LOVE ETERNAL

TRUTH-IS-BITTER

"Calm down," Ethan tried to get him to relax, as he was breathing heavily and perspiring profusely. "When did she arrive?"

"This morning," Daniel replied. "I just resumed work this morning when a lady sauntered in and asked me to take her to the Alpha. At first, I didn't really pay much attention to her, but the note of authority in her tone made me take her seriously. And when I saw her red hair, it wasn't hard to do the math."

"So, she didn't tell you she was the seer, but you just assumed she was?" Ethan asked.

"I did ask her who she was, but she would not answer. After she told me to bring her to the Alpha, she didn’t say another word," Daniel replied, feeling a bit awkward. "But I believe it's her, as her facial appearance poses a striking semblance to how she was being described in Sir Klaus's stories."

"Where is she now?" Ethan asked.

"She should be with Sir Arnold. I sent for him to go see her and bring her over here, while I rushed down to relay the information to you myself."

"Alright, let's prepare for her arrival then," Ethan instructed. "Ring the meeting bell, to invite all the Elders over here at once. General, go over there and provide them with a protection detail. Make sure she feels welcomed and safe"

He could not leave anything to chance, especially now that help had arrived. Everything had to go through perfectly.

…

By the time Arnold arrived with the seer, everywhere in the meeting hall was filled to the brim. Since this was a meeting involving an external guest, it was held in the private meeting room inside the Royal Stronghold, as the campgrounds were not open to visitors outside the Pack.

As soon as she walked into the meeting room, it was set ablaze with chatter, and everyone began to gossip in hushed tones about her origins.

"Is that her? She looks so young."

"Could this be the lady from Sir Klaus' story?

"It should be. Look at her hair, just as Sir Klaus described."

"Look at her confident poise, she seems to have a solution for us already!"

She disregarded everyone's curious stares and walked in, moving straight to the center of the meeting room.

She looked at everyone with deliberate coldness and arrogance, finally stopping at Ethan. She nodded slightly, acknowledging his presence, but she still held his gaze, waiting for his acknowledgment in return.

Ethan nodded back, and then stood up from his seat and sauntered forward. When he was a few feet from her he stopped and addressed her.

"You're welcome to the Grimstone Pack. I'm Ethan, the Alpha," Ethan introduced.

"I'm Lady Elena, the seer," She said, with indifference.

"Make yourself at home." Ethan replied amicably.

He could not dare to be reckless. He might be an Alpha, but this was a woman who had lived for more than half a millennium, and had seen and dealt with numerous Alphas, some more prestigious than himself. She might not be giving him much face, but then, she had earned the right to do so.

He took out his arm, and she took it. He then led her to the seat reserved for her - the seat of honor, which was close to his, and sat her gently, before proceeding to his seat.

Once he sat down, he waved his hands at them, signaling for them all to take their seats. Arnold then stepped forward to moderate the meeting.

"Today, we welcome Lady Elena, who has come over here, to aid us in finding a solution to our current predicament." He proclaimed, "Let us all rise, as we welcome her to the Grimstone Pack."

Everyone stood up and applauded, their faces beaming with genuine joy, for indeed they were very grateful for her presence. As a means to their solution, she was the very help they craved.

Elena nodded slightly, acknowledging their welcome.

They all sat down after all the pleasantries had been observed, their faces tinged with curiosity. They all waited silently with rasp attention, eager to hear the solution to be proffered by the seer.

"Lady Elena," Arnold began, "the problem we are facing is a result of a pandemic outbreak which began..."

"Four days ago," Elena said. "That would be enough. I'm well aware of your predicament."

She stood up and walked with refined and graceful steps towards the center of the room.

The elders were speechless, as expected, they all murmured, looking at her with admiration..

"Two weeks ago, I started having bad premonitions foretelling an impending doom. It was very obscure back then, as I could not pinpoint where it was coming from. But it drove me to action, and when I started my journey of discovery, it led me down here.

"In my visions, I always woke up drenched in perspiration, my heart beating as if I was running for my life. I saw glimpses of grievous fate; cities crumbling to dust, skies darkened by unnatural storms, and people crying out in anguish. The images were so real and life-like, that I could almost feel the cold winds and hear their desperate cries. And I kept on seeing one face - Klaus.

"At first, I thought it was just a figment of my imagination, a side effect of too much stress and too little sleep. But the premonitions persisted, growing stronger and more detailed with each passing night. It was as if some unseen force was trying to guide me, to show me something I couldn't ignore.

"I moved at once to come over here and see him, as I was afraid he might be in danger. On my way down here, he reached out to me and explained the entire situation, and then it all made sense." She narrated.

"I'm sorry about Sir Klaus," Ethan consoled.

"It's okay, Arnold briefed me on everything" She replied. "The cause and solution of your crisis is not far-fetched, it lies within the walls of your Pack.

She looked at Ethan for quite some time and sighed. "Are you sure you can handle the truth?" she asked, gauging his temperament and trying to read the expression on his face.

"Yes!" Ethan braced himself, his hurried heartbeat betraying his outward poise of confidence.

She started Ethan in the face and said, "The woman you're about to make your Luna is not your fated mate. This curse is a warning, that should you continue with your decision and mark her as your fated Luna, under your leadership, the Grimstone Pack would crumble and perish."

"You must make the right lady your Luna - a woman of pure heart and selfless devotion to the Pack, or else,” she continued, "The curse would only grow worse."

She went back to her seat with a Stoic expression, leaving the entire room enveloped in a profound, eerie silence, so complete that even the faintest sound would have shattered its silence. As everyone began grappling with the weight of her words, for indeed, this truth was very bitter.