Invitation to Join the Pack

Wilber was already waiting in front of Vance's chamber when the two of them stepped out to visit the wounded werewolf. Melva could not help but wonder how Wilber was always there wherever Vance was. She would hardly be surprised if one day Wilber told her that he was actually psychic or something close to that. It was difficult to decide whether she found his loyalty towards the Duke remarkably reassuring or extremely terrifying.

Instead of returning the robe he had worn earlier to Wilber, Vance casually placed it around Melva's shoulders, surprising her for the sudden warmth that enveloped her body. She gave him a questioning look.

"Trust me. You do not want to scare everyone with your bloody dress," reasoned Vance as he made his way towards the chamber at the opposite end of the corridor, Wilber following quietly behind them.

Vance had got a point, though. Melva's appearance must be very disheveled at the moment with her bloody and tattered dress. The bandages wrapped around her limbs didn't make her look any more presentable. She unconsciously slipped her arms into the sleeves of the robe and wore it properly. The robe was Vance's, thus it was very big on her and it could easily cover her whole body. She hastily combed her hair with her fingers, thinking that her hair must be messy as well, but it was hard because she didn't have a mirror with her.

"Let me," offered Vance, noticing her attempt to make herself look neat.

Melva let down her own hands to let Vance do what he offered her. He gently combed her hair with his fingers as though he was worried that her head would break if he put too much pressure. As her eyes met his, she was suddenly aware of the feelings of his fingers on her hair that were caressing her, causing her heart to quicken its pace.

Fortunately, it was not long before Vance retracted his hands from her hair. He looked very nonchalant about this, so why was Melva getting all nervous? However, it should be normal to be nervous because of the closeness. The question was supposed to be why he seemed very casual. Did he do this often with other women? It would not surprise her if he turned out to be a flirt.

The chamber at the end was guarded by a few butlers standing at the front door. Wilber opened the door for them and she forgot that he had been following them. It was very embarrassing to know that Wilber had witnessed the moment that had got Melva nervous. And she was sure that Vance knew Wilber was watching them the whole time, hence the gentleman mask he was wearing.

There were more people inside the chamber than Melva had expected to find. Besides the young woman lying on the bed and the physician sitting on the chair, Davis was standing near the bed and talking to both of them in a friendly manner as if he had known them for a long time, which she was convinced was not the case.

"Why is Davis here?" whispered Melva to Vance.

"You will know soon," answered Vance calmly.

Davis heard them coming and hastily walked over to Vance to greet him. "What do you need from me, Your Grace? I got your message from Mr. Wilber that you require my presence. Does this have anything to do with the woman there? I was brought to this chamber the second I arrived."

Vance nodded seriously. "Do you realise what she is?"

"Of course. It is obvious from her scent. She is a werewolf like us. If you are asking me to take her as a mate, I will need time to think about it."

His wild guess made Melva break into a grin from how ridiculous it sounded. Davis seemed like a friendly person. Melva found his presence enjoyable to be around with. She had thought of that when she had met him for the first time in Silver Moon Tavern. And now she also got the same impression from him.

Vance snickered at Davis' joke. "What? Who do you think I am? King Hershel?" And the two of them broke into laughter.

Melva was unable to hold back her laughter as well, although it was improper to talk about the King behind his back. The situation the King had got Melva and Vance into was stressful for both of them, so they simultaneously agreed that the matchmaking was absurd. She only hoped the King would never find out that they were making fun of his rather unreasonable decision.

"Are you planning to ask her to join our pack?" asked Davis curiously. It was late at night, so if Vance asked him to come to his manor at this hour, there must be something important. And adding the woman as a new member of their pack could be the reason.

Vance took a deep breath before explaining, as though he was reluctant to do so. "Yes. She is an omega. She must have nowhere else to go. I know you will not like my decision, but I am trying my best to make you understand. You are my beta, after all."

Davis was the one taking a deep breath this time, but it was because he was holding back his anger. His hands were clenched into fists at his sides. "I hope you understand that taking omegas are not going to strengthen our pack in any way. And you do know we need strength very much now that you are taking a human as your mate."

"I know, Davis. But I cannot just let an omega roam around by herself in the forest. You know there is a group of people who despise our very existence. There is a reason why I do not make my identity public."

"Do you mean the hunters? Let her fend for herself. A werewolf can certainly deal with a few bitter humans."

"She cannot," insisted Vance, "which is why I am going to take her in. Melva almost killed her back in the forest if I did not arrive in time."

Melva snorted, disagreeing with Vance's statement. "You mean she almost killed me."

She was not keen on how Vance decided on something that his beta disliked. He was forcing his decision on him, because he knew he would not be able to refuse. What was about this omega that he was so fond of? He even went out of his way to argue with his beta. Was this why Vance was reluctant to bring her with him here? Because he knew she would not like his decision?

Although she had to admit that he had a good intention by wanting to take an omega under his wing, he should have discussed it with his beta first. They were members of the same pack. It was only natural to ask the other members' opinions first before making the decision. Davis had a right to be angry because he felt like he was not respected as the pack's second-in-command. She could understand his anger.

Davis took Melva's words as a support towards his opinion. He passionately backed her statement. "I believe in Lady Melva. She would be dead if you were late. It is common knowledge, Your Grace. A human can never be stronger than a werewolf."

Vance strongly disagreed with him. "It is not entirely true. Some of them are stronger than us when they are equipped with the right weapons. It is still dangerous out there for her to be alone. Remember, werewolves are stronger in packs."

"Do you forget why omegas are not active in their packs? Because they are safer if they are not involved," argued Davis stubbornly.

Their argument was cut short when the physician asked herself to be excused because she was done treating the young woman. After the physician left the chamber, the young woman curiously looked at the three of them before saying, "Why don't you come closer? I can hear what you are saying, anyway."

"Before you continue arguing, I suggest you ask the woman first whether she wants to be in a pack or not. Who knows that she might want to travel alone," said Melva before striding towards the bed.

Vance and Davis ceased their quarrel to follow Melva and stood by the bed as well.

"I appreciate the nice gesture, but I do not want to cause a fight between you. I will leave once my wounds start healing," said the young woman good-naturedly. 

She was now wearing a new yellow nightgown and she had already washed up. Her wavy grey hair was long and it flowed beautifully past her shoulders, down her chest and waist. Her grey eyes were pretty and bright. The young woman was very beautiful now that Melva paid close attention to her.

"What is your name? I am Melva Winchell. I am sorry for shooting you with arrows back in the woods," said Melva sincerely, remembering that she owed her an apology.

"It is alright. I did not quite remember what I did. I only remember I was bitten by a wolf this morning while I was out hunting in the woods and then everything went black. The next thing I knew, I woke up here," chirped the woman brightly as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. "Nice to meet you, Melva. I am Twila Parlow."