Chapter 68 Eiden
Eiden's POV
“They are warriors who will participate in the war the day after tomorrow,” Gamma Nolan told me with a proud smile. “I’m sure they won’t let us down.”
“Our warriors never let us down,” I said. My grandfather and father taught me not to blame the warriors if we lost a battle.
“They worked hard. If they die, that’s their fate,” I added. I may sound indifferent, but from the bottom of my heart, I would grieve for them.
I never get upset whenever I find out that a warrior has died on the battlefield because I know that nothing can stop the work of the Grim Reaper.
I watched thousands of warriors in their wolf forms training for battle. They were divided into two groups, with red and blue ribbons tied around their necks to distinguish allies and enemies.
"I won't punish them if we fail." I put my hands in my pockets. "Whatever the outcome, it's our destiny, but yeah, of course I want to win."
“We rarely fight real enemies, but our wolves’ abilities are beyond doubt,” Gamma Nolan said, conviction clear in his eyes. “They train for war regularly.”
“Training and real war are different,” I said, continuing to walk along the forest behind the warrior camp. Gamma Nolan balanced his steps to stay beside me.
"During training, even though they were divided into two groups, they knew their friends and foes, but they still didn't dare kill their opponents because they knew it was just training and not the enemy they were truly supposed to kill," I said.
“You’re right, Alpha.” Gamma Nolan nodded. “They can’t kill. They subconsciously hold back and refuse to use their full strength.”
“It’s just like my wolf fighting your wolf. They can’t seriously injure each other, let alone kill.”
“That’s absolutely true.” Gamma Nolan nodded again.
I stopped as a brown wolf was sent flying, struck hard in the stomach by its opponent, and then crashed to the ground in front of us.
The wolf stood up, bowed respectfully to us, and limped toward its waiting opponent. Slowly, the wounds on its body began to disappear.
“Our warriors regenerate quite quickly,” Gamma Nolan said with a satisfied smile. “They were born as warriors.”
"You don't have to be ashamed of me if you want to brag about yourself." I glanced at him sarcastically. “Just say you didn’t make a mistake in choosing them.”
“You know what I mean, Alpha.” Gamma Nolan blushed, dropping his gaze to the ground.
“I won’t sneer at you. Don’t worry.” I waved my hand.
“I know, but I don’t think this is the right time to brag.” Gamma Nolan grinned shyly. Why did he look like a girl in love?
“Are they just senior warriors?” I asked.
We stopped again because I found an interesting spectacle. The two light-brown wolves fought in a standing position; I wondered who would fall to the ground first.
“Oh, Moon Goddess. I’m sorry, Alpha. I forgot to tell you that.” Gamma Nolan had a frightened expression and wanted to lower his head.
"I was never given a file listing the warriors assigned to the war. I only know their numbers because I trusted you and Delta," I said calmly, without anger or annoyance.
“At the very least, you should have taken the initiative to tell me whether they’re senior or junior warriors, whether they’re battle-hardened or completely new.” I patted his shoulder, enjoying the look on his pale face. "Delta and the head warrior always tell me that."
“I apologize again, Alpha. I didn’t know about that.” Gamma Nolan bowed to me, trembling. “I’ll remember your orders.”
“Come on, there’s no need to bow like that.” I grabbed his upper arm. Gamma Nolan straightened his back and met my gaze.
“I’m not that angry with you now.” I patted his right arm and emphasized my next words. “I’ll see if you really remember what I said next time.”
“Thank you, Alpha,” Gamma Nolan said. “I won’t let you tell me twice.”
“Good.” I nodded as I put my hands back in my pockets.
I sighed, realizing that the two young brown wolves were no longer fighting in a standing position.
“They’re 70 per cent senior warriors and 30 per cent junior warriors,” Gamma Nolan explained, observing the wolves.
“Delta Sophia and I agreed not to take any risks by deploying the newly recruited warriors from last year and this year,” he added.
“That was a good decision,” I said. “We almost lost ten warriors fighting with Alpha Jackson’s pack.”
We weren’t underestimating our own warriors, but Alpha Andrew’s pack was stronger than Alpha Jackson’s.
We approached Beta Serena, Delta Sophia, and the head warrior, who had finished assessing the warriors’ fighting abilities.
Gamma Nolan blew his whistle, signaling to the thousands of wolf warriors that the training was over.
The medics rushed to treat the wounded.
Those with only minor or uninjured injuries returned to the warrior building to rest.
“They fought for three hours,” Delta Sophia said. “No one died, fainted, or was dying.”
“That’s good,” I commented. “This gives me high expectations for them. We can definitely win against the River Oval Pack the day after tomorrow.”
“Sure. We have to be optimistic.” Beta Serena nodded. “We don’t need to fear them.” She shook her head. “Our warriors' strength is equal to theirs.”
This isn't the first time we've fought the River Oval Pack. In the past ten years, we've only lost once, and the other battles have ended in draws.
A few days ago, I received a warning letter from Alpha Andrew. He always sends a letter before attacking his enemies. It's a tradition in his pack.
The River Oval Pack ranks second as the werewolf pack with the most warriors.
Their enemies number in the dozens, and they like to attack small packs and rogue groups. Fifty-one years ago, they exterminated a lycan clan with four other packs.
The River Oval Pack is feared for their number of warriors and their love of war, but that will not make us take a step back and underestimate ourselves.
“I’ve planted it firmly in their hearts and minds that our strength matches theirs. There’s nothing to be concerned about,” Delta Sophia said.
"Good job, Delta," I said. "Alpha Andrew can't underestimate us."
We discussed recruiting spy warriors, and we will send one to the rogue clan to keep an eye on Liam while he is at his school.
The warrior spy had to be skilled at hiding and lying. If he were discovered and captured, the rogues would grow wary of me, suspecting I was planning an attack against one of their groups.
I sincerely hoped that the rogues would never detect the warrior spy until Liam accepted me as his biological father and agreed to let me declare him my heir.
My wolf and I can't wait for the day after tomorrow.
My body has been feeling remarkably refreshed lately, as I haven't had any nightmares in a while. I slept soundly for six hours.
I smiled, remembering Celeste, who never tired of pushing me to contact the rogue assassin group.
To this day, I have been waiting for news from them. I'm confident they'll discover who has been sending me those nightmares.