The Howling as what the werewolves gathered here would call it is just like any other gathering. Adrian as his introverted self just stood in a corner of the campfire just observing. Solstice and Lycan waited a few meters away from him and situated themselves on top of the trees.
Adrian noticed that all the werewolves here now are young like him. It seems that they are really going for people they can mold early on so that loyalty would be ingrained. It was then that Adrian noticed that two powerful auras coming towards them.
Adrian just blended in the back to avoid arousing suspicion as he is just there to observe. Adrian saw that the two of them are female with the other one having the ferocity that is the same as Duke Lycaon. The other one feels the same as Nikita but is too cheerful with a smile plastered on her face.
Adrian could see through that smile though as it was not even genuine. It is a smile that is somehow off-putting due to how fake it was, but the others do not seem to notice that.
"It seems that everyone here is naive about the true nature of their leaders. Nikita is not bad per se, but she is too much of a fanatic of that Alpha." Adrian thought.
Adrian could see that this 'Alpha' is indeed an as her title say she is, but he could see right through her. This is a first for Adrian because his evil eyes say that her real name is Eirene, but the color of her soul is different. Adrian could see the true color of her soul and it is not the color of a Legendary Tier NPC's soul but an individual that serves the dark gods.
Eldritch' soul is the same color of Eirene's which is pitch black that Adrian feels disgusted to look at. Adrian liked seeing the souls of other NPCs especially the good one because it calms him down. The first time he was disgusted in seeing a soul would be when he encountered the soul of a Faceless One.
"It sems that I now know why this Alpha does not have the mindset of a normal werewolf because she is not a true one. It seems that the bigger problem right now would be on how to expose her. If she is a faceless one, then she is one at the top." Adrian thought as he thought more deeply why the other werewolves could not sniff it out.
The only possible way that the other werewolves could not sniff out the fake one among them would be that the shapeshifting is flawless. Even Adrian would be fooled if he could not see the soul of this other Alpha.
[You have found a clue pertaining to your mission 'Those That Plan in the Dark']
[Bring the information you got to Duke Lycaon safely without getting found out that you are actually a spy.]
Adrian is thrilled upon knowing that he already got the mission half done. All he needed to do now is act like who he is right now which is a low-level werewolf.
"Should I silently fade into the background and disappear? But that would be too predictable for a spy. I must keep up the façade until the meeting ends." Adrian steeled himself as he needs to become the best actor that could win an award right now.
"Good evening everyone! I hope I did not make you wait for too long. I was caught up with something due to our members continually rising." Eirene stated in an amiable tone unlike what a fierce Alpha should.
From what the Duke of Arkadia told their group, the Alpha should be a strong leader and not someone who is soft-hearted. Even Duke Lycaon does not become soft from the sight of Lycan who he considers as his own son.
"Have you all been doing well? I hope that you do not overexert yourselves to the point that you cannot move. We might be werewolves, but we are not tireless. I expect that you my little darlings would take better care of yourselves and be ready when the time to execute mission comes.
The vampires that devastated your homes will forever be regretful that they made you live because you will show them what it means to be powerful. I as your guiding mother will help you in strengthening yourselves and will protect you until you can take care of yourselves." Eirene stated with the aura of a loving mother.
Adrian thought that no one should buy that act but the werewolves are all smitten. It was as if she has imprinted on them. Adrian could see the look that the young werewolves have when they look at Eirene. It was the look of a child looking lovingly at their mother.
Adrian is not falling for it though as he knows that it is fake. Adrian's indication of how a good an NPC is would be their soul. The clearer the soul then the better the person and that person in front of him is not a good person.
She might show the face of an angel right now but behind close doors would be different. Eirene ended her speech and talked to every werewolf and even hugged them like a mother would. Soon she talked to her executives and then Adrian noticed that they are going to his direction.
"This must be the young one that you have just told me about, Nikita. My name is Eirene. It is nice to meet you." Eirene stated as flashed a smile towards Adrian.
"It is nice to meet you too. I hope I am not intruding too much though I can feel that I am not much welcomed. I am sorry if I feel that way." Adrian stated to test how well Eirene could keep up her mask of being an amiable mother.
"They are not bad people, so you do not have to be sorry. Everyone is like that the first time that they meet someone. I am sorry if you feel left out in anyway. They are just shy towards strangers as they have a rough past just like you." Eirene stated.
Adrian was about to reply when he suddenly felt an immense bloodlust coming from Eirene's direction. The bloodlust was not from Eirene herself but from Elara. She still had a smile plastered on her face though despite the malevolent aura coming from her.
"I asked him to come here because I heard his story and he reminded him of myself. I just want him to have a group where he belongs." Nikita stated.
"I see. I am proud that you can now see the value in people, Nikita. As for you young one, if you really want to know how we treat others then you must go to our meets more often." Eirene stated.
"I am more of a drifter myself since I have no home to return to. I want to see the world that my parents always told me during bedtime. I want to see how big the world is which is why I am sorry if I cannot join you. If our fates cross again then that would only mean that I am fated to join you." Adrian replied and a frown could be seen on Eirene's face.
"I think that the brat that you took here has shown too much disrespect to out leader, Nikita." Elara stated with anger in her voice.
"If I am somewhat disrespectful then I am sorry. I am not used to dealing with other people that much because I am wary. I am still gradually getting used to the company of others. I have been a lone wolf since the time that my parents died." Adrian stated as he bowed deeply.
"You do not need to worry about it, my child. Elara is just the one who usually the one that gets mad for me because I do not get mad easily. Excuse her behavior. We have activities planned for tonight. I implore you to stay today and experience what we do." Eirene stated as she excused herself and interacted with the other werewolves.
Adrian bowed at the leaving figure of Eirene while Elara glared at him fiercely. It seems that Elara has now planted a grudge against Adrian. He can only feel sorry to the person that he borrowed his face from.
"I am sorry about Elara's attitude. She is overprotective of Eirene because she was the first one to be saved by her. You can rest now if you like as the activities would only be team bonding exercises. You can also stay if you like." Nikita advised Adrian.
"Thank you for the advice, but my parents also told me that rest is important. I hunted earlier and I am still tired even though I did not do much." Adrian stated as he walked away.
"If I do not walk away now then that Elara person would definitely tear me to shreds." Adrian thought as he went to regroup with the others.