The living room was in utter chaos, with broken glass shards scattered everywhere, the wrecked car emitting billows of black smoke, and toppled furniture strewn around. It was amidst this turmoil that the human girl extended a friendly hand to the apologetic Grand Elder. The live-streaming ball captured this moment and the ensuing heart-pounding conversation, etching it into the immortal song of The BlueMoon Pack.
Her hands, bearing scars and blood from the searing flames of the raging wolves, hung in mid-air as Alisa softly said, “Forgive me. You are a true sage, and you deserve the utmost respect.”
The Grand Elder slowly straightened his posture, suddenly appearing a bit older, and his eyes grew soft and hazy. “Thank you. You’re a good child.”
Marvin sneered sarcastically, “Alisa is quite the actress!”
“Shut up, you jerk!” The Grand Elder reached out and flicked Marvin’s forehead.
The force of the blow, stemming from his rank, was no small matter, and Marvin let out a subdued cry of pain.
The Grand Elder looked compassionately at everyone present. “I’d like to ask all of you, what were the powerful werewolves, capable of stopping this spectacle, doing when this girl was suffering between the jaws of the Gray Wolf, being shaken mercilessly? When the Gray Wolf lost control and tossed the girl into the blazing fire, why did everyone watch without intervening?”
One werewolf, discontented, tried to argue, “She’s a human!”
“Yes!” The Grand Elder even stomped his foot. “Hypocritical wolves! Maggie is right! Arrogant and indifferent wolves! Enjoying the conveniences of being in human form, yet looking down upon humans with arrogance! We’ve evolved over countless days and nights, transforming from mindless beasts that only howled at the moon into werewolves capable of assuming human forms, guided and gifted by the Moon Goddess to possess abilities beyond humans. But this doesn’t make us superior!”
The Grand Elder shook his head mournfully. “I can guarantee that even if today’s victim weren’t a human girl but any one of our own, not a single werewolf would have stepped forward to break the cycle. We’ve reached this point in our society’s development, with abilities and technologies beyond imagination, yet primitive thoughts remain deeply embedded. When the male host made those unimaginable derogatory remarks, not a single werewolf stood up to defend the right perspective. They let the sharp knives of words wound, and right thinking was suppressed by ignorance. This situation makes me feel more helpless than the rivers of blood in ancient battles.”
A hush fell over the room.
“Our community has advanced to this point, but the wrong words of the majority are now threatening to devour the glimmer of clarity that Aldrich has chosen. The wolves accompanying him can’t distinguish right from wrong. Whether indirectly or directly, they’re perpetrating evil, pushing our wolf clan toward the abyss of corruption and destruction. How tragic this is! Wolf cubs, awaken and preserve your thoughts, maintain the ability to think independently, and make the right choices!”
The Grand Elder was so impassioned that he choked up. Maggie gazed at the venerable elder with deep admiration and expressed her gratitude, saying, “Thank you. I thought this would be a tough battle, and I had to face these storms.”
“Good child, come here, let me feel your presence again.” The Grand Elder reached out to Maggie, with Aldrich accompanying her.
The Grand Elder lightly inhaled Maggie’s scent, for a long moment, his eyes filled with excitement as he looked at Maggie. “It was my oversight… Thank you, Moon Goddess.”
“Silver Wolf, come! Quickly!” The Grand Elder urged Aldrich to extend his hand.
He placed Aldrich’s hand on Maggie’s, holding them tightly. His eyes shone brightly. “Good child, you are the hope of the future…”
The male host spoke bitterly, “Unless Mr. Barret withdraws from the election, never becoming the king of The BlueMoon Pack, Maggie Nelson’s status is far from deserving the respect and allegiance of us werewolves.”
The Grand Elder shook his head mournfully but then smiled. His voice carried a tinge of melancholy. “No, Maggie is no ordinary person… Live-streaming ball, please convey my wishes to every member of The BlueMoon Pack. I declare, in my capacity as the highest elder of The BlueMoon Pack, that Maggie Nelson is allowed to become a member of the Elder Council. She shall enjoy all the respect and privileges of the council. In times of need, all the elders must stand by Maggie Nelson to protect her interests and well-being.”
The ancient bloodline possessed mystical power, and the Grand Elder’s oath spread from Barret Barrett Manor to the surrounding area. It reached the consciousness of the dispersed elders of The BlueMoon Pack in different locations. There was no hesitation, no room for objection or refusal. The elders promptly adjusted their stances, standing devoutly in place, attentively receiving this directive.
Maggie couldn’t believe that the Grand Elder had generously bestowed upon her a new identity. “Me? Join the Elder Council… Are you really willing to let me join the Elder Council?”
The Grand Elder seemed even more aged. He turned his face away and coughed softly, then patted Maggie’s hand. “Good child, I understand your difficulties.”
“Do you know…” Maggie felt that this wise and long-lived elder might have some insight into her identity.
She gazed at the Grand Elder with excitement, and if there weren’t so many werewolves around, still part of the live broadcast, she would have started questioning her own origins!
“You have suffered, but you are a strong child with limitless potential. I am grateful that you chose Aldrich Barret; it is our pride as The BlueMoon Pack.”
“I wonder if I could have a chance to speak with you privately…”
“No hurry. In five days, there will be a ceremony where you officially join the Elder Council of The BlueMoon Pack. At that time, I will have a proper conversation with you.”
Aldrich sensed the Grand Elder’s weariness and thanked him, saying, “Thank you, Grand Elder, for the surprise today.”
“You are a good child as well, but, Aldrich, you’re not firm enough.”
Aldrich was momentarily taken aback. Indeed, nothing could escape the Grand Elder’s discerning eyes.
Before rescuing Alisa, he did have his doubts, with the Silver Wolf roaring within his body, urging him not to save this troublesome woman. He also had personal concerns; would things be easier between him and Maggie without Alisa? His hesitation led to his body being scorched. Luckily, he hadn’t made a fatal mistake.
However, when the Grand Elder earnestly questioned the werewolves present, his leadership was instantly overshadowed by the Grand Elder’s selflessness and integrity. Aldrich felt humbled.
In that moment, he resolved to become a leader like the Grand Elder.
The Grand Elder turned to the male host, “As for you, young man, before being a host and spreading ideas, you need to cleanse your own thoughts.”
The male host’s face stiffened as he realized that his hosting career had been completely severed by the Grand Elder’s admonition.
The werewolves respectfully escorted the Grand Elder’s team to the entrance of Barret Barrett Manor. The Grand Elder waved warmly to Maggie and Aldrich, saying they’d meet again in five days.
The long convoy drove away down the wide road, getting farther and farther, but neither Maggie nor Aldrich could have foreseen that this would be their last meeting with the Grand Elder.
The conversation five days later became a regrettable promise that could never be fulfilled.