The quick passing of time was inevitable. As both Wesleyeians and Western Border prepared for the upcoming battle with the Crimson Red, the day August was going to attack Efraim’s pack was just around the corner.
This time, it wasn’t just an “in case.”
A few days before the present time, a group of wolves from Crimson Red went to create a chaos in the Wesleyeians.
They tried to forced the Wesleyeians to submit in their request; to reveal the only way to remove the baby in Ramiya’s womb. But as Efraim, and the whole pack, already decided not to surrender to August’s cruel exchange, his men attacked them.
It was twenty of August wolves, all of his best, as Axel pressumed, versus the whole Wesleyeians, and some of Axel’s trusted men.
It was certain that there was a great advantage in number. The Wesleyeians should have managed to win against them, but they didn’t. Despite their numbers, there were still casualties. Three from Axel’s men, and fifteen from Efraim’s.
The sudden attack was to be expected. What Axel and Efraim didn’t anticipate was August’s strength. August’s wolves. His men, who were easy to say the ones inferior compare to August himself.
“The alliance was supposed to scare him.” Efraim, whose face was a ball of anxiousness spoke.
He was a leader of a peaceful tribe. He was accustomed to peace, and never with any havoc. The attack they had been expecting was far from what they had imagined it would be. And it scared Efraim.
That one attack, to show August’s rage for refusing their request managed to tear off one of their limbs. Both Axel and Efraim knew what August meant. He wanted Efraim to surrender, so sent his strongest beta to create a havoc if ever Efraim decline.
Definitely, to scare him. To show that August was serious about the war.
“This is why I told you to train your men, Efraim.” Axel said in a cold manner. “Weapons are not enough to fend off their attacks.”
“I didn’t know there was a pack courageous enough to take you on,” countered, Efraim.
“I told you.” Sitting around the corner was Edward, who showed up even without an invitation upon hearing what had happened on Efraim’s end. “That was also what I thought the moment I heard you’re coming as Efraim’s ally.”
“Four days, Axel…” Efraim headed towards Axel with a fear circulating in his eyes. It was like a wild fire in a forest. “We only have four days. My men cannot get strong in a span of ninety-six hours!”
“Lower down your voice…” Displeased would be heard in Axel’s tone. He hated how Efraim sounded so anxious when he thought he was prepared for this. “How are you going to protect your pack hereon if a little attack will make you crawl in fear?”
“Little attack?” Efraim ignored the bottomline in Axel’s statement and focused to the gibberish term Axel used to describe the cause of his anxiousness. “You call that little?”
“Compare to the impending war, yes.” Axel’s face remained daunting. “Pull yourself together and be a real leader. That anxiousness will not contribute to war, Efraim. We are wolves. One way or another, we are strong creatures who battle each other for power and pedestal.”
“Ah, yes…” Edward spoke again. Clearly, not to say something relevant but to expressed his astonishment. “To be here in this room and hear your words of wisdom. The world is truly healing…”
One of the Elders who was in the same room cleared his throat.
“Please, leader of the Wesleyeians. Calm down. We are here to help you, so you don’t need to worry.” Rogelio spoke kindly to Efraim. “I understand that their brutality must have gotten into you. But I assure you, we will make the score even in the forthcoming war.”
“Not just settle the score.” Axel deadpanned. “We will bury them in the battlefield. And not single one of them can go back alive in their Kingdom.”
The four corners of the room turned silent upon Axel’s remark. Edward, who was grinning over a minute ago turned serious. So was Efraim, who was just anxiouss and fretting. His serious declaration of slaughtering August’s kind sileneced the whole room.
What had happened may have been a big deal to Efraim. But no one inside the room felt more insulted about it more than Axel had. He felt like the attack was made to give a message. That no matter who it was, August will show his canines to whoever will dare to go against them.
Axel felt challenged. Enraged. Especially when his men were assaulted.
Now, he no longer took this war as Efraim and August. It was now the three of them. Axel promised himself that the last time they would see each other, was on August’s passing. He made a vow that he will kill them. And just like his past enemies.
He will make sure this war will not be forgotten. So that no one could repeat the same mistake and dare to take him on in a battle.
“If you do that, you will have more enemies.” Edward reminded him. But it was not in a way to scare him but to remind him. “You do know that, do you?”
“I am.” Axel responses, before he sat. “Most importantly, I am ready to take them on anytime.”
Edward’s lips formed a thin line. He breathed hard, before he shifted his gaze to Efraim.
At first, he only wanted to support Axel. So he would owe him something. But the circumstances was asking him to do more, not only to get Axel owe him, but to help him. Edward couldn’t comprehend what it was, but he was getting more interested to Axel. His way. His standing. His leadership.
Though, he was sure Axel was inarticulate when it comes to helping allies, he was sure someone who wouldn’t do betrayal.
“I am helping, Efraim. Not as Axel’s ally, but yours.” Edward said. “But let me be clear; I am not about to form a legal bond between me and your pack. I am simply helping, because to me, you are an ally.”
“Very well…” Axel reacted faster than Efraim did. “Then, let us discuss our strategy. Edward, Efraim. I suggest to be in charged of formations.”