27 Chapter Twenty-Four

"We're working in the west sector of the kingdom, as are five other groups" Azaizal tells us, while changing to a trot. I try to avoid putting as much pressure on my back leg as possible as it hurts when trying to walk on it.

I'm close to the centre of our team and close to Azaizal. From what I can see there is no real pattern to our trotting or form. Zack and Hannah are off to the side a bit but I can only imagine it's because they are talking to each other.

It surprises me that Lexi is right at the back and is not caught up to us at all. To say she is a kingdom wolf, I expected I'd be last and she'd be near the front.

"We'll be heading towards the colder area." Azaizal states.

I jump in surprise when I hear who I believe is Jax's voice in my head, forgetting we can all hear each other now. "That's north west right?"

"That's right, team five will be in this area as well. Team three and six will be in the centre. Two and four will be in the lower will be in the lower section and seven will be north. They'll all be moving around to cover different sections."

I nod, absorbing the information incase it's needed in future. I hide a yelp as I jump over a small branch and hit my leg off of it. I stumble slightly before steadying myself again.

"You okay Ella?" Azaizal asks me, sounding worried. He slows down slightly to match my speed. I pant lightly to help the pain ease.

"I'm okay" I respond, speeding up to show him I'm fine and to make him speed up. He runs ahead slightly and looks back at me before returning to lead the team. I see Zack and Hannah look between us curiously.

Two sandy coloured wolves surround me and I realise the taller one to my right is Jax and Noah is on my left. Jax stares at my back leg confused. "What actually happened to your leg if you don't mind me asking?"

I internally snarl thinking of Kaden. "I was completing my hunting test yesterday when the wolf I had to find tried to take advantage of me, because as you can already tell I'm in hear. He ended up bruising my ribs and slicing open my leg, all because I was trying to get out of there.

My brother snarling caught my attention, "Who the hell tried to take advantage of my sister? Ella, who did you hunt?"

My ears rose in surprise as it was now Azaizal snarling. "Kaden Norris" Zack begins snarling again.

"I've always hated him, somehow he never gets punished for anything."

I feel Azaizal's mood suddenly change from anger to smugness and I stare at him. He stares back showing his fangs. "Well, he definitely did this time. He spent the night in the dungeons for even attempting to force himself on Ella."

"He would have at least spent three nights in there back at home and would have not been allowed out until he'd also been given twenty lashes with the silver whip. If it had actually happened he'd have most likely been killed." I state.

"If he had done that," Azaizal says shaking with anger. "He would have his throat torn out and I'd be the one to do it." Everyone except my brother had wide eyes.

"I'd be helping, she's my sister."

I try to get a read on Azaizal's emotions but he blocks them before I can figure them out.

"Anyway, getting back on track." Azaizal says, shaking out his fur for a second. "We're going to be in the denser part of the forest, near the coast line which means we may struggle to track. Luckily we have a few talented wolves in our group." I feel my face heat up as he looks at me.

"We're searching here because there are hardly any packs and king Alessio believes this could be where the rogue camp is located. It'll take us nearly a week to get there. We'll have a day to rest before setting up camp. That will be our base of operations. We have five warriors including myself and of course, our head warrior Zack. Hannah also has medical training but is also an amazing tracker the same as Ella and Lexi, plus you all know how to fight."

I nod knowing I can definitely fight since Alpha Alec secretly trained me for years. Everyone else also nods.

"To be safe we'll pair up but with one person short, one pair will need to be a three and will have to be in a section just those three instead of two pairs there. Two pairs will go into the forest together and the group of three will go nearer the coast. It's probably safer. Our camp will be off to the side of the works but quite deep in.

"We'll all try to search a small part of the section a day before returning to the camp before it's late. We'll all be reporting back to each other and if anyone finds anything you'll report it straight away. We'll check it out when we're up and ready to go the next morning if it's late.

If any group of rogue wolves are spotted, do not approach them. Mind link everyone and wait for backup. If it's alone and you don't sense any others, take them prisoner for questioning.

Do you all understand me?" Azaizal states sternly. "DO NOT under any condition attack unless they attack first." We all nod back and respond verbally.

"I understand"

"Yes sir"

"Understood"

"Understood perfectly"

"Yep"

"Very clearly"

Azaizal looks at us all and nods, "good"