Chapter 67: Linda’s Frustration
I woke up earlier than planned when I remembered the reward I promised. I had no clue what to give them so check my belongings. I think they need something that’d help them. I visited Gunner in his house and left the enchanted dagger with him. I got it from Aunt Zinny’s house before.
I gave Gilo magic boots. It has a hidden blade to use when fighting. I noticed he was good at using his feet.
I gave the other a vial to heal any kind of wounds and even an antidote to any poison. After distributing those rewards, I walked to where I told them to gather. Timor was already there waiting quietly. Sitting under the tree.
“What was the barrier for?” He asked when I sat next to him.
“To keep everyone inside safe from an unexpected ambush, and to make sure no one would go far from my watch.
“When will we be ready for this war?”
“No long enough, sooner or later.”
“We’d just wait like this?” He was probably tired of this war.
“Who told you we’re just waiting to be attacked? We will be attacking them.” I glanced at him and he was only looking up.
“I hope you’d start it sooner.”
“This had started long ago. But we’ll end it in a little while.” I assured him, I know. I can feel it.
After a few minutes, they arrived looking confident and ready. An edge of my lips rouses seeing their confidence. We walked in the woods while I was clearing the rules. I stood watching them fade in the dark. They knew what to do.
“Don’t disappoint me,” I said before they could leave. I waited for a few minutes before running after them. I slowed down when I felt someone’s presence. No movements, no shadow, not even breaths were to be heard.
But the overflowing presence and the scent were still there. When I was about to hold its arm, it jumped away a run. “Found you, one more chance for you.” I still found her, she may get away but I can catch her.
I turned to another target and let them hide again.
“Out,” I groaned when it was Gunner’s army. He hadn’t got it still.
Then a deer dropped in front of me, I looked up and saw Devon. I smiled and he jumped down. “As expected,” he smiled proudly at me. I hope he had no hard feelings for me after that talk.
“It was interesting,” he only said and carried the deer again leaving the ground.
I was waiting for Timor to show up, but he hadn’t yet.
Someone from his team has figured it out, I tried to find him and moved faster to catch him. But I never saw his shadow, his scent, his presence even a movement of him. What was taking him long?
I counted his team and the last one from his team brought me a rabbit. All of his team did it. Then I saw him waiting for me with a boar. I smiled when I realized what was taking him long. The blood from the board with him has dried down. He helped his army to figure it out before leaving the ground. Impressive.
“No wonder,” I tilted my head towards the village to let him leave. Few members from Devon’s.
“Food will never walk to you.” They mastered hiding but were afraid to move and hunt. I might hear them.
“Good,” the last member presented what he caught.
It was already down, and my head was aching a little when I got to the village. Linda’s stone face greeted me, she bowed her head and seemed like she wanted to tell me something. I went straight to my office and not long enough she arrived.
“What is it?”
“Gunner had been pestering me,” she confessed.
“Isn’t it normal?” I asked and she was taken aback. “I know you want to keep it a secret as possible, but you can’t lie to a liar.” I cleared her confusion. “So, what do you want.”
“How did you reject, Dion?” I was surprised by the question.
“Not a good idea,” I immediately cut her.
“Why not! I don’t want him!” her frustration was more than obvious but I doubt she hates him that much.
“Are you sure?” She was about to answer but I spoke before she could, “ he’s just an idiot but you don’t hate him.”
“I know what I feel.” She argued.
“And I know you want to lie to yourself.” I pointed to the chair near me and sat on my chair. She obligingly sat across me.
“It would be a long process, it was hell, Linda. That anger isn’t worth it for rejecting a mate.” I know her, she was just being impulsive. “Tell me what happened.”
“He wants me to step down as your Beta. He said it was too dangerous for me. It was insulting.” She spat furiously; I could hear her bitterness between the lines, but she was more hurt than angry.
“It is dangerous for anyone, isn’t normal for him? To fear he might lose you.” She blinked and looked down. “Don’t be too hard on him, I know your anger is rooted in countless mistakes he committed not just this. But can’t you see his improvement? He’ll get there, he’ll accept you for who you are. You both can’t accept each other’s character, but you’ll get there. Not now but you’ll surely realize how important you both are to each other. Let him think for now. And think too. Don’t let your extreme emotion corrupt your judgments.”
She did not move. “If you have nothing to consult anymore, I’d love to rest, Linda.” She nodded and bowed her head before leaving the room.
Dived into my bed after cleaning myself. Once I closed my eyes, a face of a man filled my head. It was him, Dion’s puppet. His aura was strange, his scent and his eyes. He’s pale skin. Was it part of his scheme?
“Alpha?” I groaned when someone sneaked into my room again. It was Gilo but I did not bother looking at him.
“What do you want? This should be very important.” I heard him chuckle.
“Alpha, what if my family asks me to return?” That left me with no words. “I am not truly an exiled, I became a rouge for not returning home and being away for a long time. I wasn’t thrown out, I left.” I wonder what was behind that mask.
“Why did you leave your family?” Why and how could he leave his family? Then I heard him laugh bitterly.
“They were the best parents, they love me, they do everything for me…” he went silent. “And I only caused them trouble and shame. They aren’t my real parents, they only found me in the woods alone and adopted me. Father wanted me to be his successor since he had no biological son. He could not let his beloved daughter lead the pack…” I stood and looked at him. He was sitting at the window. “ I did not shift on time, we waited patiently but it did not happen. I was losing my hope to shift, his people started thinking I am not one of them. So, I left.” He said and I nodded.
“What triggered you to shift finally?” He looked at me and smiled again.
“Your howl… I did not know. My wolf went crazy hearing your howl. I was feeling sick and restless. Then I started running madly in your direction and the next thing I knew. I have shifted.”
“I’m happy for you.” I took a deep breath before talking again.
“I need you, but I will not stop you. You are free to leave and come back anytime, Gilo.”
“Really?” he asked unbelievably.
“I will not cage you here, you may accept me as your Alpha and become my people but if you want to leave, I don’t have the heart to stop you from doing what you think is better for you.” He looked teary when I said that.
“When will I predict your reply, Alpha?” He amusingly asked. I knew he was trying to joke to lose the tension.
“It’s on you, Gilo. Just at least bid your goodbye properly so I will not search the whole forest to find you.”