Valex looked at Odesse and was suddenly reminded of last night, when she had touched his face and whispered, "Master Valex, I love you." His mind returned to the present as he questioned, "Was she being sincere, or was she unaware because of what had happened to her?" He shook his head slightly, trying to dispel the thoughts. I need to stop thinking about that; I have other pressing matters to attend to.
Just then, he saw Odesse's arm resting on Eryx's shoulder. Valex tightened his fist and clenched his jaw. He took a deep breath and headed toward the palace.
---
Meanwhile, in a distant pack known as the Appex Pack, which was composed entirely of wolves of power and prestige, stood a significant building at its heart. In that building lived a man who controlled all wolves simply through his commands and words: the High Chief. His face had never been seen except by a few. Very few were allowed to enter the building. He wore a white mask and a flowing white robe, seated on an imposing throne with long silver hair cascading down.
As the Council of Elders sat before him, one elder spoke up, "High Chief, we received the news not long ago." The High Chief rested his elbow on the edge of his chair, propping his hand on his jaw. "What trouble is Valex causing now? Who did you say that girl was?"
An elderly woman responded, "Chief, she is not an ordinary girl. She is a wolf like us, but she is tainted—born of a male human and a female wolf. But you could say she is one of yours," she added with a smile. The Chief tilted his head, contemplating the implication. "One of mine?"
He then asked aloud, "Do you believe that what is happening at the Moonlight Palace is because of this Odesse girl?"
"Yes, Your Highness, but not by her—someone else is using shadow manipulation, which has been banned from Wolf Land," the woman explained.
"I am aware. My father was the one who banned it, and that was what caused the war," the Chief replied, glancing at the gathering of elders. One elder interjected, "Are you saying someone is breaking the law and drawing power from a sorcerer? That could spark a major outburst. Aren't they all dead?"
"It seems some are not," the Chief explained. An elder with a long white beard insisted, "We need to take action, Chief." But the old woman replied, "No, we do not. She can handle it—both of them can. Valex and Odesse's destinies are intertwined, whether they like it or not. However, they are not spliced, which complicates the situation."
The expression on the Chief's face remained unreadable due to the mask. He whispered, "Odesse..." Then he looked up, stood, and declared, "We will be going to the Moonlight Pack."
As the elders stood, one asked, "Chief, are you sure about this? You haven't stepped out in a long while."
"Why not now? I need to see what has happened there. If shadow manipulation was used, then they are definitely coming back because they have not taken her," the Chief asserted. The elders exchanged glances, and the Chief added, "I also need to see this Odesse girl."
---
At the Moonlight Pack, Valex was seated in his study, with Kael standing in front of him. "So, how are the people being relocated to the other borders?" Valex inquired.
"It's going well, Your Highness," Kael replied. Valex sighed and put his hand over his face. "Who on earth is responsible for this mess?"
Kael reassured him, "The chaos has settled, and the houses are gradually coming together." Just then, a knock is heard. Kael turns back, and Valex removes his hand from his face. Kael goes to open the door and sees a guard. He says, "Yes, what is it?" "Your Highness, the High Chief is here," the guard said, his voice trembling.
Valex's eyes widened in shock as he stood up. He walked downstairs with Kael and the guard following closely behind. Some servants were peeking to catch a glimpse of the High Chief, but were chased away by the guards.
Valex entered the parlour to find the High Chief seated elegantly in his sparkling white robe, his shiny silver hair contrasting with the white mask covering his face. The Council of Elders sat around him. Valex smiled, "High Chief, you did not inform me before coming."
He approached the High Chief, bowed, and then sat down on his throne. The High Chief replied, "I do not need an invitation, Valex. From what I've observed, your pack isn't very welcoming, is it?"
Valex frowned, forcing a smile, and retorted, "Did you come here to mock me, High Chief?"
The High Chief countered, "This isn't mockery, is it, Valex? Take a look at your pack—complete chaos."
Valex responded, "Is that all you came to say? You could have called me over."
"I came to see with my own eyes what those shadows have done to your pack," the High Chief stated.
Valex nodded, "You're aware?"
"Yes and what is happening to your pack is shadow manipulation," the High Chief confirmed.
Valex added, "A woman testified about it, but it was hard to believe. It has been decades since it was used, and sorcerers no longer exist. But who would they be looking for?"
The High Chief asked, "Valex, when did you start losing focus and an anchored mind? A king should not be asking all these questions."
Kael exchanged worried glances between the High Chief and Valex, thinking to himself, even the High Chief has noticed your rough edges, Your Highness and the conversation between him and the Chief is rather casual.
Valex said, "I cannot deny anything, but I am alright."
The high chief faced the old woman seated opposite him, then turned back to Valex. He cleared his throat and said, "I haven't come here just to see the current state of your pack. I could observe that from my own pack if I wished. I have come here for a specific reason: the girl named Odesse, the presumed human girl who bears your mark."