Chapter 15 Emergency Call
The warrior wolves walked at the front of the line, while Seara walked in front of Austin with Nolan, her steps much calmer than when they had departed.
In front of Seara, five young she-wolves who had just been rescued walked with trembling bodies, wrapped in spare cloaks belonging to the Hunters.
Austin gave brief instructions to Beta Alex without stopping. He ordered that the she-wolves be taken immediately to Moyan Hill, a village neighboring Mogur Hill—the village of the she-wolves that was still under Lycanisius' supervision.
Austin decided to evacuate them so they would be safer than taking them directly back to Mogur Hill because the village was still in ruins and it might take months to revitalize it.
Seara walked alongside one of the young girls who looked the most shocked.
She held the girl's arm, transferring the warmth from her palm to suppress the tremors that wouldn't stop. The girl turned to Seara with teary eyes.
"Thank you," the girl whispered. Her voice was almost drowned out by the sound of their footsteps on the wet ground.
Seara smiled slightly. "You're safe now. We'll take you to a warm place."
The girl looked down and pulled her cloak closer around her. "We were so scared. They were talking about terrible things in that warehouse. They weren't just cattle thieves or barn burners."
Seara frowned, taking the initiative to elicit more information. "What did they say?"
"They mentioned an 'order' from Ash Fang," replied the girl, her voice trembling. "I heard one of the Rogues guarding the roof door say that their Alpha, Nigel, was gathering female wolves with a unique talent... the talent of healing."
Austin's steps slowed slightly. Even though he was several meters ahead, his Alpha hearing picked up every word the girl said clearly. His jaw tightened. This information was far more serious than just a regular Rogue attack.
"Healers?" Seara asked back, her voice containing a note of real anxiety.
"Yes," the girl continued. "They said Alpha Nigel is building a great power. He needs many healers to ensure his troops don't die in battle. He's hungry for power, and he knows where to find prey."
Austin stopped abruptly and stared at the girl with sharp, golden eyes, but not threateningly. "Did you hear anything else? About their location or their next plan?"
The girl shook her head fearfully. "Only that, Alpha. They just said Ash Fang would soon be moving towards the southern border."
Austin didn't respond. He resumed walking and continued his journey at a faster pace.
In his mind, the pieces of the puzzle began to fit together. The ambush in the village with heavy rainfall was no coincidence.
He sensed deliberate action in their operation, luring Lycanisius leaders like himself into pursuit.
Upon returning to the Moyan Hill Lycanisius village clinic, the atmosphere was not calming down but rather heating up.
Nolan was already waiting in the main waiting room with his arms crossed over his chest. His face, which was usually full of smirks, now looked serious, although a flash of ambition still shone in his eyes.
"We must report this to the Lycan Council immediately," Nolan said bluntly as soon as Austin finished processing the hostages' paperwork. "I will send an official message tonight, requesting that the Council dispatch search troops to hunt down the Ash Fang Rogue pack. We cannot allow them to build up their strength right under our noses."
"No report to the Council tonight, Nolan," Austin replied quickly.
Nolan raised his eyebrows, looking surprised. "What do you mean? This is a matter of national security for the Lycan nation. My father and the Council Ministers have a right to know about Nigel's threat."
"You're eavesdropping again. When are you going to use your ears for things you need to know?" Austin stepped forward, leaving enough distance to punch Nolan in the face if his cousin became uncontrollable.
"That's why I'm here, cousin."
"Sending a report now will only cause unnecessary panic and reckless military action," Austin replied coldly. "The indications are that these Rogues are playing very smart. They know my weaknesses. They know when to attack. If we move now without accurate information, we'll just walk into another of their traps."
"You're just afraid of looking like a failure in front of the Council because you were 'paralyzed' in the rain earlier," Nolan sneered, his tone becoming dismissive.
Seara, who had just arrived after taking the she-wolves to the treatment room, stood between the two men. She saw the tension that was about to explode between them.
"Austin is right," Seara interjected firmly. "Nolan, think about it. The choice of location at Rain Hill was no coincidence. They know about Austin's trauma with rain. That means there is a traitor, or a spy who is giving internal information about our Alpha to outsiders."
Nolan turned to Seara, his eyes softening slightly, but he still disagreed. "Seara, you don't understand Council politics. Delaying will only make Austin look like a coward."
"And rushing will get us all killed," Seara retorted, not to be outdone. "Those girls are bait. The healers are their main target. If you bring a large force without a strategy, you're just handing more healers over to the Alpha Rogue."
Nolan snorted in annoyance. He stared at Seara for a long moment, then turned his gaze back to Austin.
He didn't argue with Seara in front of Austin, but it was clear that his anger was simmering.
"It's up to you two," Nolan said curtly, before walking away from the waiting room.
As soon as Seara walked to the toilet, Nolan suddenly appeared from behind a pillar, blocking Austin's path as he was about to follow Seara.
Nolan's face was now completely cold, all traces of the childishness he usually showed gone.
"You think you can use Seara to shield you from the Council's responsibility?" Nolan whispered in an intimidating voice. "My father has the majority vote. If I say you're incompetent because of your mental issues, you'll be ousted in a matter of days."
Austin stepped forward until his chest touched Nolan's.
He used his Alpha Tone until the air around them seemed to vibrate.
"Watch your attitude, kid," Austin hissed. "You're here as a guest and an observer, not a ruler. If you try to pit us against each other again, or disrupt the stability of my pack, I won't hesitate to forcibly expel you from Lycanisius territory. Your father's influence won't save you if I decide you're a threat to our internal peace."
Nolan fell silent, his body tensing under the pressure of Austin's overwhelming aura. Without another word, Austin walked past him and turned into the corridor leading to the men's restroom.
"I even have to put off washing my face because of that stupid kid," Austin muttered irritably.
They returned to the pack house an hour later.
The night was getting late. Austin stood in front of Seara's door. He took a deep breath before knocking softly.
When the door opened, he saw Seara, who had changed into a simple nightgown.
"Alpha? What's wrong?" Seara asked in surprise.
"I just want to make sure you're really not hurt," Austin replied. His voice was back to normal, no longer carrying the trace of cruelty he had used when talking to Nolan earlier.
Austin stepped into the room. His sharp eyes caught Seara's reflexive movement of pulling her sleeve down. With a quick movement, Austin grabbed Seara's right hand.
"What's this?" Austin pulled back Seara's sleeve, revealing a purple bruise circling her wrist.
Seara tried to pull her hand back. "It's nothing. Just a side effect of the intensive healing earlier. My energy was a little unstable when I tried to mend that soldier's bones."
Austin didn't believe her. He touched the bruise very gently, as if afraid Seara's skin would break if he pressed too hard. "You're lying. This is a handprint. Did Rogue touch you?"
"No, it's really because I overused my Healer energy," Seara insisted, though her voice trembled slightly. "Don't worry about me. You were the one who was hurt the worst earlier."
Austin looked deeply into Seara's eyes. "Thank you, Seara. For everything. For standing by me in the rain, and for defending me in front of Nolan earlier."
Austin brought his face closer. He could smell the soothing scent of Cattleya flowers from Seara's body.
\[Mark her quickly, Austin. I want her.\] Helio grumbled impatiently.
Austin hesitated. He didn't want to ruin his peaceful moment with Seara just because his wolf was too noisy.
"Yes, that's my job." Seara blinked quickly.
She stared at Austin's full lips, imagining how it would feel if Austin's lips moved softly against hers.
\[He wants to kiss you, Seara\] Arach squirmed in her mind.
Austin's hand moved to Seara's neck, pulling her slowly closer until there was no distance between them.
Seara didn't resist. She closed her eyes, feeling Austin's warm breath on her lips.
Just as their lips were about to touch, a sharp sensation pierced Austin's consciousness.
"Alpha, the Lycan Council is waiting on the encrypted line. They demand an immediate report on the Rain Hill infiltration and the status of the prisoners," Beta Alex's voice broke through the romantic atmosphere instantly via the mind link. Austin growled low, releasing his grip on Seara with obvious frustration.
"Mind link, huh?" Seara asked, noticing the change in Austin's expression.
"Duty calls," Austin said bitterly. "The Council can't wait any longer. Get some rest, Seara. We'll talk again tomorrow."
Austin turned and hurried out of the room, leaving Seara standing frozen, clutching her bruised wrist.