It was Frank who came out to explain things to Soren.
"Soren," Frank let out, "they're here on Mr. Shilister's order. He asked me to deliver his words to you that they should be attended wisely. They can stay here as long as they intend, and he expects you to take good care of them and ensure Master Zale is on his best behaviour. He also mentioned that he was expecting you soon in his office."
Soren nodded in understanding but felt a little uneasy about going to meet him. He had always appreciated Mr. Shilister for letting another predator shifter into his pack against the elders who advised him to throw Soren away, even though that didn't change his impression of all the things he had done to Zale.
For Soren, Zale was his utmost priority. The only responsibility he had gladly taken on ever since meeting Zale. From the birth of Zale to this day, Soren had been taking care of him.
There wasn't a single day in Zale's life where Soren wasn't there for him. He was present in every battle and vulnerability, always there to aid him whenever he was abused.
So, he couldn't withstand any damage to Zale. Any threat had to confront him before reaching Zale.
"In that case, I'm sorry for all the disturbance from Zale you had to go through. You should get some rest now, and we'll discuss further at dinner." Soren apologized on behalf of Zale, who was visibly unhappy but didn't say anything.
Leo speculated that things weren't going the way he wanted, so he persuaded his way towards Soren because it would be too late if he didn't address the important matters with Zale.
However, for some reason he thought it would be good to try and approach Soren instead Zale. Soren looks more sensible and powerful than Zale Who could shut down an angry wolf-like Zale must not be a normal shifter. Soren also gave off a higher, more intimidating shifter vibe.
"No, we're completely fine, not at all tired, right El?" Leo asked and begged for El to play along.
El, without any emotion on his face, simply nodded, which caused him to wince because the now purple and red marks on his neck hurt. This was pretty expected, given that he had been choked by an enraged wolf. Elinor was also a delicate shifter, not enough tough to be hurt and bruise like this. He has a naturally weak body.
Leo pitied his pain, while Soren looked at Zale, who looked away, not at all bothered by El's injury.
"It'd be great if we could just talk now, it'd be a shame to disturb Master Zale at dinner," Leo pleaded.
Soren glanced at Zale, wanting him to take responsibility, but Zale, being an ignorant brat, believed he didn't have to do anything with them.
"Sure," Soren agreed and turned to Zale. "Zale, lead the guests to the study room."
Zale blessed him with a deadly glare and gave him an 'are you serious right now' face but still did what he was asked for. "This way."
When everyone was settled on the sofa in the study room, Soren and Zale on one and Leo and El on the other, Soren sent Solace to his room because ordinary people weren't allowed to take part in pack meetings.
"Please feel comfortable to share whatever you wanted to and why you came here?" Soren said in a basic tone to make the guests feel a little relaxed, at which Zale was clearly failing, because the three could feel the dark atmosphere around them.
"Thank you, I appreciate your kindness," Leo let out, and Elinor chuckled without any humour at his last choice of words because they have received anything but kindness from this pack.
Soren's gaze followed the sound and tried to ignore his pettiness. However, upon looking at Elinor plainly, he didn't give a tough vibe.
Soren recalled Leo mentioning that they were fox shifters, and their features gave away the exact persona, their small sizes and composure verifying their position, but he also couldn't deny the intense expression on El's face, which appeared not at all scared or feeling inferior to them. Instead, it seemed almost as if Elinor has dwell among predators like them.
"Anything funny?" Soren implored with a serious face. "You know what, why don't you try and do some talking and cut Mr Leonard some slack? I only see him doing all the talking, he must be tired, no?"
El smelled the predatory scent oozing off Soren, which instinctively radiates whenever a higher-position shifter is angry or wants to intimidate other shifters.
Since Elinor never gave a single thought to whom he was talking or how, this time he couldn't deny the uncertain scent in the air stirring his and Leo's senses a little, though he retreated shortly.
"Why not, of course, I can."
Elinor started. "We're not just here to hang around as guests, rather, we're hiding here. But for you, of course, we are guests. For me and my brother, we are hiding here from our Alpha. However, you guys don't need to know any further," he paused for a moment when he met the glaring gaze of two higher-position shifters.
"Uh-huh, not my words. They are your Alpha's. Before coming here, we took a trip to him, and everything was already discussed, so he'll tell you himself."
Hearing that, Soren didn't know how to react. He looked at Zale, who shrugged. He glanced back at them, and their eyes conveyed that they entirely trusted Shilister, who was infamous for his deceitful nature.
Zale also wanted to ask some things, but since he had already decided he didn't have anything to do with his father and pack, he stayed silent.
Soren reckoned that things were not as easy as Elinor was making them out to be.
"Why did you run away? Usually, Alphas would never approve of their members moving out or running. How did you guys manage it?" Soren asked.
"He didn't, and that's why we had to run," El explained. "The pack belongs to a formidable Alpha who coaxed many other lower shifters to join his pack, saying he'd provide them shelter and everything, but soon he started treating us poorly. We soon realized he made us join his pack to use us for our healing abilities."
If the higher-position shifters were known for their predatory and athletic capabilities, and blessed with a strong immune system, they also gets injured badly in the battles.
So, the vulnerable and delicate shifters were blessed with healing abilities, they could heal not only shifters but also humans using their healing powers and help other. However, excessive use of these healing powers also makes them weak and sick.
There had always been a balance between both the lower and higher to steady them equally. The dominant and higher ones must protect the delicate ones and not abuse or exploit their capabilities, while the lower ones must help them with their healing power when they gets wounded.
"He makes the poor shifters labor in the forest, using them as punching dummies in the training field so brutally that some are injured so badly they can't get up for weeks."
Soren heaved with furious breaths, glancing at Zale, who seemed composed but had a slight tremble in his hands that didn't go unnoticed by Spren. He's also a victim of similar incidents.
Soren gently placed his fingers on Zale's, intertwining their hands. Zale flinched when the warm hand collided with his cold one. He looked at their intertwined hands, then at Soren. Soren nodded and squeezed his hand soothingly.
The pair of fox cousins exchanged a confused look but didn't comment on the silent interaction.
"Not only did he stop there, but he also permitted his betas and hunters to satisfy their greedy lust by using those fragile shifters." Both Soren and Zale's blood started to boil at his words.
"Then why don't you leave that damn pack?" To their surprise, it was Zale speaking this time.
"You think we didn't try? He doesn't let us, and if someone tries, he orders his wolves to beat and assault them till they can't move. If the poor shifters try to use their healing power on their family, the Alpha seizes them and throws them in the dark dungeons," Leo explained with a slightly shaky voice, the pain still fresh in his eyes.
"We got one chance to run from there, and we took it," El said. "But I assume they have already realized we're missing and sent their members to search for us."
"So you fled here because they can't smell you here?" Soren asked.
"No, we went to your Alpha and asked for his help, and he didn't let us down. He said he'd take care of everything, and if the Silver Night pack came sniffing around, he'd handle the situation himself. He gave us this address and said his only son lives here with his...ah...pet, and no other pack member, so the wolves couldn't imagine us hiding here," Leo explained briefly.
"Alright, so is there anything else you want to discuss?" Soren asked as if he hadn't just heard the offensive term. Zale shifted a little in his seat.
Leo looked at Elinor, who shook his head, indicating there was nothing else to discuss.
"Alright, we'll continue the topic at the dinner table," Soren said, standing up, prompting the others to rise too. "Uncle Frank is right outside. Just ask him, and he'll show you to your rooms."
"Sure, thank you." Leo expressed his gratitude and left with Elinor. Soren walked them to the door.
When they were alone, Zale asked, "Why didn't you tell them not to trust my father? He doesn't help anyone out of sympathy."