Chapter 18: 17

Chapter 17

The River Severn Pack has squads reserved for the purpose of launching attacks.

Pack warriors who specialize in gathering intelligence like Gin must avoid getting into battles because it ultimately defeats the purpose of a covert mission.

If they think that they have obtained information that's satisfactory enough for the Alpha's standards, then they can withdraw anytime.

They may be given a timeframe, but they don't necessarily have to stick to it, especially if they still haven't gained anything.

Timeframes are merely a guide for pack warriors like Gin.

Intel from forced results is usually unhelpful. That's why, learning when to back down is essential.

The nature of Level 1 missions is actually similar.

Everything is easy except for one thing—and that's… hiding.

The ability to not make your target feel that they are being watched and followed…

It's especially difficult when done in cities. Most people are able to figure out when one is new to the area or not.

Gin almost activated the trap on himself when he got spooked by the 'crunch' sound the leaves made, after somebody had scuffed through them. He turned his head so fast he thought he had a whiplash.

And there, he saw… Amber, she was grasping a handful of leaves in her hand, her eyes now wide open as she stared off into the night sky.

Gin hurried to finish setting up, then went over to the girl's side.

"How are you feeling?" He momentarily gazed at her damaged skin before he cast his eyes back to her face. "Are you able to move your arm at will?"

Amber moved her neck carefully to look at him. "I have a favor to ask, Sir Gin."

A favor…?

"Right after you woke up?" he asked, confused.

And here… of all places?

A gentle smile formed on her mouth. "Will the squad leader listen?"

"Might I remind you that you're in no position to negotiate with your current state…" But then, a weary sigh came past his lips. "I won't reprimand you for now, but…" His unrelenting stare was gauging, "I guess I could try hearing you out."

Gin was battling his curiosity.

This girl was supposed to get an earful from him the moment she opened her eyes. He knew for certain that with leniency, authority could be abused.

Just because Amber suffered from the hands of a person she wasn't even supposed to meet, didn't mean she would no longer be held responsible for her actions.

But…

A favor out of nowhere?

Was it that important that it couldn't wait?

That she had to ask it as soon as she regained consciousness?

Amber gave their surroundings a quick scan. For some reason, the area looked familiar to her. "Are we on our way back now, Sir Gin?" The hoarseness of her voice prompted the squad leader to place down a bottled water beside her.

Amber murmured her thanks weakly. She tried to recall everything before she passed out, and uncertainties just enveloped her heart.

Pepper's scent in the area was strong, but Salt didn't seem to be around…

"Yes," Gin replied curtly. "Unfortunately, we had to cut the trip short." He wasn't trying to pin the blame on her. He simply wanted to awaken her sense of regret about this matter.

After all, his own squad was affected by the whole thing, too. Gin had never gone home with his mission still incomplete before.

This would be the first instance, and thinking about it—he couldn't help but feel bitter in more ways than one.

Former trainees had never fucked up like this in the past. That's why, Gin has no idea how he's supposed to feel with this.

To think that the trainees they brought with them this time were known for their unrivaled competence…

Amber heard the underlying tone of displeasure in the man's tone, and it was either he intentionally let her in on his true feelings, or he just failed at containing his emotions.

Amber wasn't so dense, and she actually felt bad for causing stress and trouble to another squad, aside from hers.

And to Sir Gin's very squad at that, no less…

She studied the man's features intently. He wouldn't even meet her gaze, his jaw clenching and unclenching. He pretended to search something inside his duffel bag, and that's when Amber decided to drop the bomb. "Please don't tell the Alpha," she pleaded softly. "I want to do it myself."

Gin showed her a faint smirk. "I have my obligations as your squad's stand-in leader. I'm afraid I can't make your wish to play hero possible, Amber." Besides, he doesn't have the guts to withhold any information from Alpha Severus, especially if it's about their squad getting hurt in the line of duty.

"I wish to minimize the repercussions if possible, Sir," she insisted briefly. "Would you allow me to take responsibility?" Salt and Pepper are innocent, and the only tie that binds them together in this case is the fact that they're members of the same squad.

When one gets in trouble, everyone will have to pay for it.

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Teammates are supposed to protect one another. They're supposed to stop each other from doing something reckless. They're not to tolerate anyone's mistakes and foolishness…

"And what do you plan to tell the Alpha? That you went by yourself?" Gin challenged.

Because that would be… stupid.

Alpha Severus wouldn't accept it.

It was no different from admitting you still did it, despite knowing you shouldn't.

Gin took a deep breath.

Besides, she's way too young to be confessing her outright negligence.

'I think she's getting too carried away.'

But…

To his surprise, Amber answered confidently. "Everything." She grimaced when she accidentally stiffened up her arm muscles. "If the Alpha has to find out either way, I want it to come from me at least." Once again, Amber searched for his eyes. "Please let me do it, Sir Gin. This wouldn't have happened if I hadn't been too… untrusting."

Untrusting?

Gin wouldn't call it that way.

At the back of his mind, he already knew what drove Amber to abandon rationality.

And that was… instinct.

She's not too 'untrusting' of what she sees, but instead, she's too instinctive. She relies too much on her gut feeling—which is the exact opposite of that boy… Salt.

No matter how she tries to reason out with the Alpha, there can only be one result, and that's as clear as day.

Not only did she knowingly put herself in danger, she broke the rules, too.

Naturally, harm would follow.

"I guess you've been reflecting on your actions, then." Gin had nothing to say more. Letting her do what she wants is the last thing he will allow as a squad leader. Using her poor condition to ask a favor—that was a smart move, but it wouldn't work for him.

Amber can't convince him her way out of this.

Who knows what she will tell the Alpha?

She could keep things to herself if she wanted to, and nobody was going to know.

That's why, Gin can't relent to such a huge request.

"I've seen it…"

He looked at her, questioning. "You've seen what?"

"The actual act of cannibalism committed by the male villager." Amber looked horrified, yet at the same time, remorseful. "I couldn't do anything." She closed her eyes after sensing an oncoming headache. "Entanglement comes with a price, and what I witnessed is an eye-opener. It tells me that I can't afford it."

So, that's it…

This girl right here was a witness to the whole thing, and it was impressive that she still hadn't gone out of her sane mind. Gin was positive that the experience was traumatizing, and he wouldn't be surprised if Amber stopped going to school to recover from… that.

Not to mention, her physical condition currently is in such a sorry state, too.

"Was it you?" Gin questioned seriously.

"Sir…?"

"Look to your left, Amber."

And when she did, her languid eyes widened in absolute recognition.

"That's…"

"That's him, right?" Gin gave the villager's figure a once over. There are still no signs that he will be waking up anytime soon. Silver sure does a lot of things, and is very convenient if you're the one who's inflicting harm on others.

Increasing its application beyond the optimal dose can put anyone straight into a coma.

"Yes," Amber replied, her breath shaky.

"As you can see, we have no other choice but to capture that man. Leaving a piece of evidence can get messier. We need to present him to the Alpha, and it will be a way for your squad to vindicate yourselves." The man looked pale—sickly, even. "Was it you who tore his ear off?" Gin turned to look at Amber.

The blood loss he suffered from it was no joke after all…!

'It must have hurt like hell.' Gin couldn't even begin to imagine if that were to happen to him.

"H-he…" Amber was having difficulties in calming her ragged breathing. "He was swift, unrelenting… I may have provoked the beast in him too much. I had to make a sacrifice." She laughed hoarsely, as if there was still a reason for her to find humor in the situation she was in. "He let me in on a secret—that he was deaf from one ear. So, when I realized I wouldn't be able to dodge his attack that moment, I gambled my arm in exchange of tearing off what was left of his auditory sense. I think it paid off, though."

Then, a pained groan left her lips afterward.

She wanted to shift to lick her wounds, and prevent necrosis, but every inch of her fiber right now was aching, screaming in pain.

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