Hidden Among Wolves

Chapter 5

“Leo’s POV”

I watched Jay's restless fidgeting in his chair, well aware that all he yearned for was to be out there, chasing after his beloved. I couldn't blame him; in his place, I would have felt the same. For years, I had tried to move on, to find my own mate and start anew. But each night ended in the same way, with my thoughts inevitably returning to a luminous ivory she-wolf.

Even after three long years, I remained unable to erase her image from my mind. Her beauty was unparalleled, her locks a shimmering cascade of moonlight, but it was her strength and unwavering confidence that had captivated my heart.

Amari and I had been placed on several missions together, mostly intel gathering. For years there had been rumors of an uprising and every lead pointed us towards Terra Firma.

The land itself may have been desolate, its landscapes barren and unforgiving, but the people who called it home displayed a curious resilience. It was almost ironic to describe them as survivors, for most humans we encountered appeared as fragile as porcelain, ready to shatter with the slightest gust of wind. It was difficult to believe that someone so weak had the capability of taking everything away from me.

Despite the efforts of those who inhabited the land, their toils to cultivate it yielded only a harvest of death and desolation. The whispers among the people told of a grim tale: my father, the architect of their banishment, had callously exiled all human life to that forsaken terrain, hoping that that would wither away. Yet, as the years unfolded, it became starkly evident that fate had a different design in store.

In the heart of Terra Firma's unforgiving embrace, life refused to surrender. Against all odds, the fragile inhabitants clung to existence, their perseverance a testament to the unyielding spirit that defied my father's expectations. As the tales of their endurance spread, a subtle but palpable shift took root in the very foundations of the land, hinting at a force lying dormant, biding its time beneath the surface.

It was clear that those were mere stories.

******************Past***********************************

Soldier, stand down," Amari's voice resonated in my ears, a blend of urgency and command. It felt both distant and yet near enough to pierce through my concentration. "I said, soldier, stand down," her voice came again, closer than before, more insistent this time. "Do not make me repeat it a third time," her tone had turned as fierce as that of a wolf queen, and there was no mistaking her authority.

"Uh…" Somehow, my surroundings had plunged into darkness the very instant I encountered that child. My blade was drawn, poised for an attack, and yet, I didn't recall making the decision to unsheathe it. The enigmatic child's presence stirred memories from my own childhood, particularly the haunting recollection of that night when my mother never returned.

"Do you really think this child could harm the big bad wolf?" Her voice carried a stern note as she swiftly disarmed me with a precise kick, sending the sword aloft. The blade ascended as though cradled by a gentle breeze, hovering momentarily, defying gravity with a feather-like lightness. In the blink of an eye, Amari simply plucked the sword from the air.

The sword's trajectory seemed guided by her will as it delicately glided over her hand, then over her wrist, an artful dance of mastery. She repeated this mesmerizing motion several times, each pass showcasing her supreme control and precision, before finally returning it to me.

"No," I responded, a tinge of embarrassment coloring my voice. However, Amari paid little heed to my reply, her focus fixed on the child. He stood there, paralyzed by fear, his breath coming in shallow, trembling gasps.

"Oh, he's not as intimidating as he appears. He's a true puppy inside," Amari reassured the child with a warm smile. From her pack, she retrieved a reasonably sized bag, and the enticing aroma of various treats wafted from within.

“Thank you, Amari!” The young boy smiled as he hugged the bag. It was a little heavy for him, but he managed to wabble his way inside a rundown shack.

“They know you?” I asked, confused.

“This is not my first rodeo, Smith,” she replied with a touch of amusement. It was a challenge, still, to fully embrace my alternate identity as Noah instead of Leo. I couldn't help but wonder if she would treat me the same way if she knew I was the crowned prince.

“Do you do this often?” It was not against the law to provide aid to humans, but I did not necessarily approve of helping the traitors. Especially now with the recurring information of an uprising.

I asked, grappling with a sense of inner conflict. While it wasn't explicitly forbidden to assist humans, I couldn't entirely suppress my disapproval, particularly when it came to assisting those who were considered traitors, especially in light of the persistent rumors about an impending uprising.

Actually, yes, but it wasn't solely my doing. It all began with Jay; he was the first," Amari revealed, her voice carrying a tone of admiration. “As you may see, no one here has the strength to plot against anyone, much less plot against the King.” She was right, the intel did not make sense. A handful of low-rank soldiers would be able to destroy the people here. Everyone around was as malnourished as a stray dog. “Having you around isn’t going to invite anyone to talk to us,” she looked around, hoping to change the situation.

"You sure have a way with words," I huffed, my disapproval evident in my tone. What I found even more disconcerting, though, was how I seemed to be entranced by every word she spoke.

"You're just intimidating in appearance, not your fault," she replied candidly, her focus unwavering as she surveyed her surroundings. She didn't seem to mind whether her words stung or not. "There's no point in lingering here much longer. I should return alone."

"Geez, just kill me already," I muttered, a hint of exasperation in my voice.

"Don't tempt me," she responded without a moment's hesitation, her words missing the touch of humor.

************Present***********

I was just as stunned as Jay. I'd witnessed others succumbing to nervous breakdowns moments before their presentations, but Amari had never struck me as someone who'd lose confidence in herself. In fact, she was the sort of person everyone here knew would undoubtedly be the first in line for a promotion. If she'd been vying for the position of captain, she would have outperformed Jay by a considerable margin.

She certainly would outperform me for that matter.

“General,” it took Jay a moment to process what had occurred, but he eventually stood up. Of course, he would face any punishment to be by her side.

"Your request is denied," the General stated without giving Jay a chance to speak.

"With all due respect," Jay persisted.

"Captain, return to your post," the General growled in disapproval. "That is an order." It was peculiar how unfazed the General appeared amidst the unfolding situation.

A heavy silence hung in the air as everyone waited for Jay's response. The expected reply should have been a crisp, yes, sir," but Jay remained strangely silent, no words escaping his lips. As I recognized his readiness to defy a direct command, I sent him a direct message,

“I suggest you follow orders.”

“Amari…”

“Amari will be more upset if you chase after her.”

I sent him another mind link. He knew I was right, and the General understood it as well. Amari was not the kind of she-wolf who needed coddling.

Amari had always been a formidable and self-reliant individual, someone who thrived on challenges rather than sympathy.

“Fine,” Jay closed the mind link before he spoke aloud.

"Yes, sir," Jay reluctantly spoke, complying with the General's order as he returned to his seat. I couldn't deny the similar pang of pain I felt in regards to Amari, though I couldn't quite comprehend why. Of course, I had never voiced it aloud and certainly hadn't acted upon my feelings.

As each moment slipped by, the ache within me intensified, the sense of being left in the dark becoming inexplicably unbearable. It was akin to the sensation of missing the very oxygen essential for my survival. With every breath, a suffocating pressure seemed to steadily mount within me. The mere thought of someone else comforting her stirred a pang of jealousy, a tumultuous emotion I struggled to contain. Yet, regardless of the storm of emotions raging within, I was acutely aware that there was nothing I could do about it. Jay was a good man, and seeing her happy was all that mattered, even if it meant enduring this internal turmoil in silence.