Chapter 9

Leon had even more questions, but he was still patient to hear the grandfather's explanation. "Sorry grandfather, you didn't answer my question earlier. How can you suddenly appear and know us?"

To him this was very strange, slowly the old figure began to reveal his identity. "You can call me Samuel. I was an elder of the werewolf army in the past, a witch had trapped me in a spell notebook for hundreds of years, but luckily Olivia found the object which is now in her bag."

The old figure spoke seriously while glancing at Olivia. It could be guessed that Samuel would reveal something to Olivia and Leon, there seemed to be a secret that they did not know yet. "I have to tell you something important..."

"Sorry grandpa, but I guess that's not the most important thing right now, we have to get out of here as soon as possible, my mom and sister are waiting at home. We don't want to stray too far again..."

"Wait!" Olivia's voice made Leon stop what he was saying. Their gazes fell on the woman who seemed to be standing tall in front of them. Olivia, she truly had extraordinary courage.

"There's nothing wrong with listening to Grandpa Samuel speak first, I'm sure we'll find our way home easily after this." Despite his reservations, Leon agreed. For some reason, he thought Olivia was a wise person and deserved a thumbs up.

His mouth couldn't even argue. "Grandfather, I never expected to be able to talk to you, but should I trust you about the secret?"

Silence, Samuel could see the hesitant looks on Leon and Olivia's faces. They pressed their positions together curiously.

***

Elsewhere, a pair of siblings were looking into a container of water made of clay. The two had been observing Olivia and Leon since coming out of their kingdom.

Alpha Adam, apparently had a younger sister who was the same age as Olivia. "Brother, why did you decide to release them from the underground cell so suddenly?" asked Selena, her brows furrowed with a mixture of confusion and concern.

"Isn't it against our ways, especially for an alpha to make such a rash decision without careful consideration?"

Adam met his sister Selena's gaze. Her eyes reflected a mixture of determination and understanding. "I assure you, they are good people and true to their word. I don't make decisions lightly." Then Adam turned away, looking the other way. "I've seen who Olivia and Leon are each of her travels and interactions have given me insight into her character. It's clear that letting her out of here is not a threat."

Selena then replied, with a skeptical tone. "But, our traditions and protocols exist for a reason. We can't just ignore them out of sentiment."

Adam nodded in agreement, his face showing deep contemplation. "You're right, traditions are essential for maintaining order and unity within our group. But they must also evolve to accommodate new circumstances. Olivia and the man's situation is very unique, and I believe in giving him a chance."

The exchange of glances from Selena revealed the range of emotions in her heart. The tension in the air was palpable, a reflection of the weight of responsibility and the balance their group had to maintain.

"It's not just about sentiment," Adam continued, his voice steady. "It's about realizing that as an Alpha, I have to trust my instincts and judgment. Olivia has shown vulnerability, honesty, and a willingness to prove herself. We must extend the same willingness to understand and adapt."

Selena now nodded in understanding, recognizing the truth of her sister's words. The woman had a very deep trust in her. Although there were still doubts, the trust was taking root.

"Besides," Adam added, making Selena surprised again, "Olivia's release from the detention cell doesn't mean there are no restrictions at all. She will still be subject to the restrictions I've told you about before. We'll let her prove her intentions over time."

As the conversation continued, Adam addressed his only sibling's concerns, giving his explanations and reasons for recognizing the difficult balance to strike. The lines between tradition and compassion, caution and trust, began to blur as they navigated uncharted territory.

Outside her residence, a group of herd members gather in an ancient clearing, their forms a collection of shadows against a backdrop of towering trees. Among them, whispers of dissent rippled like an undercurrent beneath the surface, threatening to disrupt the unity that had long been their strength.

A werewolf named Eira stepped forward, her eyes shining with an intensity that reflected the doubts that had arisen within her. "I don't understand why Varo decided to free Olivia from the underground cell," she began, her voice tinged with a mixture of frustration and concern. "It goes against our instinct to trust outsiders easily."

Murmurs of agreement arose from the assembled group members, their expressions reflecting the same doubts. Eira's words resonated with their own uncertainty, giving voice to the unease that had taken root in their hearts.

Another member, Kai, spoke up, his tone containing a note of caution. "We have always adhered to the principle of protecting our territory and group above all else. Letting two strangers, roaming freely could potentially jeopardize our safety."

Nods of agreement ensued, and the tension in the air seemed to thicken as the group members grappled with the conflicting emotions brought on by Adam's decision.

Adam himself, who had just appeared and was standing in front of his quarters, observed the meeting with a mixture of understanding and patience. He knew that his choice had sparked debate within the group, and he respected their right to voice their concerns. She always encouraged open dialog and a sense of shared decision-making.

As the discussion continued, Eira's voice sounded increasingly urgent. "We've faced threats before, and we survived by being cautious and vigilant. Letting Olivia and Leon roam freely could be a big mistake. What if she is a spy, sent to infiltrate our ranks?"

A wave of murmurs spread through the group, each member grappling with the possibility of a hidden threat in their midst.

Finally, Adam stepped forward, his presence drawing the attention of the assembled werewolves. "I understand your concerns, and I appreciate your dedication to the safety of our pack. Our unity is our strength, and we must consider all perspectives carefully."

Eira's gaze fell on Adam, her stance firm. "But alpha Adam, this decision could jeopardize everything we've worked so hard to build. We cannot afford to be naive."

Adam's gaze contained a mixture of empathy and determination. "Eira, I assure you that I did not make this decision lightly. Olivia and her friend here is not an act of blind trust, but an opportunity to learn from each other. Our pack values include compassion and understanding, and we must extend those values even in the face of uncertainty."

The words hung in the air, reminiscent of the balance between tradition and adaptation that has always characterized Omorfos. The group members exchanged glances, the weight of their collective responsibility evident in their expressions.

Eira's resolve seemed to waver slightly, her eyes searching Adam's face for reassurance. "What if we're wrong, Alpha Adam? What if she becomes a real threat?"

Adam's response was measured, his voice carrying a mixture of conviction and compassion. "If Olivia and her friend's intentions prove dangerous, we will take the necessary action to protect our group. But until then, let's face it with open hearts."