Chapter 69: 65

Chapter 64

Four days.

That's how long it took for them to get to the boundary between Rockwall and Talgar.

Their group avoided the mainstream routes as much as possible.

And that reduced their chances of stumbling across other werewolves that might find them suspicious.

Had they taken short breaks each and every time, they would probably arrived much later. Now, they need to decide on the rotational assignments that they will follow in the next few days.

The Beta's suggestion was that… they should be able to accomplish their mission faster when working in pairs. He wanted to dispatch two groups to search for the nearest tribe they could find, and two persons to man the hideout.

His idea would be ideal for most cases; however, the Lancers were hesitant to facilitate that plan.

Going on two groups is certainly efficient, but they feel like it's safer to visit Talgar with three members.

Salt and Caitlin are currently discussing their next move. The former had to step up since their squad didn't have a leader.

Unfortunately, they can't do the task by squad, and then just take turns. What they're trying to consider here most is the person who's fitter to the role.

Specific tasks must be handed out evenly.

"Is it final? Are we really going by three?"

"The other members said they were fine with either set-up."

"You and Pepper can't be in the same group," Caitlin pointed out. "I hope you already know this."

Salt refused to make a comment about that.

"We're on a mission. You're not thinking to look after her 24/7, are you?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "If being away from my sister is more strategic, I shall accept it. This set-up is just for the time being anyway."

"Does Amber have good conversational skills?"

"You're asking the wrong person, Caitlin," he replied tersely. "You may confirm this with Pepper if you wish."

"I'm just saying that if you and Amber have poor negotiation skills, you two need to stay apart."

"So, I get to join neither of them. I don't mind working with you and your other members if that's the case. Each group must have a guy."

Caitlin nodded. "That's the plan at least."

"I'll go with you and Drake, then."

She blinked away her confusion.

That was fast.

"Drake? You two are close now?"

Salt threw her a disgusted look. "I don't like Aries."

"Well, I don't like you, too." Aries appeared from his behind with a small bag in his hand. The bag contains all sorts of weapons they carry with them, and 'that' pup's dagger is in there, too.

They figured that even if he was a child, he was still a rogue.

And they couldn't let rogues roam around freely with lethal weapons on them, could they?

Aries handed the bag over to Caitlin, his expression sour. "I was wondering why your conversation was still not over, and here you are…" He glanced at Salt knowingly, "…badmouthing me with this person."

She rolled her eyes. "I wasn't badmouthing you. If I did, I'd rather say it in your face." She temporarily put down the bag, and peeked at the rest of their members. "What do you say about being grouped together with Amber and Pepper?"

Aries lifted a brow at her. "What's with the line up?"

"Pepper is a good listener, and communicates very well. Working with Amber should be fine, too." She then leaned into him to whisper, but Salt still heard her nonetheless. "Just don't test her."

"Then, why the hell are you taking this guy with you instead?"

"Drake isn't as pushy as you. It's true our communication skills will be tested here. However, the locals might try to take advantage of the two girls, thinking they're easy to manipulate or be swayed. Salt will get distracted as long as his sister is around. He'll be torn between the mission and his impulse to protect her. I can't join them either because that would make us three girls in a team." Caitlin then looked up at him. "The imbalance."

Aries let an annoyed sigh. "Fine."

"Then, which group would go on tribe hunting first?"

"Your group."

"Do the other girls know this already?"

This time, Salt was the one who answered his question. "I guarantee you, they won't complain."

Aries studied his expression carefully before he turned to leave. "I'll give them an update."

Caitlin smiled. "Sure, you do that."

Aries' footsteps slowed down as he drew closer to his 'new' teammates. He wasn't sure if that arrogant guy was telling the truth, but he'd better brace himself for these girls' violent reactions. It seems like Amber Santiago has a thing for trees. Right now, she's up there, serving as their group's vision, and holding a pair of handheld binoculars.

'She works so hard…'

Pepper, on the other hand, is busy, setting up their camp.

Aries stood a few meters away from them awkwardly.

They're going to be his new teammates.

It's best if they can avoid treating each other like strangers as early as now.

"Huh? What are you doing there?" Pepper noticed him, so she left her area to approach him. "Did you need something?" Her eyes shone with curiosity. "Is the meeting over?"

"I'll be in your care from now on," Aries announced. He sounded so stiff, though he never intended for it to be like that.

The girl in front of him whistled as a response which got him surprised. She didn't seem to mind being away from her brother. "Let's work hard together," she chirped, reaching out for a handshake.

Aries shook hands with her with a forced grin. "I've brought news. Could you call your friend over?"

Pepper turned to look high up in the tree. "You mean Amber?"

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"Yes…"

"She's kind of preoccupied…" She muttered to herself. "Don't worry. She can hear us anyway."

"Can't she go down for a second to talk with us?"

And in an instant, Amber fell right before him, her gaze curious.

This girl…

She jumped off the tree as soon as she heard his insistence.

"Hello," she greeted meekly. "I'm watching Drake's back. He's setting up traps around the perimeter as we speak." Amber bravely looked him in the eye. "Is it urgent?"

"We belong to the same group now, and we're undertaking the test first."

Aries was expecting she'd object to it, but instead… he got asked this question:

"When?"

"Pardon me?"

"When are we leaving?" Amber suddenly turned serious.

"You're okay with it?"

"Why wouldn't I be okay with it?" she asked back, confused. "Isn't that our mission in the first place?"

"True," he whispered. "Anyway, just get ready. I hope you're both prepared physically and mentally." That was a sincere wish.

He hopes that everything goes smoothly for them.

Pepper puffed out her chest. "Prepared? That's cute. I'm excited."

"We leave at daybreak."

Amber gave him a small nod. "We need a good rest tonight. Please try not to stay up late."

And before Aries could even respond to that, she already took off.

She climbed up on the highest branch of the tree, and went back to sightseeing.

Pepper smiled at him apologetically. "She wasn't trying to be rude."

"Why is she so agitated…"

"She's not agitated. She's concerned about Drake, I believe."

Ha…

"Is that so?"

"Yup," she said, popping the 'p'. "Anyway, I shall go back, and finish what I'm doing now. If you need anything, we're just here."

They were so carefree, Aries was weirded out. "Sure."

Meanwhile…

Along the perimeter…

Drake wiped his sweat-dotted brow. Dealing with traps is right up his alley, that's why he doesn't mind being assigned to securing the area around their hideout. The location that they chose barely attracts unwanted visitors. It was a bushy area with occasional swarms of biting flies, and not too far from the clearing.

As expected, the boundary between the two regions wasn't heavily guarded.

Perhaps, it has something to do with the fact that Talgar isn't a famous spot that everyone wants to visit. Rockwall is pretty much lux as well for not posting watchmen or pack warriors along the border.

Drake blew air out from between his lips when he was finally done.

"That's the last one."

Creak.

What's that sound…?

Creak.

He quickly got into his defensive stance as he turned around.

Nothing…

He saw nothing.

His wolf is awake, but it doesn't feel all guarded.

The wilderness is clear.

There are no signs of imminent threats. The winds don't carry along any strange smell, too.

So, in the end, Drake decided to shrug it off with the excuse that it might just be the wind.

"You alright?"

"F-fuck…!"

"Why are you suddenly cursing?" Caitlin crossed her arms. "You were taking too long, so we decided to come pick you up."

Behind her stood Salt.

And for some reason, he looked peeved.

"I'm actually on my way back…" Drake explained. "The area is safe."

Salt suddenly looked at him for making that declaration. "For now."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Our job is to keep this place safe for our own safety. We're out in the wild right now. There's no such thing as 'safe' until we've eradicated all threats that pass us by."

Drake grimaced.. "Too radical."

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