Chapter 35:
“They need to hear it from you.”
I nodded, taking the scroll with steady hands, even as my stomach knotted. The faint but unmistakable scent of blood clung to the parchment, and I couldn’t help but wonder whose it was. My eyes scanned the words, each one tightening the knot in my chest.
Drawing a deep breath, I began to read, my voice carrying over the clearing:
“To Elara and the remnants of Talon Pack:
You’ve held your ground longer than I expected, but even wolves like you must understand when the fight is lost. Surrender your territory and your leadership to me, and I may spare those who kneel. Refuse, and I will tear your pack apart piece by piece until there is nothing left but ashes.
You have until the next full moon to decide. – Silas”
The words hung in the air after I finished reading, sinking deeply into the hearts of everyone present. Around me, the pack murmured, their voices rising in a mix of anger, fear, and defiance.
“He dares to demand surrender?” Miriam hissed, her eyes blazing as she stepped forward.
“We should strike him down where he stands.”
“And play into his hands?” Osric countered, his tone sharp.
“That’s exactly what he wants—an impulsive move he can exploit.”
A young wolf, barely more than a pup, called out from the crowd.
“If we don’t fight, what’s the point? Are we just going to wait for him to attack us?”
I stepped forward, raising a hand to silence them. The murmurs from the pack died down, and all eyes turned to me.
“This is exactly what Silas wants,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me.
“He wants us to panic, to turn on each other. But we won’t give him the satisfaction.”
“What do we do, then?” another voice called out, desperation evident in their tone.
“How do we stop him?”
“We prepare,” I said firmly.
“We strengthen our defenses. We train harder than we ever have before. And when Silas comes, we will meet him with everything we have.”
The pack’s murmurs grew louder, uncertainty clashing with resolve. Some wolves nodded, their expressions resolute. Others still looked unsure, their fear plain to see. Dante stepped forward then, his presence commanding as he addressed the pack.
“Silas thinks he can break us because he doesn’t understand what it means to fight for something greater than himself. But we do. Every wolf here knows what it means to fight for family, for loyalty, for the bonds that make us stronger. That’s why we’ll win.”
His words rippled through the crowd, the doubt in their eyes giving way to a spark of determination. I felt a surge of gratitude toward him, even as the weight of Silas’s ultimatum pressed heavily on me.
The fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows across the walls. The flames licked at the air, their warmth doing little to chase away the chill that had settled deep in my bones. I sat at the long table, the scroll spread out before me. Its bloodied edges felt like an accusation, a tangible reminder of the stakes.
Osric sat to my left, his expression as grim as it had been earlier. Dante stood near the hearth, his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the flames. The three of us were alone now, the rest of the council having dispersed hours ago. But the tension lingered, heavier than ever.
“This is a turning point,” Osric said, breaking the silence. His voice was low but resolute.
“Silas won’t wait long. He’ll strike hard and fast, and when he does, we need to be ready.”
“We will be,” I said, though the confidence in my voice felt like a mask.
“But we can’t underestimate him. He’s cunning, and he knows how to exploit our weaknesses.”
