Chapter 327: Meeting Adjourned
Carl's POV:
After I arrived at the White Lily Pack, I wanted to rest for a while and take the tto get rid of my feelings for Jennifer.
Far was it from my expectations that a few days after my return, the pack was attacked by vampires.
The vampires were aggressive.
Even though I tried my best to stop them, the situation was looking grim.
I had no choice but to return to the Osman Kingdom to ask for support from King Anthony.I had told myself over and over again that I was only here for business.
As long as I didn't see Jennifer, my ill-fated feelings for her wouldn't continue to grow.
Never in my wildest dreams would I have expected to see her face the second I was led into the meeting room.
There she was, sitting at the table, as dignified and elegant as a queen should be.
The feelings that I had been trying to suppress for days now suddenly exploded when I laid eyes on her.
I almost lost control of myself and nearly rushed towards her.
How could this be? I secretly clenched my fists until my nails dug into my skin.
The searing pain soberedup.I was here to save my pack, not for my unrequited love.
When I finally managed to calm down, I tore my gaze away from Jennifer and looked to King Anthony.
"Mr.Jones, I'm so sorry to ask you to seeat such short notice, but the White Lily Pack is in trouble.Vampires attacked us out of the blue and our pack has suffered serious casualties.I was left with no choice but to chere and ask for reinforcements." Anthony frowned.
"But the White Lily Pack's far from the border.If they've attacked a pack deeper inside the werewolves’ territory, it must mean that they really want to start a war against us!"
The whole meeting room broke into an uproar, but my attention was focused solely on Jennifer, who was beside Anthony.She was looking back atcalmly.
Anthony then asked, "Do you know which vampire clan attacked you?"
His voice broughtback to reality.
Scolding myself internally for staring at Jennifer, I quickly answered, "They said they were from the Dracula Clan."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Oh, my God!" an elder exclaimed with horror.
"The Dracula Clan is the vampire king's clan.I didn't expect that vampires’ royal family themselves would send out their soldiers! The situation is getting worse!"
"Since they dared to reveal their own identities, they can't blus if we respond in kind."
Anthony pounded the table and stood up.He looked around coldly.
"We can't let the insults and humiliation slide this time.We have to fight back now.Alpha Carl, don't worry.I will send an army and a medical team to support the White Lily Pack and protect your werewolves."
Truth be told, I was surprised that Anthony agreed to my request so readily.I had thought that he would just pretend to be nice because of his previous grudge against me.
I couldn't help but feel a little ashamed of myself.
Anthony was truly a worthy king.
Now I understood why Jennifer loved him so much.
When I realized this, I felt even more embittered.Did I really not deserve to be with her?
Anthony's POV:
Carl's sudden appearance tookaback, but I forced myself not to overreact.
After all, he was here on behalf of his pack.
"Since your pack has also been attacked, you might as well sit down and join the meeting.Let's discuss countermeasures together." I nodded at Carl.
Carl had no objection.He quickly found a vacant seat and sat down.Then, the meeting continued.I decided to ask for others’ opinions first to see what the elders and Alphas thought.
"Let's share ideas.How should we fight against the vampires?" I asked.
Eric immediately stood up and said, "Mr.Jones, I personally am against all this fighting.If war breaks out, it will inevitably consour wealth and resources, and many werewolves will suffer.Why don't we reach out to the vampire king and negotiate for a peaceful solution?"
Primo snorted.
"Why should we negotiate with them? They were the ones who attacked us.There is no need to talk.Vampires are our natural enemy.What we need to do now is to drive them out of our territory.An eye for an eye.Strike back and let them know how powerful we are!"
An Alpha immediately pounded the table excitedly.
"Yes! We can't just give in!"
More werewolves spoke up and agreed to fight, but those who wanted to make peace were not to be outdone, especially Eric.
He raised his voice wildly and his old, wrinkled face turned red.
He pointed a finger at the other elders and shouted, "It's so easy for you to say that because you're not the ones on the front line!"
While they argued fiercely, I turned to look at Jennifer.
I asked her in a low voice, "Honey, what do you think?"
Jennifer shook her head.
"I don't think we can decide whether to fight of negotiate until we've figured out the purpose of the vampires’ invasion."
I totally agreed with her and nodded approvingly.
After a few more minutes of chaotic discussion, I thought it was tto put an end to this so I stood up and cleared my throat.
"Everyone, please be quiet."
At my request, the meeting room immediately fell silent.
"I've listened to what all of you have to say and it is reasonable.We can't shy away from fighting against our oppressors, but if we do, the war indeed will affect our citizens’ livelihood, and we can't just dispatch troops hastily.I think we should wait for the tbeing.We can make a decision after we figure out the purpose of the vampires' invasion.During this period, I will send soldiers to protect the packs from further casualties."
After I finished speaking, I paused for a moment, waiting for any violent reactions.
"What do you think? If anyone objects, you can tell me."
"I agree with your decision, Mr.Jones,"
Primo announced.
"Me, too."
Surprisingly, Eric nodded with approval.
The others echoed, "We support your decision!"
I nodded.
"Since you all are in favor of this decision, this meeting is adjourned.If anything comes up, please report it to me.Thank you for your participation."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAll the elders and Alphas in the room stood up and bowed to me.
As everyone began to file out of the room, I glanced at Carl out of the corner of my eye and made a mental note to never let Jennifer out of my sight.
"Mr.Jones, thank you so much! With your help, my pack was able to survive."
Alpha Boris of the Red Sun Pack suddenly walked up toand shook my hand.
After that, several other Alphas whom I had sent soldiers to help followed suit and cover to thank me.
"Yes, Mr.Jones.You're the most brilliant king we've ever met! Thank you so much for your help!"
"We really don't know how to thank you! Mr.Jones, please visit our pack more when you're free.I have a daughter, and she's all grown up now.She admires you a lot..."
Now that the sentiments of several were getting out of control, I held up my hand to silence them.
"I'm only doing what I should do as a king.If there's nothing else, you're all dismissed."
Smiling awkwardly, the Alphas bowed and scurried off.
"Wow! Look at you, Mr.Popular! Someone was even willing to give his daughter to you."
Jennifer, who was standing next to me, raised her eyebrows and looked atsardonically.
Obviously she had overheard what the Alpha had said just now.
I smiled at her sheepishly.
At that moment, a voice suddenly calledfrom behind.
"Mr.Jones, I'm sorry to bother you and Mrs.Jones.Have you heard anything about Linda and my son? I haven't received any news from them for the longest time."
Alpha Bard, whom I hadn't seen in ages, suddenly walked up to me.
When Jennifer saw him approach, she looked surprised.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Alpha Bard.Linda stayed in the Blue Rose Pack for a while, but she has already left.Now, she lives alone.Your son, Andy, sadly passed away because he ingested poison by mistake.I'm so sorry for your loss."
All the color drained from his face and Bard stumbled backwards a bit.
"I see.Thank you for tellingthis."
Then, he staggered out of the meeting hall.
"When Andy was still alive, Bard shirked his responsibilities as a father.It's too late for him to regret now."
Despite saying this, Jennifer shook her head and sighed.I nodded and took her hand.Together, we left the meeting hall.