She led me to him (Werewolf story)

Chapter 128: The price of war

Jayson POV

The men looked at me and none of the mischief that usually happened when one of us disappeared during the marking phase was present.

The playful atmosphere that I awaited was dead and I understood why.

Reality fell on my face and my honeymoon dissipated in seconds.

All my warriors and their station were ready. Moreover, the pack was under quarantine.
The joyous atmosphere was buried as everyone was on their toes.

Most people migrated back to the pack houses and they started to make emergency bunkers.

Structures were built in the center and isolated housings were left unattended and most of their economy was transferred to the pack safe.

So did Kamil.

He took care of the pack alongside my father and was a major actor in plannifying both strategies.
Defense and counter attack.

“Kamil, would you mind briefing me on the actual situation?”

The man came in, and gave me the plans.

It was quite simple. Elders, kids and women behind, in the bunkers.

There will be warriors patched in the enclosed place in case some breaches happen.

Warriors would be separated into three main groups.

The first line, those all around the territory.
Keeping the war outside of the border.

The second group, that would play if breaches happened, nobody could go through our pack houses and the heart of our defense.

And at last, hunters.
Their main task was to find the intruders even before they could get to our territory. Most of them were already out  but there wasn't any clue yet.

Our enemy knew us too well to not let any traces behind.

But there was one line that was bothering me.

“Why would Serah be dispatched with the hunters?”

Kamil's jaw tightened, not liking my authority.
He knew that I would in no way approve. There was no logical reason she would be out there while those people were out there for her life.

But he calmed himself enough to not make his exasperation obvious.

“Serah is the only being that could catch them, she is our best bet. That would take the enemy by surprise and when she would alarm us we'll shift our strategy towards the enemy while she'll be escorted to safety.”

My arm wrinkled his well organised plan as anger and incomprehension resided in my mind.

“The battle is at our feet because they want her and she would be a great asset to protect the vulnerable in the bunker.”

The only thought that resonated with me was to have her safe.
To not let her be armed in any way, I couldn't afford to have her away from me.

A man who used to have a completely controlled etiquette started shifting toward a cold tone.

“Alpha Rider, it is not a game any more, last time a battle arose in our lands, it was in Ice Moon, my hometown.
Ice Moon burning for secrets and internal conflicts.
These people were clearly more organised than us. But they lost. If in some cases we have forgotten a secret passage or a condemned path that they know of it will be the bunker they would go for.
Serah, first would not sit still and there is only one place they wouldn't find her and we have to take her there before the seventh day.”

His eyes shone with the fire of determination , or distress.

His family would be in the bunker so I would understand his worries but letting my mate out in the wild was not okay with me.

“Where could it be safer for her than here, under my protection.”

My voice attracted unwanted attention but I needed to show back who was the alpha here.

Kamil didn't flinch but he did let go of the pride he carried while talking.

“Alpha we both have people we'd like to protect but from knowledge I can assure you that her home is constructed like a pack.
There is a wall around to delimitate their territory and a spell.”

My anger was soothed by curiosity.
But I was still waiting for answers.

“The seer that was brutally murdered, the man knew of her existence and made sure that their walls would conceal them from the exterior. A curse and a blessing for Serah but it could both save the pack and her.”

The puzzles in my mind would complete the piece. What he said was logical but my heart was not understanding.

She would be away in a critical condition I don't think I could bear to watch.

“So when is her departure?”

I had to capitulate

If I couldn't propose anything better I should follow the made up plan.

Kamil looked at me fiercely, ready to offend me again.

“As soon as you would command it.”

I knew how to read people and I hated him at this exact moment.

Whatever, I threw the sheets on my desk and sat down for a second.

Hands in my hair and head to the table.

“So where would I be in this story?”

“You could either escort Serah herself or be at the front. You'll fight on the first line of the first group.”

Great something I couldn't choose from.
The man was standing in military discipline, how much my emotion spilled none of his hair moved.

“Who’ll be escorting her if I'm fighting ?”

“A group of warriors, they'd be in theory less powerful than her but they know the land and the protocols of a great escort.
I chose the people myself and I believe in them.”

I tried to get away from this office as the air thickened with uncertainty.

I myself didn't know if I should have been with them for the war organisation or stayed with her.

There wasn't a moment I could regret with her but letting go of her right now was outside of my capabilities.

But it wasn't my choice.

He knew for sure what was the best option for both the pack and her.

…

The grass welcomed me as well as people walking around holding boxes or armors, even fireguns.

Before I could say a word, a feminine voice came to me.

“I brought them from her house.”

Did she talk about the fireguns.

Jess was standing next to me. Eyes mirrors of  mine but holding a certain calm that I did not possess.

But something was unsettling about her.

“Why is your smell different?”

She paused and looked far away. As if something beyond was more beautiful that our now.

She smiled playfully with an expression that I was so used to.

“That's a secret!”

She chastised before scurrying away but I couldn't let her go when doubt nestled in my head.

“Jess, is it what I think it is?”

My eyes watered with happiness and sorrow at the same time.

It was the worst of moments.

Happiness had a price and hers we could only tell after the war.