Chapter 5

Henry wasn't pleased with the fact that his mother had sent the young lady he brought away with the two guards, especially since she was slightly naked and not wearing any panties underneath the white towel.

His wolf growled, but he silently went back into the mansion, hoping that Camila was safe in the refugee house.

Alpha Collins remained silent as he watched his only son walk into the Grand Hall and finally make his way toward the dining hall to join them.

Juliet and Madelyn were also displeased by what they had seen, and they approached the dining table with their mother. The whole family settled into their seats to have something to eat.

"Henry, you don’t seem happy. What's the problem?" Alpha Collins asked as he continued to observe his son’s behavior.

"Nothing, Father. I am fine," Henry casually replied, and his father didn’t press the topic further.

Luna Ruth frowned as she settled beside her husband at the dining table. Alpha Collins stared at her and asked, "What troubles you, my mate?"

Luna Ruth glanced at her son and then back to her husband. "I am not pleased with the fact that Henry brought that foreigner here."

"It’s okay, my Luna. Let’s not worry about the stranger since we don’t know her intentions either. Whatever they are, we will find out tomorrow," Alpha Collins assured her, and the dining hall fell into a great silence.

"Shall we start eating now?" Alpha Collins asked, to which Luna Ruth replied, "Yes, the maids..."

Luna Ruth signaled to the maids to come closer and serve their meals, and they began eating around the table in silence.

After dinner with his family ended, Henry stood up from his chair first and said, "Good night," to his family members who were still eating. He went back to his chambers on the third floor of the magnificent mansion, unable to shake the image of the beautiful young lady he had brought into his father's house from his mind.

Henry walked to his bathroom to take a shower, and when he was done, he stepped out and put on his white robe before retiring to bed.

---

The following day in Alpha Collins' mansion, after the morning routine was over, Alpha Collins and some of the elders gathered in the Grand Hall. He informed them about the new foreigners who had come into their pack seeking to become a part of it.

"Guards, go and bring the new foreigners here for their interviews and to understand what brings them into our pack," Alpha Collins said as he sat in the royal head seat, signifying that he was the ruler.

The guards left for the refuge house, where there were five other new captives in addition to Camila White. They were brought into the Grand Hall to meet with Alpha Collins.

Alpha Collins was still the ruling Alpha of the Western Wood Pack. Although he had ordained Henry as the new Alpha, Henry could not rule until he had a mate or a Luna to help him govern the pack. Until his son chose a mate, Alpha Collins Dominic remained the one ruling the Western Wood Pack.

"They're here, Alpha," the head guard informed as he arrived outside the mansion with the six new foreigners.

"Let them inside," Alpha Collins responded, and the head guard ushered the six individuals into the Grand Hall.

There were two males and four females, with Camila among the females. As they approached the front of the Alpha's throne, where Alpha Collins and his wife sat, they stopped as the head guard instructed them to.

"Yes, I hope you all know that you are foreigners in our pack, and foreigners are not allowed to roam freely among us," Alpha Collins stated, his gaze fixed on the six new captives standing before him.

Henry Dominic stood on the second-floor balcony, staring down at Camila and the other five captives in the center of the hall. He admired her in her long, oversized blue gown that swept the floor beneath her.

Camila felt nervous, recalling how her father usually judged the defaulters in the Eastern Wood Pack. Now, as a defaulter herself, she couldn't imagine the level of anxiety she was experiencing.

She felt an intense gaze upon her and, looking up, met the gaze of the man who had brought her there the previous night, saving her from the pack's security guards chasing her.

Unknowingly, her cheeks flushed red at the sight of Henry Dominic.

Luna Ruth was seated next to her husband on the throne. As the ruling Luna of the Western Wood Pack, she was seen as a queen, and her gaze was fixed intently on Camila, observing her blush while her husband spoke to the new foreigners.

Luna Ruth's angry gaze returned to Camila. The young woman felt the subtle glare from Luna Ruth and gulped, listening attentively to the Alpha King.

"Like I stated, it's a rule in our pack to welcome foreigners. Every life matters, but while welcoming foreigners, we must also ensure the safety of our pack members. Therefore, we created the Refugee House, where all new captives are kept and work as servants in our pack house. To gain the privilege of living freely in our pack, you must show your honesty by serving our pack members and also within the pack house but must not act superior to any members of the Western Wood Pack. Otherwise, you will be punished.

Starting with the confrontation first, we would like to know what brings you foreigners here, fleeing from your various packs to join us. While we acknowledge that some of you may be travelers visiting different regions, we understand that some of you are defaulters, having been banished from your packs.

Starting with you! What brings you to the territory of the Western Wood Pack? And mind you, you will be tested on your answer. If found guilty of lying, you shall be flogged and severely punished, and your treatment here shall be worse than death," Alpha Collins warned, his yellow eyes calmly burning as he scrutinized the six foreigners.

Camila gulped heavily as she heard Alpha Collins’ final judgment.

"Are you ready to speak? Now you?" Alpha Collins pointed to the first foreigner, who all wore similar, oversized blue garments.

"Speak! Tell us your name, where you're from, the reason you were banished, or why you left your pack," Alpha Collins prompted, and Camila noticed the scribe writing down the Alpha's words.

Camila glanced to her left, realizing she was the third person to speak. The first individual spoke about being from the Northern Wood Pack, stating he was there for tourism and to learn about plants.

"Hmm..." Alpha Collins hummed, staring at the next person, who was from the Southern Wood Pack. This individual admitted to stealing multiple times, explaining it was the main reason he had left the pack.

"Argrhh..." Alpha Collins growled softly.

Camila saw Alpha Collins growl at the second man, and when the Alpha's gaze finally fell on Camila, she gulped heavily. Her forehead became sweaty as she felt the nerves wash over her, stammering to reveal the reason for her banishment.