Chapter 73: 68

Chapter 67

Their first night on the border was uneventful.

However, that didn't mean it was safe to conclude that the central site where they put up their camp was safe, and free from any harm.

It just so happened that the said location rarely got visited due to its not-so-ideal spot for most animals as it was near a clearing where hiding or taking refuge was barely possible.

Feral animals don't make colossal mistakes like that.

Therefore, the Lancers can be considered lucky for their abilities to judge well, despite being first-timers in that regard.

Amber, Aries, and Pepper are scheduled to make the first attempt of negotiation with Talgarian locals today.

They have completed the preparations in advance, and all there's left to do is bid their farewell to the other half of the group.

Fortunately for Amber, she was able to get some good sleep after that painful landing.

And even if it was for a meager two hours, she slept well—dreams empty.

Caitlin had to wake up early as well, being the leader of her own squad. She has an obligation to show people that leaders must always show up, even if they're not needed.

Salt and Drake may not look so drained, but one can see that both of them have exhausted quite an amount of their energy to fulfill their roles in the past eight hours.

Although Drake doesn't try to hide the fact that he's a little tired, Salt appears to be more nonchalant about it with the bored expression he's got on.

But little did they know, he was actually thinking hard about a strange phenomenon that occurred last night.

The thing that he had witnessed was unsettling.

He tried to brush it aside at first, thinking that his eyes might have just been messing with him.

But he wasn't that stupid to just rely on such 'possibilities', so he could escape the muddled state he was in.

Amber's eyes shifted colors—although it was impossible for normal werewolves to do so, she breached that wall, and showed him something else.

Another thing that was worthy of mention was her back's condition.

Yes, small wounds heal faster, but… is it really possible for them to disappear without leaving a sign at all?

Salt was certain that Amber looked hurt even after she stood up.

Was she acting like that because she broke a bone instead?

That idea doesn't seem reliable, too, though.

He had been watching Amber since she woke up, but she was acting as if she was totally fine—as if she didn't get hurt last night at all.

Salt hates this.

He hates not being able to solve a problem, and having to suffer mentally for it.

Perhaps, he could talk to Aries.

He never liked the guy at first glance. He's arrogant, and knows what he's capable of.

Like him.

And it was such a relief that they didn't have to be members of the same group, or else… every freaking experience would have been a pain.

Salt clicked his tongue, irritation was written all over his face.

This isn't the time for that, though.

He needs to ask him a favor, and he can't do that when he's being prickly.

He's not sure whether or not Amber is just pretending to be okay, so that her teammates won't worry about her. If she is, her acting sure is flawless.

Normally, details to injuries should be reported to the other teammates, so they'd be careful with the injured person.

In this case, that concept no longer applies because Amber has already self-healed.

Nevertheless, they need to take precautionary measures—and that's why he'll have to talk to Aries.

Pepper is a chatterbox. Though she'd cooperate in the end, a lot of explanations would be required since this concerned her friend.

Besides, there's also the possibility that she'll think he's just making up shit because picking out a person's flaw is one of his hobbies.

That's right.

Aries is the best way out of this.

If he carelessly told anyone about what he had discovered, the group might endure an internal conflict until the end of the mission. Right now, watching over Amber's movement takes precedence. She's an asset to every group she joins.

"I'm honestly surprised. You called?" Aries casually stood next to him as he waited for the girls to finish their business.

Pepper couldn't find her cutting tool, and Amber was helping her to look for it. Apparently, she didn't realize that she misplaced it until she double-checked her duffel bag, and found out that it wasn't in there.

Cutting tools are used to cut ropes, and escape traps—just in case they encounter any along the way. Its size is inconspicuous, and it can be in your possession anytime, anywhere.

Their father, the Gamma himself, was the one who polished that blade for her. Of course, Pepper would make a fuss over the sentimental value the item holds.

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Aries couldn't help but throw a curious stare at Amber, though.

Thankfully, she seemed… okay. She looked restless when they met last night. He thought that she wouldn't be able to get some rest at all—and that would be problematic.

Their squad is hoping to accomplish this task much earlier than the given timeframe, and he knows exactly what a tired teammate can possibly do to wreck an activity outcome.

"I shouldn't be saying this because you already know what to do as their teammate, but please watch over them for me."

Aries looked at him amusedly. "That goes without saying." He was thinking that maybe deep down, Salt was actually bothered by the separation from his twin sister. And he would have teased the guy about it, but his tone sounded incredibly serious.

It would be rude if he stomped on his brotherly concerns like that.

"Especially Amber."

Aries' grin froze. "Excuse me?"

Not his sister?

Salt's brows knitted. "Did you not hear me in the first instance?"

Wow…

Now, he's got the nasty attitude back.

"You're more concerned about Amber than your sister? I've never dreamt of this."

"Equally concerned," Salt corrected. "I don't appreciate that you're putting an obnoxious meaning to this request."

"Why Amber, then?" Aries challenged.

He certainly didn't expect this coming from this cold guy, so he wanted answers.

"I heard you talked about… a few things last night."

This time, he faced Salt. "How did you know about that? Were you watching us?"

"That's quite an accusation to make. Do I look like I care about your business with her?" Salt ticked his jaw. "Amber told me."

"When?"

"Don't sweat the small details. I'm talking to you for another cause, and you should be focusing on that instead. You should have realized it by now—Amber is a bit… eccentric."

"What are you saying? I actually like her personality. She's headstrong, and unique."

"That's what I'm saying. That's what you should watch out for as you work with her. As you can see, she's capable of making all worst possible decisions out there, and still manages to survive the results. The situation with the young rogue should be a clear portrayal."

"So? What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to stop her if anything like that happens again. Don't yield to what she wants."

Aries snickered. "Don't you think that's selfish of you?"

"That's my ultimate job in our squad. Act selfish, and liberate them from dangerous situations. Can you do that?"

"I can." He shrugged a little. "But I'll need to be subtle about it, though. I don't think they will appreciate it if they feel restrained."

"Don't let Amber wander alone," Salt added, then shot him a displeased look. "I found it alarming how you left her by herself last night. There shouldn't be a repeat of that."

Aries let out a sarcastic laugh. "Bro, I gave her what she needed that time, and that was personal space. Besides, she wasn't wandering outside the perimeters. She wasn't that far from the central site either, and you and Drake had been looking out. Don't you think you're overreacting?"

"Amber slept on a tree, and accidentally fell—thanks to the personal space you were talking about."

His expression immediately turned into one of worry. "Is she okay?" His eyes unconsciously searched for Amber to check if she was doing well. "Did she hurt herself?"

That question…

Honestly, Salt doesn't know how to respond to that.

Yes, she hurt herself.

But she was supposed to be fine now.

In the end, he just pursed his lips, and decided to ignore Aries' question. "Maybe, maybe not. You may confirm that with her if you wish. Anyway, I figure that you get my point now, don't you? Just… treat her like a little sister that you need to look after. That shouldn't be too hard for you, right?"

"I'm an only child. I can't possibly relate to that feeling, but I suppose I can worry for her as if she's an incompetent newbie."

"Incompetent newbie? Your choice of words is really appalling."

"That's the easiest way for me to get close to the feeling of concern you have for her. Are you sure it's not for some other reasons?"

"Disgusting," Salt muttered. "Well, I can't really blame you if your interpretations are as shallow as your personality."

"Hey, you're going overboard."

"It's bad for you and Caitlin to be in the same squad. You're both stupid."

Aries stiffened. "I'm warning you, Salt. Your comments aren't very pleasing to the ears. Keep in mind that you're the one who's asking for a favor here. Do you realize that the decision is up to me, and I can refuse if I don't feel like doing it?"

Salt smirked at him. "Do that, and see for yourself what happens.. Amber is unpredictable, even for us—her main squad."

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