After the Branding was done, we waited for the elevator so Channing could register me and have me meet with the elders. I thought the branding was like how in old times they did one with a hot iron. Not that it would have mattered to me. My abilities would have healed it immediately.

But this branding was done in a different way, like a tattoo that was carved with Channing's blood. There was a type of blood bond that formed between us after that. Something like between an Alpha and the Beta where my loyalty was supposed to be bound to Channing from now on. It was not the same as the blood loyalty bond that Channing had asked from the eight pack members who had betrayed Channing by following John Walter.

Turned out John never got his branding renewed when Channing became the Alpha and John, who had continued since the time of Channing's father, kept the branding of Mr Collins instead of getting one with Channing's blood.

I looked at my right shoulder where the branding was done because my mark was on the left side.

"Does it hurt a lot?" Channing asked as we stepped into the elevator and he pressed 10, which was the highest number. The building did not have many windows and looked like a giant pillar on which a disk was placed, so it was hard to figure out the number of floors from outside.

I waved my hand, "Nah, I just feel like scratching it a lot." Especially because of the cloth I was wearing it was making it itchy and I couldn't scratch it because then it would actually hurt.

Channing looked at my shoulder where I had rolled my sleeves up and unexpectedly patted my head, "it will get better... sorry." Channing immediately retracted his hand.

I had inhaled a sharp breath at his touch, not because it was an uncomfortable touch, but because it was Channing. "You don't have to be sorry," I smiled at him and there was this little awkward moment we shared where he returned a tight smile to me. Things were getting normal between us, but it was sure to take some time.

When the elevator came to a halt, I straightened my sleeves, as it would look unprofessional in front of the elders.

It was unexpectedly serene in the interior and the large wall-length glass panels that were visible from outside reflected the sunlight throughout the space. It looked like one white room where there was a janitor standing at the corner ready with a mop to keep the white just in the same colour. There was a desk after walking some distance in the circular path, and there sat one man with a door right behind him.

Channing came to stand in front of him, and the man at the desk raised his head up. "Hey Paul, long time," Channing greeted him as if they were some old acquaintances.

Paul had droopy eyes, and he grinned wide on seeing Channing, "Alpha, it has been a long time indeed. I see we have guests." Paul said, looking at me.

Channing brought me forward and introduced, "This is Selene, the new Beta of Winterwells."

"Is that so. Congratulations Selene" Paul exclaimed while he extended his hands to me. When I was about to shake his hand, Channing stopped me right away by holding my hand and bringing it back to my side. I looked at Channing confused as to why was had he done that.

Channing smiled at Paul, "We don't our past assessed we are here to meet the elders' If you would be kind not to force it on Selene." I did not know what that was supposed to mean, but it surely had something to do with Paul's abilities. Channing turned to me as he let go of my hand and explained, "Paul here can see your past in the forms of demons. Though it is only through handshake if he ever pats your back he or something like that, don't worry. Also, he was one of the strongest Omega's in the pack so he was recruited to work here."

Paul flashed a smile that crinkled his bored looked eyes, "Thank you Alpha. Ms Selene, don't worry. I won't try it again."

I could not believe I could have given away my past and my reality, just like that to Paul. This meant I needed to know the elders' abilities first or if any one of them made any such request, I won't be able to deny it. "It is okay, Paul, just give us a minute," I said while pulling Channing to one side.

Channing understood something was wrong and walked with me away from Paul's earshot. "Everything okay, Selene?" Channing asked.

I took a deep breath as I looked left and right before saying, "You already know my abilities Channing and the reasons why I came to this Village, please tell me all the elders' abilities beforehand so I don't encounter something like Paul here just now."

Channing chuckled, "No elder has got a time for that, but by now my father must have heard you, he has great hearing abilities so he might question your abilities."

His father was not a concern to me. Mr Collins knew more than just my abilities. "What about others?"

Channing thought for a while before explaining, "There are a total of five elders inside. Youngest would be my father, then there is the oldest elder, and she was the Alpha before my father, Madilyn Hooper, is the oldest one and can control people's minds. She is nice, though, so don't worry. Then there would be two Betas - bald one is Chris Walter, father of John Walter and one with a full grey beard is Colton Hunter who has a sharp vision. Last would be an Omega-"

"Omega!" I exclaimed making him stop abruptly, "So it is true that strongest Omegas like Paul are recruited here and if their time is served well they become an elder?"

"Yes," Channing acknowledged. "Don't underestimate him, though. His name is Axel Evertt, and he has sudden visions. It is said he is a seer of the future."