Her question brought everyone else back to their senses, and they imdiately stepped aside to clear a path. Zion gave a short nod in response.
"Then let help you secure the Princess on your back. You’re shifting into your wolf form to carry her, right?" Mary offered, already reaching out to take Addison with care.
Seeing her genuine concern, Zion gently transferred Addison into Mary’s arms before walking toward the tall trees nearby. Once out of sight, he stripped off his clothes and shifted into his massive wolf form.
When Zion ca out, he saw that Mary had already gathered several blankets from the others. Realizing what she intended to do, he silently gave his approval and crouched down so she could secure Addison onto his back.
Mary carefully lifted Addison, still unconscious, and laid her face down against Zion’s broad back, adjusting her into the most comfortable position she could manage. Then she covered Addison with a thick blanket so she wouldn’t feel the ropes pressing against her too tightly once she was secured.
Working quickly but carefully, Mary tied a series of tight, sturdy knots, ensuring that no matter how fast or sharply Zion moved, Addison wouldn’t fall off. To make absolutely sure it was foolproof, she wrapped one last rope around Addison’s cocoon-like form, looping it around Zion’s muzzle like a horse’s bit, effectively creating a makeshift bridle.
Zion’s golden eyes flicked toward her, cold and sharp even in his wolf form. The look alone made Mary’s breath hitch, and she quickly raised her hands defensively.
"Alpha Zion, please don’t think I’m trying to humiliate you," she explained timidly. "It’s just... this is the only way I can be sure the princess won’t slip off. Without it, even if she doesn’t fall, her body might tilt to one side, and that could affect your balance while you run."
"And if that happens, no one will be able to fix her position mid-sprint. So... this is the safest option I could think of."
Mary instinctively drew her neck back, shrinking under the weight of Zion’s oppressive aura. Though she, too, carried Alpha blood and would one day claim that title, there was a vast difference between a born Alpha who had yet to prove themselves and one who had earned it through bloodshed and dominance.
Zion’s presence carried the weight of countless battles, which was cold, suffocating, and commanding. It pressed down on her until her instincts scread submission.
But when Zion realized her actions ca from genuine concern, his sharp gaze softened. Without another word, he turned away and bit down on the rope she had tied around his mouth like a muzzle. At Mary’s signal, he launched forward in a powerful sprint, disappearing into the distance without a backward glance.
Mary stood there for a mont, watching his fading silhouette, a worried sigh escaping her lips. Then she straightened, clapped her hands sharply, and barked in command, "Alright, everyone, back to work!"
The reason Zion chose to return alone with Addison without bringing any guards was simple: traveling solo ant nothing would slow him down. He could sprint at his full speed without worrying about anyone keeping up.
More importantly, the temporary shelter needed every available hand to ensure its defense. They had to guard against wild beasts, monsters, and even hidden enemies lurking in the shadows.
After all, most of the Golden Hue Pack’s food supplies had already been transferred there, making it a critical target. Leaving all the manpower behind to protect it was the wisest choice Zion could make.
Mary understood this perfectly, which was why she didn’t offer to send any bodyguards to accompany Zion and Addison, no matter how worried she was. Once Zion left, she would be the one next in command, and the safety of everyone in the temporary shelter would rest solely on her shoulders until their return.
After what happened yesterday with the ogres and goblins, she knew they were being targeted and couldn’t afford to let their guard down.
Though still a greenhorn, Mary wasn’t foolish. As soon as Zion disappeared into the distance, she took charge, organizing the morning shift warriors, setting up the periter, and ordering them to check the traps Zion had laid around the temporary shelter.
If any had been triggered, they were to reset them imdiately. Those traps could very well beco their lifeline if another attack ca.
After sending the warriors to scout the periter and reset the traps, Mary turned her attention to the rest of the camp. The elderly who had helped with Addison’s check-up earlier were now busy preparing breakfast, tossing the freshly washed and cut vegetables along with the sun-dried jerky into the boiling pot, along with herbs and salt.
Nearby, a few teenagers were checking the temporary storage, making sure the supplies remained in good condition and that the temperature inside stayed stable; otherwise, mold might ruin the food that couldn’t fit inside the magic chest.
Even the youngest children were doing their part, chasing after insects in the grass to feed the chickens. It was a small, humble scene of cooperation, but it brought a faint sense of normalcy amidst the tension surrounding them.
"Kids, make sure you don’t wander too far while catching insects!" Mary called out, her voice carrying over the laughter of the children. "It’s dangerous outside, and also don’t crouch too low in the bushes; there might be snakes hiding there. And make sure at least one of the teenagers is keeping an eye on you. Don’t make them chase after you, understood?"
Her tone was sharp but laced with concern. The children were the most vulnerable right now; they hadn’t awakened their wolves yet, and their reflexes were still slow. If a snake or wild creature lunged at them, they wouldn’t stand a chance.
That’s why she insisted on having soone older supervise them, just to make sure no accidents happened under her watch.
"Three of you, after checking the temporary storage, make sure to keep an eye on the kids," Mary reminded the teenagers. She only left after seeing them nod in acknowledgnt.
Walking along the riverbank, she scanned the opposite side, her sharp eyes searching for any sign of movent. After making a full round, she finally returned to the camp, just in ti to see the warriors she had sent out earlier coming back from different directions.
So carried smaller prey like pheasants and rabbits, while others had managed to bring back larger ga such as wild boars.
Mary stopped halfway and waited for the warriors to approach, her eyes scanning the prey they carried. As soon as they reached her, one of the warriors stepped forward and reported,
"Young Alpha Mary, we brought these prey back. They were caught in the traps. The boar fell into the pit, looks like it got startled by another trap and ran wild along the periter, setting off several more until it fell in."
"We checked its tracks thoroughly to make sure no one was using it as a distraction to sneak around. As for the pheasants and rabbits, we caught them ourselves; they’ll make good at for lunch."
"Good work," Mary said with an approving nod. "Clean these up and bring them to the elders so they can process and prepare the at for our als. Once you’re done, return to your posts and continue watching the periter."
After giving her orders, Mary dismissed them and resud her own patrol around the camp.
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