Chapter 4: The Demon Leader

After what felt like an interminable journey, Eleanor was finally led into a grand hall that seemed to be plucked from the pages of a dark, fantastical tale. The hall was a study in opulence, with deep red tapestries emblazoned with intricate golden floral patterns adorning the walls. Standing sentinel along the length of the room were rows of peculiar white statues, each one embedded with gemstones of various hues, their facets catching the light and casting a rainbow of colors across the space. Art glass lamps, their designs both elegant and otherworldly, hung from the high ceiling, casting a cold, ethereal glow that created long, somber shadows on the plush carpets below.

Within the hall, more than a dozen werewolves had gathered. Even though they had assumed human form, dressed in high - class, elegant attire that made them seem more splendid than the most refined of mortals, the innate, oppressive aura they exuded was suffocating. It was as if the very air was thick with their power, making it a struggle for Eleanor to draw a full breath.

"Have you caught Scarlet Lady?" one of the werewolves inquired, his voice cutting through the tense atmosphere.

"No, damn it!" another replied, frustration evident in his tone.

"I heard she escaped right under the boss's nose. Is that true?" a third chimed in, his curiosity piqued.

"It's true. That human woman was a decoy Scarlet Lady left behind to elude the boss," someone else confirmed, their words causing a murmur to ripple through the group.

All at once, the werewolves turned their collective gaze toward Eleanor, and she shuddered involuntarily, a chill running down her spine.

"Humph, I didn't expect the boss to spare her. He must be planning to torture her later," one of them sneered, his eyes glinting with a cruel light.

"If she fell into our hands, we'd make her wish she was dead," another added, his voice dripping with malice.

"Hahahahaha!" their cold, mocking laughter filled the hall, sending a shiver down Eleanor's back.

As the werewolves continued their chatter, the floor - length curtains were suddenly swept open with a dramatic flourish. In an instant, the hall fell deathly silent. A tall, imposing figure strode in from the doorway. With each powerful step, his black tapestry cape billowed out behind him, creating a soft, menacing sound that was like a cold wind sweeping across Eleanor's face, stinging her skin.

"Greetings, Leader!" All the werewolves immediately bowed and knelt on one knee, their show of deference a testament to the leader's power.

"What's all the noise about, you brats?" The leader's voice was deep, resonating through the hall like a low - pitched thunderclap. Eleanor instantly recognized it as the "boss" from before. She quickly looked over and saw that he had changed his attire in the short time since she'd last seen him. He walked with a confident swagger to a tiger - skin armchair at the end of the hall, sat down, and with a casual wave of his hand, asked, "Alexa, have you caught him?"

"We have," a tall man immediately replied, his voice crisp and efficient. "Bring him in."

Moments later, a bloodied werewolf was dragged into the hall. He was in his beast form, his clothes torn to shreds, leaving only a tattered pair of shorts hanging on his frame. His grey fur was matted with blood, and wounds of varying depths crisscrossed his body, evidence of the severe torture he had endured. He seemed barely alive, lying on the ground, gasping for breath in ragged, pain - filled pants.

The leader frowned at the sight, his brows knitting together in displeasure. "Why is he so badly injured? Who did this?" he demanded, his voice booming through the hall.

Instantly, the air in the room grew thick with tension. Everyone exchanged nervous glances, but no one dared to speak. Alexa, the tall man who had spoken earlier, immediately knelt down, his head bowed in submission. "Boss, when we caught him, he resisted fiercely, and the brothers couldn't control their emotions and resorted to violence," he explained, his voice tinged with regret.

"Useless! What are you good for! You've crippled him. How am I supposed to use him now?" The leader suddenly slammed his palm down on the armrest of the chair, and the resounding "crack" filled the hall. The armrest immediately split apart, sending splinters flying. Everyone in the room jolted in fear, and Eleanor felt a bead of sweat trickle down her forehead. The leader's aura and momentum were so overwhelming that it seemed as if he could consume someone whole with a single glance.

Thankfully, Alexa remained composed. "I've failed in my duty and am willing to accept punishment. Please decide, Leader," he said, his voice steady despite the fear that must have been coursing through him.

"Stand aside for now. I'll deal with you later," the leader waved his hand dismissively at Alexa and then pointed at the injured werewolf. "Bring him over. I have questions for him."

The werewolf was dragged unceremoniously to the leader's feet. Seeing that he was still unconscious, the leader used his toe to lift the werewolf's chin, forcing his head up. The werewolf regained some semblance of awareness and bared his fangs in a weak show of defiance.

"Oh, you still have some fight left in you," the leader's lips curled into a cold smile.

"Where is Scarlet Lady?" the werewolf asked weakly, his voice barely above a whisper.

"You want to see her?" The leader's gaze narrowed, his eyes glinting with a dangerous light.

"Where is she?!" the werewolf demanded, his voice growing stronger with a surge of desperation.

The leader let out a few light, mocking laughs. "She's in my possession but not in a good state," he said, his words dripping with menace.

"What have you done to her?!" The werewolf's body shook with anger, and he grabbed the leader's leg with his claws, the sharp tips digging into the skin and drawing blood.

"Bold move," Alexa tried to step forward to intervene, but a single glare from the leader sent him retreating.

The leader remained unfazed, his smile never wavering. "I've given her a taste of suffering. A trusted subordinate colluding with a wolf cub from another clan to betray me. If I hadn't discovered it early, the Red Wolf Clan would have been wiped out by your Jackal Clan in no time."

"Let her go," the werewolf gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with hatred.

"This doesn't sound like a begging tone. If you were more sincere, I might consider it," the leader taunted.

"Let her go…please. Take my life in exchange for hers," the werewolf pleaded, his voice breaking.

"Not worth it. I never make a losing deal," the leader said, looking the werewolf over with a calculating eye. After a moment, he added, "However, if you tell me the entrance to the Jackal Clan's fortress, I'll release you and Scarlet Lady immediately. Once you've recovered, I'll send someone to escort you out of the valley. From then on, you two can roam freely, no matter where you go."

"Hahahahaha…" The werewolf let out a low, mocking laugh. "'Rakshasa' Vesper truly never makes a losing deal. I knew begging you would be useless, but I didn't expect you to be so greedy. If you think a woman can replace the entire Jackal Clan in my heart, you're sorely mistaken. Let me tell you—I also never make a losing deal…cough…cough…"

Vesper's face darkened instantly, his expression turning thunderous. But he managed to rein in his temper and continued to ask, "Are you really so heartless?"

"I believe Scarlet Lady will understand me. Even if it means death…" Before he could finish his sentence, he spat out a mouthful of blood. Vesper lashed out with his foot, kicking the werewolf's neck with such force that it snapped. The werewolf's body rolled away from his feet, coming to rest in a crumpled heap.

"Clean it up," Vesper waved his hand as if the whole affair had tired him. Alexa immediately directed two men to carry the body away. At that moment, a strange sound echoed in the hall.

"Burp…burp…burp…burp…"

"What's that noise?" Vesper frowned, his eyes scanning the room. Everyone immediately looked toward the source of the sound.

Eleanor was huddled in the cage, her head bowed and her hands tightly covering her mouth, trying in vain to muffle the sound. In her mind, a thousand thoughts raced, each one more panicked than the last. When the leader had kicked the werewolf's neck, she had suddenly started hiccupping uncontrollably. No matter how much she tried to hold her breath or take deep breaths, the hiccups persisted.

"Burp…burp…please continue…burp…don't mind me…burp…"

The werewolves burst into laughter, all turning to stare at her with amused interest, as if she were a strange, exotic pet in a cage.

A flash of amusement crossed Vesper's eyes. He had just sat up straight but now leaned back slightly in his chair. After a moment, he said, "I almost forgot about her. Why is she still in the cage? Let her out."