The Evolution Chronicles

"I still don't fee comfortable with this." Mian mumbled to himself as he balanced himself atop his horse that was walking along a path in the forest.

"I'm telling you that this is for the best. You worry too much." Daniel chided from his spot on his own horse that was walking beside Mian.

"You two kids keep bantering and making noise all day. Keep it down." One Werewolf that was assigned to escort them on their mission commented from behind the duo.

"Oh, let them have their fun. They are still kids after all." Han added, and everyone in the group burst into a ift of laughter, except the two boys that were the topic of their discussion. The two boys just scowled and glared at Han's back from where they were.

It had already been a week since the group set off from the Belmun pack's territory. They had chosen to take the path that was used by the occasional travelers, making it a longer journey than the one Mian had taken to get to their pack lands. It would take about two weeks for them to get to their destination.

The journey proceeded with no mishaps. They made occasional stops to rest and hunt, and before long, they found themselves on the border of the pack lands belonging to Mian's pack.

Before they could move too deeply into the territory of the pack, a series of heavy footfalls reached their ears just before three demi-humans burst through the dense vegetation on the sides of the path.

"State your business!" The Werecat at the front stated as his eyes scanned the demi-humans they had stopped, before stopping on Mian's figure.

"C-councilman!" He quickly straightened his back and bowed his head slightly.

Everyone from Han's pack was visibly startled by the reaction of the demi-human, while Mian made his way through their group to get to the front.

"Tell the Patriarch that I am here with a few visitors to discuss an important matter." He ordered with a leveled tone. He felt a surge of cool energy flow through his veins as he spoke, and Hana confirmed the source of that energy.

[Your ranking perk, Influencer, is enhancing your ability to speak before those who see you as a superior figure. This ability is less effective on those who do not recognize your superior status, but it will still have a passive effect as long as they are exposed to your presence.]

Hana explained a few more important points concerning the Influencer ability before retreating into the depths of Mian's mind.

"Yes, councilman." The high ranking Werecat nodded before instructing one of his subordinates to rush to the main grounds of the pack and pass the information to the Patriarch.

"Let me escort you." He proposed before taking the lead at Mian's nod. After that short interaction, Mian returned to his horse that he had left beside Daniel's.

"You didn't tell me that you were a council member in your pack!" Daniel whisper-yelled at Mian and gave the demi-human a playful shove.

"The matter never came up." Mian replied with an easy smile. Mian and Daniel continued to engage in their playful banter, while Han and the other Werewolves from his pack merely sent a few curious glances in Mian's direction every once in a while. Han already had an idea that Mian's status came as a result of his possession of a Gift, but the other Werewolves had no idea what merited a middle ranking demi-human the status of a council member.

"The pack has undergone some major changes while you were away." The high ranking Werecat that had chosen to lead Mian's group began to explain how much had changed in the time that Mian had spent away.

The pack had resumed its formerly halted expansion now that the Henshaw Dynasty had been pushed into a passive position thanks to the heavy defeat that had been suffered at the hands of the pack. They had met very little hindrances in their expansion, and only now did their members start building on the conquered land to properly take over the area.

As they continued their journey deeper into the territory, they began to see more signs of passage, and eventually came upon groups of demi-humans who didn't hesitate to show their respect toward the high ranking demi-human, and also Mian when they recognized him.

That reaction from others surprised Mian. While he wasn't surprised that certain strong demi-humans were aware of him, and might have been informed of his feats in the war, he didn't expect Daven to have shared that information. It was either that, or the pack had finally accepted the fact that he was one of the most influential people in the pack.

The group travelled for three more days before eventually reaching the large mountain that served as the center of the pack. A medium sized delegation of demi-humans waited for their arrival there, with a couple dozen high ranking demi-humans, and the entire council, along with Daven and his mate, Kira. Mian could also spot Dion and Flare waiting beside the Patriarch and his mate.

"Mian!" The small Werecat exclaimed with joy and pounced on Mian the moment he dismounted his horse.

"Oof! You've grown stronger." Mian laughed as he embraced the smaller boy.

"It's just been a bit over a month. I haven't gotten that strong." Flare grinned widely and shoved Mian's arm.

"Big words for a dominant." Mian replied and riffled the boy's fluffy head of fur.

"Hey!"

"Who are these?" While the two boys were going through their little reunion, the others had made their way closer, and Dion was the first to speak up.

"Ah, these are-"

"There's no need for introductions, Mian. I am already quite familiar with our guests here." Daven spoke up while eyeing the Werewolves from the Belmun Pack.

"Long time no see, Daven. Did you miss me?" Han stepped forward and flashed the Patriarch of Mian's pack a wide grin.. "You've done quite well for the Zelan pack."