Chapter 136: He Has Returned.

THE WOLF The youngest wolf, standing nervously at the back of the group, stifled a small laugh. Elder Miriam's sharp gaze immediately darted to him. "What's so funny, boy?" The wolf turned pale. "N-nothing, ma'am." "Do you find your failure amusing?" Garret growled, his deep voice shaking the air. Jonas quickly stepped in. "It's not like that, Elder. We didn't expect the other wolf to be so... fierce. She fought back harder than we thought she could." 'You're trained wolves." Miriam's voice dripped with disbelief. "You're telling me that another wolf, most likely rogue, got the better of trained wolves? Is this how you plan to defend us in time of crisis?" Jonas clenched his fists. "It wasn't just that. Aaron is stronger than ever. He's ready to take his place again. He didn't even fight us…he just... stood his ground. We couldn't touch him." Garret leaned back, stroking his beard in frustration. "So, let me get this straight. You found him, you fought him, and yet he is not here. Is that correct?" Jonas nodded, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "Yes, Elder." Garret's anger boiled beneath the surface, but he remained silent, letting the weight of the situation settle over the wolves. The silence grew thick, broken only by Miriam's continued tapping. Finally, Garret spoke. His voice was lower, but still carried the hint of anger. "We sent you because we believed you could handle this. But instead, you return with excuses." His eyes narrowed. "Do you understand how crucial Aaron's return is?" Jonas nodded, keeping his head low. "Yes, Elder." "And now you come back empty-handed?" Garret raised his voice again, making everyone in the room wince. The youngest wolf, trying to ease the tension, stepped forward. "But, Elder, they were…" Garret's fierce glare silenced him immediately. "Enough!" He stood, towering over the six wolves. "This failure... is unacceptable." Miriam let out a long sigh, finally stopping her tapping. "What's done is done, Garret. We cannot change the past. We will simply have to wait." Garret turned his sharp gaze to her, his anger barely restrained. "Wait? For what? For them to walk through that door?" Just as he finished speaking, the heavy wooden doors of the hall creaked open. The large doors swung wide, and in walked Aaron, tall and proud. with Helena by his side, looking around with curious eyes. Luna followed behind, marching in as if it was something she had become used to and grown bored of. The hall, once filled with tension and frustration, now fell into complete silence. Every pair of eyes turned toward them, jaws hanging open in disbelief. For a moment, no one spoke. Elder Garret blinked several times, trying to process what he was seeing. His mouth opened, but no words came out. Miriam stared wide-eyed, her fingers pausing mid-tap as if frozen in time. Aaron stood confidently before them, the light of the room casting a soft glow on his strong features. Luna, ever watchful, stood close to him, her eyes scanning the room with the intensity of a warrior. And Helena, the only human among them, stood with quiet grace, though her presence alone stirred confusion among the elders. Garret was the first to break the silence, his voice piercing through the hall. "Aaron!" Aaron lifted his head, meeting Garret's gaze with calmness. "Elder Garret." "You... you're here," Garret stammered, as if still struggling to believe. "You've come back." Aaron gave a small nod, his expression stern. "I have." Miriam, finally snapping out of her shock, rose from her chair. "Who are these women with you, Aaron? You left alone. You were supposed to return alone." Aaron glanced at Helena and Luna for a brief moment before turning his attention back to the elders. "Helena is by my side, as she always has been. And this is Luna. She's a friend." He dropped his head slightly, smirking. 'Although, you might know her already." Miriam's eyes narrowed as they settled on Helena. "She's not one of us. What business does she have here in LunaVille?" Before Aaron could answer, one of the wolves who had failed to capture him earlier nervously spoke up. "Elders, we did try to bring him back, but…." "Quiet!" Garret snapped, cutting the wolf off. His attention remained on Aaron. "We will deal with your failure later." The room fell silent again, the tension shifting as the elders tried to make sense of Aaron's unexpected arrival. Garret's frustration and anger seemed to dissolve into something more uncertain. Aaron's calm, steady demeanor seemed to unsettle the elders even more. He hadn't come back defeated or humbled, he stood before them on his own terms, strong and unwavering. It was clear that something had shifted…he was no longer the same wolf they had once known. Of course, he wasn't. Miriam, sensing the shift in power, frowned deeply. "You were expected to return sooner, Aaron. The council has been waiting." Aaron met her gaze without flinching. "I return when I am ready. And I am ready now." Garret's eyes flickered with disbelief and frustration, but he held his tongue. Miriam, on the other hand, was less patient. 'You ‘return when you are ready'?" she repeated, her voice sharp. 'We don't answer to your whims, Aaron. You answer to the council." Aaron stood firm, his expression calm. 'I am here now. That is what matters." The tension in the room thickened, and the wolves who had failed in their mission looked down, shifting uncomfortably. Garret cleared his throat, trying to regain control of the situation. 'This council has waited for your return for a long time, Aaron. We have much to discuss." Aaron nodded slightly. 'I know. And I'm ready for those discussions." Miriam shot another glance at Helena, her eyes narrowing. 'And the rogue wolf? What is ‘she' doing here?" Luna, sensing the growing hostility, stepped forward, placing herself between Helena and the elders. 'She is with us." Luna said, her voice calm but firm. 'She has earned her place here." Miriam snorted. 'Your issue will be dealt with later, Luna. But I guess it is good to have you back. But an outside werewolf in Lunaville? This is unheard of." Aaron spoke up before anyone could respond. 'Helena is not a threat. She helped us, and she's here because I trust her."