Chapter 55: 55

Chapter 54

'The Alpha seems to be in a good mood tonight.'

'Gone is the threatening aura that radiates off him in the past couple of weeks.'

'Did something happen?'

Those confusions were eventually cleared up when they heard quick, small steps coming from above.

No.

To be specific—from the staircase.

Everyone in the table had a 'I see it now' look on their faces when they realized that Amber was coming down to join the table tonight.

When was the last time that they ate together?

Without her, Alpha Severus had been snappy, and everybody was afraid to share their thoughts over dinner because they saw him as a ticking bomb.

They had to constantly watch out for things that would come out of their own mouths.

Pepper pinched her brother on his thigh to contain her excitement. Did Amber finally come around?

She didn't dare ask anyone about Amber in the Alpha's presence. They just arrived at the pack house ten minutes ago, and she was being careful for her tongue might slip—and she couldn't afford that as long as Alpha Severus was within a hearing distance.

After their training, she practically rushed her shower, and dragged Salt along to the pack house.

In the end, he wasn't able to protest. She was so vehement that if he said he was too tired to socialize, and would rather go home to take some good rest, her sister would curse him out to no end.

Her enthusiasm is something he'll never understand.

Where does she get that excess energy of hers after their exhausting training anyway?

Amber gave her greetings before she quietly took a seat.

'Are they finally okay?'

'The Alpha didn't even bother to spare her a quick glance. It's… funny to see him endure.'

Pepper winked at Amber, and the latter just tilted her head, confused.

"We're complete," Severus spoke lowly. He's still reserved even with Amber around. "Let's start."

The dinner was rather uneventful.

The Alpha never spoke to Amber even once.

His pack members were expecting that there would be some kind of development—they almost forgot that Alpha Severus was headstrong. He's probably waiting for Amber to speak to him first, but they all know that won't happen, not in a million years.

The opponent that he picked was stubborn by nature, too.

Besides, her timid self is hard to penetrate.

Even Amber should be able to perceive the awkwardness between her and the Alpha.

And the worst thing that could possibly happen?

That maybe, they're just waiting for each other to speak.

Yet, no one's waving their white flag.

The Gamma decided to take this opportunity to make an important announcement. His wife and children still have no idea that he's leaving for tomorrow.

Brandon cleared his throat, and that garnered everyone's attention. Amber stared at him with curiosity while chewing her food.

"My team and I are leaving at dawn."

His mate then pulled on his t-shirt, her gaze questioning. "Wait, where are you going?" They could practically hear the nervousness in her voice.

Usually, missions are announced weeks in advance to prepare both the pack warrior and his family—mentally.

And if the Commander himself is participating…

That can only mean one thing.

The situation is so dire that his skills are required to suppress the enemy lines.

This one though is especially alarming.

Because Brandon has to inform his family about the mission a day before his departure.

There can only be one conclusion that can be drawn from his sudden announcement.

And that is…

"It's emergency," Brandon supplied briefly. "The protocol for emergency missions is that we're to send reinforcements as soon as possible."

His wife turned to face the Alpha. "Where are you sending him off this time, Severus?"

Salt and Pepper's eyes almost bulged out of their sockets after hearing that. Did their mother just call the Alpha by his name?

With her tone raised?

Brandon held her hand. "Faye," he warned. He loves her, alright.

But letting her provoke the Alpha is downright suicidal. He'd take her side any day, but she needs to be reminded of what his role is in their pack.

"It's not a matter of whether it's an official order or not. Even if I have to go there alone, I'll do it."

Severus put his utensils down, and looked at Faye. Her reaction isn't new to him, and he's not mad actually. He understands where she's coming from, and he has seen that look many times before.

Faye is no different from Xyla when it comes to reacting to dicey operations. That's why he'll let her insolence this time slide.

"Brandon is supposed to rendezvous with our forces in the West," he calmly explained, "to answer your question."

"West?" Faye felt like she lost her voice there.

The twins stopped, and shared each other a look. Right now, their minds are in-sync. They can only think of one place that really necessitates their father's intervention, and the very thought of it is giving them odd vibes.

And those vibes are enough to unnerve them, despite knowing how strong their father is.

Severus turned to his Gamma. "You told Faye, didn't you?"

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Brandon nodded, somber. "Yes."

"Then, there's nothing more for me to say."

Faye was trembling in fear and concern for his husband. "But… this is too sudden—"

Brandon stroked her hair. "I'll be fine."

"How can you so be calm? You're leaving us, and… and…"

"Look at Amber."

"W-what?"

Trent, who was trying to not get involved, raised an eyebrow. 'What's his deal?'

Why is that fool suddenly trying to involve the child this time?

He shook his head inwardly.

It's the same case for Salt and Pepper.

Why did their father have to mention her in this case?

Amber was silent the entire time, but… she had been thinking so hard about the predicament of the Gamma Chief's family. She couldn't help but feel a pang in her heart because… this was how it used to be with her Mama Kamila and Papa Cain, too.

The constant feeling of dread…

Of missing the person you look up to…

Literally asking the universe when that person is coming back…

Or… is he still coming back?

Is he eating well?

How could he endure being away from his family for so long…

Is it even normal for mates to survive without seeing each other for a year?

Those questions came back to her all at once.

Amber didn't need to hear their conversation until the end for her to realize the gravity of the situation. Her friends must be feeling the same way that she did before—maybe even worse for they had already experienced themselves how serious the problem was in the West.

That time, they barely made it back.

To think that they were just dealing with a single cannibal back then…

"Amber is alive and well. Do you know why?"

Faye looked genuinely confused. "Why are you telling me this? Amber doesn't have anything to do with your work! Don't divert the topic."

"I'm telling you that it's going to be fine." Brandon smiled at Amber who still hadn't said anything, despite having heard her name being mentioned many times already. She was most likely waiting for his explanation, too. "Amber and I have something in common. Both of us used to be part of the West Crescent Pack. She's a Santiago, and I used to work under the Santiagos' chain of command. Have faith in me, hmm?"

Pepper pursed her lips together. "Can't we go accompany you, Dad?"

Her mother gasped at her daughter's suggestion. "Pepper!"

Brandon shook his head. "You're already scheduled for your next mission. By the way…" He gave the Beta a knowing look. "You're to attend your orientation with your Sir Trent tomorrow. Make sure you wake up early, and don't miss the session. It has been confirmed that you'll be working with another squad, too."

"What!" Pepper exclaimed. "I'm pumped!"

"It's just your second mission, yet you'll already be working in collaboration. Consider yourselves lucky."

"How many squads are participating in the same mission as us?"

"Just one."

"Oh, okay! Which squad are you pertaining to, Dad? May I know?"

Pepper's genuine eagerness had brought warmth to Brandon's heart. "You'll know tomorrow."

'At least, you've managed to smooth your way over that,' Trent suddenly mindlinked him. 'Your wife knows what you're doing though.'

'Yeah, I'll settle that later.'

'Bringing up such a sensitive topic over a meal—and with us as your audiences. I didn't know you were that reckless.'

'I needed a proof that I'd be safe. Amber was the perfect example.'

'So, you were making it a point that if a trainee could survive the West, it was no different for you?'

'That's one way to look at it.'

'Clever.'

Brandon hid a smile. 'Thanks.' He tightened his grip on his mate's hand. He literally could feel her pulse, and he knew that she felt disturbed by the idea of him going to the West.

Somehow, he was regretting that he told her about the existence of cannibals. Had he kept it to himself, Faye wouldn't be so worried.

Salt and Pepper would never disclose any information about their missions to anyone—even to their mother. It has been inculcated in their young minds ever since that official pack business is classified information. That's why he doesn't have to worry about them sharing details to other people by accident.

All of a sudden, Alpha Severus spoke. "Is your arm fully healed?"

And this time, he looked Amber in the eye.

Everybody was shocked at first, then sighed in relief before averting their gazes to make it more comfortable for the two to talk. 'Finally…'

Amber met the Alpha's gaze bravely, giving him a small nod. "Back at full strength, Alpha." She no longer experiences muscle guarding unlike before. She was suspecting that the pain she felt until recently was psychosomatic.

"Good, because your mission won't wait until you're completely fine."

"I'm… aware, Alpha."

"I want you to remember this." Severus performed a reverse hand gesture. "It's better to bite than get bitten."

Amber looked at him, unsure.

Did she get the message right?

That's… permission to kill.

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