Bryce paused in his actions, sitting up straight at once.
'What did you just say?' Bryce questioned, his hands folded by his side.
Damien repeated his words, this time, there was an edge of sorrow to his voice.
Bryce exhaled, wondering what could have happened. Then he thought about what Gray had told him a few days ago, and he tried to complete the pieces.
'Wait for me in my office, I'll be there soon, inform the Elders as well,' Bryce ordered, and cut off the mindlink at once.
There was a worried look on Marissa's face while staring at Bryce who left the bed.
"What happened?" She couldn't hold back, and hence, asked him.
Bryce explained everything to her.
Marissa let out a gasp due to shock after his explanation.
"You don't need to worry about it, I will handle it," Bryce kissed her forehead, assuring her that he would handle the situation.
"I know you will, but I am also your Luna, there has to be something I could do, let me help you," Marissa suggested as she wished to help him.
Bryce wanted to reject her suggestion, but then, he noticed the look of pleading in her eyes. He had to admit, he was weak against that look, and therefore, he agreed.
"Fine, let's freshen up," Bryce gave her a small smile, and she clapped happily.
____________
Bryce and Marissa walked into the meeting hall where the Elders, Damien and Gray were already waiting.
A frown appeared on Elder Scott seeing Marissa walk in.
"What is she doing here?" Before he could control himself, he blurted the question out.
Bryce who had already taken his seat glared at Elder Scott, but before he could give him a response, Gray did so.
"And why can't she be here? Isn't she the Luna? The pack has an issue to solve, it is only right for her to be here."
"Gray is right, Scott, I have no idea why you would even ask such a question," Mason shook his head, disappointed by Scott's actions daily.
"I just asked a question, the situation is a serious one, what solution can she come up with? It's best for her to be focused on settling trivial issues between the ladies," Elder Scott spoke without batting an eyelid.
"You, how dare you say that?" Gray snarled, rising to his feet while pointing at the Elder.
Gray had always been the hot-tempered one among the two brothers. He would never be able to tolerate any insults directed to people he considered family.
"I only said what I felt was right, after all, the previous Lunas never interfered in matters which concerned the men," Elder Scott blatantly replied with folded arms.
Bryce let out a warning growl. He was tempted to tear the Elder into pieces. But he felt a soft touch on his arm, calming him a bit.
He turned to look at Marissa who smiled at him. Although he couldn't see the expression in her eyes, he was sure she was giving him a reassuring look, while trying to mask her disappointment from Elder Scott's words.
"Just because I am the Luna doesn't mean I don't have ideas which might work, we are a team, and as a team, we cooperate with each other, demeaning me is childish at this point," Marissa blurted out her grievances. She was unable to hold it in any longer.
"Sister-in-law is always right," Gray backed get up, while directing a scornful look at Elder Scott who rolled his eyes.
"I never expected that an Elder would have so much disrespect for his Luna, it's appalling, and this behaviour should be investigated, who knows? He might not really respect the Alpha," with just a few words from Marissa, she succeeded in making the remaining Elders suspect Elder Scott.
"Sister-in-law is right, who knows, he could be the one behind the attack," Gray followed Marissa's lead, adding more fuel to the fire.
In a few days, Gray would never have expected that he hit the words right on the nail.
"I suggest that you should think about your words before you speak, your words are insulting," Elder Scott warned with a stern face, but his back was already drenched with sweat.
"But you insulted Luna, don't you think you should be punished for it?" Again, Gray beat Marissa to speak.
Well, it was understandable. He had never liked the old man, and he would make use of every opportunity to annoy him.
"Alpha," seeing that he could not win a fight with Gray, he turned to Bryce, trying to seek justice. But Bryce was not having any of it.
"Scott, Bryce has given you the respect you deserve, but insulting the luna in his presence isn't right, you need to apologize to her," Elder Mason advised.
"What? No! Are you crazy?" Elder Scott yelled, completely against the idea.
"That's enough, let's focus on the natter at hand, I think that is more important at this stage," Bryce's eyes swept through every one of them.
'You do not have to worry, I will get justice for you, apologizing to you is a must,' Marissa's heard a familiar voice in her head, and she immediately turned to look at Bryce.
Seeing his subtle nod, she understood that he had communicated with her through the mindlink, A faint smile tugged at the side of her lips due to the development.
"What are your thoughts on the situation? Three soldiers, found dead, and the cause of their deaths are unknown, this is very alarming," Bryce began.
His words held weight, and this caused the Elders to discuss among themselves.
Marissa watched them discuss among themselves, and a thought flashed through her mind.
What if the culprit was among them? She hated to admit it, but she could not trust Elder Scott.
She turned to look at Bryce who was keenly watching the Elders discuss, and she sighed.
'What is wrong?' Bryce noticed, and thus, asked her through their special mindlink.
'I don't know if it is a hunch, but I feel like the mastermind behind the entire situation is one of the elders, it is just a feeling, perhaps, you could look into it,' Marissa explained, still communicating through the mindlink.
Bryce had a thoughtful look on his face, his eyes narrowing on the elders who were seemingly in a heated discussion.
The only one who didn't speak among them was Scott, and Bryce found it odd. Scott was the type of person who was always proactive in situations like this.
Seeing him so silent caused doubts to rise in his hearts, and he vowed to investigate the matter.
'You do not need to worry, I'll investigate the matter, rest assured that the culprits would be brought to justice,' Bryce assured her, and she let out a hum in response.
'Damien, Gray, we have work to do, meet me in my private office after this meeting,' Bryce communicated with the two, and they let out a nod of acknowledgement.