CHAPTER 2
1162 Words
CHAPTER 2: Dakota The Orchestrator
Odessa's POV
A few minutes after Dakota’s pledge, she goes silent again.
Damn!
I should have known she was just playing with my head. Her calm expression doesn’t give anything away, but the stillness in her eyes makes me restless.
It may sound simple, but nothing about this is easy.
My father has eyes everywhere, and even in his absence, he seems to know every movement within the Pack, as if the air itself reports back to him.
I don’t understand how he does it, only that he always finds out.
Sooner or later, he’ll discover that Dakota has authorized private training for me.
And then there’s the soldier, another stumbling block.
I’ve been so caught up in worrying about Father that I forgot about the soldier entirely.
How is Dakota going to convince them to obey her? They only take orders from him. Mission impossible—that’s what this feels like already.
“Come with me. I want to take you to see someone. No questions. Just move.” Dakota’s voice is low but firm as she grabs my arm.
Another walk? Does she ever get tired of dragging me around?
I don’t want any of this. All I want is a simple answer and confirmation that I’ll have private training. Is that too much to ask? Is she even listening to me?
This time, we didn't head toward the garden.
Wait a minute.
This path feels familiar, and my chest tightens with cautious excitement as recognition dawns. It's the soldiers’ quarters.
A slow smile tugs at my lips despite myself. Dakota might be about to satisfy my curiosity without uttering a single word.
Awesome.
“Stay here. I’ll be back,” she says, slipping away with her usual quiet determination.
I watch her stride toward Jena’s lodge.
A female soldier? Who does that? My stomach twists.
I might need to decline because I require a male soldier, someone who can teach me the kind of strength I need.
What could I possibly learn from a woman like me? Absolutely nothing!
Or maybe… a twist?
Dakota returns, and she’s not alone. Jena walks beside her, tall and composed, and Carlos follows with his posture steady and protective, and the three of them look like a small army marching toward me.
What a lady Dakota is. So unpredictable. No wonder Father entrusted me to her care. He must be certain she’ll keep me safe, even if it means bending rules.
They finally reach me and I can’t wait to discover what surprise Dakota has prepared.
“Good morning, young Luna,” Carlos and Jena say in unison, bowing slightly.
Luna?
Did I miss something? That title belongs to Dakota, should Father ever appoint one.
A sense of unease washes through me. First, the war was hidden from me, and now they’re calling me Luna? I hate being left in the dark.
I pretend not to notice, only nodding to avoid offending them.
“Let’s go somewhere else,” Dakota suggests with her eyes scanning the area with sharp precision.
Unlike before, I obey without question. The way her gaze narrows tells me she’s spotted something or someone watching us. Maybe Father’s secret eye.
We finally end up in the garden, which is a quiet refuge stripped of witnesses.
“We’re here now,” I say, unable to contain my impatience. “Can we get on with it already?”
Dakota hesitates for a moment before speaking.
“Meet your new teachers, Jena and Carlos.”
Finally,
It feels as though she’s taken a century to make the announcement, but it’s worth every second.
Joy sparks inside me, so bright I can’t hide it. I take a bold step and wrap my arms around Dakota, and she stiffens for a second, then allows it.
How silly of me to have judged her so quickly. She always had a plan.
“It was difficult to convince them,” Dakota admits with her tone, quiet and almost apologetic. “They’re terrified of Father.”
My smile falters. Of course they are.
His wrath is legendary and hotter than a burning furnace and as merciless as winter frost.
“Give us a moment,” I murmur, tugging Dakota aside.
“How long will they stay loyal? What if they blow our cover?” My voice is laced with worry.
I doubt Dakota has thought through every consequence. Father’s bad book is the last place I want to end up, and I’d rather abandon this whole mission than be caught. The thought of incomplete training gnaws at me, but the idea of Father’s fury is worse.
To stand in the coming war, I need to be at my best, but not at the cost of everything.
“They won’t snitch,” Dakota assures me calmly. “Worry not. I’ve got it sorted out.”
Her confidence should calm me, but a tiny splinter of doubt remains. She’s saying this to ease my mind, I’m sure.
I hate dishonesty, especially from those who mean the world to me.
Still, I breathe out and force myself to believe her, if only for now.
We rejoin Jena and Carlos, and I remind myself that Dakota is in charge, but part of me clings to uncertainty.
A risk worth taking, that’s what this is.
“Where will the first training session take place?” Jena asks with her voice steady but laced with curiosity.
So thoughtful of her. I like the way she thinks. If we’re going to move forward, we need a secluded place where no one can find us.
I glance at Carlos and Jena. They’re risking everything, banishment, maybe even their lives if this goes wrong.
“I’ll figure that out before our next meeting,” Dakota replies.
I agree with her instantly. We’ve been standing here too long; someone could spot us. This meeting was only meant as an introduction, a chance to outline the path ahead.
The finer details will come later.
As leader, Dakota sets our next gathering for two days from now and a new location, she says, to keep our moves unpredictable.
Carlos and Jena take their leave with their steps carefully, deliberately.
Now it’s just Dakota and me.
Carlos’s idea, I suspect, keeps us apart so no one grows suspicious. Smart thinking.
They’re sharp, both of them and that alone convinces me we’re heading in the right direction. Dakota knows what she’s doing.
We return to our chambers, silent but united, and a prickle crawls up my spine as we step inside.
Holy Moly.
Father is there, standing in the center of my room with eyes locked on us.
That stare, icy and unwavering, freezes me in place.
I’m doomed.
He knows.
He’s figured everything out: the secret training, the alliances and the whispers of rebellion.
I should have known Carlos’ lingering gaze at the soldiers’ quarters meant trouble. He must have run straight to Father.
Traitor..!
- Writer
