Chapter 117:
“I don’t know,” I admitted, the unease lingering.
“But I’m going to keep a close eye on him. If there’s any truth to Silas’s influence within our ranks, we need to know.”
We spent the rest of the day reinforcing our defenses, each wolf vigilant, every patrol alert. The presence of Silas’s markings had shaken the pack, but I could see the determination in their eyes, the resolve that bound them together.
As night fell, I felt a quiet certainty settle within me. Whatever shadows Silas tried to cast over us, whatever spies or threats he might use, we would stand strong. Talon Pack was prepared, our loyalty unbreakable.
Silas would come, and he would come with force, with fury. But when he did, he would find a pack ready for him, a pack bound not by fear, but by trust, by loyalty, by a strength he would never understand.
Let him bring his shadows, his threats, his unseen games. We would face them all, and we would emerge, as always, united and unbreakable.
POV: Elara
The morning after our encounter with Finn, I stood at the heart of the compound, watching as wolves went about their preparations. Tension rippled through the pack, an undercurrent of unease that none of us could ignore. We had taken every precaution, yet the discovery of Silas’s markings and the possibility of a spy still lingered in our minds, a constant, nagging threat. We were fortified, vigilant, and prepared to defend our territory, but the feeling that something was simmering just below the surface wouldn’t leave me.
That same morning, a messenger arrived from a neighboring pack—an ally I hadn’t expected to hear from. Cedar Hollow Pack had always kept to themselves, their territory far enough away to avoid direct conflict with Silas, yet close enough to share whispers of concern. Their Alpha, Mara, was known for her shrewdness and resilience, and her offer of an alliance was both surprising and suspicious. Dante joined me as I read through the message, his expression curious as he watched my reaction.
“Mara wants to meet,” I said, glancing up at him.
“She’s offering assistance against Silas. It’s a surprising offer, given how much Cedar Hollow values its independence.”
Dante frowned, a hint of skepticism in his eyes.
“It is unexpected. Mara’s always kept Cedar Hollow out of regional conflicts. An offer of alliance now… it feels sudden, almost too convenient.”
“Agreed,” I replied, my mind racing.
“But if she’s sincere, this alliance could give us a crucial advantage. Silas is already wary of Talon and Ashfire united; a third pack might be enough to force him to reconsider his plans.”
Dante nodded thoughtfully, his gaze steady.
“We should meet her. But cautiously. If Mara has her own agenda, we need to be prepared.”
We agreed to meet with Mara that afternoon, on neutral ground along the western edge of our territory. I gathered a small group, including Celia and Rhea, each of them wolves I trusted implicitly. As we set out, I felt the familiar weight of responsibility settle over me, the sense that this meeting could shift the tides of the war—or complicate it further.
When we arrived at the clearing, Mara was already there, flanked by two of her wolves. Her posture was calm and confident as she watched us approach. She was tall and lean, her presence exuding a quiet authority that reminded me of the way my father had once stood—strong and unyielding, yet somehow reserved. Her eyes flickered over our group, her gaze lingering briefly on Dante before she met my eyes with a faint smile.
“Elara,” she greeted, her tone polite but reserved.
“Thank you for agreeing to meet.”
“Mara,” I replied, inclining my head.
“Your message caught me by surprise. I wasn’t aware Cedar Hollow had taken an interest in the conflict with Silas.”
