Chapter 86:
The pack held my gaze, their expressions filled with a quiet determination that sent a surge of confidence through me. They were ready, or as ready as we could be. And in that moment, I knew that whatever came next, we would face it together.
As the pack began to disperse for the evening, I turned to find Dante watching me, his gaze filled with a rare, unguarded warmth.
“You’ve done more than prepare them for war, Elara,” he said softly.
“You’ve given them something to believe in.”
I looked at him, feeling the depth of his words settle within me.
“And you’ve helped me give them that strength. I won’t forget it.”
For a moment, we stood there in silence, the unspoken understanding passing between us—a shared purpose, a bond forged through struggle and a mutual desire to protect the pack we both loved.
As I made my way back to the Alpha’s house, the sounds of the pack settling in for the night filled the air—the quiet conversations, the soft laughter, the unity that had begun to feel like a living thing. And as I stood alone on the steps, looking out over Talon territory, I felt a renewed sense of purpose.
Silas was coming, and he would come with all the force he could muster. But when he arrived, he would find a pack that was no longer fractured, no longer plagued by doubt. Talon Pack was stronger than ever, bound by a loyalty and unity that could not be shaken.
And I was ready to lead them through whatever trials awaited us. Together, we would face Silas, and together, we would show him that Talon Pack was unbreakable.
POV: Elara
The moon was high in the sky when a quiet knock at my door pulled me from the depths of a restless sleep. I rose, quickly throwing on a cloak and opening the door to find Celia standing there, her face tense and shadowed by worry. The chill in the air seemed to cling to her, and I knew immediately that something was wrong.
“Celia?” I whispered, stepping aside so she could enter.
She glanced around the hall, as if expecting someone to overhear, before she spoke.
“Elara, there are… rumors spreading through the pack. Disturbing ones.”
My heart sank, an uneasy feeling settling over me. We had worked so hard to bring the pack together, to build the unity that would hold us strong against Silas’s coming attack. I thought we had achieved it. But I knew all too well that distrust could slip back in, sneaking like poison into the veins of the pack.
“What rumors?” I asked, my voice low but steady.
Celia’s gaze was somber.
“There’s talk of betrayal. Some wolves are saying that someone within the pack is communicating with Silas, feeding him information.”
I felt a chill creep up my spine, my mind racing with the implications.
“Do we know who started these rumors?”
She shook her head, frustration clear in her expression.
“No one will say. But the whispers are growing. And there are a few wolves who have become… more withdrawn. Some are watching each other, looking for any sign of disloyalty. It’s already creating tension.”
I gritted my teeth, anger mixing with fear. Whoever had started these rumors, whether out of malice or fear, had struck at the heart of our unity. Trust was the foundation of Talon Pack, and without it, everything we’d worked for could crumble. Silas wouldn’t even have to attack; he could simply sit back and watch us unravel.
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to think clearly.
“We need to find out who’s behind this. I can’t let distrust tear us apart right now—not when we’re so close to facing Silas.”
Celia nodded, her gaze steady.
“Agreed. But we have to tread carefully. If we come down too hard, we’ll only deepen their suspicions. We need to root out the truth, but quietly.”
