Chapter 74: 69

Chapter 68

"Whoa, I'm not used to this—sitting idly while waiting for my teammates to get things done." That's what Caitlin exclaimed when she realized how lonely the camp got after the first group left.

Actually, she was also trying to hide the fact that she was getting nervous for them—that her palms were numb and cold.

The result of the first attempt will dictate how it's going to play out for them next. The Beta hinted before that this mission was something that couldn't be completed within a day.

They already took how the Talgarian people were going to react into consideration—that's why the trial and error part was included into the calculation, and the activity period was extended for two weeks.

Even the top brass isn't expecting that the talk will be easy.

They gave an assurance that the tribes weren't hostile, though.

They won't attack unless provoked, and they don't wish to make an enemy out of legitimized packs. Hence, the things that they need to watch out for are the external elements.

The Lancers didn't encounter rogues on their way here; the pup from the mangrove forest was an isolated case.

Still, that's no reason for them to be complacent now.

Considering their current location, sending back-ups is very unlikely. Their only hope when it comes to seeking help are the official pack warriors who have activities nearby, too.

The first group decided to explore the eastern part of Talgar.

If they're to return without good news, Drake, Caitlin, and Salt will deploy themselves to the opposite direction next.

"Cait, help me out here," Drake called out. He was trying to rearrange their stuff by owners and not by category, so no one would accidentally touch someone else's personal things.

"Alright, wait up."

Salt was nowhere in sight.

Before he left, he told them that he'd go on hunting to free his wolf at the same time. The guy was so active. He didn't even get enough rest in the first place when he suddenly decided to exhaust himself further.

Well, he knows his body better, and if, in any case, he doesn't feel too good, he will probably inform them of his physical well-being, right?

Caitlin can't possibly order the guy around because first of all, she's in no position to do that. Besides, she's no leader of their squad.

All she can ask of him is to take care of himself.

Meanwhile…

"Oh, my. Did I forget to bring my water ration?" Pepper mumbled to herself in disbelief. How could she have not noticed that?

They've been running for hours, and made a quick stop by a small bridge across a wide, meadow pasture.

Actually, they ran into an abandoned village earlier, so they thought that the dwellers there either relocated or got chased out. Thinking they hit the jackpot this time, they unanimously agreed to take a break, and plan their next move carefully.

The green pastures ahead of them looked well taken care of.

There's a chance that there are small tribes nearby; thus, making a good entrance is necessary to win over the locals' favor.

Amber wordlessly handed hers to her friend—in which Pepper accepted with a guilty expression. "Thank you for this. I'm sorry that you have to share your water with me. We haven't seen a lake or a river, so…"

Amber smiled at her softly. "Drink up."

"Are you sure?"

"It's not a big deal."

"Okay, I'll help myself to it, then…"

Aries put on a t-shirt, and came out of hiding after he finished. All this time, Pepper was the only one who was actively talking. Amber was just listening keenly, and had been keeping her replies short.

So far, she hadn't tried to lead over the group, and suggest ridiculous ideas like what Salt was hinting.

He couldn't believe that he was taking Salt's warning about the girl very seriously.

Though Amber's not as chatty as her friend, she always speaks with sense—and that's enough for Aries. He will still follow through the plan, and eye her carefully, but he won't antagonize her ideas as long as there's no strong reason for him to.

"There should be a tribe beyond the bridge," he announced while looking ahead of them. "Won't they take offense if we pertain to them as a 'tribe', and not a pack?"

Amber looked at him briefly. "I reckon that we confirm with the locals how they identify themselves."

"But that would make us look ignorant."

"That's better than relying on our own assumptions."

Aries bit back a wide grin. "Ah, yes."

See?

Amber Santiago speaks with sense.

She won one point over him there.

Pepper put the cap back on the bottled water, and spoke, "Who's going to do the talking? I mean… I can definitely fuel a conversation, but if there's anyone of us who feels confident in taking charge… that's better." Then, she lifted a brow at Aries expectantly. "What do you think?"

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I'm looking at you like what?"

"Like you're saying that I should step forward, and lead the negotiations."

"Huh…? Really? I wonder if your interpretation is correct…"

The corner of his mouth twitched. It's obvious that Pepper wants him to spearhead the discussion, yet she's trying to play it overtly.

Aries stole a quick glance from Amber, and found that she was also looking at him.

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No.

She was waiting for his confirmation.

There was no hidden message in her gaze unlike Pepper's, though.

Aries let out a small sigh, and redirected the question to Amber. "Do you want to do it?" To be honest, he doesn't mind doing as Pepper asks.

But he needs to hear Amber's opinion, too.

Would that be fine with her?

Does she feel like she can do it better?

Amber shrugged slightly. "We should be ready for anything."

"Do you want to do it, then?"

"It's not a matter of wanting to do it, though…"

"I'll take that as a yes."

Pepper scrunched her nose in annoyance. Her request wasn't successful as planned. "I can't believe you just tossed the responsibility to her like that."

He grinned at her triumphantly. "Be careful who you ask next time."

The three didn't bother to shift, thinking that appearing in their human forms would be perceived as an act of putting down their weapons.

It means that they pose no threat—and that's an important factor for the locals to consider.

There was a flock of sheep wherever they looked, one might begin to think that there were no wolves in the area at all.

Then, a few moments later, the animals began to swarm over Aries and Pepper. For some odd reason, the sheep took a sudden liking to them, expressed by their cheerful 'baa' and 'meeh'.

Amber stared at them fondly.

The two were too preoccupied, they didn't realize that Amber was just standing from one side, and not a single sheep had attempted to approach her.

"Identify yourselves. Who are you, and what are you doing here?"

All of a sudden, the sheep started to leave.

One by one.

They looked behind them, and their eyes widened upon the sight of a literal giant.

How…?

The man stands around seven-foot tall—or higher, and he's got a nasty scar from the side of his head, trailing down along his sharp jaw. He was carrying a rake over his shoulder, and he looked menacing as he stared down at them as if in his eyes, they were just mere… ants.

Though his voice was several octaves lower, he wasn't trying to scare them off.

Perhaps, to a normal person, he looked angry.

But that's a common misconception due to the limiting bias they build on their minds by simply looking at his outward appearance.

"You don't seem lost to me," the man spoke, unamused. "You came here with a purpose. Now, answer me. What are you doing here?"

Pepper got tongue-tied. She felt intimidated by the giant man's presence. His commanding aura was no joke.

He's not an Alpha, but he can already affect other people's sensibilities to this degree…

Who is he?

What… is he?

Aries walked over to Amber, and hid her behind his back. "Greetings, Sir. We're from the River Severn Pack. We apologize for imposing on you, and coming here unannounced. Will you inform your Alpha that he has visitors from another region? We swear that this won't take long."

The giant shook his head. "I don't care which pack you're all from. Leave this place at once."

Aries was baffled. "But, Sir. We don't mean any harm—"

"Harmless or not, it doesn't matter. Don't disrupt the people's lives here, and go back to your origins."

The message was loud and clear.

They aren't welcome here.

And trying to insist on getting their way might only turn things worse for them, so they should heed the man's instructions, and leave the area immediately.

They can try again tomorrow, and hope that they won't bump into the same stern giant who chases them away without any hesitation.

He seemed unfazed, too, when Aries mentioned that they were from River Severn—one of the strongest packs in Akkad.

Amber stepped to one side to reveal herself, and looked up at the giant in awe.

Her mouth then moved to utter the word…

"Datsva."

Growl.

The man narrowed his eyes into slits, his jaw clenching. "Name?"

"Amber."

"I'll allow your entry, but your friends… they will have to wait here."

She offered him a faint smile. "It's either I go with them… or leave with them.. Please make your choice."

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