CHAPTER 203: CLANS FROM THE KINGDOM

All the guests attending tonight’s celebration were werewolves or other supernatural beings. Not a single mortal soul had been invited. A few respected clan heads had already confirmed their attendance, so Clan Blanc had prepared well in advance. Juliette waited attentively at the gate to receive them.

A few minutes later, the convoy of the Neville Clan of Durham stopped in front of the hotel. Their clan head, Edith Neville, stood beneath the archway, her slim figure wrapped in a plain grey cloak devoid of any unnecessary ornament... save for the pair of generously proportioned breasts pressing against the fabric. Her pale eyes swept the surroundings with a measured, calculating glance.

Juliette, Raphael, and Laila stepped forward to greet her. After a polite exchange, and once all members of the Neville Clan had gathered behind Edith, Juliette guided them inside the banquet hall.

Upon reaching the centre table, Edith inclined her head slightly and said, "Lady Raynor, it is an honour to meet you. I had intended to arrive before you, but it seems I am still late." Her voice was soft but edged with precision.

Fiona said nothing, only acknowledging her with a faint smile and a slight nod.

Edith then turned to Eleanor. "Greetings, Young Miss Raynor. This is our first meeting. You are even more beautiful than people say. As a fellow wolf of the same land, we expect great things from you."

"Thank you," Eleanor replied politely, her expression unchanging.

Dominic had already risen from his seat to greet Edith. Both were alphas of lesser clans, their standings equal. He extended his hand. "Welcome, Clan Head Neville. Thank you for coming. Please, sit here."

Edith clasped his hand firmly. "No need for courtesy between us. How could I not come when you invited me personally?"

Dominic indicated the chair beside him, but Edith ignored the gesture and instead seated herself next to Eleanor. "Young Miss Raynor," she began, "I was hoping to meet you here. In fact, I have been waiting for this opportunity. My clan requires assistance, and I was hoping you could extend your hand to our turf."

Eleanor understood immediately that she was being cornered into a meeting she had avoided. The Neville Clan had already sent representatives to Heimdall to contact her, but she had been too busy and unwilling to be distracted by other matters. Without meeting them, she had redirected them to her clan. She had no idea what had transpired since.

"Sorry, Clan Head," Eleanor said evenly. "I have been busy with my work. You know I have limited time before the trial, and I need to settle many matters in the company. I asked your people to contact my clan. Didn’t they?"

Edith sighed and adopted a regretful tone. "I know. But what I need, only you can provide. I have already contacted Xavier Raynor, but he too told me he could not help in this matter."

While they spoke, Juliette escorted the other members of the Neville Clan to another table before returning to her post at the entrance.

Eleanor asked, "So, what is this matter that Uncle Xavier cannot handle?"

Edith leaned forward slightly. "I will be direct. We have been settled in Durham for thousands of years. The city was built by us to protect humans from Viking invasion. Since then, we have always guarded it. Though we lived in the woods, the humans there have always served us. Later, during the kingdom era, we retained control by selecting human leaders from among our followers. They became local nobles and kept our secret from outsiders. The current MP for the City of Durham constituency is a descendant of one such family."

"In the recent political turmoil, he has struggled to secure a party nomination. He was loyal to the former opposition leader for many years, but without the party’s backing, even if he switches allegiance or stands as an independent, his chances of election are slim. I want your help to secure his nomination."

Eleanor looked directly at Edith. "I am a businesswoman, not a politician. How the parties choose their candidates is beyond my control. If the party refuses to nominate him, replace him with someone else."

Edith smiled faintly. "Young Miss Raynor, I truly have no alternative. The power of the region is divided among the ancient families. Changing a candidate now, with elections only months away, would disrupt the local power balance. To live peacefully in Durham, we must keep local influence under our control. We are a small clan... we lack the resources to restructure the region overnight. Please help us. My clan will be forever in your debt."

Fiona, who had been silently listening while sipping her drink, suddenly spoke. "Eleanor, I do not usually involve myself in your affairs, but the Neville Clan has never stood against us. If they pledge loyalty to you, help them grow. They have been stagnant for too long. Under your guidance, I believe they will prosper."

Edith immediately understood the implication and turned to Eleanor. "Young Miss, if you help us, we are ready to follow your lead. My clan will pledge loyalty to you."

Eleanor’s expression remained unchanged as she met Edith’s gaze. "Fine. I accept. Send your candidate to Birmingham to pledge loyalty to the Langford family. If he ever breaks his promise, every member of his family will be hunted down... newborns included... until the last of his bloodline is gone."

Edith felt as though the abyss itself was staring back at her. The intimidation was so overwhelming that she forgot how to speak. Her mouth opened, but no words came.

After a moment, she regained her composure and hurriedly said, "I... I will remember. Thank you. Thank you."

Before she could say more, the next clan arrived, forcing her to fall silent.

At this time, Juliette guided the Ashdown Clan of Sussex to their table. Their head, Marcus Ashdown... who appeared as a youthful old man... bowed respectfully to Fiona before enveloping Dominic Blanc in a firm embrace.

"Congratulations, friend. Your clan has finally shown its might to the others. Two among ten from the whole world... I’m a little envious." Marcus grinned.

"Thank you. The youngsters have truly surpassed our time," Dominic replied.

Marcus then took the seat beside Dominic, while Juliette led his clan members to a separate table.

The Barghest Clan of Yorkshire arrived next, led by Aldric Barghest. He bowed respectfully to Fiona, greeted Dominic, and then sat beside Marcus, where the two quickly began chatting.

The Courtenay Clan of Devon made the grandest entrance of all. They brought dozens of barrels of wine from their own brewery, laughing and shouting to one another as they carried the barrels themselves. Their leader, Lionel Courtenay, kissed Juliette’s hand with exaggerated charm before congratulating Raphael and Laila.

The once-silent banquet hall suddenly became lively with their arrival. This clan threw etiquette to the wind, chatting and laughing boisterously.

Lionel strode directly to Fiona, bowed respectfully, then greeted Eleanor and the other clan heads seated at the centre table beside Edith. All his behaviour was deliberately exaggerated. He even began conversing with other clan heads across the table.

At their own table, Courtenay Clan members drank heartily and chatted cheerfully. Some wandered off to other tables to meet acquaintances. Influenced by them, other clans also began to relax and grow more animated.

Clan Blanc members, who had been making last-minute preparations, entered the hall to distribute room keys to guests who wished to rest for the night. Several others brought appetisers and refreshments to the tables before joining whichever group they preferred.

Suddenly, a hush fell over the hall as the Helvellyn Clan of Werecats entered. Their leader, Winifred, tall and elegantly dressed in a midnight-blue silk gown, a tiara made of diamonds adorned over her head, and she looked like a woman in her middle years. Her presence exuding a mature, captivating charm. Her steps were soundless, her smile faint and unreadable. She surveyed the gathered werewolves before walking towards the centre table behind Juliette Blanc.

Before the Supernatural Act had been imposed upon the races, werewolves and werecats had never seen eye to eye. They were locked in constant conflict. Though such hostilities had ceased long ago, the two races still lived apart, meeting only rarely.

The Helvellyn Clan also possessed shadow abilities, making them perfect assassins since ancient times. After the Supernatural Act, they became allies of Clan Blanc, as both clans shared similar powers. Through mutual exchange, their ability users had grown stronger, and the friendship between the clans had endured ever since.

"Old friend," Dominic said, rising to his feet and extending his hand towards Winifred. "You’ve come as promised."

"How could I miss your clan’s grand celebration? After all these years, your clan is finally set to produce two ascendants at once. Congratulations." She clasped Dominic’s hands warmly.

Dominic smiled. "Allow me to introduce you... this is Fiona Elizabeth Raynor, clan head of the Raynor Clan."

Winifred offered Fiona a graceful curtsy, the gesture refined and precise, like that of a noblewoman. "It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Lady Raynor. I’ve heard much about you over the years."