Chapter 129 - Ugly Boy
Chapter 129 – Ugly Boy
I came rushing to Hugo when I learned about the Tarsa Tribe. I was prepared to convince him to take me to the border. But to my surprise, Hugo told me he already planned to take me there.
So here we were. Early in the morning the next day, he took me to the northern border. Gazing at the land beyond the wall from the top of the wall, I bit my inner lip. I could see some bears lurk from the distance, gazing at us.
"You're saying these bears… initially lived in Belcoot?" I peeled my eyes away from the land to Hugo. He was standing beside me, fixing the hood of my thick coat.
I nodded. "That's what Toby said. Can we go beyond the wall? I can't talk to them from here."
"Rinrin, you see those bears?" Hugo pointed at where I was initially looking at. "Not just by size, but those bears are intelligent and can tear a werewolf's limbs — much less a human. I'm not doubting you, but if what you said is correct, the wounds and scars are already too deep."
"Hugh, are you saying since the scar is already too deep, you'd rather let it bleed than heal it?" My eyes softened with bitterness, feeling this pain that had been striking my heart since yesterday. I couldn't understand this pain, but I couldn't turn a blind eye to it.
His lips opened and closed before he sighed. "You make me want to cage you."
I frowned and gazed down. I knew I was being too stubborn and annoying. Hugo was trying his best to protect me, and I kept putting myself in danger. But I couldn't give up now. The werewolves and bears alike had feelings and life.
I didn't want them to keep killing each other just because they couldn't understand each other. It wasn't fair. Both parties had already shed too much blood and continuing it would cost more blood and suffering.
"Fine." I looked up when Hugo ruffled his hair in irritation. "But promise me you'd never leave my side no matter what happens, alright? I'll be angry if you won't keep this promise."
"I promised!" came out a quick reply.
Hugo let out a defeated sigh while staring into my eyes, gleaming with hope. He patted my head lightly, bending over until his face was a palm length away from mine.
"Rinrin, what am I going to do with you?" he breathed out. "I will raise a white flag and meet these bears face to face. However, don't ask me not to fight back if they attempt to hurt you and my people."
His eyes glinted, and I understood his point. Going beyond the wall was extremely dangerous. If the bears didn't listen to me, not only I would endanger myself, but the people who would come with us. Anyone could die, but there was this part of me that was confident everything would be alright.
"Don't worry, Hugh." I reached for his hand and held it gently, my eyes on him. "I know you are taking a risk for me, and I appreciate it. I will only be stubborn with this one."
"What am I going to do with you, girl?" His eyes softened while his eyebrows relaxed, smiling wearily.
********
Since Hugo and I would go beyond the wall, his aide accompanied us. Hugo didn't want to take a large troop with us, since that would contradict our purpose. So, he only asked those who were capable. Those were Nathan, Balthazar, Edge, Reks, Mitch, Kieran, Cyran, and Ivo.
Tito was left behind because he was taking care of Toby — they had grown close overnight because Tito kept stalking Toby. It was quite unsettling in a way, but that was the story.
Anyway, some warriors were still on standby, just in case a fight break out. With Hugo and me, standing in the front. The white flag was raised from the wall so the bears could see it. We watched the sleuth of bears grouped up from the distance.
They were looking at us with hostility in their eyes. We stayed still. I glanced at Hugo, and he was imposing. I wanted to tell him how could the bears trust our objective if he was staring at them coldly?
Hugo took a deep breath before his lips parted. "I, Hugo Tempest, the Alpha of the mad wolf pack who oversees Belcoot, came here to make peace with the bears!" he uttered with a raised voice, echoing in the chilly breeze. "Us, werewolves, wants to stop this long war and negotiate with you."
Silence. The bears didn't even flinch, as if they didn't hear him. But Hugo didn't speak while studying them.
'Hah! Did he say peace?!' my brows rose when I heard a distant voice mocking Hugo's remarks.
'He says he's an alpha wolf! Hah! This ugly boy?'
'Did they think we will fall for it? They could've chosen someone who can look even more reliable! Have the wolves gone mad?'
'Is this ugly boy a son of Abner? They smell different, but are both ugly.'
'Hahaha! wolves are all so ugly, indeed!!'
My expression distorted, listening to them gloat while ridiculing Hugo. The more I listened, the more my fist tightened. I knew they didn't believe Hugo, but did they think they could just insult him just because he couldn't hear them?
"Alpha, they don't seem…" Ivo trailed off as I abruptly yelled when I couldn't take the words I was hearing anymore.
"Hugo is not ugly!" I yelled my lungs out, causing silence from the bears and from our group.
"What the?" Mitch gasped, making me glance at them as they looked at me in disbelief. "Luna, that is a bit out of the blue."
"Rinrin, what did you say?" Hugo furrowed his brows, but I breathed out heavily before glaring at the sleuth of bears.
They finally went silent before I heard someone speak. 'Did that little girl hear us…?'
"I'm not a little girl and yes, I heard you! Hugh is definitely the most handsome man I knew!" I huffed while clutching my hand into a fist.
"Wow… Alpha Hugo is blushing."