Chapter 98:
It was something Silas would exploit the moment he saw it.
As I stood outside the Alpha’s house, watching the compound slowly come to life, Dante approached, his expression as pensive as my own.
“You feel it too,” he said, his voice quiet.
I nodded, crossing my arms.
“We’ve done everything we can to unite them, but there’s still hesitation, uncertainty. They’re fighting as one, but… there’s a lack of trust. And if we go into battle with even a hint of doubt, it’ll be the weakness Silas needs.”
Dante nodded thoughtfully.
“You’re right. And we can’t afford to let that weakness fester. If there are wolves who still doubt this alliance, we need to know who they are.”
I glanced over at him, sensing the seriousness of his words.
“How do you propose we do that?”
“Simple,” he said, his gaze steady.
“We test their loyalties. We give them a challenge that requires absolute trust. Something that forces them to rely on one another.”
The idea was bold, maybe even risky, but I knew it was necessary. This was more than just another training exercise. We needed to reveal the wolves whose loyalty was still divided and give them a chance to make their choice—stand with us or step aside.
That morning, I gathered Talon and Ashfire Packs in the training grounds, my expression solemn as I addressed them. The wolves watched me with silent curiosity, their gazes flickering with uncertainty as they sensed the gravity of what was to come.
“I want to speak to you today about trust,” I began, my voice carrying over the group.
“We’ve come a long way in building this alliance. We’ve trained together, fought side by side in preparation for what’s to come. But trust is more than just working together. It’s relying on each other, believing that the wolf beside you would do anything to protect you.”
A murmur rippled through the group, some wolves nodding in understanding, others looking wary. Torrin, standing with his Ashfire warriors, met my gaze with a calm intensity, his expression approving. He understood the need for this test as well as I did.
“To face Silas, we need absolute loyalty,” I continued.
“We can’t go into battle with even a shred of doubt. So today, we’re going to test that loyalty. Each of you will be paired with a wolf from the other pack, and you’ll undergo a challenge designed to push you to your limits. This is more than training—it’s a test of trust.”
The wolves exchanged glances, some murmuring quietly, others standing straighter, their resolve firm. But I could see the hesitation in a few faces, the guarded looks of wolves who still harbored reservations about this alliance. And it was those wolves I would be watching closely.
We began the exercise with a series of physically demanding challenges that required teamwork, strength, and coordination. Each pair had to navigate through obstacle courses, scale cliffs, and work in perfect unison to complete intricate maneuvers. The exercises were grueling, designed to test endurance and foster a sense of reliance on one another.
Lyle was paired with one of Torrin’s wolves, a fierce fighter named Rhea. At first, their movements were disjointed, their mistrust evident in the way they hesitated, watching each other with suspicion. But as they pushed through the exercises, I saw a transformation take place. Rhea began to trust Lyle’s judgment, following his lead, while he, in turn, learned to rely on her strength and skill.
Elsewhere, I saw similar changes. Wolves who had started out wary, defensive, began to lean on their partners, the barriers between them breaking down as they fought through the challenges. For many, the exercise was forging bonds that were undeniable, a unity that strengthened with each completed task. But not everyone adapted so easily.
As I moved among the groups, I noticed a pair struggling, their movements hesitant, their cooperation awkward. It was Iarek, one of my own Talon warriors, paired with Vira.
