Chapter 106:
I held his gaze, my voice unwavering.
“Tell Silas that Talon Pack is ready. If he thinks he can break us, he’ll be sorely disappointed.”
The scout sneered, pulling his foot free of the snare.
“You’re only delaying the inevitable. Silas’s pack is stronger, more ruthless. When he comes, he’ll tear through you like a storm.”
Dante stepped forward, his expression cold.
“We’ve heard enough. Take your warnings back to Silas and tell him we’re waiting. But if any of you cross into our territory again, you won’t be walking back.”
The scout hesitated, clearly debating whether to press forward or retreat. But as he looked around, seeing the steady, unyielding stances of our wolves, he seemed to recognize the strength he was up against. With a grudging nod, he motioned to the other scouts, and together, they slinked back into the forest, disappearing into the shadows.
As they retreated, I felt a surge of triumph. We had faced Silas’s scouts, demonstrated our defenses, and held our ground without a single wolf lost. It was a small victory, but a powerful one, a message to Silas that we were ready—that Talon Pack was no easy target.
I turned to the wolves around me, meeting each of their gazes with a sense of pride.
“You’ve done well. Today, you’ve shown Silas that we are not afraid, that our borders are strong. He’ll know now that Talon Pack is united, prepared, and unbreakable.”
Lyle let out a small cheer, echoed by the others, their faces filled with pride and resolve. This was more than just a defense—it was a declaration. We had fortified our borders, strengthened our unity, and sent a message to Silas that his tactics, his attempts to divide us, had failed.
As we returned to the compound, I felt a renewed confidence settle over me. We had taken another step toward the battle that lay ahead, another step closer to protecting the home and family we had built together.
Silas would come, there was no doubt. But when he did, he would find Talon Pack waiting, a force stronger and more united than he had ever imagined. And with every trap, every defense, every wolf standing beside me, I knew that we were ready for whatever storm he brought.
Together, we would hold our ground. Together, we would defend our land, our pack, and each other. And when the time came, Silas would see that Talon Pack was a force that could not be broken.
POV: Elara
The tension in the compound was thick, like the pressure in the air before a storm. I could feel it in the way the wolves moved, in the uneasy glances they exchanged, and in the whispers that fell silent when I entered a room. Dante’s return had stirred up the pack, reopening old wounds, and while some wolves were relieved to see him back, others seemed wary, their loyalty to him strained by lingering memories of his banishment.
I stood outside the meeting hall, breathing in the cool morning air and preparing myself for what I knew would be a difficult discussion. The council was gathering today, along with several of the senior wolves, to address the concerns that had been building since Dante’s return. These were wolves who had witnessed his fall from grace, who had supported the decision to cast him out. Now, they were looking to me to decide how to manage his presence, to secure our unity even as it felt like it was beginning to splinter.
Taking a steadying breath, I stepped into the hall. The wolves were already gathered, seated in a loose circle, their eyes turning to me as I entered. I held each of their gazes, projecting a calm confidence I didn’t quite feel, and took my place at the head of the circle.
Osric was the first to speak, his voice calm but laced with a tension that I recognized.
“Thank you for gathering, Elara. As you know, we’re here because some of us have concerns about Dante’s presence in the pack.”
I nodded, keeping my expression neutral.
“I understand. Dante’s return was sudden, and I realize it has stirred up memories and questions. But he’s here because he wants to help protect Talon Pack. He’s loyal to us—loyal to me.”
