Chapter 17: Attack on the Protectors

Humphrey and the others stood around Viggo, who had picked up a chair and had sat down in it. Humphrey had sent Oscar and Mick outside the tent to keep watch. Viggo looked exhausted and vulnerable. It was weird seeing him in such a helpless state.

“Viggo, what happened here?” Humphrey asked.

“Robert’s lost his mind,” Viggo replied. “He’s gone rogue and has taken many of my men with him. The Crimson Pack has remained loyal to me for the most part, although a few have broken away as well, Martin being one of them. Robert’s always been a man of brawn rather than brain. In typical fashion, Robert’s simple-minded plan is to use the cannon to utterly destroy you, me, and all of your allies.”

Everyone looked at each other worriedly before Viggo continued.

“It seems we have a common enemy, Humphrey. I will offer you my help in stopping him if you send me on my way once our work is done.”

Steven let out a forced cough.

“Oh, I am so sorry,” he sarcastically said. “I just had to get something out of my lying throat!”

“I agree,” Viggo replied. “Trusting me is not the best idea. So, to show you my good faith, I will tell you where Robert will attack first and give you time to save some of your friends. I overheard him saying something about attacking the Protectors and I saw him heading due east. After that, Robert will be going after the Northern Pack, the Rogue Wolves, and the valley where you used to live, but I don’t know which he will hit first. Robert isn’t a tactical genius by any means, however, he still manages to hold some things close to the vest. I will give him that. I would advise caution if you think of returning to the valley. I have plenty of men there that are still loyal to me and they might shoot you if they spot you, not to mention the Crimson Pack is there as well”

The group walked out of the tent to think everything over and Viggo called after them.

“Time is of the essence, Humphrey. It is the ability to make expeditious decisions that saves lives.”

“There is no way we’re believing one word this guy says,” Kate said.

“We can’t just ignore it either,” Adam countered. “There are way too many lives at stake. If we do, entire packs will be destroyed, and hundreds of wolves will die.”

Adam turned and saw Humphrey a short distance away, deep in thought.

“Humphrey, are you thinking what I’m thinking?” he asked.

“Oh, he’s thinking,” Jonas said.

“That’s definitely his thinking face,” Jax added.

“We can’t let that happen,” Humphrey finished.

“Agreed,” Stinky said. “Jax, Jonas, Runt and I will head back to the valley.”

“Kenya,” Humphrey continued, “you, Mick, and Oscar head to the Northern Pack and make sure Kyle’s ready. We’re gonna check on the Protectors of the Forest.”

“And what about Viggo?” Kate asked.

“I guess he’s coming with us,” Humphrey replied. “We have to keep an eye on him, but we can’t stay here either.”

Stinky, Runt, Jax, and Jonas left for the valley, Kenya, Mick, and Oscar headed toward the Northern Pack, and Humphrey, Kate, Adam, Steven, and Viper took Viggo to the Protectors. When they arrived, Mort ordered every available wolf to watch Viggo.

“Humphrey, I hope you have good reason for bringing this killer into our pack,” Mort demanded.

“Mort, I don’t trust him any more than you do,” Humphrey said, “but we can’t take any risks. You could all be in grave danger.”

“It isn’t only the Protectors that I’m worried about,” Mort replied. “We have newborn pups that must be protected at all costs. They are too young and frail to survive anything else.”

Suddenly, the ground near them erupted in a large explosion of dirt and the sound cracked through the air.

“Oh, you mean something like that?!” Steven yelled.

The woods erupted with explosions as cannon fire rained down from the sky.

“Do you believe me now, Humphrey?” Viggo shouted.

“Not even remotely,” Humphrey snarled back. “Mort, Darren, you guys keep an eye on Viggo and protect the pups. We’re gonna go get rid of this thing.”

“But Humphrey,” Darren said. “That’s suicide.”

“You got a better idea?” Humphrey asked. “We don’t have any other choice.”

Humphrey and the group rushed headfirst into the cannon fire. Then, as suddenly as it began, the cannon fire stopped, and everything was silent. Humphrey and the others reached the source of the fire, but the cannon was nowhere to be found. They rushed back to the others but found that Viggo had escaped.

“What? How?” Kate exclaimed.

“The explosions and smoke allowed him to slip away,” Darren said.

“I should’ve known,” Humphrey said. “What was I thinking trusting him?”

“Humphrey, it’s okay,” Viper said. “Sometimes we have to make do with what we’re given.”

“You’re right,” Humphrey replied. “We can’t focus our attention on Viggo right now. We need to get back to the Central Region and try to figure out who Robert will attack next.”