Chapter 114
Nathan’s POV
returned to my office to review the battle plans–I needed work to umb myself, to drown out the echoes of her absence.
Half an hour later, as I was focusing on the war map, Tyler suddenly burst through the door of the war room, his usually composed face tight with urgency.
The other warriors around the table straightened immediately.
“Alpha, I have the intelligence report from Phantom Island,” Tyler announced, his voice steady despite his rushed entrance.
“And?” I kept my tone measured.
“We’ve confirmed military vessels, as you suspected,” Tyler replied, handing me a folder containing detailed photographs.
“As I thought,” I responded coolly, examining the images. The evidence was undeniable – sleek military–grade vessels patrolling water that should have been neutral territory.
Jason, who had been silently observing from the head of the table, turned to me. “Do you believe Raymond is allowing our enemies to refuel and resupply on his island?“.
My eyes flashed gold as I analyzed the situation. “Logically, it explains our predicament. Dylan and his forces have an ocean between us. Without a midway refueling point, they would need larger vessels to transport their smaller boats, which we would easily detect entering our waters.”
I placed the photos on the table, my voice dropping lower. “But we haven’t seen large transport ships because they’re using exclusively small, fast vessels. That means they must be refueling somewhere closer to us.”
Jason nodded slightly. “Even so, confronting Raymond now offers no practical advantage. We still need his cooperation.”
“Agreed,” I conceded. “Especially since Raymond could claim those are his own vessels.”
I turned to Tyler. “How many vessels were observed?”
“We spotted four, but based on patrol patterns, we estimate another two are operational elsewhere,” Tyler answered.
Jason and I exchanged meaningful glances. Six ships meant there had to be a high–ranking officer overseeing this operation.
“Can we pinpoint which island the enemy leadership might be stationed on?” I asked.
Tyler shook his head. “No, Alpha. Phantom isn’t a single island but a cluster. We can see several naval bases, but they’re all guarded by Raymond’s men. Dylan’s commander could be on any of the nearby islands.”
After a moment of contemplation, I looked to Jason. “With your permission, I’d like to develop an operation.”
The king nodded, giving me the floor.
I straightened, my voice taking on the unmistakable command of an Alpha. “We’ll send three teams, totaling thirty warriors. Team A with twelve men, Team B with twelve, and Team C with six.”
My fingers traced potential routes on the map. “Our objective is to eliminate the officer in charge of operations around Phantom and obtain detailed maps of the islands and supply lines.”
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The watriots around the table listened intently as I continued. “Wellisguise ourselves as civilians. Team A will arrive at Vortex Island tomorrow to map the best routes to Phantom. Team B will arrive on the fourth day to locate the target island, Team C will Join Team 6 on the sixth day to approach the target and execute the elimination.”
Jasen raised an eyebrow. “And the disguise?*
I turned to Tyler. “Are there regular commercial vessels traveling to Phantom?
“Yes, Alpha,” Tyler replied promptly. “Intelligence shows several ship enter the port daily.”
I nodded. “We’ll pose as merchants, taking ships from East Harbor to Vortex Island. From there, we’ll proceed to Phantom, pretending to be merchants looking for work or transporting goods. Tyler, you’ll lead Team A. Mia, you’ll command Team B.
Mia and Tyler nodded in acknowledgment.
“I’ll personally lead Team C,” I declared, noting the surprise that flickered across several faces.
“Mia, you’ll remain in Emerald City to assist the king in monitoring the western coast operations until your departure.”
As the meeting concluded and the warriors filed out, Jason motioned for me to stay. Once we were alone, his expression hardened.
“Nathan, you’re next in line for the throne. You can’t risk placing yourself in such danger.”
“Landerstand. I won’t,” I replied evenly, lowering my eyes to avoid his penetrating gaze. My fingers unconsciously touched the moon pendant in my pocket, feeling its cold metal against my
again lead most st
Jason’s eyes narrowed. “I fail to see why you need to lead this mission personally.”
I maintained a professional demeanor. “This is one of our most significant leads currently, crucial to the outcome of the war. I need firsthand information to better assess our enemy.”
“Is that all?” Jason pressed.
“…Yes,” I replied after the briefest hesitation.
Though all evidence suggests she died in that fall, what if there’s a chance she’s still alive? My heart raced at the thought. What if I could find her?
Jason finally relented. “Very well. Take whatever warriors you need to complete the mission. Be careful.“.
“I will,” I promised.
As I left the office, Mia was waiting in the hallway. Her brown curls bounced, her honey–colored skin glowing. Her amber eyes curved like crescent moons above her freckled nose.
“Alpha, how should I explain your absence to the other Alphas?” she asked, her eyes alert.
When she spoke, her smile revealed slightly pointed canines, showing off her playfully wild charm.
“Tell them I decided to travel to the western front a few days early, instructed, my voice low.
Mia met my gaze directly. “Nathan, tell me the truth. Why are you going yourself?”
“Because we cannot fail,” I answered calmly, my expression betraying nothing.
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Mia Ignored my response, lowering her voice. ‘Is it because of the mon pendant?–
I didn’t deny it. Mia knew me foo well–we’d grown up together.
She sighed, pulling out a small piece of paper. “I knew you wouldn’t give up on her. We discovered that before the pendant reached the trader, it appeared at a jewelry shop on Vortex Island.”
Concern flashed in her eyes. “I don’t want you to get your hopes up too high. Take this information and do what you need to do. Good luck.”
As she turned to leave, I called after her, unusual emotion in my voice. “Mia.”
She paused. Yes, Alpha?”
“Thank you,” I said simply.
Mia nodded once. “No worries.”
Standing by the window of my suite, I gazed at the horizon, contemplating the days ahead on Vortex Island.
Despite myself, I imagined what it would be like to see Rachel again. What would I say to her? How would she react to seeing me?
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