赤裸裸的滑稽故事

“Hello, Alpha Ross. How can I help you?” Axel said into the phone as he continued looking through the documents before him.

He had not expected to receive a call from the Alpha of Bustling Bush, but he had no reason to suspect it was bad news.

“Alpha Axel, hello,” Ross’s voice came through the receiver.

He was an older man, late into his sixties.

“I was just calling to see if you had learned anything about the new creatures yet,” he continued. “I know your team has only been there a day or two, but I’m sure you can understand my keen interest in learning anything about a new enemy on my border.”

Axel furrowed his brow and lifted his gaze from the mess on his desk.

“I’m sorry,” he began. “I’m not sure that I understand what you’re talking about. What team?”

Axel had sent scouts all over the territories for various reasons. Some were in teams of two or more, but only a few. He certainly didn’t remember sending anyone into Bustling Bush territory.

“The… ones… you wrote to me about,” Ross said with hesitation, wondering if he had somehow misunderstood the situation. “I assumed they were sent to follow up on the scout’s report, were they not?”

Axel thought for a moment. There were no teams following up on anything in that area. He had written to Ross, but that was about Myka and Ashleigh. Just a heads up to let him know they would travel near his pack on the way to Moonguard.

“Are you referring to the group I said would pass through your territory?” Axel asked.

“Yes, exactly!” Ross shouted happily, clearly relieved he hadn’t made a mistake.

For a moment, Axel was glad they were on the same page again. But that didn’t make sense either. Why did Ross think there was a team following up on a scouting report? And what did he mean when he mentioned a new enemy on his border?

Axel suddenly had a very dark and sinking feeling in his stomach.

“Ross,” Axel said. “Did you receive a report from one of my scouts?”

“Yes, about a week ago,” Ross said. “Just a few days before you sent the other group.”

Axel stood from his desk as his heart leaped into his throat.

Scouts of Winter were required to report only to Winter, with one exception. If a scout witnessed something that potentially posed a direct and immediate threat to another pack, it was left to their discretion on whether to inform them or not.

The only scout Axel had near Bustling Bush in the past month was the one he had sent to Moonguard. The one whose report had been the basis of his approval for Ashleigh’s request.

“What did it say?” Axel quickly asked.

“Huh? The report?” Ross asked.

“Yes, what did it say?” Axel insisted.

“I’m sure it said the same as what was reported to you,” Ross replied.

“Please!” Axel shouted, slamming his fist into his desk.

Ross made an audible gasp.

“Tell me what the report said,” Axel repeated through gritted teeth.

“All right,” Ross said quietly. There was a sound of papers shuffling. “All right, here it is. It says, ‘Moonguard not safe. New creatures in village. Too dangerous for extended observation.’ That’s it, that’s all it says.”

Axel clenched his jaw and took a slow deep breath through his nose.

“Ross,” he said. “I need you to send an emergency response team into Moonguard right now.”

“What?” Ross asked. “Surely, any team you sent would be equipped enough to—”

“There are children…” Axel interrupted. “The group that went has six children and two adults. They did not go in response to that report because I never saw that report!”

“Goddess…” Ross whispered, then quickly added. “I will send them immediately.”

“Thank you,” Axel sighed before hanging up the phone.

He looked down at his desk and reached for one of the stacks of papers. He pulled the report on top of the stack and held it before him. Only two words.

‘Moonguard clear.’

Axel clenched his jaw as he crumpled the paper in his hands. He drew short, heated puffs of air through his nose as the fear and anger swelled in his chest.

With a low and heavy growl that grew into a shout, he grabbed the edge of his desk and lifted it until it flipped over completely. Sending his papers flying around the room.

“Damn it, Ashleigh…” he whispered between heavy pants as he sank back into his chair.

He knew she was desperate and hurting, but he never could have imagined that she would do this. He had no doubt that Ashleigh had convinced herself that she could protect them all no matter what they found. His sister was lost in her fear and grief. But if she failed to protect those children… there would be no coming back for her.

All Axel could do now was hope that Ross’s wolves would get to them in time.

***

The children were disappointed when Myka announced they would pack up to go home instead of learning to fish and forage for food.

Ashleigh did not say much as they ate breakfast around the fire. Instead, she listened as each of the children expressed their frustration. Sadie, in particular, was disappointed that she could not find a lemon berry.

For a moment, Ashleigh considered whether or not they could stay a few days. They hadn’t seen any monsters; surely, she and Myka could protect them if one appeared.

But the report from the scout mentioned new creatures. There was no way of knowing what they were or if the two of them alone would be able to fight them off and keep the children safe at the same time.

She sighed to herself. How could she have gone this far?

“I’m sorry,” she said aloud.

The children, and Myka, all turned to look at her curiously.

She swallowed and then looked back down at her plate.

“I’m sorry to cut the trip short,” she said. Then lifting her eyes to look at them, she added, “I will find a way to make it up to you.”

“It’s okay,” Stefan replied, giving her a gentle smile. “We can always try again another time.”

Ashleigh returned his smile and nodded as a lead weight dropped in her stomach. She did not deserve his kindness.