The Curse Of Rejection
Strategy

AYSU

“He reeks of disloyalty?” Aysu repeated, her question not hiding the fact that she found his statement a little ridiculous. “Why do you say so?”

“I am a dog breed, Master. It is one of my abilities to tell when someone is being deceitful.”

“Uh…” Aysu narrowed her eyes. “I see.”

“What else do you deduce?” Ximun asked and Aysu saw that he was more open to the possibility that Gideon had an ulterior motive attached to his sudden presence.

“I can’t read minds, Master. But I don’t think he should be trusted.”

“Compared to you, I have known Gideon for most of my life,” Aysu said with calmness in her tone. “So, why should I consider what you are telling me when you and I barely know each other?”

“I am not asking to be trusted, Master. I just want you to be careful because people are not all they seem, even when we’ve known them for a long time.”

Aysu sighed. She could tell that it would hit her hard if Gideon happened to betray her. It was already hard enough that her father ended up being a notorious serial killer who managed to escape punishment. So, she hoped for the sake of her sanity that Jindo’s suspicion would end up being wrong.

“Alright then,” Aysu said, her feet approaching the resting area, “let’s keep an eye out for signs then.”

“Aysu, wait,” Ximun called out to her.

“There’s no need to check up on me, Ximun. I am not going to overthink it. Besides, Jindo was just making a suggestion, I am not going to dwell on it so much until something happens.”

Ximun paused for some seconds and that silence was quite heavy, so Aysu felt the need to face him.

Then, he said, “I want to believe that you are fine, Aysu.”

“I am.”

“But?”

Her feet scratched the tiled ground as she shifted two steps closer. “But I am scared, just a little afraid that Jindo might be right.”

“Hmm.” Ximun pulled her closer. “I believe Jindo has prepared a meal for us, how about we eat and then talk about everything later in the day?”

Aysu wrapped her arms around his mid-waist. “Isn’t it strange that we are so trusting of Jindo? We have barely known him for a week but we are about to eat a meal he prepared for us.

“That’s true.” They began to walk in the direction of the tantalising aroma. “I think it is foolish of us to be so trusting, but at the same time, I am very certain that Jindo won’t hurt us. The one that might hurt us is Lambaba.”

“Lambaba.” Aysu laughed. “That name sure is funny.”

“Just make sure you don’t laugh about it the next time we meet him. I don’t think he will be able to take jests with levity.”

“That is duly noted, my dear mate,” Aysu replied, delight back in her tone. Then she exhaled hard and with excitement, she said, “I can’t wait to see what Jindo made for us.”

Jindo made them a feast that they could not finish.

With filled stomachs, the four of them moved to the back of the building where there was a pool and a very admirable sight of vast vegetation which was unlike the ones Aysu was used to.

And once the four people were seated around one of the tables in that area, they got down to discussions.

Ximun started, his gaze very sharp as he faced Gideon. “So, Gideon, could you tell us again why you are here?”

“Uhm, Beta Richard now knows where you are and he will be headed to this place in no time. I came to warn Your Majesties about that.”

Ximun nodded. “First, I really need you to drop the titles, it doesn’t work here. Besides, it’s better to be coded about what we used to be.”

“Oh, sorry.” Gideon seemed a little flustered and that made Aysu wonder if there really was a possibility that someone as innocent and loyal as him would truly lure her and her mate closer to the greatest danger that was gradually approaching them. Gideon’s sort of timid voice continued, “It still feels as though we are still in The Night Crimson Pack. I can’t get used to this change. So much changed so fast.”

“Two,” Ximun mercilessly went to the next item, “I am really curious about how you found this place. We had to use a map and we almost got lost. So, how did you find a place?”

“Omex had some more maps to spare. He gave one to Beta Richard as well. It was odd though.” Gideon narrowed his eyes. “That Omex guy seemed very excited that people were seemingly interested in this pack. Who knows if there is something here he is trying to lure people to.”

“Well, Gideon,” Aysu responded, “there’s not a lot of people here. And, this place is barely known to the outside world, so it is understandable that he was excited. But I am curious about my father’s plans. Do you have any idea what he is plotting?”

“I am not sure of the details. But I know that he has been meeting with the heads of all the Gamma Wolf units. I think he wants to amass as many warriors as possible.”

“He wants to destroy this pack so that we can perish with it,” Ximun blurted out, his tongue probing the inside of his mouth seconds later. “It is the perfect plan since people don’t know about this place.” A sharp exhale left him. “We cannot let that happen. We can’t let Beta Richard’s plan succeed. He will ruin the peace this pack has just barely achieved.”

“What strategy do you say we use to prevent this attack?” Aysu asked.

“I can’t think of anything right now,” replied Ximun. Then, he turned to Jindo. “Jindo, I know you aren’t too familiar with the details of our discussion, but do you think you will be able to find a way to help us win this battle?”

“Winning battles is what I do, Master. Whatever it is you want to do, I am right here to help you with all I have. Besides, the properties of my ex-master are still very much available for use. I am sure we can find something in the armoury.”

“Wow.” Ximun sat back. “An armoury? It seems your ex-master was loaded.”

Jindo nodded. “He was quite wealthy because he was able to put a chokehold on this pack.”

Ximun nodded and Aysu watched as a smile grew on his lips. “Well, I hope you picked up a few choke-holding lessons because we will need them to deal with the enemy that’s coming for us.”

“I did.” Jindo nodded in a way Aysu found cute. “I learned a few things.”

“Great. So-”

“Uh oh, am I interrupting something?” A very unexpected voice interrupted the meeting.

“Lam…” Aysu adjusted her choice of words. “Chief Lambaba, are you here to apologise?”

The man sneered. “Why would I do that?”

Aysu tilted her head to the side. “You know why. But, how come you are here without us knowing? Have you ever heard of the concept of knocking on the front door? I am sure it is not too much of a foreign concept.”

“I did knock. But it seems your little get-together over here deafened you.”

“Chief Lambaba,” Ximun’s serious tone cautioned the man. “If you have nothing to say, please leave. This is our house, not yours.”

“I have a lot to say.” He placed his hands on his waist. “I still expect a proper apology from your mate for molesting my woman.” Aysu sneered. “And I came to inform you that the High Priestess wants you two to meet her as soon as you can. She has a few messages for you.”

“Noted.” Aysu crossed her legs. “Is there anything else?”

“I purposely didn’t send a carriage after you left because you-”

“Noted,” Aysu repeated. “What else?”

Lambaba cleared his throat. “Nothing. I will leave you to your discussion.” He made a turn but he dramatically exclaimed in realisation and faced them again. “That reminds me, there is one thing left.”

“What is it, Chief Lambaba?”

“It’s about your… dog servant.” Aysu found the man’s tone ridiculous. “He used to work for the Lycan Wolf, so the pack doesn’t intend to spare him.”

“Okay. And so what?” Aysu was gradually approaching impatience. “What do you want us to do about that?”

“It won’t matter what you do to protect him, he won’t ever survive what we have planned for him.”

Ximun got to his feet. “Chief Lambaba, that’s enough. You may leave now.”

The chief was obviously looking for a way to provoke their emotions and when he failed to get a good result, he scoffed, flapped the end of his jacket and walked out of that place to Aysu’s delight.

After a few seconds, Ximun faced them and said, “We will continue this discussion later. I have to come up with strategies to help our plan, so let’s meet later.”

Gideon and Jindo replied in positive and they walked out of that place. At the same time, Aysu approached Ximun.

“I think I have to sleep some more,” she said,

“Yeah?”

“Is it rude for me to do that while you strategize?”

He shook his head quickly. “No, it’s not. Please, my Queen, rest as much as you can. You have endured a lot in the past few days.”

“Alright then.” She leaned closer to kiss him. “Don’t stress too much, okay?”

“I won’t.”

Aysu smiled and walked out of that space.

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