Chapter 97:
As I watched them, Torrin approached, his expression thoughtful as he took in the scene before us.
“You’ve done well, Elara,” he said, his tone grudgingly respectful.
“I didn’t think it would be possible to get my wolves to work so closely with yours.”
I nodded, meeting his gaze.
“We all have something to fight for, Torrin. Once they realize that, everything else falls away.”
He studied me for a moment, his gaze sharp.
“Silas won’t expect this. He thinks he’s facing two packs divided. When he sees us together, he’ll be forced to change his tactics.”
“Then let him be surprised,” I replied, my voice firm.
“We’ll be ready for him, no matter what he brings.”
Torrin nodded, a faint smile crossing his face.
“Perhaps I misjudged you, Elara. Your father would be proud.”
The words struck a chord within me, a reminder of the legacy I carried, the weight of my father’s memory that had always driven me to protect Talon Pack. Hearing those words from Torrin, a seasoned Alpha who had fought alongside my father, felt like an affirmation—a recognition of the leader I was becoming.
After the break, we resumed training, moving into more advanced exercises that required quick reflexes and close teamwork. I watched as the wolves from Talon and Ashfire moved through the drills, their movements growing smoother, more instinctual, until they were no longer two separate packs but one cohesive unit.
By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the compound in a warm, golden glow, I called for the final exercise—a coordinated attack that would require every wolf to work in perfect harmony. I gathered them in the center of the training grounds, explaining the maneuvers and showing them how each position and movement would support the others. They listened intently, their expressions serious, their eyes filled with resolve.
When they moved into formation, their steps synchronized and their movements fluid, I felt a surge of pride that bordered on awe. They were not just a pack; they were a force, a living, breathing unit with a single purpose—to defend each other, to protect the land and the family they held dear.
As they completed the exercise, a cheer erupted, a shared celebration that echoed through the trees, filling the compound with the sound of triumph. Wolves from both packs embraced, laughing, their faces alight with a fierce pride—a joy that transcended their initial mistrust.
I looked over at Dante, who stood beside me, his expression a mixture of pride and quiet satisfaction.
“They’re ready,” he said softly.
“When Silas comes, he’ll face something he never expected.”
I nodded, my heart swelling with confidence and the knowledge that we had created something unbreakable.
“Yes. He’ll find a pack united, stronger than ever.”
That night, as the wolves gathered around the fire, sharing food and stories, I felt a sense of peace settle over me—a quiet certainty that we had done everything we could to prepare. Talon and Ashfire were no longer rivals but allies, bonded by trust, shared purpose, and the understanding that together, they were unstoppable.
As I looked around at the faces of my pack, at the laughter and camaraderie that filled the air, I knew that whatever happened next, we would face it together. We had forged a bond that went beyond loyalty, beyond blood. We were one pack, one family, and nothing—not even Silas—could take that from us.
Together, we would stand. And together, we would face whatever darkness lay ahead, knowing that our strength lay not just in our numbers but in the bonds that held us together—unbreakable and true.
The first light of dawn brought a sense of unease I couldn’t quite shake. Despite the progress we’d made in uniting Talon and Ashfire Packs, whispers of mistrust lingered in the shadows, simmering beneath the surface. Even after days of successful joint training, I could feel the invisible divide, a tension between wolves who, while committed to our cause, still viewed each other as outsiders.
