Chapter 10: The Meeting
Reena was preparing our breakfast when she finally sat across from me at the table. We ate happily, chatting as if nothing heavy awaited us.
"Jane, I forgot to mention something," Reena said casually. "There will be a meeting today—between the Lycans and the werewolves. We need to plan our strategy against Azkiel. The meeting will be with Mike's family."
"With Mike's family?" I asked, taking a sip of the soup she had prepared. "Why are they here?"
"If they're here, then they're allies," Reena replied confidently.
I let out a small laugh.
Yeah… why wouldn't his family be here? I muttered to myself.
"We also need to tell them about you," Reena added. She stopped eating and stared at me seriously.
I knew she was asking for my permission—waiting for my decision.
"Yeah," I said after a moment. "They need to know."
Last night, I had already decided to go with the flow—to believe, and to let destiny decide for us.
I would cooperate with this alliance.
Maybe the future could still change for the better.
Reena continued to study my expression, as if calculating my thoughts. Perhaps she was surprised that I didn't object.
I looked at her and laughed. "Your face looks funny."
"Shut up, Jane," Reena said, her face flushing as she looked away. When she looked back at me, she smiled—as if something good was finally falling into place.
We arrived at the cave—the same place where we had first seen Mike.
I looked around. Villagers, werewolves, and Lycans from the city filled the area. There were so many of them.
Allies, I thought.
"Reena."
A man suddenly approached us. He looked like an older version of Mike—tall, mature, and dignified. I could tell that if he were Mike's age, he would have been just as handsome. "His presence exuded authority and natural charisma.
"It's good to see you again," he said, extending his hand.
"It's good to see you too, Michael," Reena replied with a smile as she shook his hand.
"Mike said we might secure victory?" the former Alpha asked, clearly intrigued.
"Yes," Reena answered confidently. "We might."
I was still scanning the crowd when Reena called me.
"Jane, come here."
The former Alpha turned his gaze toward me. His brows furrowed as if he were reading my entire life in one glance.
"Golden eyes… white hair?" he murmured, searching his memory.
"Reena… this girl?" His eyes widened in shock as if he had just uncovered something unbelievable.
"Yes," Reena nodded.
I was completely clueless.
"What is it, Dad?" Mike asked, voicing the question that echoed in everyone's mind.
"Everyone! Attention!"
The former Alpha suddenly looked energized, almost glowing with excitement.
"Just as Reena said—we might secure victory!" He grabbed my shoulder and pulled me forward. "This girl is our hope."
I froze.
"What does that mean, Alpha?" someone asked.
"Have you heard of Fenrir?" the former Alpha said excitedly.
"The symbol of the beginning and the end—the creator and the destroyer?"
The crowd murmured, exchanging puzzled looks.
"This girl," he declared, "is a descendant of Fenrir."
Shock rippled through the cave. Not everyone knew about Fenrir. Some recognized the name, but disbelief was written on many faces.
"How is that possible?" someone asked. "I thought Fenrir was wiped out centuries ago."
The Alpha looked at me, silently asking for my cooperation.
"Jane," he said gently. "That's your name, right? Why don't you tell us about yourself?"
I swallowed hard and stepped forward, gathering all my strength.
"I… I honestly don't know," I admitted, embarrassed.
"I don't know what I am, who I am, or where I came from. That's the truth. Reena was the one who told me about this. If she hadn't, I wouldn't have known anything at all."
I took a deep breath.
"But I'm willing to help. I'm willing to use whatever power I have to save us—to give us a better future."
I exhaled shakily. That's when I noticed Mike staring at me, deep in thought. I quickly looked away.
"Jane is still clueless about her power," Reena said, stepping forward. "We have to help her realize her true strength—and its limits."
I felt countless eyes on me.
Like an insect under a microscope.
I bowed deeply.
"Alright," the Alpha said after a moment. "We'll talk to them first. We'll address everyone again later."
"I apologize for ending this so abruptly," he added sheepishly. "I got too excited."
The crowd laughed, clearly understanding.
"You still owe us an explanation, Alpha!" someone shouted.
The former Alpha chuckled.
Despite being dethroned, he was still called Alpha here. The current Alpha was a descendant of Azkiel—chosen after the former Alpha was expelled for his kindness toward werewolves. Even though he was once an Alpha—a powerful and intimidating leader—Azkiel had already brainwashed their people into believing that werewolves were nothing more than livestock. He taught them that associating with werewolves was beneath them. Because most Lycans were egoistic and selfish, many accepted his ideology without question.
Some are left, those Lycans who are kind and believe in Alpha Michael.
Once everyone had left, the discussion continued.
Mike, the former Alpha, Reena, and I remained.
"Explain everything, Reena," the Alpha said. "How did you discover her true identity?"
"I became a massive wolf because I drank hyena blood," Reena explained. "Jane did too."
She paused.
"But at first, there were no signs she was Fenrir. Then Azkiel came."
"Azkiel?!" Mike and the Alpha said in unison.
"Yes," Reena continued. "He attacked us. We fought together, and I was nearly killed. Jane saved me. That's when her power first manifested."
"She transformed into Fenrir. But unlike me—her form was different. White shimmering fur, golden eyes, and overwhelming strength."
Silence filled the cave.
"Her identity is still a mystery," the Alpha finally said. "But her presence alone strengthens our forces. We can uncover the truth after the war."
Mike rubbed his chin. "So that explains your changes," he said, more confirming than asking.
"Yeah," I replied quietly.
"And you, Reena," the Alpha continued. "You said Jane saved you—but how did you return to your human form?"
"It was her blood," Reena answered.
"Her blood…" The Alpha sighed. "She truly is a mystery."
"But her power has limits," Reena added.
"Her transformation drains her strength and is triggered by rage. Afterward, she becomes extremely weak. If she's alone, she can be killed."
"A double-edged sword," Mike said thoughtfully.
"But if she masters her power, it could be our greatest advantage against Azkiel."
"Then we train her," the Alpha decided. "Combat skills and stamina."
Everyone nodded.
"Mike will train her."
What?!
My mind screamed.
I looked at Reena and sent my thoughts through telepathy.
Why Mike?
She looked away, amusement dancing in her eyes. She knew—about us. About the past.
My heart raced, but Mike looked unaffected.
Only I was shaken.
Asshole, I cursed silently.
"Our enemy is a Lycan," the Alpha explained.
"She needs to understand Lycan fighting styles. Azkiel trained Mike. Their techniques are similar—though Azkiel is far stronger and far more experienced."
I couldn't argue.
"I accept," I said firmly. "I'll do it."
Mike looked surprised, but I didn't care.
"Alright," the Alpha said. "That's all for now. Dismissed."
I nodded calmly, but inside, my heart was racing wildly—like a creature whose hiding place had been discovered.
The thought of spending time with Mike made me restless.
But I had no choice.
The future depended on me—and the pressure had only just begun.