Chapter 77: 72

Chapter 71

"Where do you think it started to go wrong?"

Aries, Amber, and Pepper—they were all baffled by the female Alpha's sudden change in behavior.

Everything went smooth until they crossed the other side of that humungous archway.

Did the Alpha realize that they were lying?

But there were no signs that she was angered…

If anything, she welcomed them with open arms right from the start. She gave them 'hope' that this first attempt could work out just fine.

Yet, in the end, they were driven away before they could even speak of their purpose.

That's just so… confusing.

Amber twisted the cap of her bottled water, but she just stared at its content first before pouring it over her face. Both Aries and Pepper stilled at what she just did.

"Do you feel… hot?" Pepper asked carefully. Her friend may not seem like she's frustrated over their failure, but she feels like she actually is.

Amber smiled gently. "No."

"Then, why did you…" Pepper struggled to say 'waste' because it wasn't her item in the first place. Whatever Amber does with her personal belongings, it's her call.

Though, it really was a waste… knowing that there were no lakes and rivers nearby.

Pepper knows the pain because she has forgotten her own ration to begin with.

'Maybe she's just trying to freshen up?'

"To stay alert," Amber replied curtly. "I feel like we've missed something."

Aries tilted his head in worry. "What do you mean?"

Amber's smile didn't reach her eyes. "I really don't know. Think you're down for another search?"

Pepper butted in. "You want us to find another tribe? The sun is setting in an hour or two…" Considering the distance they need to travel in order to return to the border, they have no time left to spare.

But…

Like Amber, she's frustrated, too.

She had no idea what happened back there.

And the frustration makes her want to try again.

'Oh, this is it…' Aries realized.

This must be what Salt was talking about then.

Pepper was right. Dusk should fall soon.

And they weren't the same as the official pack warriors who could travel at any time of the day.

They haven't reached the level of competence of those werewolves yet, so they can't act solely based on emotions.

"I think we should call it a day, and head back."

This mission shouldn't be rushed anyway. Caitlin's group is up next.

Who knows? They might ace their first try.

Pepper bit her lower lip, and watched the interaction between Aries and her best friend. Actually, she's torn between their ideas. She doesn't want to give up yet, but Aries has just made a rational point.

This isn't just about wandering aimlessly in hopes of successfully locating a Talgarian tribe.

There's no point in doing that when the people that they meet aren't easily persuaded.

They can't be reckless here.

Aries shifted his weight between his feet as he endured the weight of Amber's relentless staring.

He couldn't read her expression at all.

Did his words upset her?

"Okay."

"Wait… you're agreeing?"

She gave him a small nod. "If Pepper is okay with it, too, then let's go."

"I… I'm fine with anything!"

"If that's the case…" Aries trailed off, waiting for anyone to take back their word. "I guess we can go hunting on our way back to maximize our productivity."

Strange…

Amber gave way to his suggestion, and was being very cooperative right now.

He was thinking that she'd still try to insist, and make them follow her idea, but…

All she did was just stare at him for a few seconds, then concede.

Was she sizing him up or something…?

Pepper nodded in agreement after a while. "That's a good distraction."

Being hung up on not being able to get down to the real business could be a real dilemma.

Especially to those who aren't used to falling through.

Pepper is keeping a good eye on Amber while they're running.

Her wolf really looks focused.

Now that she thinks about it…

The tribe was like any other pack in Akkad. The only main differences are the geographical location, and the natural resources available within the area.

Their skin color is the same as them, and they can speak the universal language, too.

Their accent was thick, though.

Probably because they have their own local language.

Now…

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What should they write down for their observation today?

Though this task isn't exactly recon-type, noting down some important details can be helpful.

Suddenly, Aries picked up his speed, leaving the two girls behind. He had sighted a fox, and the animal was unsuspecting so far.

Thud. Thud.

Perhaps, it finally caught on the pounding of their paws because the fox took off with no hesitation. It ran like its life depended on it.

Aries disappeared from their sight to chase after their prey.

Pepper slowed down when she realized that Amber wasn't interested in hunting at all. Her pace is steady, and it appears as if she cares more about familiarizing herself with the surroundings than fill her stomach.

'What's up? Are you okay?'

Amber felt that someone was trying to penetrate her mind, and as soon as she opened her mindlink, Pepper's voice immediately came out.

'I feel fine,' she replied, unbelievably calm. 'Is there a problem?'

'You're quiet. You look distracted. Does our experience in Vertu Falinn bother you?'

'I'm not thinking about it much, but I do find the Alpha's reaction strange—especially toward the final scene.'

'You mean at the Avignon Gate?'

Amber just hummed.

First of all, she could tell from those people's scents alone that they were real wolves.

That they weren't hiding under the guise of a witch.

Their interaction with each other was something that she'd consider 'normal'.

Nevertheless, it was her first time to meet an actual female Alpha. The lady looked… powerful. Amber wasn't sure about the others, but earlier… she saw fear in the eyes of the lady's own pack members.

The lady sounded nice and friendly.

So, what was the fear about?

Aside from that, crossing the gate was anticipated. Everyone looked as if they were waiting for something to happen.

Amber didn't feel anything, though.

The smell below the arch, however, was… tainted.

By something.

And before she could even figure it out, they were thrown out of their territory.

The female Alpha made a very quick decision.

As if someone whispered in her ear to not let them have their way with their tribe.

"What are you waiting for? Shift back. We're all famished." Aries was able to catch the fox, so he set up a small bonfire to roast the fresh meat.

They were currently located near the abandoned village point. The atmosphere here was freeing. Even the birds rarely drop by the area.

It really was deserted…

Amber and Pepper shifted back to help Aries cook the meat. They could have eaten it raw, yet he still bothered doing this. So, the last thing they could do was make him feel unappreciated.

"I didn't know we were stopping by," Pepper commented.

Aries lifted a brow at her. "Unless you're looking for indigestion…"

"That's not what I meant!"

Amber remained silent from one side as she watched the meat get slowly cooked, its juices dripping with temptation.

"What are you thinking about, Amber?" Aries suddenly asked. It was hard to follow her line of thought after all. He feels that if he doesn't ask now, he will forever be left in wonder.

She looked at him, and said, "The Alpha."

The female Alpha?

"What about her?"

"Her face was covered," she muttered. The book never said anything about Talgarian people shying away from outsiders, and hiding behind traditional masks.

Well, to be fair, the book was written decades ago.

Times have changed, and maybe… it's part of their culture now.

"It's weird, I know. Maybe it's a thing here? The Alpha was the only person who had a mask on, though."

Pepper winced. "Maybe it's an Alpha thing…?"

Amber looked at them both. "Or maybe she was scarred."

"What!"

"You're right…"

"Must be a nasty scar if the Alpha was that wary."

Amber sighed softly. "I'm playing with possibilities, and I have lots of 'what ifs' right now…"

"Like what? Tell us!" Pepper urged. If it was coming from Amber, it couldn't just be a random guess.

And even if it was a random guess, her ideas could be spot-on.

Aries felt his resolve shake. "We're on break. We have time."

"What if… the lady was someone we knew of?"

Pepper dropped her stick, and stared at her instead.

Aries was taken aback, too.

"If not a scar, then maybe a familiar face? You've got quite a creative mind, Amber."

Amber shook her head. "I'm not done. I'm thinking… what if she's a wanted person, too?"

"How could that be possible? An Alpha can't be a criminal!"

"They can be criminals," she countered. "It was written in Akkad's history. One Alpha from West Akkad was convicted of high treason. He was a death-row prisoner." Amber shifted her sullen gaze back to the meat. "Please don't take me seriously.. That's just one of the possibilities that has been running through my head."

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