Vione’s request startled Usher. His eyes widened, fixed on Vione. He stared at her and found no trace of fear. Vione was truly determined to go to the front. What struck him most was the difference in the way she addressed him. She called him Alpha out of respect as a member of the pack, not as his mate.
Usher closed his eyes and shook his head. “No,” he refused without a second thought. He stepped away, distancing himself slightly from Vione. “I won’t let you go there, Vione.”
Vione moved closer to him. “Alpha, please.”
“No,” Usher insisted again, his voice firm. He met Vione’s determination with equal determination. He couldn’t allow Vione, the woman he loved most, to go into an area suspected to be the hiding place of the enemy. “Your request is totally unreasonable.”
Vione wanted to argue against Usher’s decision, but at that moment Storm spoke up as well.
“Forgive me, Luna, but it would be better if I went there instead.”
Usher pointed at Storm while keeping his eyes on Vione. “That’s the way it should be. Storm will go because he is the leader of the Frostholm warriors, not you,” he said with a quickened heartbeat. His instincts flared, warning him that Vione would still insist on her request. “You are the Luna of the Frostholm Pack. Your place is at my side. You know that, don’t you?”
“I know that, Alpha,” Vione replied, nodding repeatedly. But that didn’t mean she would give up her plan. “I should always be by your side, but this is something I have to do.”
“Something you have to do?” Usher’s eyes widened even more, his panic escalating. “No. This is something Storm should do. Don’t doubt him, Vione. He can burn the hideout of the Nimbria Pack warriors without leaving a trace.”
Vione nodded again, but she didn’t back down from her decision. Instead, she continued to try to convince Usher. “I don’t doubt Storm at all. I know his strength and skill, but this is the only way to turn the tables and destroy them completely, Alpha.”
Usher stepped back from Vione, his mind filled with countless worst-case scenarios. He couldn’t take such a huge risk. He couldn’t allow Vione to risk her life.
“Alpha, please.”
Usher continued to shake his head, sweat now pouring down his face. “No, Vione. You are my Luna. I’m not crazy enough to send you to such a dangerous place. No. It’s way too risky.”
“I know it’s incredibly risky, but it’s our only chance. I-”
“I’ll send Storm,” Usher cut her off quickly. Then he turned to Storm. “Storm, are you ready?”
Storm nodded with firm conviction. “Of course, Alpha. I’ll prepare the best team and-”
“They’ll switch to a backup plan when they see you leading the charge, Storm!” Vione interrupted again, breathless as she struggled to steady herself. “I know you’re worried about me, Alpha, but this is our only chance.”
Usher growled, emotions roiling inside him, rendering him speechless.
“The Nimbria pack hasn’t made a move yet. They must think we’re still confused. So, we can’t waste this chance, Alpha.” Vione took a deep breath and when she saw that Usher remained silent, she continued. “We need to create a scenario where they think we’ve really been tricked. Have Storm lead the warriors to the location they’ve set up while I ambush their main force at their real hideout.” She paused for a moment before continuing. “They will definitely be suspicious if Alvin leads the warriors or if Storm goes without him. Both options are risky.”
Usher’s mouth remained shut. He couldn’t respond to Vione’s argument. Moments ago, he had considered handing over the leadership of the attack to Alvin Roberto-the deputy leader of the Frostholm Pack warriors. He thought it was the perfect solution. Alvin would lead the attack, while Storm would handle the ambush.
Unfortunately, Vione’s reasoning made sense. Usher couldn’t argue with it, even though he desperately wanted to.
His logic and emotions were at war, and the internal conflict made his head throbbing. On the one hand, it was logical to leave the ambush to Vione. On the other hand, there was no way he could allow her to face such danger alone.
Usher’s face hardened, his jaw clenched, and a growl rumbled in his chest. “You know I can’t possibly let you go there, don’t you?”
“I know,” Vione replied understandingly. “You’re worried about me. That hideout is full of the core warriors of the Nimbria Pack. The risk and the danger are immense. But I hope you don’t forget one fact, Alpha.” She took a deep breath and raised her head confidently. “Before I became your Luna, I was the leader of the warriors of the Frostholm Pack. I’ve fought in wars, and no matter what happens, I’ll always be ready to go into battle to protect the pack.”
This time, Usher was truly at a loss. Vione had backed him into a corner with something he couldn’t refute. He was frustrated, but at the same time he understood her. As werewolves, their blood would always boil at the thought of defending the honor of the pack, no matter how formidable the obstacles.
And so, Usher asked one last time, “Are you sure you can complete this mission successfully?”
Completing the mission wasn’t just about making sure there was no failure. There was a deeper message behind his words: Usher wanted Vione to return safely.
Vione nodded. “I’m sure, Alpha.”
“All right then,” Usher said, steeling himself. Then he gave the order. “In the name of the Frostholm Pack, I, Alpha Usher Thorne, order you, Vione, to lead the ambush against the Nimbria Pack.”
A determined smile spread over Vione’s face. “Yes, Alpha.”
Vione hurried away. Her time was limited and she would not waste a moment. She immediately went to the warriors’ barracks and gathered a hundred warriors.
The tension was palpable. Everyone stood with heightened alertness, their eyes fixed on Vione, who stood tall and determined.
“I know you all want to join the attack, but we are about to do something even more dangerous,” Vione said firmly, her voice strong. Her eyes burned with determination. “For that, I need your cooperation. We will ambush the core warriors of the Nimbria Pack in their lair.”
Vione laid out the strategy. She divided the hundred warriors into ten groups and explained the tasks of each group using the map. Afterwards, one of the warriors asked her.
“So, we’re going to attack them with this tactic, Luna?”
Vione looked at the warrior for a moment, then cast her eyes over all the warriors. Her expression was one of certainty and unshakable confidence. She nodded. “Yes. We will attack them with this tactic,” she answered without hesitation. “Guerrilla tactic.”
*