I had to give Suzan the same lie I had passed on to Sam, about some witch from my hometown healing me. Unlike Sam, it took a lot of time for me to explain to her why I cannot reveal the location of that witch. That whole explanation got my anger off my mind.

With the tasks being distributed and people working on it, I had the time to fill and stamp a load of forms that were supposed to be filled and submitted back at the elders' quarters. I went back to the quarters and decided to get the job done sitting there in the cafeteria. It wasn't allowed for me to meet the elders yet, but I could at least take my chance by spending my time there and bumping into someone.

When I entered the building, the receptionist was not there, so I went directly into the spacious cafeteria and spread all my required items on the white table. The cafeteria was utterly bland, with white furniture and sky blue painted walls, which somehow made my attention sensitive for even a slight change.

I was compiling the documents after hours of work when suddenly one of them flew away at a distance on the ground. Before I could pick it, there was another hand that did it for me. I looked up to see a middle-aged man, who was crazy tall and buffed. He had golden-brown hair and despite his huge appearance; he held a polite smile while handing the paper back. "Thank you," my voice almost came low, trying to discern whether he just worked here or was one of the elders'.

"No worries, child," he spoke with confidence, as if he owned this place.

I gulped before asking, "Umm, are you one of the elders'?"

He chuckled at my words. This friendly energy of his did not match his looks. He looked as if he could tear a person in two halves with just his bare hands. "Yes I am, I was the former Alpha of the Village and retired a little early so I got here this young"

Usually the Gammas, the former Alpha and Beta of the village pack, get the honour to be an elder. Rarely, Omegas who have exceptional abilities serve the elders and, in their old age, get a seat as an elder to show respect to their service. If this man was saying he was the youngest, then others were probably grey hairs with typical rock hard minds.

"Nice to meet you. I am Selene. Currently aiming to be the Beta of Winterwells pack." The one thing I did not know was how to greet the elders' so I simply bowed, hoping they would be old-fashioned.

"Dear, I am a little busy," He refused to introduce himself, and I stood back up swiftly. "And you don't need to introduce yourself. I did your background check."

Even though he was talking politely and had a smile on his face, I could tell he wasn't exactly pleased with my background. I put up a saintly smile in front of him and remarked innocently, "The information must be very interesting."

He returned my smile, but the atmosphere had somehow become dense, "Very, and secretive enough that it lies in the fireplace as ash." I looked at him sternly. If he was trying to keep it to himself meant he would use it against me one day. He walked past me, making his way outside the cafeteria. There was a halt, and I turned to see his extensive back as he spoke, "We bear ill-intention only to the outsiders who come with ill-intention, rest we welcome with open hands. All the best for the competition, Selene."

As the man left, I was standing there trying to contemplate his words. It was a subtle warning that I was on the radar, as my intentions were not cleared. But he burnt my information meant he was ready to hide it. I could only find that later on.

I turned and gathered everything from the table. Outside, Shagen was back, and I carried the pile of documents to her. Seeing me, her face relaxed as compared to the bored and irritated look she passed me in the morning. It was afternoon now and the change in her looks was enough to say she would open a little better this time. I gave her a smile and said, "you look more lively. Morning work must be really stressful"

She checked the pile of documents I had handed and spoke without meeting my eyes, "Yes, it can get a little vexing without a nice cup of coffee. But that doesn't mean I will give the information to your flattery, Ms Selene."

I knew she wouldn't break this easy, and she shouldn't. After all, she was the receptionist for the elders' who handled the sensitive information.

"I am just having a casual conversation," I said, waving my hand, and she did not respond, but her attention this time was completely towards me. "Here are the papers and taxation files," I had got it from Connie while I was headed to elders' quarters and had done a fair report of it with the other work.

Shagen checked the papers and put them inside a drawer. "These sheets look well made."

"Aren't I supposed to get that stamped from the elders?" I asked, trying to get an opportunity through, even though I knew it wasn't allowed for me to meet them.

"That is only after you officially become the Beta. Meeting elders is forbidden for the rest," Shangen replied, going back to her computer, typing some things, while looking at the documents I had given to her.

She was talking in a better tone now, but I knew it would be tough to get things out of her. Shagen was a fairly good person at her job, so riling things would only result in my bad. There was another job that I had to request from her, and it was something that only she could help me with, as I had no contact with Channing.

I did not argue with her words and asked directly, "Okay, I need one more help. Can you please officially inform Waterwoods officials and get a permit for a quick visit?"

Shagen turned to me, placing her elbows on the desk, and supported her face over her interlaced fingers. "That is the job of Beta to make such reservations and get the permits a week earlier of the visit." There was a brief resistance and challenging mockery in her voice that asked me to prove myself instead of getting freeloading help. But the only person who could help me right was Shagen, because I would never get help from Fang.

I pulled up a smile, "Ms Shagen.. sorry Mrs Shagen, I am acting Beta for just two days and you know scheming Waterwoods can be. Your words will weigh more than mine. After all, who will refuse you, Ms Shagen."

A part of me was cringing. This was something I found absolutely disgusting when strangers did it to me and so doing it to others was equally uncomfortable. But desperate times, desperate measures. I had to try even if I wasn't good at it, especially with rigid people like Shagen.

Shagen giggled, "you are very flattering Ms Selene. So obvious, I want to see you continue just to say NO at the end for your efforts to drown in the drain."