Beyond the Bloodline-Chapter 234: Home Sweet Home

Wolfsong Chateau

Westley Clan Main Residence

Silverspire City

Cassarean Region

November 28th

Year 2018

The convoy of sleek black cars glided through the streets of Silverspire City, their engines a low, growl against the backdrop of the bustling city.

As they sped along, civilians lined the sidewalks, and their eyes filled with excitement and anticipation were trained on the luxurious vehicles passing by.

A multitude of whispers danced through the crowd like a restless breeze.

"Did you hear? One of the Ancestors has returned!"

"They say he’s the reason for all the Deity Descents in the past week."

"Which one? The Clan’s got many Ancestors..."

"I hear it’s the one who created the Howl Council!"

"Huh? Isn’t that Ancestor Jamie?! It’s him, isn’t it?!"

"Do you think we’ll see him?"

Eager faces turned toward the convoy, hopeful for a glimpse of the living legend of their clan.

However, disappointment flickered across the crowd as they noted the tinted windows of the cars, obscuring the figures within.

Yet, the aura of power surrounding the convoy was unmistakable, even to the least energy-perceptive being. This only made the murmurs grow louder, wrapping around the city like an exhilarating thrill.

As they neared their destination, the towering silhouette of the Wolfsong Chateau emerged on the horizon, a magnificent structure that seemed to rise from the earth itself.

The chateau boasted a stunning array of soaring towers and elegant spires that pierced the sky, their designs intricate and reminiscent of a bygone era.

Despite how old this building was, it had numerous layers of spatiotemporal magic cast upon it to make it maintain its state, and even repair itself in the event of damage.

The façade shimmered in shades of pale stone and soft grey, adorned with ornate carvings that depicted the history and heritage of the Westley Clan.

Gargoyles perched atop the building, their stone eyes watching over the estate with a vigilant gaze.

In the event of any danger, these gargoyles would come alive, revealing their powers as Deity Realm existences which would protect the Clan Residence.

The windows were tall and arched, framed by delicate balustrades that overlooked the manicured gardens sprawling at its feet.

These gardens were a riot of colours, even in late November, with hardy flowers bravely blooming amid the deepening chill.

As the convoy approached the chateau, the expansive courtyard came into view, where the grandeur of the entrance awaited.

The cars rolled to a smooth stop in front of the main entrance, a vast set of double doors flanked by elegantly sculpted columns. There, a red carpet unfurled, leading from the cars to the entrance.

Linning the sides of the carpet with their heads bowed in respect were the Werewolf Race Rulers both from the Westley Clans and other vassal Clans.

Finally, the doors of the car stopped before the entrance swung open.

Jamie stepped out first, his polished shoes clicking softly against the stone pavement as he swept his gaze over the bowing Werewolf Kings and Queens lining the red carpet.

Miranda came out a moment later, her gaze fixed on Jamie as she continued the conversation they were having in the car.

"...so you’re saying it’ll take at least a week to absorb that po—"

Her words came to an abrupt halt and she turned her gaze towards the building in front of her. Likewise, Jamie froze mid-stride, his head tilting slightly as if sensing something.

Without a word, he took a single, measured step to the side, narrowly avoiding a sudden flash of light that shot out of the chateau’s doorway.

In an instant, the streak of light slammed into Miranda with the force of a small whirlwind, nearly knocking her backwards as she stumbled to regain her balance.

A good five seconds later, the sound of the words that the person had spoken before they moved finally reached their ears.

"BIG SIS!!!!!"

The words carried across the courtyard, louder than the rush of wind that preceded them, and finally, Miranda managed to steady herself, her wide eyes falling upon the grinning face of a young-looking werewolf clinging to her with an almost feral enthusiasm.

Miranda sighed, her expression hovering between exasperation and amusement as she ruffled the newcomer’s hair.

Meanwhile, Jamie raised a hand to his temple, letting out a quiet, resigned sigh.

The Werewolf Kings and Queens stifled their own smiles, familiar with the impromptu reunions that often punctuated the family’s otherwise dignified gatherings.

Jamie turned his head and took in the sight of the young woman embracing Miranda in a close, almost crushing bear hug.

She had dark silver hair that shimmered in the fading sunlight, spilling over her shoulders. Her face nuzzled into Miranda’s chest and held a look of pure, childlike joy. Her arms were wrapped tightly around Miranda, who, though visibly bemused, returned the hug with a warm smile.

’Did she...?’

Something struck Jamie as odd, though—this girl was usually taller than Miranda by a few inches. So he concluded she must have shrunk herself down just to make the hug feel all the more endearing, the way a child might cling to their mother.

"At times like this, I wonder exactly whose sister you are."

Jamie’s mutter caused the dark-silver-haired young woman to finally react to his presence. She looked around with confusion, before turning back to Miranda and asking.

"Big Sis, I think I heard something making noise around us. I wonder what it is?"

Miranda’s smile grew strained while Jamie sighed once more and repeated his earlier words.

"At times like this, I really wonder exactly whose sister you are."

Finally, she turned to face Jamie, an expression of obviously feigned realisation on her face.

"Ohhhhh...so that’s what’s making noise. It turned out to be that idiot brother of mine who thought it was a brilliant idea to up and disappear for twelve fucking thousand years!"

Midway through, her pupils changed to slits and her canines elongated into fangs, her voice practically a growl as she glared at Jamie.

"I would have killed you a hundred times over if you weren’t immortal."

"Even if I wasn’t, you wouldn’t have a chance."

Jamie waved her off like her threat wasn’t worth considering, moving forward to meet with the half-elf, half-werewolf twins he encountered on Zotov—Eliroth and Emlihn.

"Heya, how you doing?"

""Fine, thank you, Lord Jamie. I trust you are doing well.""

The two bowed and responded in sync while Jamie just patted their heads and then asked.

"Been a while since I’ve last come home. Did anyone clean my room?"

For a moment, Eliroth was stumped on how to answer, but Emlihn who was far more used to dealing with Jamie casually responded.

"Worry not, Lord Jamie. Your room is completely spotless."

She gave a light thumbs up, like a seal of approval and Jamie chuckled at her response before turning to the other young woman who had forgotten she was supposed to be his sister and not Miranda’s.

"Hey, Laura, where’s Kaiser?"

"I’m not talking to you!"

Jamie facepalmed at her response, shaking his head with an exasperated sigh.

"Is this little girl for real now..."

As ’Laura’ did not provide an answer, Emlihn interjected with a response.

"Lord Kaiser is on his way."

And true to her words, ’Kaiser’ was indeed on his way.

Jamie sensed a ripple in spacetime and looked up immediately, just in time to witness a sight that shocked all the Esteans on this side of the planet.

The atmosphere...split in two.

Pure, unfiltered cosmic energy poured from the split atmosphere, threatening to pour down and bathe those on the surface with its unrestrained might.

But just before that could happen, the energy was sucked back up to form a giant singularity of grey light, radiating powerful energy that even those billions of miles away on Estea’s distant continents felt, their breaths stolen by a sudden wave of awe...and fear.

The Interstellar Management Board’s members felt an involuntary shiver run down their spines, cold sweat trickling down their backs.

They instinctively understood that this was unlike the descents of the past week. It was something that transcended even Race Kings and Emperors.

From within the singularity, a giant wolf with stormy grey fur emerged, its size dwarfing even the combined size of more than half of Estea’s moons.

The wolf’s eyes, a deep shade of grey, looked down on the world and then it made a slow leaping motion, its full body emerging from the singularity and diving towards the planet.

The wolf did not collide with the planet as one would expect.

Instead, as it met the atmosphere, its immense body dissolved into a streak of light that rocketed downwards, crashing down at the edge of the red carpet in the Wolfsong Chateau, a mere ten meters from Jamie.

The dust and smoke the crash kicked up cleared in an instant and from the dissipating haze, a figure walked out.

He was a tall and well-built man. His dark silver hair was cut short on the sides and left slightly longer on top, tousled in an effortlessly cool way. He had grey eyes, with a chiselled jawline and features lending him a serious, almost intimidating presence.

He was dressed in all black, finishing his trousers and button dress shirt with a long overcoat that reached his knees.