Whispers of the night

e pain of Kael's rejection lingered like a bruise, it had given her clarity. She needed answers. The rejection wasn't just about her-it was part of something larger. Alaric's warning about the shifti

ast to the more relaxed patrols of her own pack. Elara's stomach tightened as she realized just how militarized the Shadowclaw Pack had become. They weren't just preparing for territory disputes-they were preparing for war. "Look," Alaric whispered, nudging her gently. "Over there." Elara followed his gaze to a group of wolves gathered near the entrance to the fortress. At the center of the group stood Kael, his presence commanding as he spoke with several of his lieutenants. Even from this distance, Elara could feel the weight of his power, a magnetic force that drew her in even as her heart ached with the memory of his rejection. He looked different in the daylight-more human, perhaps. His sharp features were illuminated by the sun, his dark hair catching the light as he gestured to the others. But there was no mistaking the authority in his posture, the cold calculation in his eyes. He was every bit the Alpha he was reputed to be. "What's he saying?" Elara whispered, her eyes never leaving Kael. Alaric frowned, his head tilting slightly as he tried to catch bits of the conversation. "I can't hear much from here, but... they're talking about an alliance. Something about securing territory to the north." Elara's heart sank. If Kael was brokering new alliances, it meant the conflict Alaric had warned her about was closer than she'd thought. The packs were positioning themselves for something big, something dangerous. "We need to get closer," she said, her voice barely audible. "I need to know more." Alaric shot her a concerned look but nodded, trusting her judgment. Together, they moved quietly along the tree line, keeping low to avoid being spotted by the patrols. As they neared the fortress, Elara's pulse quickened. They were dangerously close to enemy territory now, and one wrong move could get them both killed. They found a better vantage point behind a large boulder, close enough to hear fragments of the conversation. Kael's voice was low but clear, his words carrying a weight of authority that left no room for doubt. "The Bloodstone Pack has agreed to the terms," Kael was saying, his eyes scanning the faces of his lieutenants. "They'll stand with us when the time comes." One of the lieutenants, a tall, broad-shouldered wolf with a scar across his face, nodded. "And the others?" "They'll fall in line," Kael replied, his tone confident. "Once they see what's at stake, they'll have no choice." Elara's mind raced as she tried t