Destiny's Tethers

Chapter 36 - Swarmed

A/N: I'm really trying :')

On a side note, the first chapter of the bonus stories, focusing on Elijah and Stela is out now in The Tethered Chronicles, so you can find that book on my profile as I mentioned!

......

The Challenge was to take place in a stretch of neutral ground situated directly in the heart of the Evergreen Wilds. Accompanied only by Beta Elijah, Landon prepared to depart once the morning came.

Before he left, he embraced both his parents, who hugged him back tightly with tears in their eyes.

"Be careful." Wendell spoke to his son, patting his shoulder before Holly gently touched Landon's cheeks with a hopeful but nevertheless worried smile.

Jasper and Nicole were similarly hugging Beta Elijah goodbye, with Beta Stela kissing him on the cheek and promising to help Luna Olwen and the others look out for the Moon River Pack while he was gone.

Finally, standing at the main gates of pack territory, Alpha Landon bid farewell to his mate as the other pack members looked on with trepidation for what was to come.

"I'll be back before you know it." Landon murmured into her ear, gently kissing the top of her head. Olwen felt him inhale softly, probably taking in her scent one more time before he left. She did the same, and briefly her mind took her back to the very first night they met. Alpha Landon, with his dirty blonde hair and blue eyes, seemingly put together but with that hint of melancholy behind his gaze. She owed so much to him.

"...I love you, Olwen." Landon rumbled, his eyes changing to Lark's for a second. In return, Olwen felt Opal purr as their mate ran a hand through her soft brown hair.

Olwen wanted to say it back immediately, return the emotions that she indeed reciprocated, but instead she held it in. She separated from Alpha Landon slowly and cupped his cheek.

"...Come home to me, and I'll say it back." She whispered, her face filled with resolve.

Landon's face grew solemn, and he gave her a decisive nod before he and Beta Elijah waved to the others and got into the car.

As the vehicle drove away and slowly shrunk off to a dot on the forest scenery, Luna Olwen remained there for the longest time, Opal already howling with worry and longing.

They would be okay...right?

.......

Kayden had recovered quickly thanks to his wolf, and had sparred and trained with Alpha Landon the best he could do before the latter had gone.

Him and his family were still on rather awkward speaking terms, but to be fair, they had every right to it after all that had transpired.

He was around Sylvie the most, but this was more for the benefit of Korson and Soren, who had been apart for far two long and were overjoyed to be reunited again.

After Alpha Landon and Beta Elijah left, Luna Olwen took over most pack duties, with her subordinates, along with Delta Cassidy and Gamma Josh supporting her.

Everyone had their own segments to focus on. Beta Stela worked most closely with Luna Olwen to overlook the movements of daily patrols, settle disputes and other concerns from pack members, and check on the development of programmes and facilities around.

Delta Cassidy and Delta Lincoln were both training the pack warriors, preparing them in case the Moon River Pack was set upon while the Alpha and his Beta were away. And with the addition of warriors from the Silver Arrow Pack, they needed to adjust and work together with their new packmates. While they weren't warriors, Olwen continued to train the segment of omegas that had come to her the week before.