The collar was made of an indiscernible material, likely a blend of metals, but after many years, it still gleamed brightly, while the energy bead underneath presented itself in a crystalline state.
Beneath the Energy bead’s ornament, the suppressed runes were finally revealed – a piece of parchment about a third the size of a palm with a dark mass on it.
Maggie wanted to touch the parchment but was swiftly stopped by the astute Mrs. Jenkins, who deftly knocked Maggie’s hand away, making the parchment fall onto the soft carpet.
“These runes were specially designed to restrain werewolves. Though you have the protection of the Moon Goddess, it can be harmful to the babies in your womb. The purer the lineage and the stronger the energy of a werewolf, the more severe the enforced oppression,” Mrs. Jenkins explained.
Mrs. Jenkins’ words sent a shiver down Maggie’s arm, and the hairs on her arm stood on end. She gently caressed her pregnant belly. “Thank goodness, I almost let the babies get hurt.”
Mrs. Jenkins bent slightly, picked up the parchment hidden in the carpet’s fibers, and scrutinized it closely. She couldn’t help but be astonished.
It turned out that the dark mass on the parchment wasn’t a stain but an array of tightly packed and neatly arranged secret symbols.
The more Mrs. Jenkins looked at it, the more stunned she became. She turned the parchment over and examined it again. The words left her speechless.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Maggie asked, “Can these symbols be deciphered?”
“Maggie, can you first tell me who the owner of this collar is and what it was used to control?” Mrs. Jenkins inquired.
“It’s Peirene. She was a hybrid trapped in the Moonlit Forest. After I healed her with the Energy bead, she insisted on leaving the Moonlit Forest and eventually… slept eternally in the forest.”
“No wonder, the Moonlit Forest is inherently a forest of seclusion. The runes on this parchment are directed toward werewolves, while the reverse side is aimed at Lunaris vampires.”
After her exclamation, Mrs. Jenkins asked, “Do you know her age? I haven’t heard of Peirene.”
Maggie shook her head. “She appeared very youthful, moving gracefully like a deer in the mountains and remaining as still as an ink painting. She exuded an inherent aristocratic air.”
“Lunaris vampires can maintain their youth indefinitely due to their constitution.”
“But after I healed her with the Energy bead, she withered like a flower. The closer she got to the forest’s edge, the faster she aged and rapidly withered away.”
“She simply didn’t want to continue existing.”
“Peirene is full of mysteries. I carry a slight sense of guilt and haven’t used this Energy bead for practice. Before that, I want to see if I can help her find her wolf cubs.”
“Hybrids like her have a hard time surviving in the Northern Continent.”
“In a few days, I’ll officially join the Elder Council of The BlueMoon Pack. The Alpha is a very wise elder who has endured the ravages of time. I believe he may know something.”
“It’s very likely. These old guys have knowledge of many past events. But Maggie, are you really going to join the Elder Council?”
Maggie was a bit puzzled. “I can’t think of a reason to refuse. It will increase my standing within The BlueMoon Pack, and I won’t have to keep pretending to be a werewolf, which is exhausting.”
“Don’t forget, you are the daughter of the Moon Goddess and the next in line to be the Moon Goddess herself. Your choice is crucial. Joining The BlueMoon Pack’s Elder Council means you will provide lifelong protection to The BlueMoon Pack, and that’s an incredible blessing.”
“What’s not to like? The BlueMoon Pack is not like the FrostMoon Pack, which is cunning and savage. Under Aldrich’s leadership, they are principled, emotionally controlled, and united. They are worth protecting.”
Mrs. Jenkins nodded. “Good child, thank you for considering the reasons that matter most.”
“You mean, because of the babies?” Maggie paused briefly and then lowered her head. “Well, that’s also a part of it.”
“If Aldrich weren’t good enough, you wouldn’t choose to raise the children with him. It’s a cycle without a solution.”
The wall clock ticked on, moving slowly towards the Roman numeral five, and the bronze chime sounded. It was the alarm Maggie had set for herself, reminding her that Aldrich would be back soon.
Mrs. Jenkins noticed the clock. “Time always flies when I’m with you.”
“If your schedule allows, you can visit Barret Barrett Manor often. I haven’t shown you around that beautiful and majestic estate.”
“Of course, thank you for your kind invitation. But, Maggie, I’ll be going on a trip now. It’s expected to take over a month. I’ll visit you when I return.”
“Is your destination far?”
Mrs. Jenkins gently shook her head. It wasn’t a matter of distance but whether she could return alive.
She touched Maggie’s hair, like an affectionate elder comforting a younger person, imbuing her with an abundance of love, hope, and good wishes.
“When I return, I’ll catch up with your wolf cubs being born.”
“Of course.”
“At that time, the flowers in the flower shop will be in full bloom, and you’ll embark on a new chapter in life.”
When Mrs. Jenkins left, Maggie personally accompanied her to Barret Barrett Manor. The departing car quickly disappeared from sight behind the trees and winding road.
Elizabeth supported Maggie. “Madam, shall we go back?”
Maggie still stood in place, gazing into the distance. “Mrs. Jenkins is going on a journey, and she’ll be alone. I’m very worried about her.”
“Mr. Barret would be happy to ease your worries.”
“No, everyone has their own choices, and even excessive interference from close ones can be a burden. I just need to know that Mrs. Jenkins will come back, and that plants the seed of anticipation in my heart, waiting for that day to arrive.”
“Of course, Mrs. Jenkins is an elegant lady, and fate must favor her.”
“Elizabeth is an angel.”
Elizabeth blushed and smiled shyly. “Madam, would you like to take a stroll in the garden?”
“I want to wait here for Aldrich to return, so he’ll see me first.”
“An occasional romantic wait, perhaps? Let me keep you company while we wait for Mr. Barret’s return.”
At the edge of The BlueMoon Pack’s territory, there was a barren and sparse forest where hardly any humans ventured. Many animals found shelter in this region.
Savage wanderers here engaged in hunting with savage delight, their killer instincts ever rising. Once the Blood Moon arrived, they transformed into bloodthirsty beasts with no thought other than slaughter.
When Aldrich and his group arrived, the hunting was at its peak.
They stood on a relatively dense tree, watching the hunt with a mix of pity, analysis, and scrutiny.
Viscous blood, roaring, and wailing, the despair of life fading away…
Gradually, the weaker animals were nearly wiped out, and the forest was left with fierce wolves roaming everywhere, howling in search of prey. Without an outlet for their pent-up aggression, a wolf that had lost its sanity chose to show its claws to its own kind.
“What kind of hellish scene is this?” Marvin couldn’t help but want to take action.