Mr Collins was first to enter and there was some discussion going on inside that suddenly stopped on hearing the door open without a knock. The elders were all alerted, and the tension inside the room was undoubtedly heavy.
Madilyn Hooper, the eldest of them, all glared at Mr Collins before speaking in her shrill and shaky voice, "Henry, you should warn us before you bring them in."
Mr Collins shrugged, "We called for them in the first place."
The heavily bearded elder spoke, "We might be discussing something important. The kids are not to get involved in it."
Channing's father dismissed it with a wave of his hand, "They are here now."
There were hard glares passed to Mr Collins, and I now understood why he did not get along with the rest of them. There was a certain amount of annoyance that passed through the rest of the elders. I decided not to pay heed to the heat and rather focus on what we had come here for.
Mr Collins took a seat at the extreme left as usual and my eyes turned to the seat that was in front of him where Axel Evertt sat and he passed me a warm smile.
"Beta Selene," Mr Hunter spoke through his heavy beard, "What are the rumours going around?"
I bowed my head and Channing was about to speak but my voice overpowered his, "People are blaming Waterwoods for it and someone spread a rumour about me involving me carrying an ill-omen for this village."
Madilyn Hooper's brows twitched as she spoke, "The masses usually tell the truth, but I must say that this time the influence of the previous Beta's actions is probably being carried forward in the people." Her eyes slowly shifted to her left, where Chris Walter sat. Mr Hunter had a sneer on his moustached lips as he looked at John's father while Madilyn Hooper held a passive expression while talking to him, "we need some crisis control or things will always be this way for the coming Betas."
Mr Walter nodded his head, "why don't we assign the case to the current Beta, instead of Channing, so she could prove herself well." I saw the shameful look that passed through his eyes.
Of course, when both the kids turned out to be this venomous the father had to face people's gaze.
I quickly bowed at that statement, " I would happily lead the entire investigation. We already have some leads on the case."
Madilyn had a faint smile on her wrinkly face, "That is good to hear."
My eyes met with Channing's and there was a shimmer of guilt in them when he suddenly butted in to talk, "If I may, I have a request to make."
"Go ahead," said Madilyn.
Channing cleared his throat before speaking, "I want the police to be kept out of this case. Since it is truly a chance for Selene to prove herself as the Beta and shift the people's opinion, I do not want others being mingled into this." Channing did not dare to speak about how Jack has been one in doubt and neither did I, knowing very well that Mr Walter will face the shame of his second son as well and this soon for that matter. The case was yet to be solved.
"Very well, it would be more lovely if the Beta lead the investigation by herself," Madilyn spoke as she reached out for the glass of water on her table.
Axel Evertt finally decided to speak in the conversation, "I have great expectations from you, Selene."
"Thank you, Mr Evertt," I smiled, giving a slight bow to the man.
Mr Collins shifted in his chair that made a sudden screeching sound and all the eyes turned to him, "I am sure Selene is capable of this. She has proved herself to be worthy of this position and she will definitely prove worthy of our trust as well through this. After all, the matters are getting heated up in Waterwoods as well."
I did not understand the intention of why Mr Collins put me on the radar of the elders' trust, but I decided not to comment on it, and neither did Channing.
Madilyn, for the first time, smiled at Mr Collin's words, "Selene is sure to win our trust if she solves this case. That is the reason why we are handing it over to her." It was when I understood that the elders' were not exactly in my favour but they wanted to test me. Madilyn shifted her gaze to me, "else we already know Waterwoods might be the one who planned and executed this, they are simply trying to wage war."
I did not know what to say to that. I was literally put on the map by everyone now and with tomorrow's newsletter, the castle will find out about everything. For me, it was a make or break opportunity.
Mr Hunter scowled as his hand moved over his long beard repeatedly, "The Alpha of Waterwoods sure is cunning. He has forced everyone to be a part of the pack or leave the village. Even the elders there, are a part of it." Madilyn shook her head in agreement with what Mr Hunter said. "He is planning to outnumber us with everything and I believe these events are nothing but start for another war. It is lucky that Selene is trying to add and new members in our pack but Alpha Channing,"
Channing was quick to reply, "Yes, elder Beta."
Mr Hunter continued, "Since Selene will be focused on the case, I want you to focus on increasing our pack, carry out the training plan made by Selene well, and lure people in. We need members when a war is waged."
"I will do that," Channing bowed, and I looked at him in shock.. Every evidence we know was against what the elder just spoke, but Channing just went ahead with it.
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