Chapter 433: When Worry Becomes a Crowd II

Chapter 432: When Worry Becomes a Crowd II

Some Minutes Before

Dren’s mother shook her head immediately.

"I’ll be worried either way." A tired laugh slipped from her. "He’s my son, even if he’s extremely stubborn and makes me want to bang my head against a wall most times."

Daniel nodded slowly, a smile on his face.

"I understand that feeling very well."

He stepped forward beside Caspian.

"Even now... I still worry when Ronan leaves the pack. I still get a headache because he’s not willing to settle down. I blame myself for that. But I also know how capable he is," Daniel continued quietly. "And that is why—even when I worry—I trust him."

His gaze swept gently over the people gathered.

"I ask you to trust your family as well. They would never have been allowed to take this test if they were not capable."

His tone grew firmer.

"The test was done the way it was to prepare them for the dangers ahead."

A pause.

"And if any of them are hurt..." he told them. "I know that the people with them would do everything in their power to protect and help them."

He placed his hand over his chest.

"One thing this pack does not fail at..."

His voice deepened.

"...is watching over its own. Child or adult. Strong or weak."

Micah’s father exhaled slowly.

His shoulders dropped.

"I know that," he admitted quietly.

"It’s just..."

He hesitated.

"This isn’t Micah’s first test, and we know his track record. I’m just worried, is all. I want him to pass, preferably without any injuries that could be life-threatening," he said softly.

Daniel smiled faintly. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"I know."

Dren’s mother rubbed her palms down the front of her clothes and nodded repeatedly.

"He’ll be okay," she whispered. "Dren will be okay. They all will."

Micah’s father nodded.

"They’re together."

He glanced toward the others.

"They can protect each other."

Dren’s mother let out a short, breathless laugh.

"My boy is already more impressive than I ever was when I was a trainee."

A soft, proud smile crossed her face.

"I’m sure he’ll be okay."

Stacy remained silent, though still unconvinced. Joren was the youngest in the group after all. Even Dren was older than Joren was, and Joren was her baby.

She was surprised when he even said he wanted to be a fighter, claiming he wanted to be like Alpha Orion, that perhaps one day he could be Orion’s guard. She had just thought it was a pipe dream and indulged him because her boy was soft after all. Even his father joked about how pure Joren was.

Stacy also worried that Joren wouldn’t make friends, but shockingly, he had. One of them even being the future Luna of their pack. She was happy he made friends, but she hated that he was going to be in danger. She was extremely worried for him.

Dren’s mother noticed Stacy’s expression. She reached out and placed a gentle hand on Stacy’s arm.

"Don’t worry too much," she said softly. "Our kids are together. We’ve seen them train together and we know how good they are."

She squeezed lightly.

"You also know how impressive your son is. I daresay he’s even better than my boy," she told her.

Stacy swallowed.

Her jaw trembled.

But she nodded.

Uther’s sister twisted one of her yellow earrings between her fingers.

"I think they’ll be okay too," she murmured quietly. "My brother is reliable after all."

Micah’s father nodded. "Micah is reliable too. I just... I hope this doesn’t affect the test. I’m not sure how Micah will..." He shook his head.

There was no need to think bad thoughts. It didn’t matter if his son passed or not. He was going to help Micah and he would be here when he came back.

But he also could not deny that he was worried. He knew Micah had feelings for Sophia that were not reciprocated. He also knew that Micah was doing his best to forget his feelings and still be Sophia’s friend, and he also knew that because of that, Micah would run head-first into danger for Sophia.

Well, he thought to himself, Nia was with Micah. If there was one person Micah respected and would listen to, it was Nia—and also Orion and Ronan. And well... the people with Micah were all people Micah respected and people he would do anything for.

Elizabeth, Dren’s mother, touched him.

"Get that ugly look off your face, Wayne. They’ll be okay."

"I know that," Wayne said. "I do. I’m just... it’s only me and Micah now, and I don’t want to see him hurt or... still treating him like he’s a child."

Elizabeth’s eyes softened.

"They’ll always be children to us, though."

Uther’s sister nodded.

"Yeah, Uther is still very much the kid I can hit any chance I get," she said with a laugh.

"Even Bianca," Bianca’s brother said. "And let’s end this pity party. I’m sure they’ll be okay. They are with Alpha Orion and Ronan after all. We should continue with the preparations for the party we’ll have once the test results are announced."

"Oh, yes!" Stacy said in delight. "I was supposed to meet with the cook to get a new recipe for something."

"I know you said that on purpose so we wouldn’t know what it is," Elizabeth said with a laugh.

Stacy didn’t deny it.

Lysander, Daniel, and Caspian watched as the small gathering dispersed, talking about what they were going to do for the celebration.

"Get some rest, both of you," Caspian said to Miles and Genevieve. "You need it."

They bowed before leaving, just as Marta came out. But before she could say anything, a guard ran up to them.

His boots slapped sharply against the snow.

He slowed only when he reached Daniel and Caspian, breathing hard.

"Is something the matter?" Lysander asked the guard.

"No, Madam Tyler is requesting that all elders go back to the council hall," he informed them.

"I’ll go relieve Brynhild," Marta told Lysander. "I’ll take Raina so she can attend the meeting."