Chapter 69 Arlo
Arlo's POV (Eiden's Wolf)
On a bright Sunday morning, we prepared to face Alpha Andrew’s warriors on the battlefield.
The largest forest in our pack had been dedicated as a battlefield for thousands of years, probably since the pack's founding.
That morning, I stood before fifteen hundred warriors who would be fighting against the River Oval Pack's warrior squad.
We were already on the battlefield, awaiting the enemy's arrival in fifteen minutes.
I observed the gleam in the eyes of the thousands of wolves. None showed any hesitation or anxiety. Instead, they were filled with enthusiasm and pride at having been chosen to participate in this war.
"We'll be fighting the River Oval Pack today," I called out loudly, without needing a microphone. My voice dominated, and no other sounds could be heard. Not even the rustling of leaves could be heard.
"We will be written down in history. Our children and grandchildren will read it with pride and love our pack even more."
The warrior wolves nodded enthusiastically.
“The River Oval Pack has long been our enemy. Their Alpha has always disputed the boundaries of the southern forest. They are never satisfied.”
The warrior wolves growled.
"We will not let them expand that forest territory!"
I stomped my foot on the ground, and the warrior wolves echoed my anger.
"They think they're strong only because they frequently attack their enemies and rogue groups, and invade small packs."
The wolf warriors resented the greed of the River Oval Pack's higher-ups.
"Alpha Eiden and I will fight to defend the vast territory of the southern forest, and we need you. We cannot afford to lose this war, or any war that follows!"
The wolf warriors howled to show their determination to fight the wolf warriors of Alpha Andrew's pack.
“Let Alpha Andrew and his warriors see that we will never bow to those who keep pushing us into negotiations over that southern forest!”
The wolf warriors’ howls grew louder. They created a terrifying sound, like a building collapsing in an earthquake, as they slammed their paws into the ground, further fueling their fighting spirit.
I grinned broadly at the sight of them seething with rage. They were fiercely loyal to this pack and their leader.
We, the pack's leaders, never underestimate the warriors.
Meanwhile, the warriors never hesitated to place their trust in us. They would do whatever we ordered, even if it meant risking their lives.
'They've arrived at our main gate, Alpha,' said Beta Serena. 'We let them in without checking, and we made sure there were no intruders.'
'Thanks for the information, Beta.'
Alpha Andrew must have checked his warrior squad thousands of times before leaving for my pack to ensure there were no intruders who would harm us both.
It was humiliating that we hadn’t noticed an intruder. Worse, he had pretended to be one of our warriors. That meant our security system was dangerously easy to breach.
"Everyone." I took over the attention of the wolf warriors once again. "Prepare yourselves. Our enemies will arrive soon."
Everyone took their positions, even though once the war began, they would engage the enemy wherever they pleased, as this forest was vast enough for three thousand wolves.
The forest wasn't far from our pack's front gate. We could feel the ground shaking, letting us know that Alpha Andrew's wolf and his warrior corps were very close.
“Hi, Alpha Arlo.” Alpha Joel jogged over to me, who was standing in front of my warrior squad.
“Hi, Alpha Joel,” I said lazily.
“I’m so happy to fight you again. The last time we did that was seven months ago,” he said.
“That means you’ve almost forgotten about my pack, since I never attacked you first,” I said with a sharp edge of sarcasm. “We’re not like you, constantly obsessing over the southern forest’s borders.”
"That forest lies behind our pack, near the back gate," he said, as though I needed reminding. "Our warriors are stationed along that border, and tensions often arise because their posts are too close."
“Your warriors are the ones who keep provoking fights,” I hissed.
“You should educate your warriors that the size of the southern forest was decided sixty years ago, and witnessed by all the Alphas of the River Pack Clan.” I glared at him, my chest heaving with emotion.
“And I also strongly suggest that you and Alpha Andrew reread the document regarding the southern forest boundaries," I said, my chin raised, mocking him. "If I were you, I'd be utterly ashamed."
Alpha Joel laughed. I don't know what he was laughing at.
“We’re so happy to be your enemy,” Alpha Joel said between laughs. “You should be thankful we don’t attack you every month and don’t turn the forest behind our pack into a battlefield.”
We actually know that Alpha Andrew is the same as the previous Alphas; they made the excuse of wanting to hold a retrial to divide the area of the southern forest so that they could obtain a wider one, all in an effort to keep us as their enemy.
They refused to lose us as enemies. And neither did we; we would never beg them for peace.
Pride is everything.
My members also did not encourage us to make peace with the River Oval Pack.
My members were annoyed with them, but there was a sense of pride in our hearts because we were the enemies of the River Oval Pack, the second-largest pack in the werewolf clan.
“We’re not grateful for that.” I flung dirt at Alpha Joel. The gesture marked the start of war beneath a bright sky streaked with drifting clouds.
Alpha Joel and I represented our pack. Our Beta, Gamma, and Delta never participated. They left everything to us.
Alpha Joel and I crashed to the ground, rolling over gravel and sand. Wild grass barely grew there, the soil sandy beneath us, and only a handful of trees remained—most had fallen victim to previous battles.
We stopped when Alpha Joel’s back slammed into a young tree still struggling to grow.
Our bodies were covered in blood, though our wounds had already faded.
Then we rolled again, faster and more vicious, claws and teeth tearing at flesh as gravel, leaves, twigs, and brush crumpled beneath us.
We fought atop the bushes that our massive bodies had knocked over. We showed each other how sharp and strong our claws were, capable of peeling skin.
I kicked Alpha Joel in the stomach. He cursed as he fell to the ground.
I quickly pinned him under me and bit his snout, but it didn't last long.
He punched me so hard in the chest that I vomited blood and broke my ribs.
He knocked me to the ground by punching my leg until it broke, but I didn't let him beat me up.
We exchanged blows even though my ribs and leg bones were still broken, and my body's regeneration was struggling to heal them.
Eiden sighed. 'Don't be so careless again, Arlo.' He was annoyed that he was giving me so much energy. 'Liam hasn't called me dad yet. We can't die until that happens.'
His words were both funny and sad. That bitter reality became my encouragement.