Chapter 35
Behind Closed Doors
***
“What are you doing? Bring her back inside now…”
Hunter was about to get Leila out of the hall, when Elder Howard suddenly appeared in front of him.
He swallowed hard and walked back inside the hall.
“But she fainted…” He worriedly stated.
Elder Howard let out a deep sigh. It was as if he was trying to lengthen his patience for the both of them.
“Bobson will be here soon. I will call him. For now, we can’t let her out of here. So, stay with her and make sure to be discreet about it. I will ask Henry to be here instead of you. No one should know about this.” Elder Howard said in haste.
He pursed his lips together.
This time, his mind was slightly cleared as he realized that his grandfather was right.
It would be very dangerous for Leila to be discovered even for the members of the pack.
They must act discreetly.
He looked at Leila.
She looked so peaceful but her hands were cold, and she was already trembling.
This time, he couldn’t stop the worry that was lingering inside him.
He immediately carried her and put her in his lap for him to be able to hug her tightly and share his warmth with her.
It wasn’t an easy thing to do and it was not because Leila was heavy. It wasn’t the case. Leila had a small physique well, that was because he could easily carry her like this.
The thing was that his inner wolf was reacting to her.
Not to mention that they have that skin-to-skin reaction that he had to clench his jaw and maintain his sanity to control his inner wolf.
“Damn it!” He murmured under his breath.
And he almost let out a deep sigh when finally, his grandfather and Uncle Bob arrived.
“What happened? We can’t come here when she is still in the process of completing the challenge, right?” Uncle Bob inquired seriously.
It served as an inquiry for an order.
Elder Howard let out a deep breath.
“Just do it, Bobson. I will explain it to you later. For now, just treat her.” Elder Howard replied seriously.
Uncle Bob started checking Leila while she was in Hunter’s arms. The latter didn’t mind though. He simply wanted her to get well the soonest time possible.
“She just needs some rest. I will ask Henry about some medicinal herbs. Other than that, she is already fine. It looks like she had only gone into something tremendously physical and-”
Uncle Bob’s forehead creased as he looked at Hunter and then his father-in-law.
“Is she… Is she what I am thinking her to be?” Uncle Bob inquired all of a sudden.
Elder Howard let out a deep sigh as if that could explain everything already.
However, he knew that it wasn’t the case. He still needed to explain everything not only to Bobson but to everyone around.
And he knew that it wouldn’t be an easy thing to do.
Once the news was out to the public the entire pack could be in danger.
But then, Leila is already part of the pack and she, too, needed to be protected.
Besides, the elder seemed to have the feeling that something was going on between his grandson and Leila.
And it was something that shouldn’t be ignored.
Elder Howard nodded his head in agreement.
“Yes, Bobson. And we need to talk about it. She still has three days to complete her challenge. However, in just a day she had done it already.” Elder Howard explained profoundly.
Uncle Bob wasn’t shocked at all.
It seemed like he had assumed that it might happen already.
“Although there might be a slight possibility that we could be wrong and that she might really be faster than an average wolf because Hunter is the one who had done the ritual. We couldn’t be certain to anything not until we see her wolf form.” Elder Howard continued causing the two to look at each other meaningfully.
Well, it wasn’t a secret for their family about the special wolves that the moon goddess has blessed.
However, if that was the case, the Moon Howlers Pack could be in danger since the special wolves were the great target for every pack who wanted to be on top.
The greedy ones wanted to manipulate those who have the special abilities for their own gain.
“Are you thinking that this might be a case of a silver furred wolf, Dad?” Uncle Bob inquired curiously.
But then, Elder Howard shook his head.
“Like what I said, we can’t be certain. For now, let’s have a family meeting. And ask everyone to seal their lips. Even the members of the pack should not know about this. The lesser the people involve, the better.” Elder Howard stated before straightening his legs.
He looked at them seriously.
“I will see you at my study room, Bobson. Call Hector and Myrtle.” He ordered in a strict tone.
It seemed like the situation was just so serious that they should plan their every move.
Then, the old man looked at Hunter stoically.
“I have designated Henry to guard the hall. I told the sentinel wolves that you have an urgent order to be done. Make sure that no one would see you in and out of here. I have to talk to Hector and Myrtle about this.” Elder Howard critically notified him.
Hunter nodded his head as he pursed his lips together.
“We should make sure to let everyone believe that Leila almost failed the challenge. She must appear to be weak. If not, everyone would be curious about her.” Elder Howard explained seriously.
Hunter kept his silence.
“But would that trigger everyone’s curiosity more, Dad?” He inquired trying to throw possible queries.
Elder Howard slightly shook his head.
“That would raise some eyebrows, yes. But that situation could explain why Hunter was with her. He could act as her trainer and bodyguard at the same time. It wouldn’t raise any much suspicion since he was the one who granted the ritual.” The good elder explained intensely causing Hunter and Bobson to think that Elder Howard truly deserves his title as the elder of the pack.
“For now, let’s move secretly. Make sure that no one could see us coming out of here.” Elder Howard stated seriously before getting out of the hall.
Uncle Bobson, on the other hand, prepared Leila’s medicine first and waited for Henry’s signal before going out of the hall.
It seemed like Hunter had all the burden to guard Leila and make sure that she could make it… until three days have passed.
He must make sure that he would explain and execute the plan no matter what.