Chapter 83 - They Listen
Athena didn't mean to take charge.
She had only gone into the courtyard to help.
Wolves were moving crates of supplies toward the inner hall, reinforcing doors, carrying bundles of cloth and water skins toward the healing wing.
She stepped in where she could.
"Those should go inside," she said to one wolf carrying wood beams. "If the gates fall, you'll need them closer."
He nodded immediately and changed direction without question.
She blinked.
She turned to another.
"Bring the water to the lower hall instead. It's easier to access from there."
He obeyed without hesitation.
Athena frowned slightly.
She hadn't spoken loudly.
Hadn't insisted.
She was just... suggesting.
A third wolf passed by quickly.
"Wait," she said.
He stopped instantly and turned to her.
She hesitated for half a second.
"Take a break. You're limping."
He looked surprised, then nodded and stepped aside exactly as she said.
Athena stood still.
Watching.
Something felt strange.
Not wrong.
But noticeable.
She wasn't giving orders.
She wasn't demanding anything.
She was speaking normally.
And they were responding like she had.
Like she had authority.
She walked across the courtyard slowly, testing it without realizing she was.
"You two should switch posts," she told a pair of wolves near the gate. "You look exhausted."
They immediately did.
No hesitation.
No questioning.
No looking to anyone else for confirmation.
Athena's chest tightened.
She glanced around.
No one looked confused.
No one looked surprised.
They just... listened.
Her brow furrowed.
She wasn't used to this.
Used to people dismissing her.
Overriding her.
Ignoring her.
But here...
They responded.
Like it was natural.
Like it made sense.
Athena swallowed slowly.
"They're not just listening to me..."
She whispered to herself.
"They're responding to me."