For a second, I felt an unsettledness wash over me when I heard their words.

"What about them?"

The two werewolves glanced at each other just for a second before looking back at me.

"It’s a complicated matter. You must see it to understand the gravity of the situation."

"Okay, take me to where they are."

The two nodded.

"Yes, alpha, follow us."

I followed behind the two werewolves as they led me outside the village. The moment I left the village, I instinctively felt that something was off. Kumo’s arachnids were behaving strangely too. By the time I got to where the two werewolves were taking me, I had already figured out what it was.

There were scores of people lined up in the forest and in front of the group stood Derrick and Liora. The two rushed over when they saw me.

"B-brother," Liora looked happy to see me, but I could tell that she was containing herself. "Ahem... We found the people you requested: farmers, engineers, mechanics, cooks. These people are all hardworking; I can vouch for them."

Derrick stepped forward.

"She’s right. We made sure to bring people we were certain could contribute."

I smiled at them.

"It’s good to see you both. As for the people you’ve brought back, good job."

"We were worried that there wouldn’t be enough space, but the pack seems to have changed since we were gone," Liora commented, noticing the towering walls and the sizable difference of the once small settlement behind us.

"Yes, we’ve changed a lot since you were gone," I said, before turning my attention to the crowd of people standing in front of me. "How many are there?"

"About a hundred."

"We should introduce you," Liora suddenly said before getting down on her knees, bowing to me, and Derrick followed after her.

Loud chatter and murmurs erupted from the crowd as they witnessed this sight.

"Welcome all of you!" I said loudly so all could hear. "I am the alpha of this pack. My name is Liam. These two who have brought you here are my brother and sister. If you’re here, then it must mean that you’re looking to join my pack. You’re looking for some place safe where your family can live and strive. I am happy to say that my pack can be that place, as long as you meet the requirements."

"What kind of requirements?!" Someone from the crowd shouted, and more voices rose to question what these requirements could be.

"The requirements are easy. You will be judged on your contributions to the pack. You will be given a six-month period to prove yourself. Once we see that you are a right fit and can contribute to the development of the pack, then I will turn you."

"Turn us... you mean into a werewolf?"

"Yes," I said stoutly into the crowd of worried faces. Among them, I saw mothers, fathers, and children. People who were desperately in need of somewhere to go. People desperately in need of power. "Imagine if you were faster. Or so strong you could flip over a car. Imagine if you had the ability to heal from any illnesses so you don’t have to worry about going to a doctor."

The crowd of faces began to talk among each other. Some of the younger generations seemed more excited by the prospect. No doubt they were remembering the comics and mangas they read about superheroes.

"With these powers, you would be nearly invincible. That is what I am offering all of you. With the power of being a werewolf, you will no longer have to worry about protecting your family. Some humans were lucky enough to awaken powers, but some were not!"

They nodded along, and that was when I knew I had their hopes and dreams in the palm of my hands.

"Some had to struggle to even survive. Some watched their families and friends die without being able to do anything about it. But not anymore. I offer you power! Power you could never get from being a human. You have sunk to the bottom of the food chain, but I’m offering you a chance to rise!"

"We accept!"

"Let me be a part of your pack!"

"Turn me! My alpha!"

"You must first prove yourself. Show me the hard-working people I know you are, and I will reward you with my gift. For now, what I will offer you is safety, a place to sleep, and food to fill your stomachs."

I had already prepared a place for them. I told Noah not to knock down some of the wooden houses, and I’ve created a wall to separate them from those who have been turned. This was partly because I don’t fully trust them. For all I know, some of them could be spies, and for that, I’ve made preparations.

I’ve personally trained a few werewolves how to pick up on when someone is lying and how to read their body language. These new comers will be interviewed by the werewolves I’ve trained. They’ll also be asked various questions so I can know a bit about their personalities. It is sufficient to say that I don’t want any problematic people here.

Besides, tools are more useful when I know how they work.

A part of me couldn’t wait to see how some of these people will contribute, though I was sure some would be kicked out at the end of the 6-month period.

"For now, you should assemble yourself into neat files. My assistant will be here shortly to instruct you on what to do."

After my speech was over, I went back to the settlement. There was lots to do. One such thing was coming up with a name for this place. All great supernatural settlements had a name, like Purgatory, Olympus, Arcadia, Delphi or even Atlantis where Selthia was from. I wanted this place to be the same, and I think I finally came up with something.

Well, actually, it was Kumo’s idea. She told me a story about a place from her homeland. It was about a place that sits atop a great waterwall, and the only way to get to the top is to ascend the waterfalls. Those who ascend the waterfall are transformed into dragons.

When I heard the story, I thought it sounded an awful lot like my pack.

"I have decided that this place will be named Ryumon. A word that means dragon gate."