The Wannabe Warrior
Chapter 199

Madion POV

Gerome had organised the mics, so that the mics would give me the number of the assigned tunnel they were picking up sounds in, and if multiple tunnels at once, he would listen. At first, it would be to make sure things were going as planned, and he had organised different speakers at his end and recording, so he could hear what was going on too and replay it as needed, and if need be, call in alpha and Mitch and anyone else they trusted into the room and each would be assigned a mic speaker to listen to and could let me know what was going on, I know it sounds messy, but Gerome assures me he had everything under control at his end and would aid us the best they could.

I did not want to be stuck there, the diorama room was fine for understanding where everything was and when the fighting started I wanted to be elsewhere. I know the diorama by heart. Now you could blind fold me and I would replace my way around. But I did not need to be there, but this was where Zane wanted me to be and it was where Peggy wanted to be the main war planning room, and as we were under her authority, I had to bend to her wishes to a certain extent, but if I found it too hard, I would tell her where to stick her room and head to where I wanted to be, in the thick of the fighting.

A few hours had past and still no sounds or signs of an attack and I had an uncomfortable feeling, that maybe I had missed something, surely they would have arrived by now, or was some of the information we were getting not accurate.

‘Gerome any sounds from the mic in that room I was in?’ I mind-linked Gerome, not wanting to broadcast my doubts to all who had a mic on to hear.

‘Give me a few minutes, I will check back, how far back do you want me to go?’ Gerome was always ready, it did not shock me anymore, he was like me, wanting to be prepared for anything and glad when some of your preparations are on point, and other times glad you did not need something you prompted a possible need for.

Another fifteen minutes went by before Gerome called cack.

‘Let me put what I have on your mic. Maybe you can make sense of what the mic was picking up. I was not sure if I was hearing correctly.

The first few minutes there were the sounds of some kind of celebration, and cheering going on, and then someone sounded like they were sobbing in the background, then everything was quiet, for a while.

‘I will speed this bit up until you hear the sounds again. To me they were celebrating something, then everything went crazy. Did you hear the sobbing in the background before it went quiet?’ Gerome asked as he sped up the recording.

‘Yes, but it was a male voice. Is there any idea who?’ I asked, if something was on the recorder before the celebration.

‘No, it was quiet for hours before that, so I am not sure who was in tears and why.’ Gerome said, and then I could hear crackling on the mic, and knew we were close to what he wanted me to hear.

I looked over at Peggy, she was sipping coffee and working on something on her computer. I had no idea and at the moment did not care, something was happening and I needed to know what and where.

Then voices were heard in amongst the crackling.

No, … crackling mumbles…. don’t do it …. we trusted you …. why would you do that? … No…. stop…. Screaming……. More screaming…. Cries for help….. Then the sounds of fighting and growling and screaming of pain and I first I did not understand what the voices were talking about. I recognised those screams, they will be in my nightmares for many years to come. The stupid people had drunk the toxic water mixture and now there was a house fighting.

‘Thank you Gerome, we should sit tight just in case not everyone drinks the mixture, and we still have a fight on our hands.’ I said quietly in mind-link, and Gerome suddenly knew what I was talking about.

‘I will keep this one on speaker. I will let you know when the screaming stops and if we get any further conversations, that would give us an idea if any did not drink it.’

The sounds of screaming left my ears, and I looked down at the diorama, wondering if I could sneak in and take a peak, but that would be risking lives if it was only a small group that tested the mixture, and not all. I had to wait and I did not like that one bit. We had blocked off all the exits, so I doubt I would get out of here, only through one of the vents, but they were blocked up so you could not climb out or into them either.

Racking my brain as to what to do next, Peggy interrupted my thoughts.

‘One of our scouts that had not returned and is still near the packgrounds just informed me of a lot of fighting going on in the pack and he wanted orders.’ Peggy said as she continued to type on her computer.

‘What did you tell him?’ I asked, still pretending I had no idea what she was talking about.

‘Nothing as yet. I am a little confused about it.’

‘What are you doing on the computer?’ I asked, changing the subject.

‘A report to Alex and Zakary. They asked what was going on. They are concerned about us, dear lads.’ Peggy answered calmly and I almost laughed at her kind remark about the men. They should have sent men, not an email, but that is their way and it annoys me to distraction.

‘Tell him to stay hidden and watch, there will be more fighting and screaming for a bit longer yet. Did he mention if any was on the way to attack us?’ I asked Peggy, who looked up at me with a confused expression.

‘Yeah, he said the rogues had an argument with Gladys and they left. It looked like they were returning in the direction of the town, and not to the caves.’ Peggy was still watching me and I could tell she wondered what I knew, but was not game to ask me yet, our relationship was not yet that comfortable and her knowledge of me was little. She may have spoken a little about her problems with Zeek. I felt she was still a little cautious and I would not blame her. A lot has happened lately, and losing your mate would have been difficult.

It was then that part of my question was answered.

Peggy dropped to the ground holding her stomach and groaning out in pain.

‘Breath through it Peggy, block your link to your mate out of your mind, it is his pain you are feeling, breath out and let him go.’ I said and placed my hand on her head and the other on her shoulder.

A bright light emitted from my hands and sent warmth and healing to Peggy and she breathed through the pain and struggled to let go of her mate.

‘Let him go Peggy, you do not need to carry his pain, he has hurt you enough.’ I said again and this time it was as fi a switch had been turned off and Peggy stopped fighting the pain and stood up looking at me with a frown.

‘What just happened?’ she asked, rubbing her belly as if expecting more pain at any moment.

‘The idiots have been trying to fix the toxic water, it seems that some have drunk it, including your mate.’ I replied with a shrug.

‘You were expecting this, weren’t you?’

‘Yes, I had heard that they were trying to modify it, trying to take the lethal part out of the water.’

‘Why did you not tell me? I would have known what to expect?’

‘I was not sure if they would be stupid enough to drink it. Why get you all worked up over something that might not happen?’

‘Your glowing hands?’

‘Healing your loss, so you will not suffer for your mate’s stupidity.’

‘Thank you. Does this mean the war is over?’ Peggy asked with hope in her voice.

‘We have no idea who drank the water. Gladys may have made a few men drink it and see if it worked. She could still be alive and fine, having not drunk it, until we know, we have to stay prepared. That is why I suggested you ask your man to stay put and watch.’

‘Done.’ Peggy said after her eyes came back from being glazed over