Chapter 54 54

Chapter 54 54
CHAPTER 54

Rhea’s POV

My ears were ringing but I alone knew how loud. Each face I came across repeated one of three phrases. “Welcome to the Pack” , “You’re one of us now” “Welcome” some came with a pat on the shoulder and other a silent nod.

The children amongst them were eager to hold my hand as I walked pass the path created for me to pass. It was as though I was being led forward. Then I looked straight ahead and there he was the familiar face I was searching for in the crowd. Lucien.

“Come this way” he said as he gestured and immediately i hastened my pace. I walked into a large hall with a large wooden table in its center.

Damien was already seated on the right end and Lucien took his seat beside him. Instinctively I took the one closest to Lucien. I gripped his arm without even intending to.

On thee other end of the table was Noah and a couple of face as I didn’t recognize. “So tell us a bit about yourself Mate, let us understand why these two brothers would choose a hybrid over a pure bred werewolf” a voice came up from behind.

I turned to see but I could hear the sound of the boots echo through the room as she walked past Lucien making eye contact with him as she made her way to the seat on Noah’s right.

“Alicia this is Rhea……” Noah began but before he could finish she cut in “She can speak for herself I believe, if she’s got the strength to fuck two of them, she certainly has a voice” she said.

Lucien’s pulse began to beat faster but as I turned to look at him, he appeared calm and unbothered. This Wolf had mastered restraint, something that’s rare even among humans.

Damien slammed his fist on the table and that commanded our attention. “Alicia, you’re only here as a courtesy to your father, don’t start acting all important and bossy okay” he snapped at her.

“Oh I’m sure you’ll never let me forget it” she murmured as she gave me the death stare.

“Introduce yourself” Lucien whispered. I was still thinking of how to start when Damien got up “Fuck that………She’s our mate. If anyone has a problem with that or wants to challenge that decision then be my guest, but think properly before you do, consider the consequences and ultimately, my Judgement,” His thundering roar made everything else go mute.

Deep down I was glad, not because he was protective of me but because I was so relieved I didn’t have to speak anymore.

Noah got up and spread open a map. There were markings and other intricate details but it ultimately showed the entire landscape of the Forest and the surrounding towns of city.

“From the intel we’ve gathered, the hunters are gathering here” he pointed to a spot marked “X”. “There has been a steady increase in truck carrying cargo down this route. I suspect some carrying weapons and Silver tip ammunition. They’re planning something and it’s gonna be big” Noah said before he was down.

“We have to fortify our defenses, call on our allies and start a trench at least ten miles from the Bayou’s borders. I want a dozen men guarding the river, and finally women children and the elderly, they are to head up the mountain into the Ancestral caves.

“Don’t you think you’re doing too much? Think about it………they’re still preparing,” Damien says as Lucien looked around.

“You don’t think we should protect our people?” He asked. Damien shakes his head and smiles mischievously. The kind of smile that lets you know he had a plan of his own.

“We protect them by making sure the fight never gets to the bayou. We attack first. Use the cover of the night and lay waste to their militia,”

“That’s not a bad idea, a good offense can be our best defense,” Alicia backed him up. I could see the disapproval on Luciens face but he didn’t say a word. Atleast not yet.

“Thank you, even though I didn’t ask for your approval,” Damien sneered, then gave me an obvious wink. I’m not sure what his intentions were, but I could feel the hate this Alicia lady had for me. It was open resentment of a different kind.

“What do you think Lucien?” Noah asked. All heads turned to him, the strategist, he took a deep breath and paused for a while. “We do both” he said finally.

We attack first and then get our people to safety simultaneously. That mountain is impenetrable and in the worst case scenario, we can fall back to it and hold a siege until more help comes.

Damien gets up and walks in the room beside the cross on the wall. He comes back gleaming from ear to ear. “ we might not need to worry about retaliation or being driven back. He brings out a palm sized compact parcel….he places it on the table and immediately I can smell chemicals, gun powered and ash.

“We attack them, and draw them out to the battlefield, then Noah sets the C4 in their warehouse and Boom! No weapons, no silver and no more war. They can’t fight us without their weapons and without silver……they’re bare Food!”

“It seems you’re not all muscle after all, that’s a good plan brother, but like I said earlier, we do both. Noah start preparations immediately,” Lucien said. Noah gave a sharp nod and rolled up the map.

“I want to help” I said out of the blue, the silence was deafening. It was like I got my answer before they spoke.

“I want to fight!” I said as I turned to look into both their eyes………I could feel Nyra yearning for combat. A loud laugh seemed to ease out the tension that was building up.

“Absolutely not, you heard him , safety first” Damien cut in. “ it’s not up for debate” he added.

“Why not Damien, the young wolf is eager to prove herself, I say let her,” Alicia said followed by a smile that made my stomach warm.