The Wolf

Ch. 43: Sorry, Nico

~Alex~

Holding the weight of hundreds of lives on your shoulders is not fun. Every name and face comes to me with such clarity. I toss and turn on my cot. I can't sleep. I know that tomorrow is the battle of battles, but it's rough. What if I'm not a good enough leader? I slap my face with my hands. I am a good leader and a good Alpha. I will carry my pack to victory.

A knot of dread forms in my stomach. My dad is back at camp, working at the hub of information. We're not the only group of wolves sent out to deal with Nyx's minions. This isn't my first or even second mission. But it is my first time leading hundreds of my people into a battle that we can't be sure of the outcome for.

Sleep, pup, or you'll be a mess on the battlefield tomorrow. You need to be alert to protect the others, especially our mate. Sol chastises me, yet he's pacing in circles. He's still worried about Noct and that strange feeling he felt from Nico. His anxiety is infectious.

When I fall asleep, my dreams are plagued with visions of death and destruction. Bodies lay all over the ground with familiar faces and foreign as well. Blood soaks into the earth, watering the soil until it turns crimson. Crows fly in the air, feasting on the dead. It's a nightmare. I need to remember that this is a nightmare. This isn't our fate. This will not be our future.

I lurch awake, sweating profusely as I look around my tent. Of course, I couldn't have a pleasant dream on the day of a big fight, right? Lucky me. I pull myself out of bed, weary already. My eyes feel itchy and it's like I lost more sleep than I gained. I need some coffee to pull myself together.

The morning sun hasn't even risen yet as the troops pull themselves together for battle. Everyone eats breakfast in hushed silence with the occasional whispers. It's like a veil has been draped over our party and we're all waiting for it to be lifted or to join the dead. Grim faces all around. Everyone has realized their tasks and what is asked of them, I only wish I could reassure them that dying for it was worth it. I guess I'm not cut out to be a leader. I'm not nearly ruthless enough.

After we finish eating and preparing ourselves, everyone stands at attention. We decided to attack at sunrise and the sun is now on its way over the horizon. I bark some orders to a few commanders to flank the enemy in their wolf forms to prevent detection while we take possession of the enemy's attention. We march up the mountain in our human forms. It's more orderly and we can be ready for anything this way.

The sun is pulling itself over the horizon and paints the sky a watercolor gray. Thin clouds scrap against the sky. It looks like it's going to be a miserable day.

My eyes scan the surroundings as I lead the march. No movement on either side of us as we move quickly through the trees. A foreign scent catches my nose too little too late. A band of rogues bears down upon us from the trees. They jump down and land on top of us, taking us by unawares. My soldiers quickly react to the threat. One wolf jumps into action grabbing the nearest rogue and breaking his arm. Another one tackles a rogue to the ground. Small skirmishes pop up between the ranks. They're trying to slow us down and widdle down our numbers.

Soon enough, the threats are disposed of and we fall back into formation. "How many casualties?" I inquire.

"Three, sir," The wolf closest to me replies. "One death and two with minor injuries."

I grit my teeth. Already, we've lost one man. Just like dominoes, more are sure to follow. I can't falter now. One moment of hesitation can cost my men their lives. I must be resolute in my leadership.

"We will continue onwards. Leave the dead behind. We'll bury their bodies when we win." The man snaps a salute before issuing the orders to the rest of the pack members.