CHAPTER 47

CHAPTER 47
MARISSA'S POV



As we headed toward Cantele Lake, the location I had seen in my vision where the new technology wolfsbane weapons were being made, I could hear the hushed whispers of my team behind me. It was clear they had doubts about my leadership.




"Why did they let her lead?" one of them muttered.




"She's just a newbie, or is it because she's the Alpha's mate," Another said, their tone dripping with disdain.




I felt a pang of hurt, as they all thought so little of me but I couldn't let it show. I had to stay strong, for their sake and mine, I have to prove them wrong and show them I am worth leading this mission.





I stopped abruptly and turned to face them, my eyes scanning each member of the team. They looked at me, some with curiosity, others with outright skepticism.




"I know you don't trust me," I began, my voice steady despite the churn of emotions inside me. "I know you think I'm not fit to lead you. But let me make one thing clear: we are here for a mission, and we can't afford to let our differences divide us. If we want to succeed, we need to work together as a team.”





They shuffled uncomfortably, but no one spoke against me. I continued, "I am your leader here, and you will have to answer to me. We are here to get results, and I need everyone to be on board with that. Understood?”




There was a moment of silence before they all nodded, some reluctantly, others more enthusiastically. I took a deep breath, feeling a small sense of accomplishment. This was a step forward.






"Good," I said. "Now, let's talk about strategies. We need to avoid unwanted attention and any potential traps,"I continued and they moved closer to me.




“We move in pairs, cover each other's backs, and stay alert. If anything seems off, we regroup immediately.”




The team listened intently as we discussed our plan, plotting out our movement to ensure we minimized risks. Everyone had a role, and we were ready to execute the plan with precision.




We moved swiftly and silently through the forest, the tension palpable but manageable.
Simultaneously, I asked the other wolves to stop in random directions before finally stopping.



“Listen to me carefully now. Cantele lake is three kilometers away. It's night time. You can use it brilliantly. I know that smell is the wolf’s prime power, and they will sense you after some distance, but it is limited to a distance. We can't let them know about us before that, yeah?” I let out, gazing at all of them.


We were deep in the forest when I felt it—a prickling at the back of my neck, the undeniable feeling of being watched. I glanced around, trying to shake off the unease, but the feeling persisted.




"Stay alert," I called out to the team, my voice steady but urgent. "I think we're being followed.”



No sooner had the words left my mouth than four large brown wolves burst from the underbrush, attacking me from behind. I barely had time to react, throwing myself to the side as the first wolf's jaws snapped where my neck had been a second earlier.




“Leader! Behind you!” One guy shouted, and I quickly dodged just in time as I saw a dagger being thrown my way.




"Ambush!" I shouted, drawing my knife and meeting the next attack head-on. The forest erupted into chaos as the rest of the team engaged with the attackers.





The brown wolves were relentless. One lunged at me, and I dodged, slashing its flank. Another tried to circle around, but I pivoted, blocking its path. They were bigger and stronger, but I had agility and determination on my side.




As I fought, more wolves joined the fray, their numbers overwhelming. We were outnumbered, but we fought with everything we had.




One wolf managed to catch me off guard, knocking me to the ground. Its teeth snapped inches from my face, and I could smell its rancid breath. Summoning all my strength, I kicked it off and rolled to my feet, slashing at another wolf that charged at me.




"Marissa, behind you!" Another warning came just in time. I spun around to see another wolf leaping at me. My knife was ready, and I slashed across its chest, but the force of the attack knocked me off balance. I stumbled, and another wolf took the opportunity to strike, its teeth sinking into my arm.



I cried out in pain, but I couldn't afford to be distracted. With a fierce determination, I wrenched my arm free and plunged my knife into the wolf's side. It yelped and fell back, but the damage was done. Blood seeped from the wound, and my arm throbbed.



"Marissa!" Chari's voice echoed in my mind, filled with urgency. "Let me help you!”




I felt Chari's power surge through me, and I embraced it, allowing her to take partial control. My vision sharpened, my senses heightened. We moved as one, striking with precision and ferocity. Another wolf lunged, and we met it head-on, our combined strength overwhelming it.




Despite our efforts, the numbers were against us. I could see the others struggling also.
We needed to end this, and fast.




"Everyone, fall back!" I ordered, trying to regroup. We couldn't afford to be spread out like this. "Form a defensive circle!”



The team responded quickly, retreating and regrouping around me. We formed a tight circle, our backs to each other, weapons at the ready. The wolves continued to press their attack, but we held our ground.




"Chari, what do we do?" I asked, my mind racing. "We're not going to last much longer like this.”





"Trust me, Marissa," Chari's voice resonated in my mind, calm and resolute. "I can do something to stop them, but you need to trust me completely."




"I trust you," I whispered, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. "What do I need to do?"




"Just focus," Chari instructed. "I'll handle the rest.”




I felt Chari's power surge through me, stronger than ever before. It was like a tidal wave of energy, and I struggled to stay upright under its force. My eyes snapped open, and I could feel them glowing with an intense, bright light. I raised my arms, palms facing outward, and concentrated on the attacking wolves.





"Stop!" I commanded, my voice echoing with a power that wasn't entirely my own.



To my amazement, the wolves hesitated. Their aggressive snarls died down, and their movements slowed. One by one, they stopped fighting, their eyes glazing over as they fell under my control. The rest of my team watched in stunned silence, weapons still raised but unused.





"You will cease your attack," I continued, my voice steady and authoritative. "You will leave this place and return only when I call for you."






The wolves, now completely under my thrall, turned and began to retreat. They moved in unison, their hostility replaced by a strange, docile obedience. We watched as they disappeared into the forest, leaving us in an eerie, sudden silence.




As soon as the last wolf vanished from sight, the power drained from me, leaving me feeling weak and dizzy. My legs buckled, and I fell to the ground, my vision swimming. I heard the team rushing to my side, their voices a mix of confusion and concern.