Chapter 1615: The Old Meeting (Part 2)

“Galdark?” Bluebird called out immediately, his voice rising before he could stop himself.

Galdark wasn’t just any member of the Werewolf pack. He was someone Bluebird knew extremely well, Jack’s right-hand man, a talented fighter, and one of the most dependable men under Jack’s command. Bluebird had seen him fight, had watched him grow, and understood just how closely Jack treated him. It had always been clear that Galdark was the one Jack was grooming to become the next head of the pack after he stepped down. That was the plan Jack had spoken of more than once, the future he was building.

Of course, it was hard to say how any of that would go. Jack still didn’t know how to circumvent all of the kingdom’s rules just yet, and even Bluebird wasn’t sure how they would handle the formalities when the time came. Still, of all people, this man, Galdark, standing in front of him was no surprise.

But the situation behind his arrival was. Jack had never missed a Council meeting before. Not once in all the years Bluebird had known him. The absence pressed into Bluebird’s chest before he could hide the worry.

“Jack deeply apologises for everything,” Galdark said again, bowing respectfully. “Please continue on matters as you have done before, and I will inform him of what is taking place. If there are any important matters that the whole Council must decide on, once I have passed on the information, I will pass on his decision as well.”

His voice was steady, but Bluebird could hear a faint tension beneath it. Galdark wasn’t lying, but something was off.

Still, for now, because Bluebird didn’t want to alarm the others, he decided to accept it. The meeting went on.

The Council discussed the various troubles the city had faced. They talked about the number of crimes decreasing, about the latest incident involving the Knights and the assessment training. Every detail was laid out on the table, every concern aired so that future problems could be prevented. They worked to patch weaknesses so they wouldn’t become cracks later.

It was a long meeting, longer than usual, and when it eventually came to an end, all Bluebird wanted was to say the one thing on his mind.

“Galdark,” Bluebird said as the chatter faded, “do you mind waiting for me so I can speak to you?”

He didn’t want the others to know his concerns. Even though the Werewolves were part of their society now, not everyone in the Council liked them living so close. Some still muttered that demons walked among them, that allowing Werewolves inside the kingdom’s borders was inviting danger straight to the doorstep.

So it wasn’t good to bring up worries when all they were, at least for now, were concerns. Nothing confirmed. Nothing solid.

As the members began to leave one by one, Bluebird kept his expression neutral. Galdark stayed near the back of the room, waiting silently. Before leaving, Sylvia approached Bluebird with a faint wrinkle in her brow.

“Is this something I should be worried about?” Sylvia asked quietly. “I haven’t had time to keep up with everything these days, but I do have time now.”

“It’s okay,” Bluebird replied, softening his voice. “I have people handling the situation. You’ve been retired for a long time. You focus on the paperwork and the role, not on anything that might put you in danger. If something ever happened to you... or put you at risk... well, I’d hate myself. And you know it.”

Sylvia let out a small breath and smiled gently. She didn’t argue, didn’t try to force her way into something dangerous.

“You’re a good friend,” Sylvia said as she rested a hand briefly on his arm. “Stop trying to make up for your past mistakes.” And with that, she ventured off and walked out of the room.

Finally, Bluebird was able to step toward Galdark. The room was nearly empty now, the heavy doors shutting behind the last departing Council member. Only the two of them remained, the echo of earlier conversations fading into stillness.

“What’s going on, Galdark?” Bluebird asked quietly, his voice firm now that they were alone. “And be honest with me. Jack has never missed a meeting before. Where is he right now? Is he still at the base? Or has he left the city?”

Galdark’s expression shifted. His normally steady gaze wavered with something like unease or conflict. He held the silence for a moment before deciding to tell the truth.

“I don’t really know,” Galdark said.

Bluebird’s breath caught. That wasn’t the answer he expected.

“Jack has been acting a little strange for a while now,” Galdark continued slowly. “He was being more cautious than usual. It almost felt like he thought an attack was going to happen at any moment.”

Bluebird listened without interrupting.

“But it never did,” Galdark said. “Nothing came. Yet Jack continued to be cautious. Overchecking every mission we went on. Asking again and again if any other Werewolves had come by. Asking if any unfamiliar scents had appeared near the base.”

Bluebird could picture it clearly, Jack pacing, scanning, doubling back, sharpening his vigilance to the point of obsession.

“There had been nothing,” Galdark said. “For a short while, things seemed to calm down, including Jack’s uneasiness. He looked like he was returning to normal. But then things really changed.”

Bluebird swallowed once.

Galdark lowered his voice. “He stays in his office most of the time. He barely comes out. And when he does... he looks different compared to before.”

“Different how?” Bluebird asked.

Galdark shook his head. “His posture, his eyes, the way he moves. I asked if he was okay, but he gave me a forced smile. Today, when I saw him, he told me to come in his stead. Everything I said earlier is true, but right after he told me that, he went back into his office. He’s been in there for a while now, keeping himself shut inside.”

It was difficult for Bluebird to believe Jack was shaken to this extent. Jack, an Alpha of the strongest Werewolf pack in Bronzeland. Jack, whose presence alone was enough to intimidate even trained warriors. Jack, who never wavered even when others did.

So what had managed to reach him? What had frightened him enough to hide behind a locked door?

“And his family?” Bluebird asked, remembering what Kai had said. “What about them?”

“They’re still at the base,” Galdark answered. “But they haven’t left either.”

Bluebird fell silent. His thoughts spiraled in slow, heavy circles.

He was trying to figure out what could have shaken an Alpha, that Alpha, so deeply. Jack didn’t scare easily. He didn’t retreat. He didn’t hide.

For him to be like this...

Something was very wrong.

****

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