Chapter 10
Orion
“You really think she used a hiss?” Charm asks.
“That’s what it sounds like. Her voice changed. I can’t describe it, but just hearing it made me want to stop and listen,” I say.
“That’s such a rare ability, I never thought I’d see it,” Charm says.
He missed it since his radio wasn’t on while dealing with the other hikers.
As much as I wish we could have helped Hestia while she was down in that hole, I’m proud of her for taking care of herself.
Not that I can take any credit for her rescuer skills. She did all of that on her first day with us. Yet my chest still swells with pride.
It’s a little strange I’m so affected by it. I’m always happy when our trainees do well, but I don’t usually feel this…whatever this intense feeling is. It must be because Hestia had to work harder to get where she is. It’s impressive to see.
We’ll keep her confidence up, and in two years, she’ll leave us as a full-fledged rescuer.
My glass cracks and I quickly set it down before it spills on me.
Henri is already on it, getting me a new glass and pouring another scotch before whisking away the broken one.
“So you’re happy that we didn’t go down to help her?” Magnus asks.
“I’m happy Hestia handled it herself, like I thought she could,” I say.
“Even though we heard her struggling with him,” he says, deadpan.
My eye twitches.
“Was it really that bad?” Charm asks.
“Hestia was yelling at Silas, and we heard him dragging her around,” Cato says.
“She didn’t describe it like that when we wrote our report,” Charm says, clenching his jaw.
“No, she didn’t. When I asked her about it, Hestia told me she was okay and wasn’t injured,” I say.
“It’s no wonder she was upset. We should get her mace. And a taser,” Charm mutters.
Cato laughs darkly.
I give him a look before saying, “Tasing a patient isn’t the first line of defense, as you well know.
I can suggest she keep some sedatives on her person in case she can’t get to her bag.
So, while I’m not happy that Hestia was briefly overpowered, I’m confident in her skills and how she resolved things.
If she’d asked for help, of course I would have sent one of you down after her. ”
We’re silent for a while, the only sounds the crackling of logs in the fireplace and clinking of ice.
“Obviously I wish we could have prevented that alpha from scaring her. That’s not our job though. Rescuers need to be able to handle themselves,” I say eventually.
I’m not sure if I’m voicing that for their benefit or my own.
Several of them murmur agreement, but my packmates seem just as lost in their own thoughts.
Our bonds are closed off more than usual, and I can’t read their deeper feelings. I only get a general sense of anger, turmoil, upset. I won’t know where those feelings are directed unless I go looking, and it would be rude to intrude when they’re shutting me out.
My job as team lead is to protect everyone, which includes making sure they can take care of themselves. I did that today.
So why do I feel like I failed her.
I stifle a growl and finish my drink.
Despite my pep talk at dinner, I’m struggling with having an omega on our team. I’ve never felt this protective over one of our trainees, and I can only assume my packmates are grappling with the same thing. But we won’t put that on her, it’s our problem to deal with.
I won’t allow anything to destroy Hestia’s career, especially my alpha’s urges.
I pretend I can’t smell the subtle fruity scent leading to her as I go up to my room that night.