Chapter 27 And it begins
Ruel’s POV
“One rider. He’s fast. We could lose him in minutes.” Cortis says again.
I move, crossing to the drawer and grabbing the folded paper I prepared months ago. “Then we don’t waste time.” I say, turning toward the door.
Elric swiftly steps out. Ira walks ahead of us being our guide.
I come to a halt at the door when I hear Ira’s gentle steps behind us.
“Stay.” I command, watching her brows cave in.
I barely get to take another step when the thought of her wandering the base while I’m gone… unguarded.
The number of terrible things that the warriors might do to her in my absence, and the absence of the people I trust the most, is endless.
I stop and hold the door.
Ira blinks at me, her long lashes catching the setting sun.
“Touch nothing,” I say firmly, and lock the door.
The click eases my wolf instantly.
“Why?!” Ira yells from within, pulling the knob in a futile attempt to open the door.
Because you could run. Because you could get hurt. Because I don’t want to scent fear on you again.
None of these answers leave my mouth as I pace after Elric and Cortis, letting the evening air run through my hair.
The three of us reach the outer gate. No guard questions us but they all stand straighter. I mentally take note of those who were slacking off.
Within ten minutes of rushing, we move past the walls and into the trees.
“Shift,” I say, giving the go ahead for everyone to get into their wolf form.
Our clothes drop and like a scattered rhythm, the sound of bones cracking surrounding us as we shift.
My vision sharpens as midnight-black fur spreads over my body. The ground feels alive beneath my paws, every vibration blasts loud, every heartbeat in the forest becomes clear.
It's always almost like I've absorbed the atmosphere.
Cortis shakes her dark brown fur, her yellow eyes focused on our next route. Elric’s large ash wolf steps forward boldly. My eyes zero in on the large scar at his back. Something he hides well in human form.
It reminds me of the wars we've fought together. That scar is the root of my trust in the man who could risk his life for me.
The only person who has earned his place in my life.
I fall in beside them, my form towering over both of theirs.
The moment I nod, we sprint.
The trees turn into a blur around us as we swiftly cut through the woods, heading straight for the outskirts of the base.
The distant rumble of wheels grows louder and Cortis signals ahead with a snap of her jaws.
My eyes focus on a wagon moving fast, pulled only by a single horse. The middle-aged rider leans forward, directing it through the lonely road.
There's another man beside him, he has a little lantern placed between his thighs as they laugh at what I guess is a shared joke.
We spread out for the perfect closure
Elric takes the left going ahead of the wagon. I turn to the left, my paws digging up the soil as I move.
Cortis runs into their vision, distracting them from myself and Elric.
When we'd discussed together, we didn't get as far as plotting the actual ambush. Cortus wasn't even with us then. I'd only given her a command this week.
To keep an eye on Scarface. And if she should ever suspect him trying to send a secret message, she should immediately report.
Despite their lack of proper planning, years of fighting side by side has groomed them into acting in sync without needing to verbally communicate.
“Shit!” The rider curses the moment he spots Cortis barging towards him. As desired, he turns the wagon through a curve, trying to avoid her but ends up running into Elric's threatening wolf.
The horse cries, skidding to a stop. Terrified, the rider jerks back.
Elric steps forward, his body shifting mid-step. His human form lands solidly on the third step he takes and he immediately pulls down the folded fabric attached to an elastic belt strapped around his waist.
The brown cotton cloth covers his hips, giving him enough privacy.
Visibly shivering in fright, the rider stares wide-eyed at the blue badge gleaming on that belt. It's a seal only Vahl’s deadliest warriors wear.
“Get down.” Elric commands strongly, his tone terrifying enough to force both men into instant obedience, stumbling off their seat.
I quickly glance within the wagon but there's nothing significant there.
Cortis shifts smoothly, pulling the shirt she'd held in her mouth over her head. Then she pats the rider down, “Hand’s up,” she says, digging into the man's pockets. “There’s a letter.” She announces, barely keeping the triumph out of her voice.
The rider pales as she pulls out the paper. “It…it’s official. I wasn’t told…” the man stutters, looking genuinely scared.
“Doesn’t matter,” she cuts in the tosses it to me.
Without wasting time, I swap the letter with another – One I'd written in hope of a day like this.
I slide Scarface’s real letter into my belt, without anyone noticing. Then I hand mine over to Cortis without breaking expression.
“It’s clean, there's no threat.” I say calmly, nodding at Elric and her.
The rider’s shoulders sag with relief when Cortis slots the exchanged letters into his pocket.
Elric dismisses him with a gesture. “Carry on, you are not the ones we're looking for.”
The rider bows so fast he nearly falls. “Thank you, warriors. Thank you.” he mutters before scrambling back into the wagon, as though scared of us changing our minds.
As they ride out of sight, Cortis speaks up, turning to me. “Forgive me Commander Ruel for earlier. I know I shouldn't have addressed Sergeant Scarface that way. I will take my punishment with understanding.” She bows.
Elric who's behind her quickly looks away and I hold in a laugh.
Cortis lifts her head in confusion.
“You might want to suspend the apology until you are properly dressed.” I say, catching her gasp as I head back to the base, herself and Elric following behind at a much calmer pace.
“How did you discover?” I ask.
“I was going to apologize to Sergeant Scarface when I caught him handing over the letter to the head nurse in the unit.” Cortis answers and I nod.
“This means Scarface has influenced more people than we initially thought.” Elric says with fury.
I simply nod.
“And what are you going to do?” he asks.
I glance at the letter in my hand, knowing it's my first tangible evidence.
“Nothing. Until I am certain whether he has Alpha King Andre’s backing or not, I won't take action.”