Chapter 736: The Weight of Two Weeks

Ronan leaned back in his chair, the wood creaking beneath him as he considered Orion’s words. His fingers drummed once against the table before he spoke.

"I agree with what Orion said," he said slowly. "Most of the fastest people in the pack are not the strongest fighters."

Orion nodded, his gaze steady. "I know that. Which is why we must do our very best to ensure that no injury comes to these people. They’re our lifeline during the battle. If they fall, the healers won’t get the wounded in time."

Tobias shifted in his seat, his dark eyes flickering between the others before he spoke up.

"Can I join the team?"

The question was met with a beat of silence.

Then everyone made a face.

Ronan blinked at him. "Do you think you’re that fast?"

Tobias straightened slightly, a hint of offense creeping into his expression. "I’m good with a bow and arrow. I may not be fast, but I am good at stealth. I can take down enemies that may try to sneak in. I can do this."

Mary crossed her arms, one eyebrow lifting skeptically.

"Are you not just doing this because Sam is involved?"

Tobias paused. His jaw tightened just slightly before he admitted, "That’s a huge part of it, yes."

"About ninety-nine percent?" Ronan asked him.

"Perhaps," he replied.

Then he held up a hand before anyone could interrupt.

"But now that I’m thinking about it, I’m more suited to doing that part. I’ve spent years moving through the black market without being seen. I know how to be quiet. I know how to strike from the shadows. We need my skills. I can help here."

The others turned to each other.

"Well..." Brynhild began. "He’s not wrong about that."

Orion nodded.

"Another thing," Sophia said. "We are so focused on the fight not reaching the pack compounds, but what if it does reach them? We need warriors here too who could help fight back just in case that happens."

Mary uncrossed her arms and nodded slowly.

"The smiths will handle it. The majority of us may be smiths, but we can hold our own against warriors too. We’re not just craftsmen. We’re fighters."

"Though," she added softly, "I hope that it doesn’t come to that. We can’t have them breaching our defenses after all."

Orion looked around the table one final time, his gaze settling on each face in turn.

"Everyone knows what to do," he said. "We have two weeks to conclude everything."

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle.

"And I hope," he added, his voice quieter now, "that after the war is over, we will all be able to gather again to discuss matters. Not just preparation. Not just strategy. But what comes after—preferably something that would bring celebration and joy instead."

The room was silent for a moment. Then, one by one, the council members nodded.

Caspian pushed himself up first, his hand pressed to his lower back.

"Two weeks," he muttered, shaking his head. "Goddess help us all."

Then he began his slow walk toward the door.

Mary followed, her broad shoulders squared, already planning her next move. Ronan clapped Tobias on the shoulder and murmured something low before heading out, Tobias following after him. Eldric adjusted his glasses, and Garrett assisted him with rolling up the map before they both left.

Brynhild and Lysander left together, and within minutes the hall had emptied out. Only Orion and Sophia remained.

She exhaled slowly, the tension in her shoulders easing just slightly. She turned to Orion, who was still standing near the head of the table, his gaze distant.

"I have more things to tell you," he said quietly.

She nodded.

"I do too."

Orion turned to her.

"What is it?" he asked her.

A small smile tugged at her lips.

"Would you like to train with me?"

Orion blinked, then his expression softened into something almost amused.

"You miss me training you that much?" he asked her.

Sophia rolled her eyes at that.

"That’s not it, you oaf. Though... yes, I do miss us training together, but this is quite different. And I’m very certain you know it is."

Orion smiled at her.

"Fine, Shorty, I do, but you also know you don’t need to ask me that," he said. "I’ll do it even if you just spring it on me."

Sophia’s smile widened.

"Is that your way of saying I just sprung this on you?"

"That’s not what I said," he told her.

"Anyway," she continued, "I’m not asking you to train only me, Orion."

His brow furrowed slightly at her words.

"It’s been a while since I actually shifted," she continued, her voice dropping slightly lower. "And I’m not even sure I know how to do it anymore. I’ve gotten Neoma back for a while now, but I haven’t introduced you or Noctis to her. Not properly."

Orion was quiet for a moment. Then he stepped closer, closing the distance between them until he was just a breath away.

"I can’t even blame you for that," he said softly. "We’ve been a bit busy with other things."

Sophia huffed a quiet laugh.

"That’s one way to put it."

"But even at that," Orion continued, his hand finding hers, fingers threading together, "I would make time."

He tugged her gently, pulling her closer until she was pressed against his chest. His other hand came up to cradle the back of her head, and he rested his forehead against hers.

"Is that everything?" he asked her.

"Yeah."

"Then it’s my turn to speak, it seems," he murmured.

"You’ve been doing that for a while now," she said.

Orion smiled but continued anyway.

"Noctis is going to help us resolve some things. Given the fact that he’s even older than Caspian, he’s going to help identify what your mother used on your hair. And get rid of it. Not just for you—Josiah too."

Sophia let out a slow breath, her eyes fluttering closed for just a moment. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"That would be good," she whispered.