Chapter 17: 16

Chapter 16

The journey on their way back to River Severn Pack was rather uneventful compared to the discovery that they made when they decided to come to the newbie group's aid.

The pack warriors still assumed their usual strategic formation, not letting up for even a second just because they could already feel they were outside of imminent danger.

Apparently, the other squad that Gin had encountered earlier had yet to fulfill the task they were given; therefore, they had to part ways eventually—despite having known the possibility of more cannibals being at large.

The group said that they would try to investigate to confirm the existence of such creatures if time permitted.

And that's enough for now.

The most important thing at the moment is to go back first, and let the Alpha know.

If this was just another common casualty, perhaps, they could have gone on to continue the operations. However, Gin knows that such an idea is impossible on this occasion.

The person who got attacked by that bloodthirsty werewolf was Alpha Severus' most favored kid.

They already applied basic first aid, and it should somehow relieve the girl of the pain. Her body temperature is still within the normal range, but infections can develop faster than usual, considering the wounds depth—and in her case, it's not really looking good.

Gin can't fathom it.

Its appearance is so… distinct.

And that's maybe due to the difference in intentions.

It felt as though there was some truth in the statement of the twins. After all, wounds sustained from a person with a killing intent shouldn't manifest like that. It's more sensible to break bones to subjugate an enemy than dig your canines into the flesh, and avoid contact with bones all the while.

Clearly, that monster had a different ulterior motive.

Did he really try to do… that?

Chomping on Amber's arm to have a taste—while they were both in combat?

The squad still doesn't know the whole story because the person who's directly involved has yet to wake up. Amber didn't bleed so much according to her teammates, but the marked inflammation of her arm was enough to indicate the degree of pain she was experiencing right now.

Because of this, she may or may not have passed out due to shock, plus her unbearable state.

Gin was carrying Amber on his wolf's back as they raced through the forest while the villager was tied in a rope, both of his hands and feet constrained by silver cuffs. Gin's other two members were dragging the helpless man using the rope that they tied around their bodies, and they couldn't care less if the alleged cannibal would suffer more injuries in this method.

Carrying him over the back was certainly out of the question.

Who knows when he will wake up, and bite their necks?

Besides, they can't come in contact with the silver equipment currently attached to the man's body. Otherwise, they would be suffering from the same burns, too.

When they reached a familiar clearing, Gin came to a halt, and motioned toward his own teammates. They're almost halfway there, so it shouldn't hurt to take a rest.

Salt and Pepper may not admit it, but… he can tell from their unsteady breathing alone that they're dying for a break. Their wolves are exhausted, their gazes slightly unfocused. It's a miracle that they're still standing on all fours after 'that' hellish experience.

But, as much as he wanted to give them an hour off before setting out again, it wouldn't be advisable.

Because they needed to vacate the land as soon as possible.

It was for their own safety.

Realizing that they were stopping over, the twins quickly transformed back into their human forms, and helped Amber down the squad leader's back.

Pepper, in particular, looked more concerned than her brother.

And despite the situation posing a threat to their mental well-being, none of them was breaking down.

Not to mention they looked frazzled to the hilt.

Finally, Gin went to shift back as well to swiftly assess at Amber's current condition. The girl was still in a deep sleep, yet her face would contort in discomfort every once in a while. It was as if her entire body was put on a strain when it was just her arm that was injured.

A few hours from now, she would start to feel feverish.

"Will she be okay?"

It was the Gamma Chief's daughter who spoke, breaking the reflective silence between them.

"She doesn't seem to have been hiding any more injuries, so…"

Pepper heaved a weary sigh. "I wonder what the Alpha would say about this…"

Gin had already anticipated this kind of concern, but he was in no mood to comfort the squad who couldn't even follow basic rules. "I'm aware that the Alpha adores her, but I don't think that will be enough to quell his frustration in regard to the ordeal you all had to face this time. It was nice that Amber still got something fruitful out of her wayward behavior, but what if she didn't? Everything would become a failure, and all the other associated members would be inconvenienced. I know that I'm merely your interim squad leader, but heed this…" He turned to observe Amber's helpless state. "Don't bite off more than you can chew."

Pepper's lips quivered, feeling aggrieved by his condescending tone. "I don't think she overestimated herself, Sir. The Amber I know isn't that arrogant."

Still insisting on defending a friend, eh?

'She must be that precious to her.'

But…

"That's just your opinion…" Gin countered with a serious expression, "and it's filled with bias."

"That's not true…!"

Her brother appeared from her behind all of a sudden. "Why are you raising your voice at the squad leader?"

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"Because Sir Gin said—"

"Lay the blanket on the ground, and get some rest."

"H-huh!? I don't need rest…!"

But with one swift move, Pepper passed out.

Salt karate-chopped the back of her neck with such control.

Gin shook his head in disbelief. "You shouldn't have done that. I don't take offense from a subordinate's opinion. Are you sure the two of you won't be fighting once she regains consciousness?"

"I didn't make my sister pass out because I saw her terrorizing you, Sir Gin," Salt stated flatly. "Pepper needs a reset. That's all there is to it." Then, he muttered his apologies before walking away—just like that.

Gin was left dumbfounded by the boy's attitude.

And if it weren't for the apologies, he would have thought the boy was being… sarcastic.

The night was now dark and eerie—a perfect time for wolves to commence hunting.

However, they have been running for God knows how long already…

Gin's squad headed straight to the scene, too, after running for hours from the previous location they came from. The villager was now tied to the trunk of a tree, and Gin saw one of his teammates inject a dose of silver into that man's system, so that should keep him out like a light for the next few hours.

"We'll hunt for food," said one of the pack warriors. "I'll be sure to stay within a kilometer."

"Take a companion with you," Gin replied while setting traps around their area. "Someone from the village might have luckily sneaked past our cognition all this time. I wouldn't recommend you to go alone."

"I'll go, Sir Gin."

Oh…

It was Salt.

He didn't expect him to volunteer, given the squad's circumstances.

Besides, it could really get dangerous out there, too.

"You sure?" Gin asked, not sparing the boy a glance. "Leaving your sister behind… can you really do that?"

"I don't get your point, Sir. If two pack warriors went for a hunt, you'd be left with two passed out trainees, a cannibal, and me. The probability of us, overcoming an enemy's surprise attack, is zero. So, what does my sister have to do with this?"

Gin hummed thoughtfully. "Is that so?"

Actually, that was a fair point.

To think that the boy had actually been thinking of such scenarios in his head that advanced…

"I think you've misunderstood me, Sir Gin. I know when, and where to let go of the sentiments that I hold. Let's try to look at this more objectively please."

"Alright, you passed."

Salt stared at his back in confusion, and that's when Gin turned to face him. "I think you're capable, so I'm letting you join the hunt. The question that I gave you was meant to be a challenge. Although, you got a bit worked up over it, you still managed to impress me with your vision." He offered him a small nod. "Go ahead with it."

His other member grinned. "It's settled, then."

And the two of them left shortly afterward.

"I don't think it was a challenge, Gin," commented by the only teammate he was left with. That person settled himself on a tree, serving as lookout for the whole group. "You doubted the kid. No need to lie."

Gin couldn't help but chuckle. "You got me."

"But you smoothed your way out of the kid's argument effortlessly…" It was the other pack warrior's turn to laugh. "As expected of a leader."

"Now, that's mockery."

"Whoa! You called it right away!"

Gin looked above him. "You know I'm not fond of this kind of conversation. Tell me what you see up there, moron."

"A lot of trees… oh, don't get angry! Well, there's a lot of trees, grass, a crawling monitor lizard… and an owl? And I think it's staring right at me."

"Is that all?"

"You should try to look more relieved, Gin. It's making me think you're only interested in the bad news."

"That ain't a bit of a stretch, though. Bad news stimulates my sense of danger. It shouldn't be new to you."

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but no stimulation is going to happen here. I don't think the villagers have actually followed us. I surmise that they aren't very inclined to leave their village over one person's disappearance."

Gin scoffed inwardly. "Or… maybe, they still haven't realized one of them is missing, so they aren't taking action, yet."

"Are you telling me that they're capable of looking after their own members? They're no pack, Gin. Their concept of mutualism is different from ours."

He shrugged his shoulders. "It's normal for them to look after one another. I bet all of them have their own fears—that their secrets may get leaked to the public… should one of them manage to slip away. Perhaps, you could say… it was a precaution."

That was a good analysis.

And yet, its certainty remained unestablished.

With their current position, all they could do was just speculate.

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