Shadows in the Silence
The days after the trial bled together in a haze for Isla. The world came to her in fragments—a warm hand pressing a damp cloth to her forehead, the quiet murmurs of voices too far away to make out, the faint scent of herbs and fire. She felt her body’s protests as she floated between wakefulness and unconsciousness, the ache in her muscles a constant reminder of the trial she had barely survived.
At times, her dreams felt real. She could hear Draven’s voice, low and commanding, cutting through the fog. Sometimes he sounded angry. Other times, there was something softer in his tone, though she couldn’t understand his words. Occasionally, Susan’s sharp but calming voice joined his, snapping back at whoever seemed to challenge Isla’s right to rest.
When the haze began to lift, Isla’s mind pieced together fragments of conversations.
“She’s been unconscious for three days,” Susan said, her voice firm and unyielding. “She needs more time to heal.”
“We don’t have time,” another voice replied, gruff and unfamiliar. “The pack is restless. The Luna must be seen. She hasn’t shifted—”
“She’s alive
Draven’s voice cut through, calm but unyielding. “Enough. She’ll face the pack when she’s ready.”
The voices faded again, and Isla slipped back into the depths of unconsciousness.
***
In the council chamber, the mood was celebratory but cautious. The elders sat in a semi-circle, their attention fixed on Draven. At the center of the room, the Alpha’s crest glinted in the dim firelight—a trophy Isla had nearly died to retrieve.
Morvin, the eldest among them, spoke first. “The trials are complete. For the first time in years, Crimson Fang has a Luna.”
The other elders murmured their agreement, though their excitement was tempered by concern. Morvin leaned forward, his sharp eyes narrowing at Draven. “An Alpha with a Luna becomes more than just a leader. It binds the pack’s strength to yours, solidifies unity, and increases power. But with that power comes expectations.”
Draven met the elder’s gaze evenly. “I understand.”
“Do you?” Morvin pressed. “The pack will want proof. The strength of an Alpha-Luna bond is tied not just to their partnership but to their wolves. They will want to see her wolf, Draven.”
The statement hung in the air, heavy with implication. Draven said nothing for a moment, his thoughts circling back to Isla. He had seen her fight, bleed, and survive. But he had never seen her wolf. And now, the realization gnawed at him. She’s never mentioned it.
“What if she can’t shift?” another elder asked bluntly.
“She completed the trials,” Draven replied, his tone even. “That’s proof enough of her strength.”
“For now,” Morvin conceded, though his tone was cautious. “But if the pack senses weakness—”
“There is no weakness,” Draven snapped, the sharpness in his voice silencing the council. He rose to his feet, his dark eyes sweeping over the elders. “She’ll be ready when the time comes.”
