“Then we’ll fight for him,” Evelyn added, her voice firm as she took my hand. I looked at her, searching her face for any sign of doubt. There was none. She believed in me, in us, unwavering. A heavy breath escaped my lips as I straightened my back.

“We will do what we can do,” I said, as we headed back to the pack house. My heart throbbed at the thought of telling Dane the rival pack’s conditions for his life and the pack’s peace.

Chapter 297

AURORA

We got back a few hours later, and I couldn’t bear to face Dane or anyone. I freshened up and went to sit at the head of the large oak table in the pack house, weighed down by my frustration. The fingers of one hand drummed aimlessly on the wooden surface as my mind whirled from Dane’s condition to the wicked conditions of the rival pack.

Piper approached me with a sad face, a look of trouble on her features. “What now, Piper?” I asked, far sharper than I meant. She didn’t even bat an eye; she’d gotten so used to my present condition.

“It’s those claw marks near the border,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest. “Something about them’s been gnawing at me.”

“Did you patrol the area like I told you?”

“I did, but I think we missed something. I want to go back and look again.”

I leaned back, blowing out a slow breath. “Fine. Take someone with you this time.”

Chapter 297

The center of the clearing. Strange markings scarred its bark, their patterns jagged and deliberate.

My stomach tightened. “Those are the same symbols found near the pack house,” I said. “What do you think they mean?”

Before Piper could respond, faint whispers pierced the air. We looked at each other, then wordlessly retreated to hide behind the trunk of a thick tree. Two unknown werewolves appeared. Their voices were low yet as clear as crystal.

“The pack is weak right now,” one of them said with an edge of arrogance. “This is the perfect time to strike.” The other wolf nodded gravely.

“We just gotta wait for the signal from Orion. He knows when they should move.”

My heart seemed to run a race course as things started fitting together; Orion was planning something else. Piper’s grip on my arm tightened. “We need to get out of here,” she whispered.

I nodded, and we slowly stepped backward, careful not to make any noise. My mind was reeling. Were these wolves rogue allies of Orion, or was there another pack?

Chapter 297

In an instant, the moment Piper and I ran into the council chamber, all conversation stopped. Across the table, the council members who were in debate over the deadline given by the rival pack turned toward us, worry and surprise spread across their faces.

“What is it now?” Trajan asked, sharp but controlled. Evelyn looked up at me, worry written all over her face.

Piper stepped forward, her voice trembling with urgency. “We’re being watched. There are wolves on our borders, unfamiliar wolves, and they’re planning to infiltrate the pack while we’re weak.”

The murmurs began at once, a cacophony of voices blending into one another.

“How can you be sure?” Warrick’s voice cut through the noise, his skepticism evident.

“We overheard them,” I said, cutting in for Piper. “They were talking about Orion and how he’s going to attack when we’re weakest.”

Warrick crossed his arms. “You’re positive they work with Orion? Maybe they’re just some rogue group taking advantage of a bad situation.”

“They said his name,” Piper snapped. “This is not some scattered group. They are organized and they know exactly where we stand.”

Chapter 297

Aurora’s voice was soft, but commanding. “And they’re going to attack soon.”

Trajan leaned forward, his face grave. “What precisely did you hear?”

Piper turned to them and began telling about the conversation she overheard. “‘The pack is weak right now. This is the perfect time to strike.’ That’s what one of them said. And they mentioned waiting for Orion’s signal.”

The room fell into thick silence as the weight of her words sank in.

“How many did you see?” one member asked.

“Two,” Piper replied, “but there could be more. These were just scouts.”

“This changes everything,” another elder murmured, shaking his head. “If Orion’s still moving against us, despite the deal, then we’re far from safe.”

Warrick’s hand came down hard on the table. “That is just why I said we should have dealt with him when we could! We’ve sat here, debating, while he’s out there plotting against us!”

“Wow…while you were here hiding behind Piper’s waist, huh?” Evelyn shot at Warrick as she jolted up to her feet.

“Enough,” I said, my voice high and clear. “It serves nothing to point fingers. We must have a plan.”

Chapter 297

Trajan merely nodded, his voice level. “We reinforce the borders at once. More patrols, more traps, to catch those scouts slipping through.”

“Agreed,” I said, looking sideways at Piper. “Piper, you and Warrick head a team, reinforce the perimeter. Tonight. We can’t afford any gaps.”

Piper hesitated, her gaze darting to Warrick. But she nodded, “Understood.”

“And what of Dane?” one of the council members ventured. “He’s still too weak to lead the warriors if this escalates.”

My heart twisted at the mention of Dane, but I kept my face impassive. “We’ll handle this as a pack. I’ll take responsibility for our strategy until Dane recovers.”

“Assuming he does recover,” another elder muttered under his breath.

I shot him a glare. “He will.”

Piper spoke again, softer this time. “What if this is just the beginning? If Orion’s making moves, who’s to say he doesn’t have more allies waiting in this pack?”

“That’s a risk we’ll have to prepare for,” Trajan said, his face hard.

Chapter 297

As the council members began to discuss defense, I stepped back, my mind filling with thoughts of Dane. The image of his pale, sweaty face flashed through my mind. Dane, I thought desperately, I need you to fight. I need you to survive. Because this pack…I can’t do this without you.

I closed my eyes briefly, swallowing the lump in my throat. When I opened them, my resolve was set. “We’ll protect this pack,” I said firmly, my voice cutting through the chatter. “No matter what it takes.”

As the meeting ended and the council members dispersed, I lingered near the table, staring at the plans we’d hastily drawn. Piper set a reassuring hand on my arm, the grounding sensation calming. “We’ll figure this out, Aurora.”

I nodded, but my chest tightened as I whispered, “We have to. Failure isn’t an option.”