29 - Ben


    Josh''s voice cut through the quiet as we walked. "The biggest discovery we''ve made is that they used magic to mask their scents from us." I froze immediately, stopping dead in my tracks. Suddenly, I felt a shove from behind_Tommy had bumped into me.


    "What the hell, man?" he snapped, pushing past me with a re.


    "Hold on, Josh,” I called out, jogging to catch up. “Did you say magic? What kind of magic?"


    Josh nced over his shoulder, his expression grim. "Yeah, they managed to hide themselves using magic, which is something we haven''t figured out yet. None of us here can wield magic, especially not illusion magic. So, that means someone else is or was working with them."


    I couldn''t help but let a flicker of hope creep into my voice. "You haven''t found any witches among the group?"


    Josh gave me a strange look but kept moving forward without answering.


    We approached a line of wolves waiting for food, their gaunt faces and hollow eyes telling stories of hunger and hardship. Nearby, another group stood in two perfect rows, like they were at a job interview. A few stern, older wolves sat at a long table, scribbling notes and asking questions that were too quiet to hear.


    Tommy nced at the scene and asked, "Are you seriously going to take all of them in?"


    "If they want to stay, then yes," Josh replied. "Some were thankful we helped, but a few prefer the nomadic life and have moved on."


    Tommy''s voice rose in disbelief. "And you just let them leave?"


    I felt a surge of relief that he said it aloud.


    Josh shrugged. “If they leave peacefully, then yes. Our pack operates differently because of its size. We don''t need members who don''t want to be here, but we also don''t give second chances. Once someone makes up their mind, that''s it. We don''t have the time or patience for people who can''tmit."


    He led us to a group of people who looked ready to begin training. "These folks are warriors by blood or experience but haven''t been properly trained. We''ll start with them. Many have asked to join Luna''s detail, so they''ll have some real work to do."


    I couldn''t hide my irritation. "Wait, so they get to protect Kennedy? The same people who originally came to kidnap and harm her? Who made that dumb decision?"


    Before Josh could answer, arge warrior stepped forward, his presence imposing. He wasn''t bigger than me, but his threatening demeanor was unmistakable.


    "Watch your mouth, boy. Show some respect when you speak of the Luna," he growled.


    Josh introduced us without missing a beat. “This is Calvin. Calvin, this is Ben, the Beta from Silver Crescent and one of Luna Kennedy''s oldest friends." He sounded tired of this conversation, like he''d repeated it too many times.


    I squared my shoulders and met Calvin''s re head-on. If he wanted to protect her, he''d better be able to back it up.


    Calvin''s low growl sent a shiver down my spine. “I''ve seen that look before. Don''t get any ideas about the Luna. She''s taken. Keep your distance, pup."


    Pup? Who the hell was he calling a pup?


    Tommy stepped between us, raising his hands. "Okay, gentlemen, enough. If this is a pissing contest, it''s over here." He motioned to the side, then guided us both into sparring stances. "Since you two seem to have the exact same protective instincts for Luna Kennedy, I''m going to be the referee. Don''t re at me like that—you both look homicidal and you''re scaring the kids. Knock it off, get it out of your system, and then we can move on."


    He rolled his eyes, clearly used to this kind of tension.


    I tuned into the sounds around me the shuffle of feet, the quiet breaths, the distant rustle of leaves—-but my focus remained locked on Calvin. I couldn''t afford to be caught off guard, especially with him possibly cheating or getting help from behind.


    We circled each other cautiously. I waited for him to make the first move; I wasn''t about to waste energy chasing him or getting into a p fight. Finally, he lunged. His movements were solid, but it was clear he hadn''t been formally trained. He wasn''t as fast as me.


    I shifted just enough to let him duck low, aiming for my legs. At thest second, I spun, using his momentum against him. I pushed his head to the ground and flipped his legs over his head, pinning him t on his back.


    "Never go for the obvious when facing an opponent you haven''t fought before," I said, keeping my voice low but firm. “And never lose sight of their eyes." If he really wanted to protect her, he had a lot to learn.


    I offered my hand to help him up. He hesitated but epted it reluctantly. Once he was back on his feet, I stepped back to my starting spot.


    "Again," I growled, ready to go another round.