Chapter 108:
The room fell into a thoughtful silence, the tension easing as the wolves seemed to reach an unspoken consensus. They still had their doubts, their lingering fears, but Celia’s suggestion had given them a path forward, a chance to see Dante’s loyalty for themselves.
As the meeting ended and the wolves began to file out, Osric approached me, his expression serious but supportive.
“Elara, you handled that well. Dante has a lot to prove, but I think you’re giving him a fair chance.”
“Thank you, Osric,” I replied, my voice soft.
“I just want what’s best for the pack. I believe in Dante, and I believe he can be the wolf we need him to be. I just need them to see that, too.”
He nodded, a faint smile touching his lips.
“If anyone can bridge this divide, it’s you.”
After Osric left, I lingered in the hall, taking a moment to collect my thoughts. The pack’s trust in me was unwavering, but their trust in Dante would take time to build. And if we were to face Silas with a united front, we couldn’t afford to be divided.
As I made my way out of the hall, I spotted Dante waiting just outside, his gaze flickering with both curiosity and a hint of tension. He had known this meeting would be difficult, that his presence was still a point of contention among the older wolves.
“Elara,” he greeted, his voice careful, measured.
“How did it go?”
I met his gaze, my voice soft but reassuring.
“They still have their doubts, Dante. But I think we’ve found a way forward. They want to see your loyalty for themselves. They need proof, something tangible.”
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He nodded, a faint shadow crossing his face.
“I understand. I never expected it to be easy. Just tell me what you need from me.”
“Celia suggested that you take on more visible responsibilities, things that allow the pack to see you in action. Not just training or defenses, but tasks that show your commitment to them—to every wolf here.”
A small, determined smile touched his lips.
“I’ll do whatever it takes, Elara. I’m here for the pack, and if that means proving myself, then so be it.”
I felt a swell of gratitude, of pride, as I looked at him. This was the Dante I remembered, the wolf who would do anything to protect his family, to prove his loyalty. And now, he was willing to do it not just for me, but for every wolf in Talon Pack.
“They’ll see, Dante,” I said, my voice filled with quiet certainty.
“They’ll see the wolf I see, the one who fights for us, who stands beside us.”
He reached out, resting a hand on my shoulder, his touch grounding, steady.
“Thank you, Elara. For believing in me, even when others don’t.”
I placed my hand over his, a warmth spreading through me.
“I’ll always believe in you, Dante. We’re in this together.”
As he pulled back, his expression softened, a vulnerability flickering in his gaze.
“I’ll prove myself, Elara. To the pack, and to you.”
We stood there, a quiet understanding passing between us, and for the first time since his return, I felt a sense of peace, a certainty that, together, we could face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Because no matter the doubts, the fears, or the shadows of the past, we were united. And together, we would make Talon Pack stronger than it had ever been.
POV: Elara
The following days were filled with an intense quiet, a stillness in the air that seemed to hover over the compound. Each wolf knew we were on the cusp of something, that Silas wouldn’t simply walk away after the display we had put on for his scouts. He had tasted the edge of our defenses, seen our unity, and we knew he wouldn’t hesitate to test it further.
