha heir. I had been deceived by the mask he had on around me.

“And now that I finally found someone that has done something to make my dad feel better for once after countless years, y'all start to raise issues about the healer…  She’s willing to help, but what are you all willing to do? Work against the solution I bring?”

“We're not against you; we just find it strange that you would so easily trust a random person who just came into our pack, after being chased and almost killed by rouges. Then next thing, you're giving her the position of the pack's healer. What if all of this is a plan? She's from an unknown place and was probably sent to spy on our pack.” Elder Elma spoke up.

“Our pack is well known for its tight security and smooth political development. Our pack is the best among all the packs out there, and that's because we don't take matters concerning our pack's safety lightly. She's a stranger, and she should be monitored closely before you entrust her with such a position or allow her to walk freely…” Beta Mason said.

Reid stood up, his face cold and expressionless as he walked towards me and stood beside me. I looked down and stared at my fingers.

“My decision is final; if anyone has a problem with it, you might as well just leave this room now!” He thundered out. The room was silent for a painfully long time.

“Good, if any of you tries to get in the way of my decision later in the future, be ready to let go of whatever position you hold, even if you're the beta.” He said that last part and stared at Beta Mason, who clenched his jaw. 

Reid, satisfied at their silent submission, grabbed my hand and pulled me after him, the doors closing behind us.

“I'm sorry you had to see that. I had spoken to them about it before bringing you in, and they were fine with it. I don't know why they were suddenly against you.” He said as his face softened. I refused to be fooled, especially now that I knew he could switch up as he wished. I slowly slipped my hand away from his grip, not daring to be as bold as I was before.

“Why?” I suddenly asked, looking down at my feet before raising my head to look him straight in the eye.

“Why did you disagree with over 7 people who hold important positions in the pack because of a stranger you saved? Surely you can't be that indebted to me for helping your dad a little because you did also help me…” I trailed off as the realization hit me. My eyes widened, and I immediately took a step back.

It can't be…