Chapter 7 The Dinning Hall
Despite the speed at which she dragged me along, I was still able to look around.
The moment we stepped out of the building, I was struck by the vastness of the pack.
Unlike the Wolfblood Pack, which had only two major buildings, this place had more structures than I could count. They stretched across the land in an organized yet intimidating manner, each one built with purpose and precision.
I turned to look at the building we had just left, and my eyes widened in shock.
It was enormous.
Majestic.
The kind of structure that could only belong to a king.
Noticing my reaction, Carol smirked slightly.
“That is the Alpha’s private mansion.”
Her words only deepened my shock.
I could not understand why the Alpha would allow me to stay in his own residence.
Most Alphas would either place outsiders in servant quarters or have another pack member accommodate them.
Yet Alpha Orion, the most feared Alpha, had allowed me to stay in his private home.
That alone felt unreal.
As we moved farther away, I noticed something else.
All the other houses were built at a distance from the Alpha’s residence, almost as if they were deliberately avoiding it.
Avoiding him.
When we reached an area with more buildings, I began to see more people.
Some walked in groups, chatting casually. Others moved alone with quiet focus. Children ran around freely, their laughter cutting through the morning air.
At the same time, I could sense the warriors.
And they were far stronger than the warriors in the Wolfblood Pack.
It was not even close.
I also noticed how many of them bowed slightly to Carol as we passed.
Well, it made sense. She was a royal-blood witch. It was only natural for ordinary wolves to show her respect.
As we continued walking, Carol began pointing out different places.
“That building over there is the pack hospital.”
I nodded, taking note of it.
“Over there is the training facility. I hate going there,” she added with a look of disgust. Then her expression shifted into a playful smile. “Though seeing sweaty, strong men is not so bad.”
I shook my head slightly but said nothing.
“That house belongs to the Beta,” she said, pointing again.
“I thought the Beta lives close to the Alpha,” I asked.
“Well, Alpha Orion prefers being alone. In truth, it is Beta Logan who runs most of the pack alongside the elders. The Alpha keeps to himself,” she replied with a shrug.
That explained a lot.
Still, something felt off.
There were fewer people than I expected.
For a pack of this size, we should have encountered far more members by now.
As Carol continued dragging me along and explaining things, I quietly observed everything.
The layout. The spacing. The paths.
If I ever got the chance to escape, I needed to be ready.
“We are here,” she suddenly said.
We stood in front of a large building.
“They say it is the oldest structure in the pack. As long as it stands, the pack will stand.”
There was so much emotion in her voice that I could feel the deep respect and reverence she had for it.
Without giving me time to process, she pulled me inside.
The moment I stepped in, I froze.
The space was massive, almost like entering a cathedral.
The hall carried the weight of centuries. Ancient stone walls rose high above, yet modern touches blended seamlessly into the structure.
Huge iron chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their old candles replaced with warm light bulbs that bathed the hall in a golden glow.
The air was filled with the rich scent of food.
Frying meat, thick steaks, sausages, and bacon were stacked high on silver platters. The sheer amount made it look like a feast prepared for an army.
“So that is why I did not see many people outside,” I muttered.
The hall was alive with movement.
People filled the space, sliding into seats and gathering around the round wooden tables spread across the floor. There had to be over a hundred tables, each polished to a shine and surrounded by sturdy chairs.
The blend of old and new was everywhere. Ancient stone pillars stood beside sleek cabinets filled with modern dishes and polished silverware.
“Come on, keep up,” Carol whispered as she weaved through the crowd.
My gaze drifted toward the front, and a chill ran down my spine.
There, on a raised stone platform, stood a table that commanded attention.
I did not need to be told.
That was the Alpha’s table.
It was long and rectangular, made from wood so dark it looked almost black. It carried a weight of authority that could be felt even from a distance.
“That table is for the Alpha, the Beta, and the elders,” Carol confirmed as we took our seats.
I immediately felt uneasy.
We were sitting too close to the front.
From here, the Alpha would see me easily.
“You guys are here.”
The familiar voice made me turn.
Vincent approached and took a seat at our table.
Soon after, two more people joined us, a boy and a girl.
“Hello, Selena. I hope you are not angry about what we did,” Vincent said with a warm smile.
“I am over it,” I replied, returning a small smile.
“You are the brave latent Vincent was talking about?” the girl asked, her eyes shining with curiosity.
The moment the word latent left her lips, I felt it.
The shift in the room.
The attention.
Even though she had not spoken loudly, this was a hall full of wolves. A whisper was more than enough.
“Yes, I am the latent,” I said calmly. “But I cannot claim to be brave.”
Inside, my heart was pounding violently, but I refused to let it show.
I had sworn never to show weakness again.
“I can tell you are brave,” she said with a smile.
“The curious one is Angela, my mate. I am Nathan. Nice to meet you,” the young man introduced.
“I am Selena. Nice to meet you,” I replied.
“Vincent and Carol never mentioned how beautiful you are,” Angela added.
Heat rushed to my face, and I felt myself blush slightly.
Before I could respond, Carol groaned dramatically.
“I will be having an indigestion this morning,” she said.
I was about to ask what she meant when the hairs on the back of my neck suddenly stood on end.
A familiar sensation crept over me.
There was only one person who made me feel that way.
Alpha Orion.
