Chapter 120:
Dante approached, his gaze scanning the compound before he turned to me, his expression reflecting my own concerns.
“The tension’s getting worse,” he said quietly.
“Cedar Hollow’s wolves are holding back, and it’s starting to affect morale. Some of our pack members are beginning to question Mara’s intentions.”
I nodded, understanding his concern.
“I see it too. Mara’s here because she sees Silas as a threat to her own pack, not because she trusts us. And her wolves can sense that. They’re following her orders, but they’re not fully committed to our cause. We need to find a way to bridge the gap before it weakens us.”
Dante was silent for a moment, his gaze thoughtful.
“What if we set up a joint training exercise? Something that forces our wolves to rely on each other, to see each other as allies rather than just… temporary partners.”
I considered the idea, feeling a flicker of hope.
“A challenge that demands trust… Yes, that might just work. If they’re forced to depend on each other, to understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses, it could build a real bond.”
Within an hour, we’d organized a training exercise that would test each wolf’s ability to work with someone from a different pack. It was simple but demanding: wolves would be paired in teams, each tasked with retrieving an item from a designated area in the forest and bringing it back to the compound. The catch was that each team would have to overcome obstacles and navigate traps we’d set along the way, and they’d need to rely on each other to succeed.
I gathered the wolves, explaining the task as they listened intently. I could see the mix of interest and apprehension in their eyes, the unspoken doubts as they sized up their new partners. Mara stood with her wolves, her expression unreadable, but I sensed her approval. She understood the need for unity, even if her loyalty remained tied to Cedar Hollow above all else.
The pairs spread out, each team disappearing into the forest to begin the challenge. I kept my distance, observing from a high ridge with Dante at my side, watching as wolves from each pack began navigating the terrain together.
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One pair, a young Talon wolf named Reed and a Cedar Hollow fighter named Alia, struggled at first. Reed hesitated to follow Alia’s lead, his movements uncertain as they approached a steep incline. I could see the frustration building in Alia’s face, her patience wearing thin as she tried to encourage him.
“Trust me,” she said, her tone firm but not unkind.
“I’ve climbed worse than this. If we move together, we can make it.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Reed nodded, following her as she led him up the slope. They moved slowly at first, but as they progressed, I saw their movements grow more coordinated, Reed’s confidence building with each step. By the time they reached the top, they were moving almost in sync, a shared sense of accomplishment evident in their expressions.
Across the forest, I saw other pairs beginning to work together as well. Wolves from Talon and Ashfire fought side by side, overcoming obstacles with a mixture of determination and caution. The exercise was pushing them, forcing them to adapt to each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and I could feel the tension easing, replaced by a growing sense of trust.
But not all pairs were adapting so easily.
I spotted Rhea, one of Ashfire’s most skilled fighters, paired with a Cedar Hollow wolf named Axton. Rhea was fierce and straightforward, while Axton held himself with a quiet caution, his movements careful and measured. Their approaches clashed, and I could sense the underlying frustration as they struggled to work together.
I watched as they struggled to cooperate, each insisting on their own method for navigating a series of low obstacles.
Rhea’s frustration was evident as she turned to Axton, her tone sharp.
“We don’t have time to be cautious. We need to move faster.”
Axton held her gaze, his expression calm but unyielding.
