Usher fell silent. The look in his eyes showed confusion, but Vione seemed confident. He turned to Garth. “Quick contact-”
Usher’s order was left unfinished, for at that moment Storm received a call, and the information they received shifted everyone’s attention to Vione.
“Berg reports that one of the mine alarms has gone off.”
Usher’s face hardened. “Where is it?”
“On the southern edge of the Amerotha forest.”
Usher closed his eyes dramatically. His hands clenched tightly and his chest roared with anger. “They really are bastards.”
Vione could understand Usher’s anger, but time was running out. “Usher,” she said thoughtfully, “we’re out of time. You can’t send Storm out to ambush them. And you can’t divide our warriors now. Storm and Alvin must attack together. So, the only option left is…” She took a deep breath. She knew Usher would oppose her, but she wouldn’t be silent. “… let me join the fight.”
Usher’s eyes widened suddenly. “W-what did you say?”
“I know this is a risky move, but let me fight and protect the pack,” Vione said quickly. She tried to convince Usher, even though it would be difficult. “It’s the only way to end the war. We have to defeat the Nimbria pack, no matter what.”
Usher wanted the same. Vione’s wish was his own. War always brought suffering and he wanted to end it all, but not at the risk of Vione’s safety.
“Vione.” Usher tried to catch his breath as his emotions swirled around him. “I-”
All words fell from Usher’s tongue. All reasons and objections vanished from his mind. He couldn’t say a word when he saw the fire of determination in Vione’s eyes.
Vione was not afraid. She was completely unfazed, even though she was an Omega. She didn’t have claws, but her spirit to defend the pack was clear to Usher.
With his eyes closed, Usher faced a dilemma between two choices. He knew that Vione’s situation was different now. She had two wolf spirits, which meant she was safer. But that didn’t mean he was ready to see Vione plunge into battle.
“Alpha, please.”
Usher took a deep breath. He growled as he realised that his logic couldn’t help him this time. His feelings dominated. His heart had made the decision.
So, Usher looked intently at Vione and asked, “Are you sure you can do this job well?”
Vione’s eyes widened. It was as if she hadn’t expected Usher to give her permission. “Yes, Alpha,” she replied, nodding with conviction. “I’m sure.”
Usher felt powerless. His concern was overshadowed by the belief that this was the best decision. Vione was not that weak. She was capable and not to be underestimated. She could do this and he said, “Tell me your plan.”
“The Nimbria pack will try to trap us, but it won’t be that easy.” Vione looked at Garth, Storm and Cora. “On the contrary, we have to make sure that they are the ones trapped by their own cunning plan.” Then she turned back to Usher. “Let me lead the young warriors.”
Usher was confused. “Young warriors?”
“Are you sure, Luna?” Storm asked as well, feeling the same confusion as Usher. “Isn’t it too risky?”
Vione replied firmly. “I know it is risky, but war is always risky. Besides, I believe there’s no one better suited to carry out this strategy than the young warriors.”
Usher was at a loss for words. For the umpteenth time, Vione’s determination had silenced him. He was sure she had thought this through thoroughly and carefully. “Very well then,” he said, nodding. Then he gave the order. “In the name of the Frostholm pack, I, Alpha Usher Thorne, order you, Vione, to lead the young warriors.”
Vione replied, “Understood, Alpha.”
Immediately afterwards, Vione rushed to the warriors’ barracks. She gathered the young warriors and at that moment she heard voices in her head.
“I’m lucky to have Flash as my second. You know that? He’s really reliable. Even in the most difficult situations, I just have to trust him.”
“To me, you’re the greatest, Papa.”
“Oh. Hahaha. Of course, but you must know how grateful I am for Flash’s presence. He’s incredibly fast and agile.”
“I agree. He is so fast and agile that I envy him. I wish I had his speed and agility.”
“Oh, my dear. You used to be very fast and agile too. All werewolves have a time when they are very fast and agile, when they are young. As we grow stronger, our speed and agility diminish. So don’t think too much about it.”
Vione held her breath as she recalled the memories of the future Vione for the umpteenth time. They weren’t her memories, but strangely enough, Ivan’s warmth felt very real. She could even swear she could feel his affection as he stroked her hair.
Thank you, Vione. Vione exhaled slowly and looked around at the young warriors lined up. Thank you, Papa.
The young warriors stood in formation, poised and ready. The tension was palpable and their eyes were fixed on Vione.
“I know you’re all nervous because this is your first battle. This will be your first real experience on the battlefield, and for that I need your cooperation,” Vione said firmly. She met the young warriors’ eyes with a fiery gaze full of spirit. “You may be afraid, but I don’t want that fear to overcome you. For you are the hope of the pack.”
A young warrior raised his hand and asked, “What are we going to do, Luna?”
“We will do the most important thing, the key to the success of Storm’s strategy. Our goal isn’t to kill the warriors of the Nimbria pack, but to break their concentration. We will disrupt their formation, and only you can do that,” Vione replied, giving instructions based on the map on the wall. “Only you can carry out this task because you are young warriors. You are fast and agile.”
Unfortunately, even with the speed and agility of the young warriors, there were still risks. Vione wasn’t going to overlook that, and her goal was not only to disrupt the Nimbria pack’s surprise attack, but also to ensure their safety.
“Your focus is to create confusion among them. Your safety is your first priority. So, attack them, break their concentration, and then hide. In other words, we will confront them with…” Vione raised her head and finished her statement with conviction. “… guerrilla tactics.”
*