Chapter 54: 54

Chapter 53

"Amber has just got here."

Pepper was in the middle of training when one of the guards from the pack house came to announce that.

She specifically asked one of her father's men to inform her once Amber had returned.

But when she looked at the wall clock, she found that her friend went home much earlier than expected.

She thought Amber was going to take her sweet time being away from the pack, but for some reason—that didn't happen.

Pepper couldn't help but wonder why.

However, training is still not over, so she's going to have to wait until the two of them meet later.

She nodded at the pack warrior, and muttered her thanks. "Do you know if she has other plans for today? I'm afraid that I won't be able to catch her later. Did you hear if she'd get back to training? I mean, that's so… her."

It was only two in the afternoon—which meant that Amber had spent five hours at the school before she decided to go home. Pepper kind of anticipated that she'd be gone for the whole day, but it seemed that she was wrong about that, too.

Now, she could only hope that Amber wouldn't visit the river at this hour to go on with her training.

That's dedication on a whole new level right there…!

"I didn't hear anything about that. She went straight to her room—maybe she wanted to rest?"

Salt snickered in the background. "Rest? Impossible." He dropped his sabre on the ground, and fetched himself some cold water. He was sweating like hell. "I'm betting that she'll pick up her training pace for today to catch up to the schedule."

Pepper hated to admit this, but her brother was right. "Don't jinx it, Salt! I really want to see her today, and you know I won't be able to if she goes to that certain part of the forest! It's not like I can wait for her at the pack house until dinner time. She rarely joins the table nowadays anyway."

"Can't you push back your plans until tomorrow?" He wasn't having it. His twin would start whining again if he continued to entertain her, so he gingerly picked up his sword to head for the benches.

He took special classes for muscle strength training today, that's why his body felt especially sore than usual.

Their next mission was fast approaching—there was no time for slacking off.

And their first mission was an eye-opener.

Salt has always been confident with his constitution and wisdom, but those won't do shit if he lacks the stamina to keep up with their opponents.

It was also then that he realized just how incredible Amber was.

She didn't get to sleep during their first mission, yet she still had the energy to keep up with a full-grown cannibal. Her body was obviously pushed to its limits, and as a result, she passed out.

Still, staying up for several days to monitor the village's movement, complete her observational notes, and tail a person whom she feels off—she sure isn't laidback.

So, when the pack warrior said that Amber might have decided to rest on a hot afternoon… Salt immediately knew that such a conclusion couldn't be true.

It would be difficult to outlast Amber in the ring—even for him.

It's mind-blowing because she doesn't even attend special classes to further enhance her fighting prowess.

Contrary to what Pepper was accusing him off, he never thought, even once, that Amber's unique perception was an impediment to their group's performance.

She's a high-functioning individual that if she continues charging recklessly at this rate, she's going to leave their entire batch of trainees behind. She had demonstrated many times that she stood on a different level compared to most werewolves their age, but Salt was deeply troubled about one thing.

Amber has a complex way of dealing with problems, not to mention her lack of regard for her own safety.

If she doesn't feel the need to protect herself, the duty then gets passed on to the shoulders of her other teammates—and in this case, that would be him and Pepper.

What a pain.

Now, he's undertaking all these grueling lessons not just to protect his sister, but Amber now as well.

"No! I want to see her today," Pepper insisted.

"Then, pray." Salt shrugged before turning to leave. "Pray that your friend slacks off this time."

"Why are you so unsupportive?"

"Pray, Pepper."

"Shut up! At this point, repeating your comment only gets more annoying."

— — —

Trent closed the window blinds, and glanced at the stubborn Alpha. "She's back early."

Severus lifted his brow in question. "And who might you be talking about?"

"Amber Santiago."

"So? Why are you telling me this?"

"I figure you'd want to be updated, Alpha."

"I'm not interested in that child's business."

"We both know that's a lie."

Severus looked at his Beta intently. It didn't seem like he was teasing him, but he was getting bolder and bolder each day. "Instead of pestering me, why don't you sit down, and have a serious talk with Brandon? You could be more productive that way, Trent."

"My input is no longer needed, Alpha. I heard he was back to normal now—thanks to you."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"How long are we going to keep this charade?"

Severus narrowed his gaze slightly, growling. "Charade?"

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"You refuse to show us your soft side. There's nothing wrong with that. If you're that concerned about Brandon, any attempt of comforting him would be appreciated. If you're growing tired of the situation with Amber Santiago, then make up already. What's the point of putting up a tough exterior when you're suffering inside? The Luna seems distressed about your deteriorating relationship with the girl, and honestly?" Trent shook his head. "It's hard for us to pretend that we know nothing, and we don't care. Your men have to be constantly walking on eggshells around you. I'm impressed that no one is complaining."

"Yet, here you are."

"I speak my mind, Alpha. There's a difference."

"Then, you must learn how to stay silent if I'm not asking for your opinion. Stay out of this, Trent."

'Still keeping the stubborn attitude, I see…'

Trent blew out a huge breath. "My apologies, Alpha. I was just thinking that it would be better to patch things up before they leave for Talgar. Who knows? There's no guarantee that they will return in one piece."

With those words, Severus saw red, and in a flash, Trent was pinned to the wall. The Alpha's blazing eyes forced him to show his neck in submission.

"Don't mess with me, Trent. I warned you. Get off my case."

"Yes, Alpha."

Severus threw him to the ground harshly, and if it weren't for his reflexes, he wouldn't have been able to cushion the blow as his body hit the cold, hard floor.

"I don't need your opinion. Know your place."

Trent kept his head low. "Of course."

It seems that it's hopeless to convince the Alpha for now.

Because as soon as he hears her name being uttered by someone else's mouth, he tenses, and ends up becoming grouchy. It's plain to see that he's bothered by the tension between them—that he's not used to this kind of set-up, and all this pretending is taking a toll on him mentally.

Amber Santiago really is one of a kind.

Even Lukas, the Alpha's own son, wasn't capable of having his father's back against a wall.

Alpha Severus' mood is just going to get worse once their squad is about to set out. He'll only be plagued with regret when it's too late.

"Get out," the Alpha snapped.

Trent dusted himself off, and headed for the door wordlessly.

"Wait."

He immediately stopped, and looked over his shoulder. The Alpha is back at pretending to read a book again. "Invite her to come down for dinner."

"Invite who?"

"…Amber."

Trent felt the corners of his mouth quirk upward. "And if she refuses to go?"

"She won't."

"The Alpha seems confident about that."

"If you had really been observing as you previously claimed, then you should know what type of person she was."

Trent stared at him for a few seconds before nodding his head. "I'll talk to her."

"Good. Now, out of my sight."

"Yes, yes…"

— — —

Amber stirred in her sleep when she heard a familiar voice calling out to her from outside her room.

Slowly, she got up, her forehead knotting in confusion while scratching her eye.

The bedside clock reads 5:17 PM.

Salt and Pepper won't believe if they find out that she took a nap, and completely ditched her training schedule today.

The first time that it happened.

In her defense though, reading a good book for many hours was draining.

Especially if the book was about things she hadn't heard before…

Amber didn't regret picking up, and binging 'The Wolves of the South'.

"Amber…? Are you awake?"

That voice…!

'Why is the Beta looking for me?'

"Uhm, yes." She got out of bed, and jogged toward the door.

And when she opened it, Sir Trent pushed something to her chest.

Ash berries.

"We're having dinner in an hour. Will you come downstairs?"

Still confused for having received a random gift from the person she least expected to do it, Amber nodded absentmindedly. "Okay, Sir," she squeaked out.

Trent stared at her weirdly.

'The Alpha was right. She wouldn't decline a direct invitation.'

Though maybe her favorite fruit somewhat played a role in it.

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