Free Web NovelChapter 64: Chapter 64
"We’re in the forest. I can’t bake scones in the forest." Louis enunciated so that Audie would get it and even after that, he still wasn’t sure the blond Alpha got it. Because he walked forward to whisper something to Valentin like he was trying to get proof.
Before they continued their journey again, Cedric and Jann took over carrying the food box so that Louis and Dio could take a break.
They had only come across two other groups on their hiking trip to their campsite, it made Henri wonder just how large the entire forest was.
His feet were tired and he wasn’t even carrying anything, it made him wonder just how the others still managed to be so enthusiastic.
Fortunately, it was still early in the morning so the weather wasn’t unbearably hot... yet. Once again, he wondered if he could have used his status to get out of the field trip.
They finally got to their campsite, a cleared area a little bit of a distance away from a clear lake.
Henri’s first move was to find the trunk of a fallen tree to sit on, he would lay on it if he could but the bugs crawling all over the uneven surface dissuaded him.
Seton was the only one to join him, the others unloading their luggage and getting ready to set up their tents, excited conversation filling up the once quiet woods.
Henri’s mood worsened further when Seton sat beside him, the trip was already unbearable but the Alpha made it worse.
"Won’t you set up your tent?" He said, trying to get Seton to leave.
While Henri’s curly black hair stuck to his forehead with sweat and he felt like his cotton shirt was rubbing his sweaty skin raw, Seton looked like he had been in a carriage the entire trip there. He looked just fine, Henri felt it was a tad unfair.
"You don’t want me to ruin their festive mood, do you?" Seton said calmly, keeping his eyes on Henri.
Henri was caught. Seton was right, if he did go to set up his tent, it would make the atmosphere tense for the others but Henri didn’t want the snake with him either.
Errol knelt down on the rich dirt underfoot to take out his tent from his backpack, he was also supervising the setting up of Henri’s tent.
He frequently forgot about the presence of Seton, particularly because of the fact that Nael had literally been stuck to him the entire time.
Errol didn’t mind it but he wasn’t worried for himself like the others were, he was worried for Henri. He didn’t doubt Henri, the person he didn’t trust was Seton.
So when he looked over to Henri to check up on him like he occasionally did, he found Seton with him. Without stopping to think, Errol shot to his feet and stomped in their direction, much to the others’ surprise.
They all decided to work in pairs, Audie and Valentin setting up their tent right beside Errol and Nael, so they noticed when he stood up and walked off.
Louis and Dio were working together, Jann and Cedric completing the pairs as they chose the farthest point from the camp to set up their tents.
Dio was beside himself with happiness as Louis taught him how to nail down his tent. For someone who had never gotten the chance to go camping before, he was soaking up every moment.
"Lou, look." He called for the umpteenth time after driving another wooden peg into the ground with a mallet. freeωebnovēl.c૦m
"It looks awesome." Louis said without fail, smiling at how Dio immediately brightened. It was the closest expression to a smile that Louis had ever seen on him.
...
Errol only realized what he was doing when he got to the log Henri and Seton were seated on. "Would you like to join us and set up the tents?" He asked Henri, blatantly ignoring Seton.
Seton only seemed mildly amused by this, remaining unruffled even when Henri jumped on the offer given to him although he had no idea how to wield a mallet. This was going to be an interesting field trip indeed.
Henri walked off with Errol, grateful for the escape, although he would miss his very comfortable seating on the tree trunk.
No one said anything about Seton when he returned, and conversations about tents resumed.
Henri just crouched a little distance away to not be in the way and watched the Alphas bustle around in front of him.
His tent would be placed in between Errol’s and Louis’ tents. Henri didn’t particularly care where his tent was but he could tell that they were all doing their best to keep Seton away from him.
The setting up of tents was finally done after another half hour and Henri could finally take off his muddy shoes and crawl into his tent. It was surprisingly spacious inside the tent, a sleeping bag already laid out for him, his backpack placed in an empty corner.
"How’s it?" Errol asked with a grin. freёweɓnovel.com
"Well made." Henri complimented in amazement although he had never been in a tent before and thus wouldn’t know if one was poorly made. But it was comfortable and his friends did it so he would treat it like it was done skillfully.
"Gather around, everyone!" Valentin’s voice came from outside Henri’s tent, prompting him to leave his comfy tent.
"We have to make breakfast but before then, we need some wood..." Valentin trailed off, looking to Louis for help.
"Some water from the lake would come in handy." He added wryly.
"We’ll also need some sort of seating area." Jann chimed in.
"How do we do that?"
"There’s cut trunks around the campsite, we could drag it to the middle." Seton suggested,
If the others were surprised that he had actually made a meaningful contribution, they didn’t let it show. It was almost like they had all unanimously decided to not let Seton ruin their trip any further.
The next few minutes were spent deciding on the tasks to be assigned. Louis would be doing the cooking so he wasn’t required to do anything. Henri as well but that was because he couldn’t do anything.
If he couldn’t even pick up his backpack, it would be useless to make him drag tree trunks. Also, he had been the only one struggling on their journey here, no one was going to make him go search for wood or get water.
Dio stayed behind to drag tree trunks, as well as Seton, Valentin, and Audie.
Cedric and Jann were on water duty while Errol and Nael would be getting the wood.
