Author's note: this is from Seraphina's point of view

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​​

I saw Lazarus talking with Elias and a few more people on my right.

"Father…", I called. "Why is Elias the head of the Main Route?"

"He is the best man for the job.", Aldus responded without missing a beat.

I was not sure if Aldus understood where I was going with it. "Don't werewolves respect strength? Lazarus told me that Elias is not the strongest one. How can he be the leader among Alphas?"

Aldus paused and leaned closer, speaking softly only for me to hear, "He is the best man because the Council supports him. That doesn't mean that he is the strongest or the smartest. Actually, him not having a strong footing is good because people who stand out too much are seen as dangerous."

I was perplexed by this information, but I understood the meaning behind Aldus's words.

The Council is all about balance. Compared to other creatures, werewolves are high in numbers and if they get united under a strong (and smart) leader, it would make them powerful. Too powerful. And that means dangerous as well.

So, the Council is supporting a mediocre person like Elias to be the leader, giving the werewolves an illusion that they are equal while covertly suppressing them.

I knew that the given situation is not completely because of the Council. After all, the Council is only taking advantage of the fact that the werewolves are without a leader ever since the Supreme Alpha perished.

The core of the problem with werewolves is that those few who are strong, are not interested in taking over the leadership roles. Perfect examples of those individuals are Lazarus and Fynn.

"Lord Aldus…", the man greeted Aldus with a small bow and then looked at me as if he is evaluating me and I realized that Aldus halted his steps to talk to the man.

"Bolek…", Aldus tilted his head slightly. "This is my daughter, Seraphina. Serina, this is Bolek, the head of the hunters' association."

I shook my hands with the man and thought how if I met him in a different setting, I would never take him for more than a regular guy with dirty blonde hair and hazel eyes. Actually, he looked harmless. And I would be completely wrong.

The files I read beforehand told me that there is a reason why Bolek is the only human present at this event.

Bolek is skilled in hand-to-hand combat and using short-ranged and long-ranged weapons, which could be anything from heavy artillery to concealed poison, and he has thousands of able humans under his command. However, his biggest power is the knowledge related to the weaknesses of creatures.

The hunter's association is in charge of maintaining order and representing the interests of humans, so that they are not endangered by other creatures.

Officially, the hunters' association works closely with the Council, and there is an agreement that if creatures go rampant, the hunters' association is responsible to take control of the situation and protect humans.

Unofficially, the hunter's association is eliminating creatures whenever they can. As long as no one asks questions, it's fine. And if someone asks questions, Bolek is quick to come up with a believable excuse.

Hunters are also sneakily using creatures that went rogue or are loners to do their dirty work.

The hunter's association acts like they are righteous, protecting weak humans, but they are responsible for more than half of the merchandise that shows up on the black market, providing anything from tools and materials to disable (or kill) a creature, to body parts and live creatures that end up sold as slaves.

Yes, slaves.

In this day and age, there are creatures (and some humans) who keep others as slaves. I shuddered at that thought.

I had difficulty maintaining a smile in front of the despicable man who kills others because of his greed while wrapping it all in a pretty lie about how it's all done to protect the weakest species, humans.

"I didn't have a chance to meet you, Miss Mezzanotte. I am charmed.", Bolek said while taking my hand and planting a light kiss at the back of my palm without breaking eye contact.

"Lady Mezzanotte", I corrected him arrogantly. I don't care about titles or positions, but I felt the need to push this man down.

His eyes flashed in surprise mixed in with anger.

"Lady Mezzanotte…", he repeated with a forced smile and let go of my hand. "I heard that you are helping your father with controlling the rogues."

This man made me uncomfortable. I had a feeling that he knew something and that I should answer carefully.

"I joined him on a few occasions, but I wouldn't call it helping.", I responded ambiguously.

Over the years, I joined Aldus every time Lazarus called, and I used rogues to practice my air control with the goal to restrain them without causing physical harm. I'm not proud of practicing like that, but I need a live target if I'm going to practice for real, and they are killers and will end up executed anyway, so… I feel only a little bit guilty about it.

"Oh, and how would you call it?"

"I grew up sheltered, Mr. Bolek.", I responded. "My father believes that I need to see how not everyone is friendly before he lets me venture into the world on my own. That's why he suggested I join him tonight."

Bolek frowned and then looked at Aldus who had a small smile lingering at the edge of his lips.

Aldus told me not to reveal my powers, but he never said that I need to act humble or to bow down to anyone. If there is one thing he told me, that is how no one should bully me. After all, I'm a Mezzanotte.

"Your daughter is interesting, Lord Aldus. You must be proud."

Aldus glanced at me. "I am a proud father, Bolek. Serina grew up sheltered, but she is aware of her identity."

Lazarus joined us with Elias and Lina.

Based on the way Lazarus glared at Bolek, it was obvious that Bolek was not Lazarus's favorite person. If Bolek is doing his job right, Lazarus wouldn't have a problem with rogues on his territory.

"Serina…", Aldus said when the trio joined us. "Did you get a chance to meet Alpha Elias and Luna Lina?"

The scene from the garden flashed in front of my eyes and I tried to suppress it. "Yes, we met."

"We did?", Luna Lina asked in surprise.

Yup, if your face was not in Elias's neck while your hand was in his pants, you would notice me.

"In the garden, before dinner.", I reminded her, and her eyes widened in shock.

Elias on the other hand was cool like a cucumber. "We didn't get a chance to meet officially. I am Alpha Elias…"

Elias offered me a hand for a handshake, and I stared at it while imagining where that hand was before dinner. It was under Lina's dress, and probably inside her panties. Did he wash his hands and sanitized them?

After an awkwardly long few seconds, I realized that everyone is looking my way and waiting for me to respond to the handshake invitation.

I tried to force my hand to move into his, but my body refused to cooperate.

I needed a way out. "I'm sorry. I just realize that my hands are messy." I glanced at Aldus apologetically. "I will go wash my hands first. Please excuse me…"

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