Chapter 56 Wolves in Motion
[Nyx]
"Not everyone," I clarified. "We still need medical capability. Here's what I propose for the three search teams—"
I raised my radio to my lips. "All search teams, attention! Tactical adjustment to current formation!"
"Each team will now operate in modified structure: Gamma warriors shift to wolf form for searching. Medical personnel maintain human form for treatment response."
I didn't wait for questions. "Wolf sense of smell is a hundred times stronger than human. You can detect scents of buried victims, sense life signs under the snow that equipment can't pick up in this storm. Plus four legs move faster and more efficiently through deep snow than two."
"But," I emphasized, "we still need hands for medical treatment, equipment operation, and immediate first aid once we locate survivors. That's why medical personnel stay human."
"Here's how this works—medical personnel will ride on the warriors' backs. This way, the whole team maintains unified speed, wolves use their superior senses to search, and medical support is positioned to dismount and treat casualties the moment we find them."
Lysander immediately stepped forward with tactical details. "Left flank team—Seth, you shift. Your medical Omega rides with you, ready to dismount for treatment."
"Right flank team—Marcus, same arrangement. You carry your medical support."
"Center team—Symone, you shift as well."
Then he turned to me, a question in his amber eyes.
"I maintain human form," I said firmly. "I need to coordinate all three search teams plus Owen's anchor position through radio communication. Can't do that in wolf form."
He nodded, understanding immediately. "Then you ride with me."
His gaze swept to Damon. "Alpha Blackwood, you can shift as well. Carry Selene and join our center team."
Damon's eyes flickered with understanding and gratitude. He turned to his sister. "Selene, you'll ride with me. I need you to guide us to where you last saw Lilith."
"All medical support members," I continued through the radio, "secure your equipment before mounting. Emergency packs, thermal blankets, portable oxygen—everything must be stable during transport."
"Once we locate survivors, dismount immediately and begin treatment. Speed and efficiency—that's what saves lives."
My voice hardened with authority. "This maintains our medical response capability while maximizing search efficiency. We don't sacrifice rescue ability, and we gain speed plus sensory advantage."
Owen, I sent through the mind-link as we advanced. You and the anchor team maintain your position and function. Continue monitoring all three search teams. You're still our communication hub.
Understood, Ms Verdant! Owen's voice came back through the link, clear and steady.
Finally, I looked at Selene, still trembling beside her brother. "Selene, you'll ride with Damon when he shifts. Your knee injury prevents walking, but we need your terrain knowledge and memory of where you last saw Lilith."
"And as an Omega," I added, my tone softening slightly, "once we locate casualties, you'll assist with medical treatment. Conserve your strength for when it matters most."
She nodded, wiping tears with a shaking hand. "I... I understand. I'll help. I promise."
"Good." I swept my gaze across the three search teams. "All Gamma warriors in search teams—shift now!"
One by one, warriors began rapidly stripping off coats and gear. The sound of bones restructuring echoed through the blizzard. Clothing was quickly packed into waterproof bags—they couldn't wear clothes post-shift.
Human forms twisted, stretched, became four-legged wolves.
Lysander's deep brown giant wolf completed the transformation first. Massive and imposing—the mark of a Gamma warrior captain, pure combat power embodied. His wolf form was larger than any warrior present, muscle definition visible beneath thick fur, radiating raw strength.
Symone's russet wolf followed, sleek and built for speed. Seth, Marcus, and Owen's wolves appeared in succession. Damon's dark gray giant wolf stood on the other side—large as befitted an Alpha bloodline, but with the dignity of leadership rather than pure fighting prowess.
Several Shadowcrest warriors shifted. Eight, nine, ten... finally, twelve wolves stood in the snow, thick fur rippling in the wind. Each ready for battle and rescue.
"Medical support, mount up!" Lysander commanded through the mind-link to Moonblade members.
Simultaneously, Damon ordered through radio to his Shadowcrest team: "Medical personnel, mount your assigned wolves!"
Damon's dark gray giant wolf approached his sister Selene, lowering his body. She stood there, every movement agonizing from her knee.
She looked at her brother in wolf form.
Damon gently nuzzled her hand with his massive head. Silent comfort and support.
Selene bit her lip, tears streaming. "I'm sorry, brother..."
"This is all my fault..."
"Making you risk yourself to save Lilith..."
Damon couldn't speak, but nuzzled her again. His actions said: We're family. I'll protect you.
Selene drew a shaky breath. With Maya's help, she climbed onto Damon's broad back.
Her hands gripped his thick neck fur. Her other arm clutched the medical pack.
The medical Omegas from each search team mounted Seth, Marcus, and their assigned wolves respectively. Maya and remaining support members climbed onto other Shadowcrest warriors' backs. Everyone moved swiftly but carefully, ensuring equipment was secured.
I hadn't shifted. I needed to maintain human form to command the entire operation.
Through radio, I could communicate with all teams—including Shadowcrest and Owen's anchor position.
Through mind-link, I could directly command Moonblade's wolves.
This was an Alpha's duty—coordinating the whole, making decisions.
"Lysander, I need rapid mobility while maintaining command."
The massive brown wolf immediately lowered himself, dropping to his haunches. I approached, and even kneeling, his shoulder came up to my chest.
Goddess, he was enormous.
My hand touched his neck fur—thick, surprisingly soft despite looking coarse. Warm. The muscles beneath rippled as he adjusted position.
I ran my fingers through the chocolate-brown fur. So warm. So solid.
The kind of warmth that felt... safe. Reliable.
I swung my leg over his broad back, settling into position. One hand gripped his thick neck fur—my anchor. The other held my radio—my command link.
His body heat seeped through my tactical gear. Each breath he took was steady, powerful. I could feel the contained strength in every muscle.
From this height, I could see the entire team. Could react quickly.
Thank you, I sent through the mind-link.
His response came as a subtle shift—adjusting his posture to support my weight more comfortably, stance widening slightly for better stability.
Reliable. Loyal. Strong.
Everything I needed right now.
From this position, I could see the entire team. Could react and decide quickly.
"All units, listen up." My voice transmitted through both radio and mind-link simultaneously.
"Target direction: southwest, triangle boulder area."
"Selene last saw Lilith swept toward that direction."
"Three search teams maintain your designated zones but advance toward that target area."
Search wolves, spread out with ten-meter intervals within your zones. Use your noses, use your instincts. Search for human scents.
Report any findings immediately.
"Medical support, stay alert. Be ready to dismount for rescue at any moment."
"Owen, monitor all team positions and maintain communication relay."
"Our objective is to find three missing persons. Get them out alive!"
I paused, voice sharpening. "Now—move out!"
Lysander's deep brown giant wolf launched forward first. Even carrying a rider, his movement through the snow remained swift and fluid. This was Gamma—pure combat power and stamina.
Sitting on his back, I felt powerful muscles working beneath thick fur. Each step steady and forceful, without the slightest jarring.