Chapter 53:
“Your presence is dividing us, Dante. I need my pack united, not questioning if they’ve backed the wrong leader.”
For a moment, he said nothing, his gaze locked on mine. Then he sighed, running a hand through his hair.
“You’re right,” he said quietly.
“My presence has stirred things up. And yes, part of me… part of me still feels the pull to lead. I can’t deny that. But that’s not why I’m here.”
“Then why are you here?” I asked, my voice softer now, the anger giving way to exhaustion.
He met my gaze, his expression steady.
“Because I believe in you, Elara. This pack chose you for a reason, and I see that reason every day. You’re strong, and you care about them in a way I never could. You’re the Alpha they need. I’m here to help you, not to replace you.”
The sincerity in his voice was undeniable, and it cut through the storm of doubt swirling inside me.
“If you mean that,” I said, “then you need to make them see it. The pack doesn’t trust me right now, and your presence is making it worse. I need you to show them that you’re here to support me, not to take my place.”
He nodded slowly.
“I will. Tell me what you need me to do.”
“Tomorrow,” I said, my voice steadying.
“At the assembly. Stand with me. Speak to them, not as a leader, but as a wolf who believes in this pack and in me. Make them see that we’re united.”
“I will,” he said again, his voice resolute.
For the first time in days, I felt a flicker of hope. Dante’s presence had fractured the pack, but maybe, just maybe, he could help mend it too.
The next morning, as the pack gathered in the compound, I felt the weight of their eyes on me, the unspoken doubts pressing against my back. But I wasn’t alone.
Dante stood beside me, his posture calm and respectful. As I addressed the pack, I spoke with conviction, reminding them of what it meant to be part of Talon Pack—unity, loyalty, and trust. And when Dante stepped forward to speak, his voice carried the weight of his sincerity, his words weaving a fragile thread of reassurance.
By the time the assembly ended, I could feel the shift, subtle but real. The doubts weren’t gone, but the divide no longer felt insurmountable. As the wolves dispersed, I turned to Dante, a quiet gratitude in my heart.
For now, it was enough. But I knew the battle for Talon Pack’s unity was far from over. And with Dante by my side, I would face it, one step at a time.
POV: Elara
The pressure of leadership settled heavily on my shoulders, a weight that grew with every decision, every word, every glance cast my way. It was exhausting, this constant balance between projecting strength and swallowing my own doubts. Every day brought new challenges, new whispers of discontent, and the unending reminder that the unity I’d fought so hard to build was more fragile than I’d ever anticipated.
This morning, as dawn broke over the mountains, I found myself standing outside the Alpha’s house, the chill in the air doing little to shake the tension lodged deep in my bones. The compound was just beginning to stir; wolves moved between the buildings, preparing for another day of training, of duties that no longer held the peace of routine. Everything was tainted by the knowledge of Silas’s looming threat and the divisions that lurked within us like a hidden wound.
I wrapped my arms around myself, breathing in the cold air and wishing, for once, that I could lay down this burden—just for a moment. But I knew better than to entertain that thought. Leaders didn’t get to take breaks, not in times like these.
A familiar voice broke through my thoughts.
“Elara.”
I turned to see Elder Osric approaching, his gaze calm but sharp. There was always something intimidating about Osric, a certain look in his eyes that spoke of wisdom and a lifetime of experience. My father had leaned on him as a trusted advisor, and in the weeks since my ascension, he had taken on a similar role with me. I relied on him more than I cared to admit.
