Chapter 5. Sic a Bear

October 9th, xxxx - PRECIOUS' POV

CAMUEL IS BITCHING AGAIN but Precious listens with half an ear most of his attention on the pile of work in front of him.

The reason for the bitching is that like Nuka, there are five Blue Sun omegas that have called this place their home. But unlike Nuka, are kept confined in the Musclehouse.

With some strong opposition from Cam and (glowing) recommendations from Anduan and Kamil, Precious decided to test their loyalty by assigning them to patrol duty.

Their land is so vast there isn’t enough patrols. Precious hates how vulnerable their security is but that’s no excuse to have a lax security. Why not turn crisis into opportunity?

Cam sits halfway on his desk gesticulating as expressive as he can but Kamil leans on the wall by the brown sofa, his arms loosely folded.

“Last night, I scouted Blue Sun’s new watch tower,” unexpectedly Cam announces and Precious jerks his head up at the news.

“You did what? You know better than to tresspass—”

“It’s okay, I wasn’t spotted,” Cam waves a hand and the flippancy annoys him.

“What did you think would’ve happened if you were seen? How many times do I have to tell you that we don’t aggravate them or their mad Alpha. We’re already threading a thin line as it is—”

“Do you want to know what I found out or do you want to keep lecturing me?” Cam interrupts in a clipped tone.

Precious eyes him down but gestures for him to continue.

“It’s empty. There’s no one guarding it. Once, in the wee hours of the morning, someone climbs up, paces for about ten minutes and leaves.

“I think it was just erected to intimidate us. They can’t see anything beyond the Winter Forest, trust me. I went up there and checked myself.”

“Are you mad, Cam? High up, anyone could’ve seen you.”

His brother stands, his face hardened like stone. “But nobody did. No one patrols that area. It’s dead silent. They don’t even have the equipment to magnify their vision. Like I said, it’s there for intimidation, nothing else.”

“The intimidation js working," Kamil speaks up for the first time. “We’re surrounded on all sides by their watch towers. Empty or not, they’ve closed us in. The Winter Forest is our weakest spot.”

Food for thought. Even if Precious successfully convinces Alpha Blue to leave their territory alone, there’s nothing he can do about their watch tower. It’s not in their land, it just sees into their land.

“I say we sic bears on them.”

In unison, the three of them said a, “What?”

“Bears,” Cam nods, sticking his hands in his pockets. “We train bears to destroy the watch towers.”

“Bears,” he says slowly but Cam keeps nodding.

“They wouldn’t know what hit them. And on the bright side, they not only have their towers destroyed but now, there are bears on the loose.”

From the corner of his eye, he sees both Nuka and Kamil stifling a laugh.

“Right, yeah, bears,” he deadpans, “If you can’t train them Cam, nobody can.”

The laugh sputters out of Nuka while Kamil laughs silently.

Whirling on Nuka, Cam narrows his eyes. “You don’t believe I can do it?” leaning on his heels, he challenges Nuka. “Will you dance for me if I succeed, pretty one?”

Nuka blushes something fierce, the laughter dying down as Cam swaggers to him. Ignoring them, Precious peeks at Kamil to catch the Major’s eyes on him. Kamil eyes slowly drifts down his body.

Despite himself, his breathing quickens when Kamil licks his lower lip and sends him a disarming smile. Precious can’t look away until Cam raps his knuckles on the desk.

“What?” his voice comes out croaked, he clears it and tries again. “Yes?”

“I was talking about the pack’s morale. All thanks to that bastard Blue’s latest antics, our morale drastically low. I think a get-together would enliven spirits.”

Precious hasn’t noticed anything like that. The pack functions as efficiently as they’ve always done.

“Is that true, Major? Morale is drastically low?”

“What, you don’t believe me?”

“You do tend to exaggerate Cam. Major?”

“He’s right,” Kamil agrees. “The Pack is anxious and worried about the outcome of the meeting. But I wouldn’t say morale is drastically low. The militia on the other hand is agitated.”

“So, it’s just the morale of the soldiers I should be concerned about.”

“A get together wouldn’t hurt both sides.”

“When the pack gets together, it can hardly be called a get together. A party if I’m being lucky. A rager would be more like it.”

“If I may, Alpha,” Nuka interjects, pauses for confirmation, “If you’re worried about it getting out of hand, I can arrange for it to be an actual get-together. Especially if the Elders are present. I promise it wouldn’t get out of hand.”

“I’d help,” Cam smirks at Nuka, “You wouldn’t be able to handle a squad of soldier werewolves.”

“Nuka, would nine p.m be enough time to get it all ready?”

“Wait, tonight?” Cam raises an eyebrow “As in today’s night?”

“Yes. You suggested it.”

“I didn’t mean tonight.”

“Why?”

“Look, you're many things, Precious. Smart, loyal, an annoying ass—”

“Oh, I’m the annoying ass?”

“But I say this with as much affection as there are bones in my body, you’re a lightweight."

Precious gasps at his brother. “I am not.”

“You are. In fact, you’re so lightweight you should be called a featherweight.”

“I am not a lightweight,” Precious protests, glancing at Kamil who has a slight smile on. “I am not.”

“I don’t want you to embarrass yourself. We should have the party tomorrow after you stuff yourself full.”

“I won’t be around tomorrow. Or two days after that.”

“Right. The Pack conference. When you come back, you’d probably be knackered.”

“Should you be drinking then? Waking up with a splitting headache would be torture,” a concerned Kamil pipes up.

“A fun night is what the should’ve doctor ordered. I think I should party like crazy.”

“No you won’t. You’re a featherweight.”

A bouncing Cam escorts Nuka out. Seeing the meeting adjourned, Kamil peels off the wall and makes to leave but Precious doesn’t want him to go just yet.

“I wanted to speak with you.”

“Sure. Is anything wrong?”

“No, no,” he stands, rounds the table and leans on it.

Kamil advances to him and the nearness of him makes Precious hyper aware that the Major smells so, so good.

He bites his tongue. “I think you should train me.”

“I should?”

He should? “Ah, yes. Yes, yes. You’re my Major, a fine soldier. Clearly fit. I’ve been thinking about training more.”

“Huh.”

“Don’t get me wrong, I can fight but I should train more.”

“I’m not sure.”

“Only if you want to.”

“You should command me.”