Chapter 48: 48

Chapter 47

"You seem to be enjoying yourselves here."

Amber's chest was filled with relief.

That voice—it was the Gamma's.

No matter what Sir Brandon's reason for going over their table is, she's thankful from the bottom of her heart.

By the looks of it, Sean is not yet done with his questioning.

Amber has been praying for their interaction to be over.

Because she will excuse herself afterward, and find someplace tranquil to catch a break.

She couldn't blame Pepper for leaving her side because it was she who suggested to go karaoke with her classmates.

After learning that she already came home, Pepper rushed back to the pack house, and came to check on her. The birthday girl wanted to confirm with her eyes if she was really in her room, getting ready for the party.

And when they went to the garden, Pepper stuck by her side for almost half an hour.

Amber knew she wasn't doing anything wrong, but she felt awkward for Pepper's friends who especially dedicated their time to come here. So, after a lot of convincing, she was finally able to push Pepper to go over to her other friends, and have fun with them.

"G-gamma Brandon." Sean stood up to give the Commander a proper greeting. His heart was beating fast. Did the man hear his conversation with Amber? The venue was enveloped in incessant noise.

He should be safe as long as he thinks that way.

But…

What if he's wrong?

Sean didn't want the Gamma to misunderstand the situation. It was already a problem that he wasn't able to get from Amber all the answers for the questions he was supposed to ask her—and it would be another problem if the Gamma started thinking that he was trying to play with her.

Shit.

Sir Brandon nodded at him in acknowledgment, and looked down at Amber with a friendly smile. "A new friend?" he asked.

Sean felt like his heart jumped out of his chest.

The man just asked Amber if he was a new friend.

Once she denies it, his world will really start crumbling.

But…

Who is he fooling anyway?

Without a doubt, Amber would deny it—and boy, was he right…!

"We're not friends, Sir."

She didn't even bat an eye when she said that.

"Oh." The Gamma turned to him. "Did you need her help?"

Confusion crossed his features. "H-help?" he repeated, unsure.

"Yes—help. I'm certain that every specific group of friends was assigned to their own tables. You're sitting at the wrong table, boy. Are you, perhaps, lost?" Sir Brandon's gaze was analytical. He wasn't even trying to be discreet about it as he intently stared at the teenage boy who had accompanied Amber at her very own table.

Shit.

Sean was sweating coldly. Should he say yes?

That he got lost?

Who the hell would believe that?

He literally looked older than Amber, and being unable to find his way on his own at his age would just be utterly humiliating.

Besides, he also doesn't have the courage to lie to the face of a Gamma. The man is the parent of the birthday celebrants. It's like courting death.

Amber, on the other hand, looked disinterested—as if she'd rather be anywhere else than here. She was staring off into the distance while waiting for this conversation to be over.

That's when Sean realized that he had no one to rely on.

Why would he expect that Amber was going to defend her?

"Why are you staring at Amber? Does she have your answer?"

Sean shook his head furiously. "No, Gamma. I… I just got distracted." He swallowed nervously, and so, he decided to tell the truth. "I… I approached Amber Santiago because I got a few questions for her."

Once again, Sir Brandon looked at the girl to confirm that.

It seems that whatever he says won't just be blindly accepted by the Commander.

'Salt's father sure has a very cautious nature,' Sean thought to himself. Therefore, his decision to tell the truth was right.

"Am I interrupting?"

Amber snapped out of her reverie as if she knew right away that the Gamma was talking to her.

"We're done talking, Sir." Sean was shocked when she looked him in the eye, her orbs glowing brilliantly with warning. "Right, Sean?"

He could only nod silently.

What was that?

His heartbeat was beating irregularly just a few moments ago, but now it had come to a complete stop. He held Amber Santiago's gaze with deep meaning.

And all of a sudden, he felt compelled to agree with her, and leave her alone—right this moment.

What's even more puzzling is that… Sean's wolf agreed with the idea.

'It's better to leave her alone for now.'

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Sir Brandon laughed heartily. "What's this? Not friends but on a first-name basis?"

Amber let out a brief smile. "Should I call him 'boy' like what Sir Brandon did, then?"

The Gamma laughed harder, shaking his head in amusement. "I don't think Sean is going to appreciate that."

"I… uh…"

"You don't have to say anything. Since you've both confirmed that everything between you is settled, you should be on your way now."

Sean lowered his head in submission. "Yes, Gamma. I shall take my leave now." He peeked at Amber under his lashes, and was taken aback when he found her watching him. Sean looked away, and continued, "I apologize if I've inconvenienced you in any way, Ms Amber."

At the very least, he has to make it sound sincere since the Commander is listening right now.

"Half-baked," Amber muttered.

Both Sean and Sir Brandon turned to look at her. "Huh?"

Sean was cursing repeatedly inside his head. Was she referring to his apology?

A half-baked apology?

Even the Gamma had to react on that!

Amber's comment could be easily misunderstood. The Commander might think that he really had something serious to apologize for…!

Amber showed her further nonchalance by raising the plate of French macaroons, and uttering a curt response. "Half-baked."

Sean blinked at her, speechless.

Meanwhile, Sir Brandon grabbed the plate from her hand. "I'll take these away."

Thanks to Sir Brandon's presence, she didn't have to say anything more. Sean left of his own accord, saying that his friends might be already looking for him—but not before apologizing to Amber once again though. He looked particularly rattled because he was in the presence of River Severn's Commander.

He knew he had to retreat.

Though Sir Brandon exuded a benevolent aura, Sean felt exposed to the man's curious gaze.

"Was he bothering you?" Sir Brandon was still staring at the direction where the guy disappeared to. He's not sure whether he's a friend of Pepper or Salt's.

"Kind of," Amber admitted quietly.

She figured there was no point in lying about it after the unsightly behavior that she just displayed in front of him.

She was really peeved that a mere stranger was that relentless to meddle with her business.

If she was any younger, more foolish, and uncaring… she would have told him off right off the bat.

She wouldn't be the least bit concerned about what people would say for stirring up unnecessary trouble.

Sean knew she couldn't afford to ruin her friend's birthday party, and took advantage of her patience as a result.

"He said he wanted to ask you questions…" Sir Brandon trailed off, treading carefully. He didn't mean to pry, but that guy certainly looked spooked. He was obviously guilty of something.

And Amber's mood was off—though she was difficult to read to begin with. The smile that she pulled earlier—it looked as if she was fed up.

'Am I just reading into it too much?'

"He did ask me some questions, Sir. Please don't worry about it."

The Gamma noticed that she went back to drawing circles on the table.

The gesture was an indicator in itself.

He suddenly recalled what the Alpha said—and that was to watch out for Amber's small habits. That day, the Alpha even mentioned her habit to draw circles as an example.

It's a sign that she's thinking.

About… unpleasant things.

But…

What kind of unpleasant things was the Alpha talking about?

'Unpleasant things' is just too general.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Sir. It's over now. Did you need something? You came all the way here after all."

"Well, the news just arrived, and I figured it was better to tell you ahead of time, so you could prepare. I've already informed my children regarding the activity. I have to say that I have high expectations for you this time, Amber. I hope your squad won't disappoint."

The Gamma sounded serious.

Amber stood up, her heartbeat picking up.

Those words…

Is it what she thinks it is?

"You look excited," Sir Brandon laughed at her enthusiasm. "You're right. Your squad is scheduled for your second mission, and the details will be discussed to you soon. Make sure your morning schedule is empty for the three of you might be called over for the orientation."

Another mission…!

Just when she thought their activities as a squad will be temporarily placed on-hold because of her problematic method of dealing with the enemies by herself…

"Do better, Amber. I know I shouldn't be saying this because you always do your best, but I want to make it clear to you that, supposedly, the mission won't be handed to your squad; however, multiple Level 1 squads will be sent out on a mission. The other groups available, apparently, are preparing for their tournaments. Do you get what I'm saying? The reputation of your squad has greatly suffered after 'that' incident."

Amber didn't waver even though it sounded as if the Commander was scolding her.

Only stupid people make the same mistakes twice.

"I'm aware, Sir Brandon," she spoke in a whisper.. "Thank you for considering our squad."

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