Chapter 76 The Pack gossip

Chapter 76 The Pack gossip

The carriage rolled steadily along the well-worn path leading away from the northern keep, wheels creaking rhythmically over the packed earth. The morning sun climbed higher, warming the air and chasing away the last traces of night chill. Inside the carriage, Alberto and Samael sat opposite each other on cushioned benches, the space comfortable despite the motion. A small window let in fresh air and glimpses of the passing landscape: rolling hills dotted with wildflowers, distant forests, and occasional packs of deer grazing in meadows.

Four elite guards rode escort, two ahead and two behind, their horses keeping perfect pace. The guards were hand-picked by Darius, skilled and loyal, their armor gleaming in the sunlight. They rode in formation, eyes scanning the surroundings, but the journey so far had been peaceful.

Alberto leaned back against the cushions, a small smile on his face as he watched the scenery pass. The soreness from his wounds had dulled to a manageable ache, thanks to Mira's medicines and the gentle rocking of the carriage. Samael sat with his legs stretched out, arms crossed, looking more relaxed than Alberto had seen him in weeks.

Samael broke the silence first. "You know, I never thought I would see the day when the Alpha arranged a vacation for us."

Alberto chuckled. "It is not a vacation. It is recovery."

Samael grinned. "Recovery with hot springs and modern medics. Sounds like a vacation to me."

Alberto shook his head. "You are impossible."

Samael leaned forward. "Speaking of impossible, did you hear about Elder Bramwell's latest argument with Elder Hawthorne? They nearly came to blows over the new patrol schedules."

Alberto's eyes lit up with interest. "No. Tell me."

Samael launched into the story with relish. "Bramwell insisted the northern routes needed more wolves because of rogue sightings. Hawthorne said it was a waste, that the south was more vulnerable. They shouted for an hour in the council hall. Fernando just sat there, letting them argue until they wore themselves out."

Alberto laughed. "That sounds like him."

Samael continued. "Then Hawthorne accused Bramwell of favoring his own kin on the patrols. Bramwell turned red as a beet and called Hawthorne a southern snake."

Alberto covered his mouth to stifle his laughter. "Did Fernando intervene?"

Samael shook his head. "Not until Bramwell threw his cup across the table. Then Fernando stood and said if they could not agree, he would assign the patrols himself. They shut up quick."

Alberto wiped his eyes. "I wish I had seen that."

Samael leaned back. "You would have enjoyed it. The pack gossips about it still."

They fell into easy conversation, Samael sharing more stories from the keep. He told of a young trainee who had accidentally set the armory roof on fire during a drill, and how Darius had made him rebuild it plank by plank. He recounted the time Kael and Lucia had returned from their secret adventure, scars fresh, pretending nothing had happened.

Alberto listened, laughing at the right moments, asking questions that kept Samael talking. The guards outside rode closer at times, joining the conversation when Samael called out to them.

One guard, Torin, rode up to the window. "Gamma, did you tell him about the cook who tried to poison the stew last moon?"

Samael grinned. "Not yet. Go on."

Torin laughed. "The old cook swore it was a mistake. Said he mixed up salt with wolfsbane. The whole kitchen ate it and spent the night running to the privies."

Alberto burst out laughing. "No one died?"

Torin shook his head. "Mira saved us. But the cook was banished to the outer farms."

Samael added. "He still sends apologies with every vegetable delivery."

The guards chuckled, and the conversation flowed. They gossiped about pack romances, who was courting whom, which elite wolf had lost a bet and had to wear a dress for a day. Alberto shared a story from the slave quarters, about a young wolf who had tried to impress a girl by shifting mid-dance and knocked over the entire feast table.

The journey felt lighter with the laughter.

Samael told stories of his youth, training under the old gamma, the pranks he and Darius had played. "We once switched the Alpha's saddle with one rigged to buck. Rafael rode it for ten seconds before he realized."

Alberto's eyes widened. "He punished you?"

Samael nodded. "A month of stable duty. But he laughed later."

The guards shared their own tales, the camaraderie easing the miles.

The carriage trundled along the winding path, the rhythmic creak of the wheels and the steady clip-clop of the horses' hooves creating a soothing backdrop to the journey. The road cut through rolling hills blanketed in wildflowers, the air fresh with the scent of pine from the distant forests. Inside, Alberto sat by the window, gazing out at the passing scenery, his small bag at his feet. Samael lounged across from him, legs stretched out as much as the space allowed, his massive frame making the carriage feel smaller. The four elite guards rode outside, two ahead scouting the path and two behind watching for threats, their armor glinting in the sunlight.

Alberto turned from the window, curiosity sparking in his eyes. "Samael, tell me about Fernando's childhood. You grew up with him, right? What was he like as a pup?"

Samael leaned back, folding his arms behind his head with a thoughtful expression. "Ah, the Alpha as a boy. That takes me back. But honestly, I cannot recollect all of it clearly. I was gravely ill for a long stretch when we were young. Fevers that kept me bedridden for months. Darius was closer to Fernando than I was during those years. They trained together, got into scrapes together. I was mostly on the sidelines, listening to stories secondhand."

Alberto nodded, leaning forward slightly. "What do you remember?"

Samael smiled faintly. "He was always the leader, even as a pup. Bold, stubborn, with a sense of justice that could be fierce. I remember one time, when we were about ten, some older wolves were bullying a younger one in the yard. Fernando stepped in without hesitation, took on three of them at once. Got a black eye and a broken nose for it, but he won. The bullies never touched that kid again."

Alberto's eyes widened. "He has always been protective."

Samael chuckled. "That he has. But he had his share of mischief too. Once, he convinced Darius to help him sneak into the armory to 'borrow' some swords for practice. They ended up locked in overnight. Rafael found them the next morning, hungry and sheepish. Punished them with a week of stable duty."

Alberto laughed softly. "Sounds like him."

Torin, one of the elite guards riding close to the carriage window, leaned in. "Keeper, tell us about yourself. We hardly know anything about you. Have not even seen you shift to your wolf form."

The other guards perked up, their horses keeping pace as they listened.

Alberto's smile turned sad, his gaze dropping to his hands. "My wolf does not come out. I cannot connect with it fully. It stirs sometimes, but never surfaces."

Torin's brow furrowed. "Why not?"

Alberto shrugged. "I do not remember much about who I was before. My memories start at the auction house. I was there for years, chained and displayed like an animal. The other slaves bullied me constantly. They saw me as weak because I would not fight back. They took my food, beat me for sport, called me names. I learned to stay quiet, to endure."

Torin and Samael's faces darkened with anger. "That is inhuman," Torin said. "No wolf should suffer like that."

Samael nodded, fists clenched. "They had no right. You were just a pup yourself."

Alberto continued, voice soft. "One day, at the auction, I spoke for the first time in years. I called Fernando my mate. It came out without thinking, like something deep inside recognized him."

Torin leaned closer. "The Alpha would have asked for your head that day if not for it being his parents' remembrance day. He does not spill blood on that day. Lucky for you."

Alberto smiled sadly. "I later got to know that. It was fate, perhaps."

Samael slapped his knee. "Fate or not, you are part of us now. And stronger than those bullies ever were."

The guards nodded in agreement, one of them, Bram, calling from the rear. "You tamed the Thornwood. That is more than any of us can claim."

Alberto blushed slightly. "I had help."

Samael waved a hand. "Modest too. Tell us more about the auction house. What was it like?"

Alberto leaned back. "Dark. Cold. We were kept in cages most days, fed scraps if we were lucky. The auctions were the worst. Paraded in front of buyers, poked and prodded like livestock. I was sold once before Fernando, to a cruel master who beat me for fun. He returned me when I would not shift. Said I was defective."

Torin's voice was low. "Inhuman."

Samael growled. "If I ever find that master, I will make him pay."

Alberto shook his head. "It is in the past. But the bullying... it never stopped. Even in the pack at first. But now, with the keeper power, it is different."

Bram called. "You earned respect. We see it now."

Samael grinned. "And the Alpha sees it too. More than sees it, from what I hear."

Alberto's cheeks flushed. "What do you mean?"

Samael winked. "The kitchens at night. The council chamber. You two are not as discreet as you think."

Alberto covered his face. "Moon help me."

The guards laughed, Torin slapping the carriage side. "The pack talks, keeper. But we approve."

Alberto peeked through his fingers. "You do?"

Bram nodded. "The Alpha needs someone like you. Keeps him grounded."

Samael added. "And you need the pack. We are family now."

Alberto smiled. "Thank you."

The conversation flowed, Samael sharing more stories, the guards relaying pack gossip. The journey felt lighter, bonds forming on the road.

The carriage rolled on.