CHAPTER 171: CHAPTER 171

Jacob’s POV Lily and I had just finalized Celena’s training schedule for the coming week. She’s the expert in this area, and I trust her completely. Max still hadn’t returned; he’d likely be busy out and about for a while. As Lily and I stepped out of the Wolf Pack Cabin, we spotted Celena devouring her meal. "Guess today’s bacon must be extra crispy and tender,she’s not frowning this time." Lily lowered her voice and walked over to greet Celena. "How are you feeling, Celena?" "Mmm, it’s delicious. Ren is such a good cook, and Nate’s milk is really tasty too." Celena answered Lily while smiling at me. In that moment, I felt my heart melt. Just thinking about all the torment and suffering she endured in that basement at the Hunter Base makes me want to storm back there right now and kill every last one of them. No, I want to make them pay double for everything Celena went through. I hope Brett manages to get the information we need back safely. Truthfully, I’m grateful to Brett. If not for his help with Celena, I would have lost my mate forever. Thinking about it breaks my heart for Celena. Praying Brett makes it back safely! Brett’s POV I dare not recall the day I left the wolf pack. Because whenever I think of Celena’s cries behind me, my heart aches as if it had been cut out by a knife. She is my own younger sister in my heart. How could I bear to leave her? But I knew she’d be well cared for there. She’d be fine,that’s why I didn’t look back. I couldn’t let momentary weakness make her depend on me. She should rely on her pack, her brothers, and Jacob. They’d look after her. I told myself this every day. When I returned to the hunter’s base, things didn’t go smoothly. Along the way, I met quite a few rogues. Even though I tried hard to avoid them, I was still caught by them. If it weren’t for the wolves of the Moonlight Wolf Pack constantly protecting me, perhaps I would have been caught by these werewolves first. In the end, I only sustained minor injuries from dodging them. I was also glad that these injuries prevented my father from completely disbelieving me when he saw me. My father, Karl, leader of the hunters. A middle-aged man of deep suspicion, stubborn and cunning. But I was his son—his only son. To verify my claims, he ordered a newly captured werewolf locked in a room with me. He handed me a knife, demanding I torture it to death in the most brutal manner. Those werewolves all turned dark-eyed at the sight of me, struggling and snarling. I didn’t want to do it, but I had no choice. I severed their limbs before plunging the knife into their hearts. Those wolves all died in the end, and my heart died with them. I even hated myself for being born here. Today, I had to follow the team and capture more werewolves. Father patted my shoulder and praised me in front of many veteran hunters, but I sensed he didn’t fully trust me. He was still watching my every move. I’d carefully studied the base’s defenses. They seemed lax on the surface, but were actually riddled with hidden sentries. The entire base was on high alert. My father really won’t let me down. The base has a total of 28 districts. Tonight’s gathering is scheduled in District 27. District 27 is filled with cameras and shooters loaded with Lycotine bullets. Even a bird that intruded would be killed immediately. This time, I finally met uncle Dan, a weathered man whose eyes were filled with stories. God bless him. He’s fine. Even last time when he let Celena go through the back door, he wasn’t suspected. He walked towards me with a wine glass in hand, gave me a one-handed hug and patted my shoulder three times. He was sending me a message. Only the two of us knew what these three shots meant. We shared a knowing smile, raised our glasses, and clinked them together. "Cheers. Tonight is worth celebrating." "Absolutely worth celebrating!" We clinked glasses and drained them. Suddenly, my father appeared behind me: "Well done, son. You haven’t disappointed me. Come to my wine cellar later. I have something special for you." "Yes, Father. I’ll be there shortly." I glanced at Uncle Dan. He smiled, raised his glass, and gave me a knowing look. I understood the plan had changed. Tonight’s meeting was postponed. I followed behind my father, watching his back, my heart filled with complexity. He was a good father, strict but full of expectations for me. "Grow up and don’t let people down." " He always said so. But he was also a cruel hunter. He killed so many wolves and conducted countless experiments on Celena. I hate him and I love him as well.