Chapter 59
Skye’s POV
More than once, I had to step away to compose myself, fighting the urge to vomit as we handled increasingly decomposed ammals Tat each time : faltered I found renewed determination by watching Adrian.
He worked tirelessly alongside us, handling the most decayed specimens himself, never once complaining or delegating the worst tasks.
By nightfall, my muscles ached from exertion, my skin felt raw from the harsh decontamination shower, and the smell of death seemed permanently indged in my nostrils despite rigorous scrubbing. Still, I joined the emergency council meeting Adrian had called, taking my seat among the exhausted park members who had participated in the cleanup.
Today’s attack–and make no mistake, this was a deliberate attack–targeted our primary water source, Adrian began without preamble, his voire steady despite the fatigue evident in the shadows beneath his eyes. “Thanks to Venus’s foresight with our reservoir system, we are not in immediate danger.
Venus nodded from her seat, her single arm cradling a tablet displaying water usage projections. If we implement strict conservation measures, we can extend our reserves to nearly two weeks.”
“By which time Lydia will have determined how long the lake will remain contaminated, Adrian continued. In the meantime, we’re doubling patrols at all water sources within our territory.”
Marcus spoke up, his sightless eyes somehow still conveying intensity. “I’ve already reassigned warriors to cover the additional patrol routes. No one approaches our water sources unwatched now.”
“Good,” Adrian acknowledged. “But these defensive measures are only the beginning.” He paused, his gaze sweeping the room before continuing with renewed conviction. “We need to strengthen Oasisborn in every way possible–more pack members, expanded resources, strategic alliances. If necessary, I’m prepared to establish partnerships with human companies to bolster our financial position.”
Murmurs of surprise rippled through the room at this controversial suggestion. Werewolf packs traditionally maintained distance from human business ventures, preferring self–sufficiency to entanglement with the human world.
“Are you sure that’s wise?” Nadia questioned, though her tone was thoughtful rather than challenging. “Human partnerships bring scrutiny, paperwork, questions we might not want to answer.”
“Calculated risks,” Adrian replied. “We cannot remain isolated if we want to survive. Oasisborn must grow stronger, or incidents like today will only be the beginning.”
As the meeting continued, detailed plans taking shape under Adrian’s guidance, I found myself studying him with new perspective. This was a different Adrian from the one who had held me in his arms last night–gone was the passionate man who had kissed me beneath the stars, replaced by the strategic Alpha whose sole focus was his pack’s protection.
Looking around the table, I noticed the way every council member watched him with unwavering attention, their expressions showing complete trust in his leadership. Even Nadia, despite whatever personal pain our developing relationship might have caused her, gave him her full support without hesitation.
The realization settled in my chest with bittersweet clarity: Adrian didn’t belong to me. He belonged to Oasisborn Pack–to the community he had built from nothing, to the wolves who depended on him for safety and direction.
As he caught my gaze across the table, something softened briefly in his eyes before he returned to outlining security protocols.
After the meeting concluded, I lingered outside his office, watching through the partially open door as he reviewed reports alone, the weight of leadership evident in the set of his shoulders. I wanted to go to him, to offer some comfort or encouragement, but something held me back.”
So I turned away, leaving him to his solitary vigil./
Six Month later
The months that followed brought a strange contradiction: constant vigilance with nothing to be vigilant against. Everyone expected Kane to make another move, yet life in the pack continued with an almost eerie peacefulness.
1/2
Chapter 59
Though I hadn’t deliberately maintained boundaries with Adrian after our canyon encounter, we found for oppertunities for private diamante Pud banne consumed his days and often his nights, with security meetings, training sessions, and increasingly frequent trips to nesky kome commouet 14 12 forged the alliances he had promised.
Even on my birthday, Adrian was absent from the small celebration Venus and the orphanage children organized, called was to meet with a formar businessman whose water purification company might prove valuable to our future security.
Yet Oasisborn flourished despite or perhaps because of the lingering threat. Young werewolves seeking refuge found their way to our deert het die by growing whispers of a pack that welcomed outcasts and misfits. New pups were born, their first howls celebrated as signs of our increasing strength.
After six months of intensive training, I graduated from student to mentor, taking responsibility for teaching newer members the stealth and reser skills that Nadia had so rigorously drilled into me. It felt surprisingly rewarding to pass on her techniques, watching as young wolves costered the same lessons that had transformed me from a frightened lone wolf into a capable pack warrior.
When the desert burst into its brief, vibrant spring bloom in the second year, I realized with mild shock that an entire year had passed since I’d first supped foot in Oasisborn territory. The anniversary slipped by unmarked, my life so thoroughly integrated into pack routine that it seemed impossible & bad ever lived differently.
Then came the unexpected call from my old life–Jessie’s voice bubbling with excitement through my phone speaker as she announced her wedding date. April first.
“Are you sure it’s not an April Fool’s joke?” I asked, smiling despite myself at her characteristic enthusiasm.
“I chose that date on purpose,” she replied with a laugh. “Jake said he wanted something unforgettable, and what’s more memorable than getting married on April Fool’s Day? You’re still coming, right? I’m holding a bridesmaid spot for you!”
Chapter Comments
Visitor
good interesting story
View 1 Comment >
1
<SHARE
