Barret Barrett Manor could finally relax. Thick black smoke billowed from the shattered living room door, blending into the darkening sky. Servants, dressed in protective gear, worked diligently to clean up the scene.
In the center of the area, Thomas was directing the servants with care. He turned to Aldrich and Maggie after the Grand Elder’s departure. “Sir, ma’am, would you be interested in redesigning and renovating the mansion? It could be a fascinating project.”
Aldrich nodded, “If it weren’t for all the current distractions, this process would be delightful.”
“Several floor plans will be placed on your table soon, so it won’t be too troublesome.”
“Thank you, Thomas.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
Maggie let go of Aldrich’s hand. “Where’s Alisa? How is she?”
“In the annex, and the doctor has arrived.”
“I need to be with Alisa.”
“Over the next few days, both you and sir will reside in the annex. The werewolf renovation team is highly efficient, so it won’t take long.”
Thomas hadn’t finished his sentence when Maggie had already walked quite a distance, but Aldrich stayed in place.
“Ma’am has a heart that values family,” Thomas observed.
This hit exactly what Aldrich cared about. Aldrich looked at Thomas. “Does wisdom come with age?”
Thomas chuckled and shrugged. “Not everyone can reach the level of wisdom of the Grand Elder, but at least in terms of clarity and understanding, one might excel.”
“Thank you, my friend.”
Thomas patted Aldrich’s shoulder fondly. “There is still spare ointment in the study. Already, one of the gray wolves is in there, treating his injuries.”
“Gray wolves’ ailments are not something ordinary ointment can cure.”
Pain and injuries of body organs could be treated and improved with medication. But recklessness, brainlessness, and foolishness were ailments that no medicine could cure; otherwise, the world would not have so many absurdities and oddities.
On the tranquil path, a few leaves drifted by, and Aldrich walked alone. The bright streetlights cast his shadow, lengthening it. He didn’t particularly like the brightness of these lights. The warm ground lights installed on the lawn had been removed, and the newly installed streetlights were bright to accommodate Maggie. Aldrich realized, a bit sluggishly, that Maggie’s presence was everywhere in his life.
The door to the study opened, and Aldrich immediately detected another werewolf’s scent – it was Marvin. Passing through rows of tall bookshelves filled with records, books on various aspects of human life, historical texts about the evolution of werewolves, a narrow space filled with legendary tales and mythical stories, Aldrich saw Marvin licking his wounds.
Subtle light shone through stained glass windows, illuminating the naked figure of the handsome man, tending to the tiny blood energy bead on his arm. When he looked up for a brief moment, their two similar faces overlapped slightly.
Aldrich squeezed into the space beside Marvin on the windowsill and found a spot to sit down. “Seeing a face with my own features displaying such vulnerability, confusion, and regret, I wonder what our father would think.”
Marvin released his injured arm. “Naturally, it’s a badge of honor for you, and between us, it’s almost become a rule.”
“Marvin, you’re truly terrible.”
“You can choose to stand, so we won’t be crowded.”
“But you’re still my brother.”
Marvin hesitated and withdrew his hand, which he had wanted to push Aldrich away with. “In the name of brothers, are you here to reprimand the gray wolf that caused trouble today?”
“You successfully broke into my study.”
Marvin stared at Aldrich, who showed no emotional change on his face.
Sadly, although they grew up in the same womb, shared the same blood, they didn’t understand each other or have much unspoken understanding.
Marvin chose to be honest. “I entered through the window.”
Aldrich was a bit surprised and raised an eyebrow. “The door code at the study’s entrance has never changed.”
“The door code we used when we shared the study as kids?”
“Yes, this door has always been open to you.”
“You never told me. And you always remained calm, confident in everything, busy with power and politics.”
“Because the Barret family rests on my shoulders.”
“But from my perspective, it’s a form of disdain and indifference.”
“You’ve also refused to communicate with me, haven’t you?”
“Silver wolves aren’t easy to get along with, and they can pose a danger to one’s life.”
Aldrich rubbed his forehead. He realized that treating Marvin gently was truly challenging. He stood up from the crowded windowsill and faced Marvin directly. “Not as brothers, we’re already eternally bound as brothers. And not to reprimand you, you’re already an adult wolf. I just want to understand how all this happened.”
Marvin crossed his arms. “Alisa is crazy, do you believe that?”
“Of course.”
Aldrich raised an eyebrow. He had a deep understanding of Alisa’s craziness and the challenge of dealing with it.
“This shared understanding should make it easier for us to communicate.”
“You have a strong aversion to her.”
“Perhaps she’s the enemy chosen by the Moon Goddess for me!”
“Why were you in her car?”
Marvin recalled everything and still felt angry. “Perhaps you should explain why you let Grace leave!”
Aldrich felt a profound sense of helplessness. He was grateful that Grace and he understood that much malice was groundless. The entire interview would be live-streamed, and the thoughts and speech of the werewolves couldn’t be predicted or controlled. Eliminating all unfavorable factors was the best plan before proper preparation. Grace not appearing was the optimal solution.
A burning pain surged in his back. Aldrich leaned against the bookshelf with his body slightly angled, supporting himself with the intact part of his skin behind his shoulder to relieve the heavy load on his body and relax a bit.
He steered the conversation back to its concerned track. “Grace must have exited through the dense woods behind the garden, taking a detour. My guess is that when you went after Grace, she managed to elude you, but you encountered Alisa driving back.”
“Yes, Grace shook me off again. She comes and goes like a gust of wind, leaving without a trace or a word of explanation. I can’t hold onto her…” Marvin’s tone was somewhat low and sorrowful.
“Marvin, please focus on that damned Alisa!” Aldrich snapped.
“Alisa! Yes, she mocked me, saying I didn’t deserve Grace’s love, cursed that I’d never catch up to your pace, let alone become you! Her car returned to Barrett Manor, and the servants couldn’t stop her. I smashed the car window, jumped inside, and fought with her over the steering wheel. The car went out of control and crashed into the interview event…”
“But your gray wolf tormented Alisa, wanting to kill and devour her!”
“I swear, I really wanted to devour that detestable woman!”
“But that was at the interview event! I’ve warned you repeatedly in my mind, but your madness is on par with Alisa’s!”
An angry Marvin blurted out, “It’s all because of you!”
“Me?”
“Aldrich, if you were smart enough, you shouldn’t have given Alisa any leverage!”