Chapter 76:
My own fight intensified, the scout’s desperation fueling his attacks as he realized he wouldn’t be returning to Silas with whatever information he had gathered. I parried his strikes, my body moving instinctively, fueled by the knowledge that my pack depended on me. Finally, with a surge of strength, I forced him back, landing a final blow that sent him collapsing to the ground, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
I straightened, catching my breath as I looked over to see Dante standing over the other scout, his opponent similarly subdued. We exchanged a quick, grim nod, the adrenaline still thrumming through our veins.
“What do we do with them?” I asked, my voice quiet but steady.
Dante’s gaze was hard, unyielding.
“They’ve seen too much. If we let them go, Silas will know we’re onto him. And he’ll use it against us.”
I felt a pang of regret, but I knew he was right. This was war, and if we wanted to protect Talon Pack, we couldn’t afford mercy. I nodded, acknowledging the grim necessity of the situation.
We handled it quickly and silently, leaving no trace for anyone who might come looking. When it was done, we took a moment to steady ourselves, the weight of our actions settling heavily over us. But I felt a strange calm, a clarity that came from knowing I had done what was necessary to protect my pack.
As we made our way back toward Talon territory, Dante’s expression was thoughtful, his gaze distant. I knew he was as affected as I was by what had just happened, but there was an unspoken understanding between us—a recognition of the burden we both carried, and the sacrifices we had to make.
“We’ve bought ourselves some time,” he said finally, breaking the silence.
“But Silas won’t stop. He’ll send more scouts, and eventually, he’ll come himself. We need to be ready.”
I nodded, feeling the weight of his words.
“Then we’ll prepare. Whatever it takes, we’ll protect Talon Pack. And when Silas comes, he’ll find a united front.”
Dante looked at me, a flicker of admiration in his gaze.
“Then let’s make sure that’s what he finds.”
As we walked back through the borderlands, the tension between us felt like a quiet alliance—a bond forged not just by fate but by the shared determination to protect our pack, no matter the cost. We had taken our first step into Silas’s game, and I knew that from this moment on, there would be no turning back.
The borderlands faded behind us as we returned to the safety of Talon territory, but the shadow of Silas’s threat lingered, a dark reminder of what lay ahead. Yet, for the first time, I felt a glimmer of confidence that, with Dante by my side, we could face whatever was coming.
Together, we would be ready.
The compound buzzed with an energy I hadn’t felt since my father’s time. Word had spread quickly about the encounter at the borderlands, whispers rippling through the pack as they learned of the scouts we had intercepted and the undeniable proof of Silas’s intentions. There was no more room for doubt; war was on the horizon, and I had no choice but to prepare my pack for the battle ahead.
I stood on the training grounds, watching as my pack assembled. Wolves of all ages gathered, their faces a mix of apprehension and determination. They knew what this meant. I could feel their resolve solidifying, a bond forming between us as we readied ourselves for the struggle we all sensed coming.
Dante moved beside me, his gaze steady as he took in the assembled pack. We had agreed that today’s training would focus on preparing every wolf, not just our seasoned warriors. Silas’s pack was ruthless, and I couldn’t afford to leave anyone vulnerable.
“Today,” I called out, my voice carrying over the murmuring crowd, “we begin training for what lies ahead. Silas has made his intentions clear. He’s watching us, waiting for us to show weakness. But we won’t give him that satisfaction. We will meet him with strength, with unity. And when he comes, he’ll find Talon Pack ready for him.”
A low murmur of agreement rippled through the wolves, and I saw a few nods of determination. But there were still wary glances, quiet doubts simmering beneath the surface. I needed to turn that doubt into resolve.
