Return to Seven Fountain

Back at the Packhouse

While Simoné and Chrisanne enjoyed their afternoon away from the pack, a tense meeting was underway at the packhouse. Duncan sat at the head of the large oak table, his hands steepled as he thought about the details of the fight. His father, Thamus, sat next to him. Delta Chase leaned against the far wall, arms crossed, his brows furrowed as if he were still puzzling over the events of the day. The atmosphere in the room was heavy with unspoken questions and concerns, most of them centered around Simoné's unexpected victory—and her sudden transformation.

"We need to talk about what happened today," Duncan said, breaking the silence that had hung heavy in the room.

Rupert, still massaging his sore jaw, shook his head in disbelief. "I've never seen anything like it. One moment, she was moving fast, but manageable. And then, before I could even register what was happening, she shifted, and I didn't stand a chance. I don't understand how she beat me," Rupert said, his tone tinged with frustration as he crossed his arms. "I have never seen her fight. It was like she was a different person."

Thamus, the previous Beta of the pack and a veteran of countless battles, sat in quiet contemplation. His greying hair and the deep lines on his face were a testament to his years of experience, but even he seemed rattled by what Rupert was describing.

Rupert nodded, his eyes flickering with a mixture of awe and frustration. "It wasn't just her strength. It was like she moved faster than anything I've ever seen. Her attacks were precise, and I couldn't keep up."

Duncan remained silent for a moment; his brow furrowed in thought. Duncan's mind raced. He'd always known his sister was special, but the way she'd dominated the match against Rupert was beyond anything he could have anticipated; and changing Chase's mind to fight, in the same day had left even him questioning what he knew about her abilities.

"Her speed, her reflexes—everything was so sharp," Duncan said finally. "But it wasn't just her physical strength. Something else happened out there. The way she moved... it was almost like she knew what was coming before you did."

Rupert nodded grimly. "That's exactly what it felt like. I've never seen her move like that."

"And then there's the shift," Duncan added, his voice dropping. "She turned into a white wolf, Dad. I've never seen that before—not in our pack, not anywhere."

The room fell silent as the weight of Duncan's words settled over them. White wolves were legendary in werewolf lore, known for their exceptional abilities and rare powers. Few packs had ever encountered one, and those who did often found themselves drawn into conflicts over the extraordinary wolves' gifts.

Thamus' eyes narrowed as he considered the implications. "A white wolf... That's more than just a physical shift. White wolves are said to possess heightened abilities—gifts that go beyond the natural strengths of other wolves. "You're sure?" Everyone around the table nodding in agreement of what they saw.

"Gifts?" Rupert asked, his brow furrowing. "Like what?"

Chase, who had been uncharacteristically silent until now, pushed off the wall, stepped forward and finally spoke up, his voice low and serious. "White wolves are rare," he said. "We've all heard the stories. They're said to possess unique abilities—heightened strength, speed, even mental powers. But I've never seen one in person, and I certainly didn't expect Simone to be the one. She used something else against me." His eyes flickered with uncertainty. "When we stood across from each other, I felt something. It wasn't physical. It was like... like she got inside my head. I felt myself hesitate, and I don't know why."

Duncan shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his thoughts flicking back to the fight. He had seen it too, the moment when Chase—one of the most relentless fighters in the pack—had stood zoned out, a hesitancy that wasn't like him. Could it be possible that Simone had influenced him? Had she used her power on their Delta without even realizing it? Simoné had been quick to take advantage, but the way it happened, so effortlessly, raised questions.

"You think she used persuasion skills on you?" Thamus asked, his deep voice cutting through the room.

Chase hesitated before nodding. "Maybe. I don't know for sure. But it felt like she was influencing me somehow, making me second-guess myself."

Thamus leaned forward, his fingers tapping the table in a slow, steady rhythm. "If she can influence minds, even subtly, that's not just a gift—it's a weapon. And a powerful one at that."

Rupert's eyes widened. "Persuasion? I didn't even know Simoné had that kind of ability."

Duncan clenched his fists under the table, his protective instincts roaring to life. Simone was his sister, and he had always been there to shield her from danger. But this? This was something beyond his control.

"We can't let this get out," Duncan said firmly. "She's always been good at reading people, getting them to see things her way. But this is more than just charisma or leadership skills. If she can use persuasion like that in a fight... If other packs hear about Simone's abilities, especially Clint over at Mystic Hills, they'll see her as a threat or even a weapon."

Thamus frowned, his weathered face lined with concern. "If she can influence others without them realizing it, that's a dangerous power. One she may not even fully understand. If Simoné's skills are tied to those abilities... it could explain what Chase felt."

Duncan's jaw tightened. "And if that's true, we need to be careful. Other packs will see her as something to control."

Chase shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Mystic Hills will definitely take an interest if they hear about this. Clint's been looking for an edge over us for years."

Thamus nodded grimly. "Which is why we need to keep this within the pack for now. Until Simoné understands her powers and we know exactly what she's capable of, no one outside this room besides our Alpha's can know."

Duncan agreed. The last thing they needed was for Clint, the Alpha of the neighbouring Mystic Hills Pack, to catch wind of Simoné's newfound abilities. Clint had always been a problem, constantly testing the boundaries of their territory, looking for weaknesses. If he learned about Simoné's power, it could trigger a conflict they weren't ready for.

"We need to talk to Simoné," Duncan said. "She needs to understand what she's dealing with."

Thamus met his son's gaze. "Agreed. But we also need to tread carefully. This kind of power can be overwhelming, especially for someone who's just discovering it."

The discussion had drawn to a close. Thamus, Duncan, Rupert, and Chase stood around the table, their expressions grim but resolute.

"We need to help Simoné understand her abilities," Duncan said, his voice firm. "But we also need to protect her from anyone who might see her as a threat."

Thamus nodded. "Agreed. We'll keep this quiet for now. But we can't keep it hidden forever. Sooner or later, word will get out.