203: DEPARTURE

DEPARTURE

1The sky looked so bleak as the group prepared to set off on a long journey to the capital city, in order to answer the call from the King that had been long overdue.

Everyone wrapped their bodies in thick cloaks, because the temperature dropped drastically two days ago. Although snow had not yet fallen, it had already entered the winter and the atmosphere had turned solemn. Not many people had activities outside their houses.

Aside from Ethan and Iris, Cane got Will, Redmond, Aderan and another fifteen warriors to go with them. The group was not that big for a ceremony for the acknowledgement of the new alpha and luna in the capital city temple, because usually, at least a quarter of the pack members would be there to share the joyous moment. However, it would be hard to move in big numbers during winter.

More so, a ceremony like this usually happened during summer or fall, never in the winter, because the weather could be harsh.

However, the ceremony was the last thing on their minds when the death sentence for the Gamma was looming over their heads at this very moment. They weren't looking forward to any celebrations, especially when it was only a few days after the death of the mistress.

Yet, the Gamma in concern actually rallied ten orphan children to see his rabbits, which left Aliana fuming mad because of the missing of the children.

"How can you bring them out without permission!?" Aliana hit the gamma's back when she found Ethan in the woods with the children. "I have been looking for them everywhere!" She had known him since they were very young and she knew how mischievous he could be. "Everyone is preparing for the departure, what are you doing here, kidnapping my children!?"

"I have finished mine!" Ethan was having a hard time dodging Aliana's vicious attacks, while the children cheered from the side. "There! I have finished mine!" He pointed at a single bag that sat lonely on the ground.

He didn't intend to bring many things with him, because he thought it would be a waste. All he packed was essential things that he could use when he was there and be easily discarded when he was no more, so it wouldn't burden his pack members to bring his things back.

"You will be away for at least two to three months, but you will only bring a small backpack!? Are you out of your mind?!" Aliana couldn't accept that and started nagging him to bring more.

"Nah, it's not necessary, I need to teach these little brats how to feed my rabbits."

"Don't call them brats!" Aliana reprimanded him. "Moreover, when you return the rabbits will already be big, there is no need to teach them to feed them."

Ethan only grinned when he heard the word 'return'.

On the other hand, Hanna was delighted because the Alpha let her come with them at the last notice, so someone that Iris knew would be there to accompany her.

Iris would be more comfortable with Hanna around in a place that was very unfamiliar to her. Of course, Hanna was also elated because she didn't need to wait months to see the two people that she loved the most.

"Oh," Hanna was startled when someone took the bag from her hand, but when she turned her head, her face flushed red.

"You want to bring this to the carriage?" Will asked her.

"Yes." Hanna nodded. She was thinking about him, but here he was, right next to her. He had been very busy recently and they didn't have time to see each other, therefore, to be able to go on this journey made Hanna feel like she could die from happiness.

Will nodded and carried the other bag as well for her.

"If you carry all the bags, I won't have anything with me," Hanna teased him, as she showed her empty hands.

"You are coming with us to accompany your missy, you should let others do the hard labor." Will put the two bags inside the carriage. "Is there anything else you need to bring over?"

Hanna grinned, she turned into a silly girl whenever he was around, though she was no longer around that age. "Are you trying to snatch all my work?"

"I am trying to spend my time with you," Will murmured and then walked away.

Though they would be together, they couldn't spend time with each other, since Will would be busy with the other warriors, while Iris and Hanna would spend their time inside the carriage.

"What did you say? I didn't hear that!" Hanna chased after Will, but he quickened his steps. "Hey! You said, you will spend time with me…!"

Though under this dreary sky, it was a warm feeling to see there were a few people that still could smile genuinely, a few faces were still gloomy. Like Iris, because apparently, the Alpha and the Luna of the pack had not been on speaking terms for days.

The exchange between them before they set off felt a little bit awkward. They didn't talk much, even though they weren't always amicable. But this time, they looked even gloomier than the sky.

Iris went straight to her carriage and stayed there, while Cane led this group. Meanwhile, people sent them off with flowers along the streets to the main gates, but the feeling of sadness and sorrow still lingered in the air.

Once again, the Beta was left behind to take care of the pack and as soon as the entourage had left the fortress, they shut their gates close. They wouldn't open them again until their return.

Tranquility returned to the pack, as the first snow fell that night.

At night.

Everyone huddled inside their houses, sitting so close to the fireplaces, but two figures could be seen outside of the fortress of the Howling Wolf pack.

These two mysterious figures stood in silence for a few minutes before one of them started to dig the hard and cold ground with the shovel in his hand.

"Master, are you sure that they buried her here?" The young boy asked.

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