Chapter 8 Meeting The Alphas

I FINALLY ARRIVED.

The summit, where the alphas gathered, looked--

--like a peak.

In fact, there was nothing special about the place. Aside from the mountain being the highest point in this area, nothing else stood out.

And, of course, the snow. Let us not forget to mention the snow that covers the mountain's summit.

You're probably wondering how I managed to find this place.

For starters, Jug pointed me in the right direction. The second reason was that there was a massive metal gate at the bottom of the mountain. The words 'Moon Pack' were written on the top of this metal gate. If I haven't already mentioned it, the elders' group was called Moon Pack.

And on either side of the gate stood two tall men in armour, staring straight ahead with cold faces and lances in their hands.

Gatekeepers, I presume.

I don't know if they have seen me yet. They're good at acting like stones, though.

Alright. It's time to get down to business. I have been looking forward to seeing the elders, to see how they look and how much attitude they have. They also mentioned an emergency. I'm curious about what kind of situation they were in to have the strongest packs gather at the summit for the second time this year.

However, before I could get close to the gatekeepers, someone beat me to it.

Two extravagant carriages came to a halt in front of the gatekeepers, and five muscular men stepped down, followed by a woman who appeared to be the strongest.

My eyes couldn't help but widen in surprise.

Why was I getting alpha vibes from this woman?

"Greetings, Alpha Lila," said the gatekeepers. Their eyes twinkled with excitement.

I sighed, what an obvious way of showing favouritism.

Staying in this world has caused me to question my own beauty several times. Isn't I attractive enough to make them turn their heads and salivate? I was ignored, despite being only a metre away from them! The nerves!

They became excited, however, when they saw this particular woman, who was not appealing to the eye. Who appears average. A brunette with a pair of eyes, lips, a nose, and ears.

But I must say, her strength rivalled that of an alpha. Maybe that's why my beauty was overlooked.

Poor me, then.

Who told me to look weak?

"I hope today's summit isn't for nought," the woman said, frowning as if her time were more valuable than the black pearls.

"The elders would never compromise your time, Alpha Lila," one of the gatekeepers said, smiling fawningly. "They would never let you go through the trouble of travelling if it was not important."

The woman grumbled. "I hope so," she replied, "Is Severino coming as well?"

"The elders called out the alpha of the strongest packs. So Alpha Severino is bound to arrive."

"All right," the woman said. "I haven't seen him in a long time. I'm hoping he'll reconsider this time."

"You are a beauty who has attracted the heart of men. Alpha Severino was just brooding about your proposal because he has a pack to reconsider. I am pretty sure he wants to be your man, as well."

"Do you think so?" the woman asked, unable to hide the growing smile on her face.

"I do, Alpha Lila. In fact, everyone does think so."

Did I hear it correctly?

She sounded saccharine when she said the name, Severino. It sounded so sweet and coquettish that I almost puked.

She's good.

In my opinion, a woman as the alpha is desirable. But if she was one who kept thinking about men, the small positive impression I had of her had vanished. Gone like an overheated bubble.

When I thought they would continue to ignore my insignificant existence, the woman looked at me. She looked at me from head to toe and back to the head as if I were a toad on a road.

"And who could this lady be?" she wondered. Her tone was haughty.

I instantly gave out my best gentle and amiable smile as I answered, "I am Alinta from the Dark Region Pack. I heard Alpha Drake mention me multiple times during the summit over the past three years. I came here as his representative."

She gave me another look from head to toe. "Indeed," she said, raising her brow. "Alpha Drake mentioned you occasionally. A red-headed simpleton who refused to take multiple mates because she only wants one. How foolish of you."

I thought she would ask me to prove my identity. I didn't expect her to hurl insults instead. And what a surprise (or not) to hear the polar opposite of what Alpha Drake told me.

Before I left, that good alpha informed me that he had informed the elders and alphas of my mightiness.

So I was a foolish woman for refusing to accept several men as mates.

Hmmm...

Alright.

Let's just ignore it because different creatures in this world have different norms. It's not the first time I've been chastised for having different opinions than theirs, anyway. Foolish is not the only word I was called, as well.

Selfish?

Stupid?

Useless?

I forgot the others. It's too many to remember.

"Oh, yes that's me," I answered, not removing the intensity of my good smile.

She must have grown tired of looking at me because she ignored my presence once more.

Lila and her tails of men dashed inside the mountain. How rude. She didn't even offer to get inside together.

When I was about to follow, the gatekeepers raised their lances.

"I am a representative of the Dark Region Pack," I explained, still smiling. To be honest, I'm getting tired of it. However, patience is a virtue. I must not let others get the best of me.

Killing is illegal. Murder is killing. Killing is wrong.

I repeated those words in my head, terrified that I would suddenly do something unthinkable.

---

AFTER SHOWING MY identification jade, which I have gotten from Alpha Drake, the gatekeepers finally let me in. Good decision, though. My patience was running out. I'm afraid I might bury them alive, resulting in their deaths.

Again, killing is a joke I couldn't afford.

Once inside, another poker-faced man greeted me. He wore armour and held a lance. My eyes had not had time to explore the beauty of the inside of a mountain turned into a hideout when he spoke, "Please follow me."

Without bothering whether I cared or not to follow him, he left.

I clicked my tongue. But I followed him, nonetheless.

As we passed by, I noticed several rooms oozing a dark aura. There was also a pungent smell coming from it.

"If I may inquire," I started. "What are these rooms for?"

The man gave me a sideways glance. He didn't answer my question, and we only continued walking to wherever. But a minute later, he said, "The elders called the alphas of the strongest packs for a reason. The realm is starting to get restless, and a plague is disturbing our peace. You will soon understand once the assembly begins."

I nodded.

A curse.

Interesting.

A curse was plaguing the werewolf realm.

What kind of sins these werewolves committed for them to have such a potent curse?

The smell of blood and death. And the ear-piercing screams of malignant spirits. Even I, a witch who had seen a lot, felt a chill on my skin. Our grandma once told us about a terrifying curse that could lead to doom.

I hope this wasn't it.

Alright. I'll be honest. I hope this curse was similar to grandma's story. What can I say? There was evil within me. I couldn't help it.

"We're here," he said, opening a door for me to enter.

I smiled at him, my way of showing gratitude. Then, as soon as I stepped inside the room, a heavy atmosphere greeted me. Inside, three alphas were seated at a round table, including the woman earlier. There were no other people beside them.

"Women, oh, women!" said a man sarcastically while shaking his head. Then, he chuckled, rested his chin on his palm, eyes focused on Lila, and added, "Sev has a high expectation when looking for a luna. You might be the alpha of a pack, but you're weak. You only became part of the strongest because you are the daughter of Elder Tyro. You're nothing but a spoiled girl."

The man had blond hair and was wearing a black coat. He wore a grin that looked insulting. He also spoke playfully.

"Shut up!" Lila shouted, her face red from anger.

It's only been several minutes since we'd parted, yet the woman was already in a heated argument. I quietly sat as I watched them with interest.

"Representative of the Dark Region, right?" a man wearing a tight shirt said. He was seated just two seats away from me.

He appeared lazy with his rustled brown hair and bored-looking eyes. But his skin was so white I was almost dazzled. Among the three of them, he seemed to be the strongest.

"I am," I replied politely. "My name's Alinta if you haven't heard of it yet."

He nodded and said, "Luke."

With one final look at me, he went to play with a dagger resting on his left hand. He didn't even bother watching the show.

"Why? You are unable to accept the truth, are you not?" the other man said, shrugging his shoulders. "Tsk. If not for you being the only daughter conceived by the elders, what kind of position do you think you would have?" Then, he spread his arms as he continued, "The alphas would spare you no glance, and no one would tolerate your behaviour. In short, you are nothing!"

My mouth couldn't help but be shaped into an 'oh' as I heard the woman's origin.

So, she was a daughter of an elder. No wonder she developed such an arrogant personality. But I admit, though. She deserved to be the alpha of a pack. However, it must have something to do with her bloodline. The ancestors, known as the most powerful beings in the Werewolf Realm, were the elders. It was not surprising for them to conceive a strong child, whether a girl or a boy.

"You, shut up! Shut up! I am strong! I deserve to become an alpha. It has nothing to do with my blood!" Lila shouted like crazy. She was trembling, and her fingers were taut.

Suddenly, the heavy atmosphere inside the room became heavier. Lila's eyes were turning crescents, and fangs began protruding inside her mouth. She growled and snarled. And when I thought I would finally see a woman shifting into a werewolf for the first time, an angry voice from an elder interrupted it.