Chapter 151: Scouts into Nirvana

The morning had the thin sharpness of days that had been hard-won. Lanterns from the festival still bobbed like sleepy fireflies along the compound paths, their runes dimming now that the night’s revelry had been folded away. The pack moved with the slow, purposeful economy of people who had spent the night grieving and rejoicing and had to get back to living. Orion felt it in the creak of doors, in the way the pack members kept their hands close to their belts small, practical gestures that made the day steady.

Ronan stood at the gate like a man who had packed his impatience into a bundle and strapped it to his back. He had already given orders, checked packs, and organized the ten who would go beyond the known borders. The team looked competent: Gregory, Sam, lean and quick, Darek...the hunter who had found the fresh Skylur tracks,; two other fighters from the guard who’d volunteered, a young archer with a steady hand, and a pair of trackers who could read the earth like language. Ronan himself would lead the mission.

They were all practical and ready, leather strapped, knives sheathed. Orion watched them assemble with eyes trained on the small details who had wrapped extra cord, who had forgotten a spare waterskin. He noted the weight of duty settle into his shoulders in a familiar way.

"Do you have your whistle with you?" Orion asked them.

Ronan waved the end of a whistle. He clipped it to his throat with a flourish, as if giving the instrument a place of honor. Orion and Ronan made sure each of them going into the forest had one with them in the case of emergency.

Orion didn’t know why but there was this unsettling feeling he had regarding this mission and if not for the fact that he still wasn’t fully healed, he would have gone himself. He didn’t want to put the others at risk but like the elders said, he had to start depending on people. He could not do everything himself after all.

"You guys know it’s not war right? Just try to get what’s going on in the forest and why the beasts are appearing more." Orion told them.

Ronan grinned widely. "It sounds like you are my husband sending me away with so much care."

The others chuckled.

Orion noticed as Sam’s eyes darted around like she was searching for someone. He wasn’t sure what happened between her and Tobias but normally, he’d be here to see her off. He wasn’t right now. Orion didn’t focus on that though, he focused on the fact that this mission may be more dangerous than they thought.

Orion lifted one hand and gave Ronan the middle finger making them laugh.

"It may sound like a joke but this mission isn’t. If there is any danger then return immediately. I mean, Ronan is there to guide you guys but..."

"Orion, relax." Gregory spoke up. "We know what we are going to do."

"Do we?" Ronan asked with a tilt of his head.

Orion groaned at him. "Ronan..."

"I know brother. I get what you mean, get information and get back here. I’m not going to let anyone get hurt." Ronan told him.

Orion believed him. Of course he did. Even if Ronan joked around a lot, he also had serious moments and he meant it when he said that he wasn’t going to let anyone if them get hurt. But what if it was beyond his power to do so?

Orion was worried but he shoved it down. Even if he went with them he would only be a burden.

"And you," Ronan said and Orion knew his friend was going to nah him. "Don’t think of neglecting your duties just because I’m not here. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone but don’t you dare let the paper work pile up until there’s no space on the desk. And my dad will be your assistant for some time."

"Daniel?" Orion asked him. "Let the old man rest. He’s been helping me since I became alpha."

"Don’t worry." Ronan told him. "It’s only for a day and then Garret will take over. I’ve been training him to assist me especially in the case that something happens."

"Garret?" Orion asked. "You think he’s ready?"

"I think he’s competent enough as an assistant. The issue is if he’ll be able to cope with you." Ronan told him.

"I’m not that hard to work with...I think." Orion told him.

Gregory laughed then.

"No offense alpha, but you run from paperwork every week. We all know that." He said with a laugh.

Orion was about to speak when he felt a calm wash over him. His body thrummed with a presence and that sweet scent washed over him. He knew who it was already and turned in search of her just in time to see the back of her head as she walked fast between houses back into the compound, leaving him at the gate. Orion smiled a bit. He was going to have to speak with her later but he was busy right now.

Ronan clapped him on the shoulder. "You good?" he asked.

"Yeah," Orion said. "If there’s anything strange that you guys encounter, then send word immediately. There’s a reason Sam is with you guys."

Ronan gave him a mock salute, a smirk on his face. "Yes your honorableness."

Orion gave him an eye roll and gave him a push towards the gates making Ronan laugh. The team moved out together and for a moment, Orion watched them go, their figures thinning as they moved.

The gate closed with a soft thunk, then the compound returned to its ordinary sounds, the scrape of a broom, the murmur of mothers calling children, the low conversations of men trading small reassurances. Orion felt the weight of the day settle again.

He turned hoping to find Sophia but instead was met with Tobias who was glaring at the spot Sam had stood on.

"Why are you glaring like the spot offended you?" Orion asked him.

Tobias sighed. "Maybe because the person standing there did. But let’s forget my predicament, Daniel is asking for you."