Matilda's POV:
My father only wore his robe on very urgent and solemn occasions. As a Beta, in addition to training, I had to participate in the management of the pack too, and I was very sure that nothing had happened recently that required my father to wear a robe.
I heard the loud noise of the door being pushed open, but the faces of the elders outside the door were extremely solemn. God, what on earth happened to the damn world this morning?
I couldn't stand being tortured by curiosity any longer. I stood up and wanted to go over there and find out. I could accept that this place would explode tomorrow or that I would eat weird sausages for the rest of my life, as long as I didn't torture my mind this way anymore.
But Gray pulled me back, his brown eyes showing disapproval. "You probably shouldn't be interrupting the Alpha's meeting right now, should you?"
I was stunned. Gray had never objected to my opinion. He would tactfully bring it up even if he had a different opinion. After all, I was a hot-tempered person. Although my father had tried his best to suppress my fiery temper when he taught me how to manage the pack, I didn't have a great personality. Gray had never felt that way. Instead, he knew very well how to communicate with me and make me listen to his opinions.
Gray might know something. He was about to take over his father's position this year, so he knew many things that I didn't know. If he spoke up to dissuade me, this was not that simple, which meant I should find out what it was all about.
Not only to satisfy my curiosity but also for the responsibility on my shoulders. Of course, there was also a little bit of curiosity about what was behind the door. But only a little bit.
The bloody scene from earlier appeared in my mind. Gray gently held my hand, and I looked at him firmly. "I want to go and take a look."
Gray continued holding onto me tightly, trying hard to make me give up on participating in that meeting. I struggled for a while before Gray finally let go.
"I'll go and take a look. I'll be back soon." I jogged two steps ahead, wanting to join them before they all entered. I turned around to look at Gray. He didn't move. He stood in place, his eyes seemingly deep in thought.
This was the first time in our long-run relationship that we had an unpleasant disagreement. However, I believed that Gray would understand my decision.
"Good morning, Alpha Albert." I squeezed through the crowd to find my father. I put my arm around his shoulder and greeted him.
He wasn't surprised. He calmly kissed me on the cheek. Other than my deceased mother, who else knew me better than him? He was sure I would follow and didn't mind my attending the meeting.
I was disappointed to enter the long-sealed conference room. It was no different from any other conference room except for the mirror on the wall, so I couldn't understand why the room was sealed before.
I looked at the mirror that hung high behind my father's seat. It was a very old-fashioned mirror, surrounded by jagged lines depicting things I couldn't understand. I felt a familiar chill, visions from this morning began to appear in the mirror, but this time, they were more detailed. I also saw my father lying in blood with his eyes open. He didn't put down the weapon in his hand until he died.
I wanted to tell my father everything I saw but didn't understand it. Was there going to be a great war for our pack in the future? If I said this out loud, I might be seen as a lunatic.
"What are you looking at?" My father's question interrupted my thoughts. I reacted, shook my head, and found a chair to sit down on.
The elders around me all looked at me strangely. I hoped someone would stand up and tell me that my mouth hadn't been wiped clean or anything that would normally make me feel awkward. It was better than sitting here!
"I believe everyone already knows why we're here." My father coughed heavily and looked at me.
The sudden gaze made me shudder. What exactly happened to make everyone look at me like that?
My stomach, which was already uncomfortable earlier, started to twitch and ache. I tried to ignore it.
No one spoke. The meeting room was quieter than when my father announced I would be a Beta. I even hated that my father was always hiding when he spoke.
"We'll have guests tomorrow morning."
I stared into my father's eyes, trying to find some good news that I was looking forward to. However, there was nothing.
"Who are the guests?" From their serious attitude, I could tell these guests had quite a background.
My father was silent for a long time, so long that I thought he wouldn't tell me.
"The Valet Pack is coming. Their Alpha is coming to visit us."
This visit didn't sound like a good thing. Otherwise, the atmosphere wouldn't be so heavy.
"Their Alpha?" I repeated subconsciously.