Chapter 541

“Well, that's shit,” Luca murmurs, narrowing his eyes at the map. “A battle schematic where there's just no chance at winning? I...I hate that.”

"Yeah, but that's war," Jackson murmurs, nudging the candies back into place with his fingertip. "Sometimes you get to the point where it's not about winning. Just...surviving to fight another day."

My stomach sinks as I process his words because...I mean, the lesson that Luca is learning today is a very real one - he's learning it because we all, one day, might have to put it into action in real life.

But.....but not us, right? Not me, not my friends? My heart sinks as I look around at everyone, thinking about heavy casualties, thinking about losing them -

But a tug down my bond to Jackson draws my eyes back to him, to find his gaze already locked on my face. Slowly, gently, he shakes his head no, sending a wave of calm and peace down our bond, assuring me that he's never going to let it happen.

My lips lift into a tenuous smile as I hold his eyes. He smiles back and hope blooms in me because, as foolish as it probably is to believe anyone when they make a promise about surviving a war...I believe Jacks. I believe in him.

He only breaks our gaze when Luca sits up straight.

"Well," Luca says, his voice suddenly sparking with new interest. "What if you just...look it like that the odds are 50/50. That you're either going to die and lose everyone...or, you're going to win." Quite quickly, excited, Luca begins to narrate a crazy plan for what the Floutians could do if they just threw everything they had at the problem - just went full force, knowing that the result was potential full destruction.

We all lean forward, watching him move the pieces around, fascinated because...well, the way he puts it...

Damn it, but it really seems like it could work.

When Luca finally pulls his hands away, demonstrating the way that the much-reduced Floutians could, potentially, surround the Thrimpolites and force their surrender, we're all looking at the table in silence with raised eyebrows.

Jackson stays completely still,

likewise studying the board, before turning a warm gaze on Luca. "You should write that up," he says, laughing a little. "I mean, I've studied this battle a dozen times, and no one has ever brought anything up like that. It's crazy, for sure - I don't know any general that would approve it but maybe? If a nation were at the end of its rope, looking for some kind of last-ditch crazy effort to stay alive? I mean...it could work."

To my surprise and my endless pleasure, Luca holds Jackson's gaze for a second before his face breaks into a dazzling smile. “Really, man?”

My wolf turns in frantic, hectic

circles in my heart, chasing her tail eagerly, looking for something to do with all the energy and love that's bursting through her right now. Surreptitiously, I dampen my bonds with both of my mates, wanting them to have this moment for themselves without me bursting through with a song and a dance about how happy it makes me to see them working together.

"Seriously, Luca," Jackson says, reaching out a hand and clapping it warm on his shoulder. "You're not bad at this you have some really weird, good ideas. Unique ones. Don't get down on yourself for not understanding the maps yet that a little credit and have faith. And we'll help you whenever you need it."

will come. Just...give ye

Jackson casts a hand around at the rest of the room and Luca looks up in surprise to see us all watching, smiling at him. He laughs a little bit, bashful, and runs a hand through his hair, looking down at his map.noveldrama

"All right,” Luca says on a satisfied sigh. "Cool. Well, thanks, Jackson. I owe you one."

“Just teach me your right hook," Jackson murmurs, quite casual, picking up his own book and going back to his homework. "We'll call it even.”

Luca laughs, nodding, and pulls out his notebook, getting started on his report like nothing happened.

But I can't stop smiling as I look at the two of them, sitting next to each other, because right now? It feels like...absolutely everything has changed.