Chapter 53: 53

Chapter 52

The River Severn Pack is facing a crisis, and as the Commander, Brandon is painfully aware of that.

As one of the leaders who helps maintain peace and order in the pack, he should stop with the negative thinking.

In the first place, that's something his job can't afford.

Instead of dwelling on the negative sides that a clash entails, he should spend his time proposing new strategies that can potentially guarantee their pack's victory.

Because in a world where everybody is driven by their desires to achieve something, conflicts are unavoidable.

Brandon felt partly responsible because he was the one who finalized the list of all pack members who were to be assigned to a high-risk mission in the West.

He was also the one who reviewed the reports of all reconnaissance teams that surveyed the location.

The strategic areas on the map were designed by him after a long, careful consideration.

Launching an attack needs a thorough planning.

After all, they aren't dealing with werewolves who just have gone rogue here.

The enemies are more formidable than they seem.

The other packs have already begun with the layout of their own plans, and sad to say—River Severn won't be collaborating with anyone. Just like what the Capital wants, they prefer to work among themselves.

Hence, it goes without saying that advanced scheduling is included in the plan.

The Alpha wants them to get there first before any other pack does.

And their edge is that they have already done their research, thus they're more familiar with the area.

They have been watching the organization's activity for quite some time; and surely, they must have gathered enough information by now.

First of all, the assault group can't simply launch an attack, and arrest the criminals in that village.

The cannibals are still holding many children hostage, and it won't be a clean win for the pack warriors—and for River Severn, if there's one innocent victim that will suffer from the clash.

According to their source, villagers rarely leave their place.

They just stay outside of their own hut to get some sunlight, and in their wolf form, they would roll over the grass to 'play' with the children.

Still, those were not enough reasons for them to lower their guard.

Just because they refuse to leave the village that much doesn't mean they don't have anything up their sleeves.

Like what Trent said, it could be a ploy.

Though he couldn't say that for certain because he didn't personally go there, he had constantly reminded everyone to never look down on those deranged individuals. They were smart enough to leech off several packs in the region, and they wouldn't be found out this early if it weren't for Alpha Severus' shrewd plot.

Trent is right—it's the cannibal's choice to act smart when their situation is forcing them to.

For example, hunger.

They say that once you've tried the 'practice', there's no going back. The moment you turn your back on your morals, you bind yourself to a reckless contract.

But in this case, it's more like a curse.

The hesitation of tasting the flesh of your species, and forcing it down your throat to just get it over with—the genuine curiosity that comes from searching for the feeling that answers the question 'what, then?'

It may seem gross at first, but one must never forget that wolves… are largely carnivorous.

'Gross'?

Forgetting about hesitation and regret is just a matter of 'when' for those who have decided to cross the other side. Conscience is something even pure humans can withstand.

What's there to expect from a werewolf?

Trent had a crazy theory that the villager had greater plans, and getting caught was just part of some grand plan.

However, the Alpha contested this, saying that there was no such thing as 'grand' plan in the face of the Werewolf King.

Once you present a cannibal to the King, his life won't be spared.

And that's not about having faith in the King.

It's just an irrefutable fact.

"Are you done wallowing in self-pity?"

Brandon almost dropped the map that he was gripping so tightly in his hand. The Alpha stood by the door of his study, watching him with hawk eyes.

Sensing that the man wasn't in the mood as well, Brandon cast his indifferent gaze downward before he replied, "I've got ten volunteers in my hands, Alpha. Please allow us to go as soon as possible." His gut feeling doesn't feel right. He believes he has made a miscalculation.

The assault group is specifically tailored for assassination missions.

Victim recovery is not their specialty.

You are reading story The Flower that Blooms in the Moonlight at novel35.com

Though they accepted the job in the West wholeheartedly, there was still a discrepancy regarding the representative assignment—and he was realizing it all just now.

Brandon was thinking that maybe the reason why they hadn't heard from them ever since was because the mission already failed.

For all they know, their pack warriors may have already been captured, and are being subjected to different forms of torture right now.

A chill ran down his spine.

The thought itself was psychologically damaging.

And Brandon doesn't need to be there to experience this level of fear.

Not the fear for cannibals, but the fear for lives of the mighty warriors that he appointed to manage the West.

"Rushing?" Alpha Severus stepped inside his study, placing himself on the couch comfortably. "Now… that's not something you'd say every day." He looked Brandon in the eye, his red orbs gleaming conservatively. "I don't think that's a good idea, Brandon."

But Brandon was desperate. "They need our help, Alpha. They need us. We've already arranged a team, and we can go now."

"I'm afraid I can't allow that. You still need to brief the volunteers. Don't skip the process just because you feel rattled. Do you feel that burdened because there are twelve heads weighing on your back?"

The Gamma stiffened up.

Alpha Severus' cold, harsh words got him frozen.

"See? You can't even collect yourself. How do you expect yourself to lead another ten volunteers when you're acting like an amateur, Brandon? Have you forgotten? The squads that we sent there were capable. Your doubts are insulting."

Brandon clenched his fists.

Still, he feels responsible.

Whatever the Alpha says, it won't change the fact that he was the one who drew up the plan. The assault group was technically acting under his command.

And if anything happens to them, he won't be able to forgive himself.

"I… I think the squads went to prioritize the safety of the children. The hostage concept must be putting a strain on them. It's a miscalculation on my part, Alpha. I should have assigned a support group—"

"You're forgetting something huge here, Brandon. What's the purpose of the assault group?"

Of course.

It's to eliminate whoever is named on their orders.

Every mission will be discussed during orientation.

The importance of the orientation is to put a barricade between the dos and don'ts. Usually, the Beta is the one who facilitates the orientation.

For Level 4 tasks, Brandon lists down the prospective participants for the mission while Trent validates them. There's no exam whatever. Trent is quite observant, and he's good at measuring the compatibility of the pack warriors who would go together.

And depending on the specificity of the mission, the dos and don'ts for every squad vary each and every time.

"I asked a question, Brandon," Alpha Severus repeated lowly. His Gamma couldn't even focus right in front of him. If he continues acting like this, he'll take the leadership off his shoulders, and replace him with someone else. "I don't understand why you look so glum. Does the question bother you?"

Brandon shook his head. "No, Alpha. I know the purpose of the assault group, but I don't make the tactical decisions for them. They decide that by themselves, and… hostages can be a distraction."

Severus stifled a laugh. "You're way out of your game today, Brandon. I shall tell you this now for your peace of mind. That shitty village is in no position to be making threats. If you think that the presence of the children hinders the assault group's activity, then you're wrong. At the very least, I can say that the pups aren't the reason why they still haven't made contact with us."

"How can you be so sure, Alpha?"

"Those cannibals won't use the kids as hostages. They can't go on killing their food, knowing a battle awaits them. That's not appetizing."

Brandon swallowed the lump that formed in his throat.

Did he hear that right?

Did the Alpha just refer to the kidnapped children as… food?

"That statement must have sobered you up. Now, why don't you put away those paperwork, and go for a run? It will help clear your mind."

"But—"

"There should be another reason why our pack members haven't made any correspondence. I need you to deal with it…" Severus trailed off, his words turning into a whisper, "mercilessly."

"The children…"

"To ease your worries over somebody else's safety, I believe you already know what you must do."

Finally, the Gamma had regained his composure after having a short talk with Alpha Severus. The latter barely said any comforting words, but that's just how a good tap was supposed to be.

Sharp and straightforward.

"Yes, Alpha."

To ease your worries over another person's safety…

All you have to do is eliminate the factor that threatens their safety.

You can find story with these keywords: The Flower that Blooms in the Moonlight, Read The Flower that Blooms in the Moonlight, The Flower that Blooms in the Moonlight novel, The Flower that Blooms in the Moonlight book, The Flower that Blooms in the Moonlight story, The Flower that Blooms in the Moonlight full, The Flower that Blooms in the Moonlight Latest Chapter