The Grand Elder’s residence was quite far from the Blue Moon Pack’s castle, making him seem more like a reclusive sage. He refused to interact with or communicate with any authorities or those in power. Sometimes, when Aldrich wanted to find the Grand Elder, it wasn’t guaranteed that he would find him immediately.
Grace had once been personally trained by the Grand Elder, so she had a closer relationship with him, and the Grand Elder didn’t need to be on guard around her. This matter was known only to Aldrich and the previous alpha of the Blue Moon Pack, Elwin. Even Marvin was unaware.
“How did you find out?” Grace asked in her usual calm and composed tone. Her strength lay in her inherent alpha authority, which usually instilled fear in others. Therefore, no matter how tense the situation, she always remained composed. However, the man before her was a master manipulator, and her authority didn’t affect him.
Ethan held the chain of her collar around her neck and replied nonchalantly, “I have excellent intelligence operatives. With just a few clicks of their fingers, they can find out everything about you. I know where you were born on which hill, who raised you, and who your childhood playmates were, I know it all.” He playfully added, “Is my little puppy finally getting curious about who I am?”
Grace chose to ignore him. Ethan wasn’t bothered by her. He admired everything about this woman. Her struggle to suppress her natural instincts for blood, her stubbornness, and her determination, it all reminded him of a bat he used to keep when he was young. That bat never let him get close, always emitting sharp screeches when he tried to touch it. Eventually, it starved itself to death. He wondered if Grace would be the same.
Clearly, just a lowly beast, but it had developed a will to resist the world. The rose was more enjoyable when it had thorns. He took pleasure in tormenting others, especially a beautiful and icy woman like Grace.
Although Grace tried to delay their arrival, Ethan wasn’t inclined to oblige her. They arrived at the Grand Elder’s residence just before the council meeting.
“Say hello in your own way, Grace,” Ethan gestured for her to knock on the door. “If you dare to play tricks or attempt to escape, I believe I’ve already told you the consequences.”
Grace coolly retorted, “You don’t need to remind me. I know what to do.”
She knocked on the Grand Elder’s door, and soon, an elderly man who exuded wisdom came to answer it.
“Grace?” he said in surprise. “You’re here. Why didn’t I see you at the previous gathering?”
Grace looked apologetic. “This matter is rather complicated.”
“Did you come alone?”
“There’s me,” Ethan’s annoying voice chimed in. He slowly emerged from the cover of the surrounding trees. “Grand Elder, long time no see.”
Ethan’s infamous reputation had already spread, and this included stories of his debauchery, cruelty, and ruthlessness. The Grand Elder had also heard of it, and his face showed clear disgust. “Ethan, it’s you.”
“Of course, it’s me,” Ethan said, his smile only reaching his lips and not his eyes. “You don’t seem too thrilled. Are you hoping for someone else, perhaps Aldrich?”
The Grand Elder did not mince words, “I do not welcome sudden visitors here. I’m only letting you stay because of Grace, but that doesn’t mean you had a valid reason to intrude.”
“Why be so inhospitable?” Ethan wore his smile and mockingly asked, “I’ve come to seek your assistance.”
“I can’t help you with your business, now, leave immediately,” the Grand Elder said, his eyes radiating undeniable authority. But Grace remained silent, keeping her head lowered. She stood there, unable to meet the eyes of her master, who had held high expectations for her from a young age and was now gazing at her with a profoundly disappointed look.
However, tonight, Ethan was relentless in his pursuit. He no longer maintained that false and repugnant smile. “Is it because I’m a powerless prince of the Bourne family that you’re so inhospitable?”
“No one cares about your status. I look down on you because of the things you’ve done. Elections are meant to select outstanding leaders, not petty individuals who use underhanded methods to disrupt the normal process behind the scenes. Don’t think I’m unaware of what you’ve done.”
Ethan chuckled, “It doesn’t matter what you say. But I need you to do something. At the council meeting next Monday, you must declare that Aldrich’s mate isn’t Maggie. You have to tell everyone that the Moon Goddess won’t bless him with a luna because he is cruel and brutal, and the Moon Goddess has forsaken him.”
The Grand Elder’s expression remained unchanged, devoid of anger or astonishment. He simply looked at Ethan coldly. “I won’t do anything at your request. First, you don’t have the authority. Second, Aldrich isn’t the cruel and brutal ruler you describe. He will lead the northern werewolves to prosperity and peace.”
Ethan, despite being younger and less experienced, was a cunning leader. He was a formidable conspirator, to say the least. “What makes you so sure Aldrich will be a just ruler?” Ethan gently prodded, although the man before him was older and had far more experience. He didn’t show any sign of respect. “His Silver Wolf has always been uncontrollable, hasn’t it? His Silver Wolf isn’t controlled by anyone, not even by himself. The Silver Wolf represents the purest power, impossible to manipulate with reason. Tell me, how many times has he lost control due to the uncontrollable power within him? How many times has he unleashed his claws on those closest to him?”
The Grand Elder’s face darkened.
Ethan wasn’t a suitable leader, but he was undoubtedly a proficient schemer, if not formidable. “It’s different now. He has found Maggie, and the power of their union allows him to control the Silver Wolf.”
“Hah,” Ethan sneered. “I don’t know how he overcame that terrifying instinct of the Silver Wolf, but who knows if the Silver Wolf might lose control again someday. I’m doing this for Maggie’s sake. She’s just an ordinary human. Why should she have to wade into this mess? Why can’t she live peacefully in her own world?”
“How can someone as self-centered as you understand the power that love brings to a person?”
Ethan struck a nerve. “I don’t understand love?”
“If you did, would you have brought her to see me like this? Turning her into a true beast, stripping her of her freedom, controlling her thoughts. You want an obedient slave, a pet that can please you at any moment, so you’ve transformed Grace into this. If you can’t respect the value of others’ existence, can you understand love? You can’t.”
“You’re just a beast driven by desire as well.”