Chapter 104:
The suggestion sparked an idea, one that held a dangerous appeal. If Silas wanted to exploit weakness, we could give him one—an illusion, a false fracture within our pack that would lead him into a trap.
“It’s risky,” I admitted, considering the implications.
“But if it works, it could turn the tide. Silas would never see it coming.”
The council exchanged glances, their expressions resolute. We had come too far, worked too hard, to let Silas unravel us with whispers and shadows. If he wanted to play games, we would show him that Talon Pack was ready, that we could outsmart him at every turn.
I looked around at the wolves who had become my family, each of them committed to the fight ahead. We had been tested, pushed to our limits, but we were stronger for it. And now, with this new plan, we had a way to bring the fight to Silas on our terms.
That night, as the council dispersed and the compound fell quiet, I stood alone, looking out over the land I had sworn to protect. Silas’s shadow loomed, but I felt no fear—only a fierce determination, a quiet confidence that we were ready.
When the time came, Silas would find himself trapped in the web he had tried to weave around us. And together, we would face him—united and unbreakable—ready to defend our pack, our home, and each other.
Talon Pack would stand firm, and Silas would learn that his shadows had no place here, that his attempts to divide us had only made us stronger.
POV: Elara
The first light of dawn found Talon Pack already moving, wolves preparing for a new task: fortifying the borders. After the rogues’ warning and the council’s decision to use Silas’s own tactics against him, the need for stronger defenses had become clear. Silas was waiting for us to falter, to show weakness. But if he dared to cross into our territory, he would find nothing but strength and unity waiting for him.
I moved through the compound with a sense of purpose, assigning wolves to specific sections along the border, each tasked with not only guarding but reinforcing our defenses. Our preparations weren’t just physical barriers; we were creating a network of early-warning systems and secure fallback positions—a web of protection designed to catch any enemy off-guard.
As I walked toward the southern edge of our territory, Dante fell into step beside me, his gaze sharp and steady. He had been instrumental in organizing our defenses, mapping out strategic points where Silas’s forces might try to break through.
“Are we ready to start setting the traps?” he asked, glancing down at the map he had sketched of our territory, marked with the locations we’d identified as vulnerable points.
“Yes,” I replied, nodding as I scanned the trees ahead.
“Let’s make sure each group understands how they work. We need them to act as one if we’re going to catch Silas’s scouts off-guard.”
Dante gave a quick nod and signaled to the wolves assembled nearby, calling forward Lyle and Rhea, who had both volunteered for border duty. Lyle’s young face was determined, his eyes alight with the same resolve I’d seen during the training exercises, while Rhea’s posture was relaxed but alert, her Ashfire experience giving her an edge in situations like this.
“Your positions will be here, along the eastern edge,” Dante instructed, pointing to a section on the map.
“We’re setting traps and reinforcing this area. If Silas’s scouts try to sneak through, you’ll signal us by lighting the marking torch at your station. Once it’s lit, stay hidden and wait for backup. Don’t engage until we give the order.”
They both nodded, their expressions serious as they studied the map. Lyle’s jaw was set, and I could see his pride in being assigned a critical role. He had grown in these past weeks, from a hesitant young wolf into a reliable pack member.
“What about the traps?” Rhea asked, her voice calm as she surveyed the designated area.
“Do we have enough supplies to set them up along the entire border?”
Dante nodded.
