Chapter 77:
“Dante will be assisting me in leading these sessions,” I continued.
“He knows Silas’s tactics better than anyone, and his experience will be invaluable. Today, we’ll push ourselves, test our limits. This will be the hardest training you’ve faced, but it’s the only way we can ensure that each of us is ready.”
I caught Dante’s eye, and he nodded, stepping forward to address the pack. His calm authority was undeniable, and I could see the younger wolves, especially, looking to him with an almost reverent focus.
“Silas will use every weakness, every hesitation against us,” he said, his tone quiet but commanding.
“If we’re going to survive this, we need to be more than strong—we need to work as a single unit, to trust one another. Our survival depends on our ability to fight as one.”
His words settled over the pack, the gravity of our situation taking hold. He gave me a brief nod, and we began the first training exercise—a series of drills designed to test speed, strength, and, most importantly, teamwork.
As the drills began, I moved among the wolves, offering encouragement and advice, correcting stances, pushing them to dig deeper. The hours blurred together as I guided the pack through each exercise, watching as they strained, stumbled, and found their footing. This wasn’t just physical training; it was a forging of resilience, a breaking down of individual fears to build a collective strength.
I paused to observe Lyle, who was struggling with one of the strength drills, his face red with effort. He glanced up at me, frustration in his eyes, and I saw the spark of determination beneath his exhaustion.
“You’re doing well, Lyle,” I said, resting a hand on his shoulder.
“Keep pushing. You’re stronger than you think.”
He nodded, jaw clenched, a renewed spark in his eyes as he threw himself back into the drill. Around us, wolves of all ages and experience levels pushed through their own limits, and I felt a surge of pride watching them. They were exhausted, bruised, but they didn’t falter.
Toward midday, we gathered the pack for a rest, and I could see how much the training had already taken out of them. They were sitting together, leaning against each other, sweat streaking their fur, but there was a sense of unity that hadn’t been there before. Bonds were forming, alliances between wolves who had once viewed each other as rivals or strangers. It was exactly what we needed.
As I looked over them, Dante approached, his gaze assessing.
“They’re strong. But strength alone won’t be enough.”
“I know,” I replied, my gaze drifting over the weary faces of the pack.
“But they’re learning to rely on each other, to trust. That will make all the difference when the time comes.”
He nodded, thoughtful.
“There’s still work to do. Silas won’t be forgiving, Elara. His wolves are relentless.”
The reminder settled like a stone in my stomach. Silas was known for his brutality, his wolves trained to fight without hesitation, without mercy. They were ruthless, each one as dangerous as the next, and I knew Talon Pack was still not fully prepared.
“Then we push harder,” I said firmly.
“We make sure that every wolf here knows exactly what they’re up against.”
We returned to the training grounds, where the wolves had begun to catch their breath, their eyes bright with anticipation despite their exhaustion. I called for another set of drills, this time focusing on endurance and close combat tactics—skills that would be crucial when Silas’s wolves came to our borders.
The drills intensified, each one designed to test their limits. Some wolves struggled, faltering under the weight of their fatigue, but they caught themselves, pushed on, feeding off each other’s strength. Even those who had once been reluctant to fight showed a newfound determination. The sense of unity, of fighting for something greater than themselves, began to take root.
As the sun dipped lower, casting a warm glow over the training grounds, I called for the final exercise—a coordinated maneuver that would require each wolf to work in perfect sync. Dante and I demonstrated the technique, moving as one, our steps matched with precision. The pack watched, eyes wide, before breaking into groups to practice.
