'I believe you.' Aylin's voice kept repeating in Azimir's mind and he could not stop the happiness from filling in his heart.
Since the time he had taken over the position of the Alpha and the throne of Ideni, he had heard a lot of people and seen them place their trust and belief in him. But none among them was able to move his heart as Aylin had done. Her voice, her confidence and the immense trust that passed through her eyes when she stated her opinion touched him, and Azimir could not help but smile in joy.
Even though they had joined Zavid and the other warriors, his eyes were still fixed on Aylin as he followed her silently. Not once did he move his gaze away as he observed her while his heart kept pounding with an unknown excitement.
Azimir could not perceive what was happening and why his emotions were all over the place. While he was still depressed and distressed over Vasili's condition, Aylin's assurance reduced his guilt significantly and he wondered why.
'What is happening to me?' He thought in his mind as his eyes darkened. 'Why are you affecting me this much, Aylin?'
A notion entered his mind when he recalled what his father had told him once. But he shook the thought away immediately. 'No, this is absurd. It cannot be. I cannot....'
"Alpha, do you sense it?" Zavid mind linked him right at this moment, breaking his chain of thoughts and Azimir's focus shifted to what his Gamma was trying to convey, relieved to be distracted for once.
Azimir took a deep breath and just as he did, he sense the presence of humans nearby. Among them, he could also sensed a wolf, a strong one at that but not as strong as him.
'Zavid, is the wolf stronger than you?' He linked his Gamma as he continued to follow behind the oblivious warriors and Aylin.
'No, Alpha. I can sense him to be as equal as I am in strength. He must be a Gamma. But what are they doing in the jungle without our permission?'
Azimir's sterling grey eyes darkened and he understood the reason the intruders were here. Just as Aylin had predicted, they must have dropped something important to them that could lead to them if found. So, they were here to retrieve it before they lost to their own plan.
'Zavid, they are here to find the object they might have dropped the previous night when they ambushed the warriors. We need to stop them and catch them before they escape from us.'
'Yes, Alpha.' Zavid by now had understood why they were here and what they were looking for. 'Just like how we detected their presence, the wolf with them would have also detected us, Alpha. We need to be careful lest the man alerts the humans with him and escapes. We do not even know if they have found what they have been looking for.'
'Yes, let us alert the warriors. But be discreet.' Azimir ordered and Zavid stopped walking immediately, forcing the humans behind him to stop walking too.
They gave him a confused, wondering what had happened for this was not the place where they had been ambushed. They were yet to reach the path on which they were traveling the previous night. One among them was about to question him about it when Zavid shushed him and picked up a stick.
He then started to write on the ground, forcing the dry area until he was done writing his message. The warriors crowded over and stared at his message before they nodded at him. They looked in the direction he was pointing at and pulled out their weapons, prepared for a fight if needed.
Zavid just smiled at them and looked behind at his Alpha who was staring in the direction where the humans and the lone wolf were lurking with his eyes narrowed.
'Zavid, I can smell around seven people in the group including the wolf. We need to be careful, although I do not think they will be able to even touch anyone among us.' Azimir spoke to him and glanced at Aylin who was looking at him.
Not only did they have an Alpha and a Gamma with them, they even had the General Commander of the Aranill. Nobody in their sane mind would dare to attack them for they would only be pushing themselves closer to their death. The only option they had was to retreat if they wished to live to see another day.
'The wolf would have detected our presence by now and he must have already warned his group. If I am not wrong, they must be preparing to flee. But we will not allow them to leave.' Azimir continued and stared at Aylin who raised her brows at him. All she got in return was his mysterious nod and she understood his intentions right away.
Without another word, she held out the sword in her hand, changing her stance into one of an attack and the other warriors too followed suit, discerning the situation right away. Even though not a word was spoken, the tactic understanding between them was impeccable and Azimir applauded them in his mind for such accurate and amazing harmony.
While Azimir stayed still, Zavid shifted to his wolf, his sudden action startling the warriors for a moment. However, they relaxed immediately when the brown wolf grinned at them, showing them his teeth playfully.
Azimir just chuckled in his mind and this time, he started leading the group while Zavid took another path, separating from the group as he kept his ears trained on his opponents.
Aylin did not question Azimir even once, agreeing to go ahead with his plan. They were in the kingdom of Ideni and even though she was the General Commander of the royal army of Aranill, she was still a guest here and had less authority than him. So, she allowed him to command her and her warriors for which Azimir was grateful.
Not only was she intelligent, she even knew to read the situation and this was what made her a brilliant Commander.
'I am so glad I was able to meet you, Aylin.' He sighed his mind with a gentle smile hovering on his lips.