EPISODE 10%
I joined the caravan for the pack exchange.
Even though my addition was last–minute, it didn’t pose any problems since everything had already been prepared. Sayeru had ensured that all arrangements were settled before officially passing the responsibility to Syrus and me.
Caleb, of course, refused to be left behind.
“You’re not leaving me,” he declared, arms crossed, eyes fierce.”
“You’ll slow us down,” Syrus teased, ruffling his curls X
Caleb batted his hand away, “I’ll keep up.”
“You say that now,” Syrus mused. “But what about when we have to sleep on the ground? No warm blankets, no soft beds…”
“I don’t need blankets,” Caleb huffed. “I’m not a pup.”
He was as stubborn as ever, demanding to come along, just as a five–year–old would…
But no one truly objected. His determination made it clear he wouldn’t have accepted any other outcome. And so, we traveled together with the other wolf warriors, our caravan carrying several carts filled with goods toward the meeting place..
I had never been part of a caravan before, let alone one for a pack exchange.”
Despite once holding the title of Luna in my former pack, I had never been given the qualifications to join in on such diplomatic missions. Those roles had been reserved for the warriors and high–ranking officials.
After all, most who participated in the exchange were strong warrior wolves. The dangers of travel were not something just any Omega or Luna could handle.
Only the most powerful packs, those confident in their strength and security, dared to bring their families along
The journey itself wasn’t difficult, but it was long. The Moon Shard Pack resided on high ground, nestled within thick forests and towering cliffs. Descending was relatively easy, but it only emphasized how isolated the pack truly was. Reaching the nearest neighboring pack required at least two to three days at our fastest speed. However, because of our cargo and the necessary rest stops, our journey stretched out much longer.
It was during these travels that I saw Syrus in an entirely different light. In the pack, he had always been an aloof figure, someone who wandered without clear purpose, often taking on random duties that seemed beneath his station. Unlike his brothers, he had never exuded the intense authority or discipline expected of a high–ranking Alpha’s son.”
But on this journey, I realized why Alpha Sayeru had entrusted Syrus with this responsibility.
“So, this is how you look when you work seriously, I noted one night as he finished inspecting the supplies.!
He smirked. “Someone has to be. You’d be surprised how easy it is to lose track of things when you’re on the road this long
I watched as he double–checked the ration counts, his brow furrowed in concentration. “I never thought you’d be this.. meticulous.”
“Surprised?” He glanced at me, amusement flickering in his eyes.X
“A little,” I admitted.
“Well,” he said, stretching his arms, “it’s nice to be unpredictable sometimes.”
Syrus was far more capable than he appeared. When given a task, he executed it with meticulous precision. He oversaw every inspection of our goods, never once missing a detail. At every stop, he personally ensured that the campsite was secure, that the warriors remained alert, and that our supplies were accounted for. He was disciplined, sharp, and commanding in a way I had never seen before.
Yet, no matter how busy he was, he always made time to check on Caleb and me.
His interactions with Caleb remained as teasing as ever, their dynamic endless game of back–and–forth bickering. Caleb, ever the little Alpha, continued to push Syrus away at every opportunity, glaring whenever Syrus got too close to me. Syrus, in turn, seemed to enjoy provoking him, throwing playful remarks that sent Caleb into frustrated fits.
“Don’t sit next to my mom.”
Syrus raised an eyebrow, “Who’s going to stop me?”
Caleb stomped his foot. “Me.T
Syrus laughed, leaning in as if to whisper a secret. “You’d have to be taller for that, little Alpha
Caleb fumed
One night, as we sat around a small fire, Caleb huffed dramatically and turned to me. “Mom, tell him to stop being annoying.”
I smirked, glancing at Syrus. “I don’t think that’s possible.”
Syrus grinned. ‘See? Even your mom agrees.”
Caleb groaned and flopped onto the ground, clearly defeated.”
Despite their arguments, I could tell Syrus was keeping an eye on him, ensuring his safety even in the subtlest ways.
Fifteen days passed before we finally reached our destination..
For the first time in my life, I stepped beyond the borders of my home and saw the world outside the Moon Shard Pack. It was both exhilarating and overwhelming. The land stretched far and wide, filled with wolves from various packs who had gathered for the exchange. Some had already set up camp, sharing goods and engaging in discussions, while others, like us, were just arriving.
The sheer number of wolves was staggering. Different scents intermingled in the air, some familiar, some foreign. Warriors, traders, and emissaries moved about, tending to their duties, their voices creating a constant hum of activity.
Syrus guided us through the bustling area with ease, already knowing where our designated post was. He led our group with confidence, ensuring that everyone and everything remained in order as we made our way toward our assigned space.
I moved through the crowd, taking in the new surroundings, as Syrus explained and introduced people and exotic products.
after,
“This is wildflower honey from the Eastern Valley,” he explained, gesturing to one of the crates. “Rare and highly sought
I nodded, fascinated. “It smells incredible.”
Syrus smirked. “It also happens to be great in tea.“%
Caleb, peering over the edge of a cart, scrunched his nose. “Honey is sticky.”
And without me knowing, someone had been watching me from afar.
A gaze. A presence that bumed into me like fire.
Among the sea of faces, in one of the already established camps, stood a figure frozen in place. His body was rigid, his eyes wide and unblinking, his mouth slightly agape as if he had forgotten how to breathe.
Seram.
His expression was one of pure, unfiltered shock. His eyes, wide with disbelief, bore me as though he had seen a ghost His lips parted slightly, yet no words escaped. His entire body had gone rigid, his posture betraying the turmoil raging within
him.
The world around him seemed to blur, the bustling crowd fading into insignificance. The movement of warriors, the laughter of traders, the rustling of tents.
None of them reached him.E
At that moment, there was only me, and his undeniable realization
I was alive!
