Chapter 14: 13

Chapter 13

For a moment, Amber thought her heart was going to burst out of her chest.

Cannibalism is rare for their kind—and now, there's a law forbidding the consumption of the flesh or internal organs of your own kind as food. Extreme hunger is no longer a valid reason for anyone to commit this act, and the Werewolf King isn't very forgiving when it comes to such cases.

Werewolves that continue to disregard this national law shall face immediate death by the hands of Rego himself—if caught.

And so far, that's what Amber knows.

Besides, the topic itself is considered as taboo that it doesn't need to be discussed at school to educate each and every one of them.

Perhaps, this would have been more understandable if they were just beasts, through and through.

However, one part of them is human.

And for humans, such act warrants a criminal charge.

Amber quickly went into hiding when she felt bile rising up her throat. She was in a state of utter disbelief.

That man just committed an unpardonable sin in broad daylight…!

'Has he no fear?'

Amber is having goosebumps all over, and she's certain that it's going to take her all for her to keep watch on him until the end.

Her eyes, her memories—everything about that scene constitutes a living nightmare.

Is this the repercussion she gets from not listening to her seniors?

Right now, the man is too busy devouring an actual wolf's… flesh.

That must be the reason why he failed to sense her presence.

Even if she happened to be… just nearby.

If she makes a run for it, she should still be able to make it until she has completely fallen off his radar, right?

Amber liked to believe that the village hadn't noticed her yet.

Getting all tensed up won't help her in any way.

In fact, the feeling alone is enough to hinder her from thinking clearly.

Still, there's a small voice inside her head that keeps nagging her to persist with her observation.

After all, this is a unique finding.

A crisis the higher-ups need to know.

Unable to decide on how to face the situation, Amber shifted back into her human form, and looked for the tallest tree within her 200-meter radius, not wasting a second.

Yes, it was the only solution she could think of right now.

Her wolf was heaving earlier; thus, staying in that form might be a little too risky for her.

Amber climbed up the tree, and settled on its highest, sturdy branch.

And from there, she casted her wary gaze back onto the man—and he was far from done.

Amber looked away from the sight almost immediately, both of her hands and feet trembling. She knows to herself that she doesn't fear the man per se, but just her body reacting instead to the horrifying scene that she witnessed.

Amber knows her way back to their hideout, but… can she really run in full speed at this point?

Pepper wouldn't pry into what she had been up to. Her friend is a different person when she's in the zone. That's why, Amber isn't worried about how she's going to face her teammates once she gets back.

Meanwhile, her twin brother's attention to detail is no joking matter.

Salt is often described as someone who's detached from his surroundings. He mainly doesn't talk unless spoken to.

And his reactions are quite reserved.

Although, it may seem like he's not interested, and rarely asks a person about anything—it's only because, more often than not, he already knows.

Asking a question is just one way for him to get a confirmation.

That side of him is what pleases the Gamma Chief the most both as a father, and the Commander.

Amber bit her fingertip.

To think that she even told him that she'd try catching a deer for their squad…

She knew that Salt wouldn't mind her failure, but he was already aware of her tenacious personality.

Amber isn't one to go back empty-handed.

But…

She's too shaken at the moment.

It will be difficult for her to focus.

Who in his sane mind would go hunting for food after chancing upon a revolting scene?

As if it were normal in the first instance?

That life goes on…

Amber couldn't simply pretend that she didn't see that. The experience would undoubtedly haunt her even in her dreams. This is an urgent situation which needs to be addressed, and actioned by the higher-ups.

And in case that she has mustered up the courage to tell them what transpired right before her eyes, she also has to accept the consequences of getting busted out for what she was planning in the first place.

The instructions are very clear—don't get too caught up in the mission.

Don't overestimate yourself, and conduct unnecessary schemes that aren't required of you.

And now, Amber is guilty of all of them.

The Alpha will be furious—that's for sure.

He might even ban her from participating in pack missions after this.

But…

Is that really the main concern right now?

Making everything about herself is just too… selfish.

Amber closed her eyes, and covered her mouth. She doesn't want a repeat of the incident four years ago. That before all hell broke loose, she had plenty of chances to tell the Alpha about the overwhelming stench that radiated from the surface of the river.

Getting interrupted or missing the opportunity to say something were excuses that only the incompetents would use.

That time, Amber discovered one more thing.

That she was the only one who could detect Sir Alaric's foul scent.

That the others didn't seem to notice.

That… even to Alpha Severus, the man smelled normal.

That's why, all of them could interact with Sir Alaric just fine. They didn't sense anything wrong about him.

And now, it's happening again…

What if she's the only member of the werewolf community who knows that cannibalism is still being practiced by some wolves?

Does getting banned from any mission really matter now?

"I don't think so…" Amber uttered in frustration.

If she were given another chance to make a choice…

Not a thing would change anyway.

She knows herself very well.

She's curious, resolved, and proactive.

So, if she were given another chance to make a choice to 'redeem' her poor decisions…

No.

There's no redemption that will ever happen for she's already committed to a specific objective.

She won't change her mind even at the last minute.

The forest was windy, quiet… and foreboding. Amber kept getting the chills, so she opened her eyes to take a peek at her surroundings. Her system reflexively avoids looking at a certain spot though.

The villager is still there.

The caretaker whom Salt and Pepper thought to be harmless—the twins assured her.

Her squad will surely get overwrought if she fails to go back an hour from now.

Amber thought she heard something snap out of nowhere, she almost lost her balance, and fell from the tree branch. She looked from side to side to check if there was some animal approaching the area, but there was none.

The current location is pretty desolate after all.

Snap.

Her eyes widened when the sound felt like it was coming right behind her back.

What…?

She has her back leaned against the trunk though?

Her heart began palpitating wildly inside her chest, especially when her peripheral vision caught the empty spot where the villager was… just several minutes ago. Amber couldn't erase the anxious feeling deep in the pit of her stomach.

She didn't even hear him move.

But how come he's no longer in sight?

Where did he go?

Her lips formed a straight line, her mind going blank.

The hair rose on the back of her neck as she realized that there was no way for her to confirm the direction he went to unless she got back down from the tree, and sniffed the area for clues.

The body of the young wolf was still there—the man didn't finish his food.

So, one question came to mind.

If you were a cannibal, would you leave evidence for your crime?

Using that question alone as a basis, Amber has already got her answer.

He's still here.

He should still be around…

But where?

First, she needs to identify where that 'snap' came from.

She heard it twice—she should already have an idea.

But maybe she got too distracted by her inner thoughts to the point she couldn't tell where, nor even make a guess.

Amber turned her head carefully while inspecting the tree that she was on.

And to make sure, she even went to look at her back due to skepticism.

Everything was unremarkable.

The smell of the air didn't change.

If she had come any closer to him earlier and vice versa—they'd be able to caught whiff of each other's scent.

But Amber had been cautious the entire time.

She'd never commit minor lapses like that.

"Where's Amber?"

Pepper took a fifteen-minute break when she saw that the village was doing their routine games with the children again. She was suspecting that they were willing to go that far for the pups that they kidnapped to cheer them up.

Pepper was thinking it was the village's way to keep them under control—that somehow, the children wouldn't get the idea of rebelling against the village as a whole if they were showed leniency, and treated with kindness.

At first glance, they really did seem like a 'normal' village.

The kids never received maltreatment from the elders—that's what they had observed recently.

Salt confirmed it with his own observations, and Amber said the same thing.

It was as if the village was composed of one big, happy family.

"She went for a run."

"You let her?" Pepper asked in surprise.

Her brother shrugged his shoulders. He was peeling himself some strange-looking fruit. "Why not?"

"That's not my point. All I'm trying to say is that, you could have gone with her, too. We know how easygoing Amber is with literally everything. We can't let her get too carried away by her curiosity. If you weren't planning to know where she wanted to go in the first place, you should have considered going with her."

Salt's attention on the fruit remained undivided. "And leave you here all to yourself? No, thanks."

"We're in a safe location. The villagers won't come this way. You've noticed it, too, haven't you? They refuse to leave the site no matter what." Then, she shook her head firmly. "No, it's actually more like… they have something in that village that can't be left unattended—to the point of ignoring their own needs."

Finally, her twin looked her way. "You sounded mature."

Pepper glared at him. "I can be amazing if I want to! My level of maturity largely depends on my mood, okay?"

"So, you're saying that you're in a serious mode right now?"

She huffed, and crossed her arms. "Even better. I'm in a pack warrior mode. I do things I'm supposed to do." Suddenly, she pursed her lips together—unhappy. "Wait, you've diverted me from the main topic again! Stop doing that! Anyway, the reason I'm looking for Amber is because I have something to discuss with her."

"For you to take a break a little earlier than usual, I suppose it's something urgent?"

"It's not urgent, but it's just as important. Could you do me a favor, and look for her?"

Salt looked at her seriously, his expression full of resolve. "I'm not leaving, Pep." He sank his teeth into the fruit. "I'm keeping a close watch on our surroundings. Our hideout can't get ambushed, you know that." He then proceeded to murmur something under his breath. "Don't be stubborn."

"I'll manage—"

"Overestimating yourself already?" he challenged, his gaze cold. "Go back to your spot. Nothing you say would make me change my mind."

"It's about the caretaker," Pepper insisted. "You know him, too!"

"So?" He crushed the main seed in his hand, and tossed the fruit away. "What's special about him?"

"He's not in the village."

"He was usually gone during these hours, wasn't he?"

"True," she mused, nodding in agreement. "And what did we say regarding that?"

"That maybe it was a self-made schedule for his run. It was a matter of preference." He locked gazes with her. "Are you implying that they will stumble across each other one way or another? I'm sure your friend will appreciate your concern, but that won't happen, Pep. The two of them take opposite directions."

However, the aggrieved look on her face still wouldn't disappear. "That's not it. The man just came back."

"He did? That's… unusual."

"But both of us still believe in Amber, right? That the man wasn't supposed to be back until later. We aren't thinking that he just cut his run short this time, right?"

"This isn't how you ask people questions," Salt stated, confused. "You saw something, didn't you?"

"That's why, I'm looking for Amber. We can only confirm this to her. I want to know if she saw that man carrying that equipment before."

"Equipment?"

"Machete…" Pepper shuddered visibly. "He came back to the village, and since I wasn't expecting he'd do that… I kind of zoomed in my focus on what he was about to do." She swallowed the lump forming in her throat, and stared at her twin brother helplessly.

Salt could see from her face that she was struggling, and still trying to hold back. "And?"

"He went inside a small hut, and popped out with a machete in his hand."

He looked cautious now. "And…?"

"He left the village again."

"Without shifting?"

"Without shifting." Pepper offered him an apprehensive nod. "He's carrying a weapon with him after all."

Salt, who was finally realizing the gravity of the situation, stood up. He was just minding his own business while sitting under a tree until his sister brought this up to him. "Was he headed in the usual direction?"

"Yes," she responded automatically. "You need to find Amber. Find her for me. Even if she's in a location that's miles away from where that man is going, we can't just stand still now, can we?" Her voice cracked slightly at the last word. "I don't know what the machete is for, but I can't go after him just to satisfy my curiosity. Our task is to keep the village under strict surveillance—to make sure that they aren't doing another illegal business this week." A deep frown marred her features. "Between finding him or Amber, I'd rather have you do the latter."

Pepper saw how conflicted her twin brother looked, she was almost regretful she had to share this burden to him. "Salt…"

"What if somebody sneaks up on you, or discovers the hideout?"

"Are you seriously making me choose right now?" she asked disbelievingly. "Don't even try to sway me at this point. It's futile."

"I simply want to confirm if you will waver." Salt put his hood back over his head. "After all, I can't turn down your requests." His surly expression told her that he didn't want to do this at all. "Be thankful to your father."

"He's your Dad, too!" Pepper pouted a little. "You're trying to sound cool again."

"Go back to your spot," he muttered briskly. "I'm going now."

"It hasn't been fifteen—"

Salt snorted. "You don't usually go on break. I don't see the point in maximizing your fifteen minutes when you won't have someone to talk to."

"There you go with your brutal words again…"

"There's one thing I want you to keep in mind though."

Her brother looked grim, so she felt more guarded than usual. "What is it?"

"If we fail to return within an hour, alert the squad leader, and the seniors. I don't really care if we get disqualified for this mission." His jaw kept clenching and unclenching. "Don't. Ever. Hesitate."

Pepper nodded profusely. "Got it."

Salt had nothing more to say, so after taking a few steps, he shifted, and sped through the tranquil forest. Pepper waited until her brother had completely disappeared into the woodland. She has only one wish right now—and that's Salt and Amber's safe return.

Everything that her friend has mentioned is starting to sink into her. They shouldn't have turned a blind eye to the discrepancy in the villagers' personal activities. They should have attempted to look into it more than focusing only on the organization's affairs as a whole.

Was it her instinct kicking in?

Normally, she wouldn't be this perturbed.

What if the man is just planning to cut down trees with that machete?

But then again…

What if it's going to be used for wicked purposes?

Why is she even giving them the benefit of the doubt when they're confirmed criminals?

Something stirred in her when she witnessed how the man strode into a direction with a dull look on his face. Pepper felt unnerved by his expression. She knew it was wrong to judge a person by his physical appearance alone, but that moment… she thought she was looking right at a psycho.

Even Pepper was aghast at her own terrifying thoughts.

Their initial impression of him was that… he was a good caretaker.

Because unlike the other villagers, he was more attentive, approachable, and gentle.

Being able to abandon a first impression that easily should indicate something. Her wolf is telling her the same thing.

That there's no point in trying to see the good in them.

If they were werewolves with an excellent moral compass, they wouldn't have been subject to investigation for such illegal acts.

Pepper sighed softly, and went back to the observation point.

Apart from the man's strange behavior, everything is proceeding as normal.

Even though the villagers are good at suppressing their aggression toward the pups, something tells her that they're actually more dangerous than how they seem.

The greed is there.

The desperation is there.

And the way they looked at the children as if they were consumable goods… it was blood-curdling.

They're making money out of those pups, and they don't even look the slightest bothered.

Wait…

She said something before that.

Something… deplorable.

Consumables, was it?

How she arrived with such an outrageous term was already beyond her.

'If I were Amber, which route would I take?'

That question lingered on Salt's mind for a while.

If his calculations were correct, he should have covered at least one mile by now.

He reached a location that was a little misty, that's why, he found it a bit challenging to detect Amber's scent.

Nevertheless, he could tell that she was here.

Amber usually leaves specific marks for the others to track her.

And that habit of hers comes quite handy now.

Salt found a flower lying on the ground, but as he looked around to survey the area, it was the only one of its kind. So, he thought—Amber probably picked it up somewhere along the way, and brought it here.

Her strategy of leaving it anywhere was quite effective this time.

She used to leave marks on very specific places before, and finding a clue which signified her presence was a pain.

Perhaps, the downside of randomly throwing her mark away anywhere is…

He's unable to tell where exactly she has run off to next.

The misty forest is divided into two sections; therefore, there are two possible routes.

Salt was positive that Amber went into either of them.

"Did she really push through with this?"

The first route is a wrecked bridge, and it's on a high cliff.

The bridge is in a barely working order. You could tell from one look that pushing your luck to cross that bridge was downright suicidal.

Even as a guy, there's no way he will brave the odds, and take that route.

Well, he can.

But he's going to need some sort of a protective gear first before he gets convinced.

Otherwise, his take on it is final—he won't take a chance.

The other route, however, is muddy.

And from where he stood, he could already hear the trickling water from that way.

Amber isn't stupid to take a route that will mask her scent, unless, of course, she doesn't want to be found.

Also, she knows that if push comes to shove, he and Pepper will come looking for her. Taking this route means huge trouble for them.

That's why, Salt is in a pinch right now.

'If I were Amber, which route would I take?'

The one with the wrecked bridge?

Or the one with a body of water?

The one that's ridiculously dangerous?

Or the one that packs don't recommend unless you're trying to lose someone?

Salt marched over toward the bridge begrudgingly to assess the height of the cliff, and he felt gutted right away. He doesn't think he will survive the fall in case he loses his footing, or his hand accidentally loosens its grip on the rope rail.

He turned away from that route, and quickly headed to the remaining option.

The miserable feeling that he got just from measuring the cliff's height virtually…

It felt like the never-ending abyss down below was calling out to him.

It was making him feel sick.

'Does she really have to go this far just for a run?'

Salt had no other choice, but to take the muddy route. The bridge was a no-no for him. He wouldn't consider it even in the next lifetime. Amber has always been bold, but she can't be that thirsty for thrill. He tried to view it from different angles in her perspective, but he couldn't see the 'fun' in it.

Pepper was right.

He should have tried getting involved.

If he did, maybe there was also a chance for Amber to mention where she was going…

Or how far she was planning to travel…

His heart was pounding against his chest as he started to walk deep into the route that he had chosen. Aside from the distracting mist, the strong, earthy smell of it also invaded his nose.

Petrichor, was it?

His thwarted senses are making him feel useless.

Salt hates it.

Right now, he's hoping there's a land that connects the two routes at the end of this course.

That way, he wouldn't feel distracted by the idea that maybe Amber took the other route…

Salt took in the surroundings carefully. It shouldn't be that late yet, but the forest was already gloomy. He couldn't hear the tweeting and chirping of the birds at all. The dismal ambiance in the forest isn't helping in his search as well.

He's way too guarded that if someone is to sneak a surprise attack on him, he might strike them in the face.

The silence was deafening.

And it was messing with his head.

It was only after quite some time that he realized Amber didn't take this route.

It should have been obvious right from the start.

Her paws should have created a trail, but he failed to perceive that because of the overwhelming feeling coursing through his veins earlier.

He needs to admit it—he was nervous, and he is… until now.

Salt doubted at first if this mission would somehow give him any amount of satisfaction. When he learned that all they had to do was observe, it felt like an insult. It was already considered an 'overkill' when the members of their squad were revealed, yet they were giving them a mission that even children could do?

Nevertheless, it was still part of the process.

Their father, the Gamma Chief, advised them to never estimate a mission no matter how easy it might seem.

Because…

It's the job that looks easy.

But being able to actually do it…

That's the part where most trainees fail.

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It takes more than a strong body, and an unwavering determination to succeed.

A strong, clear mind is difficult to maintain.

Especially in the face of adversities.

Salt figured it was too late for him to go back to the opening, so he decided to proceed with his walk.

Yes, he was walking—and not running.

Between him and his wolf, he's much more levelheaded.

To him, the focal point here isn't instinct, but decision-making.

Relying on instincts can only get you so far…

But with a clear head, not only can you produce the results that you want, you can avoid fights in some cases, too.

With instincts, you may have achieved your aim a little faster… still, there's no telling whether or not you will regret it, especially your methods.

Chills ran down his spine when a big swoosh of cold air just blew in his face.

He didn't expect that because the stillness of the surroundings was what kept his guard up all this time. It almost slipped his mind that this was a misty forest.

Naturally, it was going to be freezing cold.

Salt wants to return to the hideout as soon as possible. He doesn't feel good about leaving his sister all by herself. Even though she's quite capable as a trainee, he still can't help but worry as her brother.

But on the off chance that she has been found out, Pepper can use the flare as a signal to alert the other pack warriors assigned to the West.

They should be around.

Waiting for the right time to make their appearance.

As first-timers, the pack will let them get a firsthand experience. They need to get a feel of how it's like to be on an actual field, doing a mission and looking after themselves at the same time. They have to ingrain in their minds that outside the pack land, nothing is ever guaranteed.

Your success.

Your safety.

Your life.

Still, the pack can't abandon a bunch of newbies somewhere out there totally. That would be no different from sending them off to die. They're young and inexperienced—they would make the perfect prey for the rabid dogs.

And if there's one thing River Severn is strict about, that's letting rogues get their paws on the members.

That's why, with Level 2 missions, the tasks are defined as…

The original mission, whatever it is that's of a benefit to the pack.

And coming to the rescue of the beginners, if need be.

To avoid unnecessary distractions, and wasting each other's time, a flare is used to notify the busy seniors of one's current status.

And usually, werewolves would only ignite it in dire situations.

Using it frequently could tamper with one's sense of urgency, so it shouldn't be viewed as an item for convenience. The conditions must be met first before one gets to actually make use of the battlefield article.

Salt also brought one with him.

Amber should also have one.

If something bad really did happen to her, or she had sensed real danger coming her way…

She should have already shot up an aerial distress flare signal for everyone to see.

But nothing of the sort happened until now.

'Careful,' his wolf barked all of a sudden.

Salt bolted toward a giant rock, and ducked behind it. 'Did you sense anything?'

'Something is coming our way.'

Salt froze for a moment. 'Could it be that it was Amber?' he queried, confused.

'Take a whiff of the area. Try to remember every detail, every scent that your lungs take in. The body of water nearby will render your senses useless soon afterward, but then… you now have your references. Do it,' his wolf urged, agitated, 'Now.'

Salt performed what his wolf asked of him without having the need to second-guess.

If his wolf thinks it's the rightest thing to do at the moment, then he's got no use for hesitation.

All this time, he had been relying on reason to try to understand everything that he forgot what his father said before.

That sometimes, you don't need to look at things logically.

There will always come a circumstance that won't make sense.

And your instincts are the one that can only help you figure them out.

Something is coming their way, and his wolf keeps pacing back and forth inside his head.

Salt closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.

His vision wouldn't be useful at this place, so he focused more on his sense of smell and hearing.

It was so serene at first… as if he was the only terrestrial animal present around—and everything else, including the sounds, were just made by nature. The pungent smell of earth was tickling his nose, and it was the most prominent feature of the route that he took.

His wolf said 'every little detail'.

And that means he shouldn't just pay attention to what's noticeable.

The vague and the unknown often represent a person's misinterpretations.

Thud.

Thud.

His eyes abruptly shot open.

Those sounds…

If Salt were to describe them, they were like the 'thumping' of paws on the ground. The weight didn't seem solid, and he already knew the explanation to that.

The mud.

'Should I climb up a tree for an eye?' Going by the animal's speed, Salt should still have five minutes at most.

'Not the best idea,' his wolf replied tersely.

'It's coming from up ahead.' A dweller of this forest…

Which animal was it?

'Don't move.'

'I'm doing that for several minutes already.'

'It's here.'

All of a sudden, an average-sized liver and tan wolf burst through the forest, and it didn't even notice his presence at the speed it was going.

His mouth parted.

And it was only after a few seconds that it dawned on him.

It was… Amber, right?

The faint scent that lingered in the air when she zoomed past everything was enough of an identification tool.

'That wasn't the ideal speed for a run. She looked like she was in a race.'

Salt was about to stand up, and shift as well to follow Amber, when he heard 'that' familiar sound again.

Thud.

Thud.

What the hell…?

They weren't hers?

His hunch was then confirmed when another wolf leaped into the air, obviously hot on Amber's tail.

Now, he could tell for certain that both Amber and that wolf had probably sensed his presence, but they just couldn't bring themselves to stop!

The wolf that was chasing after Amber was incredibly huge.

How could it grow like that when it wasn't an Alpha?

Salt had no time spare.

He shifted, and ran desperately after them.

What's up with that wolf…?

It didn't smell like a rogue either.

Are they playing 'chase'?

Did Amber find herself a new friend, that's why, she goes for a run literally every day?

The hair over his wolf's back shuddered.

If it wasn't a rogue, and there were no other packs around here…

It must be someone from that village…!

How did they even end up encountering each other?

This side of the forest was still considered as one of the many locations that the villagers never frequented, so going for a run in this direction should be safe against them.

Salt tried to recall some scenes that he found bizarre while he was monitoring the village.

Those criminals had really restrained their desires quite well this time.

All of their activities were controlled—normal.

There was quite a number of them bossing the pups around though, but most adults were pretty laidback. And if they were actually hostile… he'd say that they were doing a good job not to show it.

So, if he were to choose the most bizarre thing that he saw…

Perhaps, it was the fact that they always had their meals outside their houses. Everything had to be eaten outside, and Salt had no idea if it was part of their culture or what.

Everyone had their own ration of packed, raw meat, and they were consuming it with the pack, acting like a plate.

It doesn't sit right.

The squad had been briefed of the entire situation first before getting into the mission.

Therefore, Salt knows of their background.

Considering the amount that they amassed from all the packs that they conned, they should be able to afford dining tables and kitchenware at the very least.

The huts and houses shouldn't look that shabby.

So, where did that all money go?

That question will remain unanswered unless they become an insider.

A simple observation won't cut it.

Salt could feel the recoil of his muscles as his legs hit and pushed. He's got no problem with speed, but the mud is a problem. He couldn't believe that Amber made it look so easy to pound her way along these muddy paths.

The mud is slowing him down, and that's what frustrates him.

Salt followed the paw prints on the soil.

'Flare,' his wolf nudged. 'Now.'

'I need to know that Amber is safe first.'

'Are you doubting her?'

'No…' Salt answered within a heartbeat. "The wolf was large. She could only outrun it for long. Besides, I'll need to shift back to shoot the flare.' He was carrying the item in his mouth.

Thankfully, he didn't forget it under the rock.

Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to call for back-up.

Amber has probably lost hers by now.

Nothing was attached to her wolf's body earlier. Usually, she would strap the essentials around her body, but when she passed by earlier—there was none.

Amber is too responsible to forget her things, so he's suspecting that the other wolf has something to do with that.

Salt wasn't bothered by the idea that Amber might lead the wolf the way to their hideout where his sister was, oblivious to what was happening. She wasn't that irresponsible.

A sharp yelp was heard from a distance, making his blood run cold.

And when he was almost there, he shifted back into his human form, and shoot the flare up in the sky.

A warning growl quickly followed. The other wolf had probably realized by now that he'd get trapped either way.

The ability to mindlink someone from your pack can be severed by the distance between the two contacting individuals. That's the reason why there's no point in trying if both of them are miles away from each other.

So, let's say, if an Alpha mindlinks 'all' of his pack members, the 'all' there only applies to people who make it into the range. The informed members, depending on their location, can then pass the message along to the others until everybody in the pack gets informed.

Salt stalked into the bleak field cautiously.

And there, he found Amber with the huge wolf circling her.

One of her front limbs is injured.

Having sensed Salt's unwanted presence, the other wolf growled at him, ears pulled back.

Salt stayed rooted on his spot for his further steps might provoke it unintentionally.

'Amber?' he tried calling out.

But her reply took him aback.

'I'm sorry…' Her voice in his mind sounded so small… and regretful.

'Can you make a run for it?'

And her reply remained the same.

'I'm sorry…'

'I can distract him for you. Will your foreleg be able to handle it?'

Amber seemed startled by his suggestion.

'No…' She was desperate. 'Stay away from that wolf.'

'I know. He does smell… dangerous.'

'Whatever you're thinking, please stop.'

'My mind is completely blank, Amber. I'm not thinking anything.'

Salt had never seen her this frantic before.

'Do you know this wolf?'

There was a short pause before Amber answered.

'The caretaker,' she confessed, her breath shaky.

Shit…

So, his suspicion is correct after all…!

'He's a full-grown adult, isn't he?'

'Yes.'

'He's as large as Alpha Severus' wolf.'

'That's because… he's a cannibal, Salt.'

'What?'

'I saw it with my eyes…'

'Hold on.' His tone suddenly became harsh. 'Were you investigating?'

'I'm really sorry for getting the squad involved. I… I didn't know it would turn out like this.'

'Which part of 'don't do unnecessary things' did you not understand, Amber!' Salt seethed. 'Anyway, it's been done. Arguing is pointless. Let's think of a solution.'

A… cannibal?

Amber just went to shadow a cannibal?

'How long have you known? How long have you been keeping this to us?'

'Just today.'

'You might want to share the details of your discovery—anything that could help us. Were you able to unearth a weakness? Any weakness…'

'The pups…' Amber began, 'I… I think they're his victims.'

An indescribable dread filled his chest full. 'Are you sure?'

Her wolf whined softly, unable to bear the sharp pain in its leg. Then, it started licking the wounds.

Salt came to an agreement with his wolf.

It seems like it's the only way to distract the villager for now…

Shifting back into his human form—that is.

Salt regarded the cannibal wolf carefully.

It was on guard, even though it was bigger in terms of size, and older in terms of experience. And if it's still able to think like a normal man unlike a deranged rogue, then that demonstrates one thing.

It does 'that' immoral act consciously.

And it's wise enough to not tear everything apart in his way.

It managed to be careful with its activities… but not until Amber came into the picture.

Hence, it goes without saying that it's trying to get back at Amber for disturbing its long-protected peace and secret.

Pepper has adapted a position called the 'army crawl'.

She's on a slightly elevated area, so observing the target is quite easy.

Unlike Salt and Amber, she doesn't move much from her spot as she can already see everything from up there.

There's no need for extra work.

She has the entire view of the village, and that's what more important to her.

Personally, she thinks that what Salt and Amber are doing is a lot riskier. Moving from one spot to another requires swift movements, and an excellent perception for potential spots.

Pepper thought it was enough that those two were already doing it, so she didn't bother joining the bandwagon. Besides, she'd always choose the convenient way over the hard one.

If there was another way, one that was easier, to do something that could produce similar results, wouldn't you prefer it?

The rustling of leaves filled her ears. The western winds are bordering between 'comfy' and 'harsh'. Pepper doesn't mind the cold as long as it doesn't get in her way.

She couldn't say the same for her twin brother though. The guy just never fails to find fault with anything.

He's good at pointing out errors.

Her lips formed a thin line. "This is bad," she told herself.

She couldn't concentrate on the observation at all. Her mind keeps wandering back to a certain face—and that's none other than Salt's.

She may look calm on the surface, but deep inside, she's being pestered by horrendous thoughts.

Pepper hopes that she won't get to see and hear a flare signal—that her brother and precious friend are doing fine. Amber is a huge wanderlust, but hopefully, Salt will be able to find her regardless of the distance that she has actually traveled.

'I'll call her out for her craziness later.'

Her abdomen was starting to feel sore, so she rolled over to find a more comfortable position for herself.

And while doing so, her mind began to wander again. 'Are they back at the hideout now?'

Because if that was the case, Amber would surely come to check on her here, knowing that she has something to say.

Salt won't talk, and tell Amber the details. He would always let her do the talking, and Pepper didn't actually mind. She loves talking to Amber—her friend was attentive, and would often throw in some questions in the middle of the discussion, giving her the idea that Amber was sincere; a good listener.

Pepper was starting to regret that she didn't listen to her.

Well, to be fair to herself, she actually did, but she shut down Amber's idea without giving it a thought—she and Salt actually.

It was Amber who first noticed that the caretaker was being suspicious.

Actually, her observation notes were too specific, too.

Amber is going to be praised for it.

Pepper is certain about that.

She stared off into the white clouds mindlessly, her back lying on the grass. "What am I doing?" she asked in a confused whisper. Under normal circumstances, she would never get so distracted to the point of neglecting her duties.

If her father finds out that she's slacking off right now, she will never hear the end of it.

Her bored stare into the empty space was soon replaced by a look of immeasurable horror, her face contorting into one that could describe the hollow feeling in her chest.

A vertical line of smoke made its way up in the sky, alerting everyone that could see it—including the villagers.

Someone used a red flare.

Which means that something came up.

A grave situation where the assistance of their seniors or available squad leaders is needed.

Tears of dread pooled in her eyes, and the next thing she knew—she got up from her hiding spot, unconcerned as to whether or not someone from the village would notice the movement from where she was. She hurriedly transformed into her white wolf, similar to Salt's wolf color, and ran like her life depended on it.

"I hope they're okay. Please be okay."

Pepper kept repeating those words like a mantra.

It looked so close.

They should be nearby.

But… where?

Salt and Amber aren't stupid to expose where they're hiding, so it can't be the hideout.

Perhaps, an area that's not too far from it?

If they're really just close by, then it means that they have also stopped running.

Her heart was hammering painfully hard inside her chest.

Her head was full of different scenarios, and each one of them was traitorous. She's finding it hard to breathe right now.

What happened there?

Did they catch… something?

Or were they caught by 'that' something?

Did they encounter a vicious wildlife?

Questions continued to bombard Pepper's already disconcerted mind.

'Should I also fire mine?'

'Not wise. Find where they are. Assess the situation first. Don't be rash for your flare might summon unexpected guests as well.'

Pepper whined in protest. 'But, Salt is…'

'We aren't sure about that yet.'

Opposite to her disposition, her wolf was taking it rather well.

She thought it was impossible for it to be too 'unfeeling' toward her own twin, so she came to a conclusion that nothing bad had happened to Salt—yet.

The thought urged Pepper to run faster.

How about Amber then?

She tried to mindlink them both, but to no avail.

Until she finally arrived at a clearing that had her wolf snarling.

"Oh? So, we've got another one here, eh? A feisty one, if I may add…"

It was the caretaker.

And he was in his human form.

Like Salt.

Her brother was standing in front of an injured liver and tan wolf, guarding.

For some reason, Amber was caught between the process of shifting back into her human form, and maintaining her current appearance.

What's stopping her…?

But then, her analyzing gaze caught something.

An involuntary movement from one of Amber's forelegs. It's experiencing a… tremor.

A neurological side effect?

From what?

Pepper was about to take a step forward when Salt's voice suddenly rang in her head.

'Don't get any idea.'

'Where's his machete?'

'He wasn't carrying one when I saw him chasing after Amber.'

'May I-I ask what happened to Amber?'

'She got bitten on the arm by this man.'

'Why would he…'

'Because he's a cannibal.'

The consistency in Salt's grim expression told her that he was being serious.

'But, t-that's illegal…'

'It won't be if they don't get caught.'

Pepper's wolf narrowed its gaze as it tried to scrutinize Amber's injury further from afar.

And after a while, it spoke.

'He didn't bite her as a form of attack. I believe… that swine went for a chomp.. He aimed to chow down your friend's arm.'

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