A Hollow Alliance
Crimson Fang felt like a shadow of itself. The once-thriving stronghold now moved in muted whispers, the wolves carrying out their duties with a quiet reverence that mirrored their Luna’s state of mind. The grief was tangible, a shared weight that pressed down on the pack, yet their loyalty to Isla was unwavering.
One by one, they approached her throughout the day. Warriors offered quiet words of encouragement, their voices low but steady. Elders placed reassuring hands on her shoulders, their silent support speaking volumes. Even the youngest wolves, their eyes wide with innocence and fear, looked to her with trust and hope.
The gestures warmed Isla’s heart, but they also deepened her sense of responsibility. These wolves believed in her, relied on her. She couldn’t falter, even as her own spirit splintered under the weight of everything she had lost.
In the healer’s den, Draven lay unmoving, his breathing shallow but steady. Isla sat beside him, her silver eyes rimmed with exhaustion. She hadn’t left his side for hours, unwilling to let him face this battle alone—even if it was one she couldn’t fight for him.
Jamie entered the room cautiously, his gray eyes flicking between Isla and the unconscious Draven. “Isla,” he said softly, breaking the silence. “The pack is ready to follow your lead. What’s our next move?”
Isla rose to her feet, her energy surging like a storm barely contained. Her silver eyes gleamed with a mixture of fury and resolve as she turned to Jamie. “We gather every ally we have left,” she said, her voice firm. “Rogue packs, neighboring territories—anyone willing to stand with us. I won’t let Eira or my father hide any longer. They’ll answer for this.”
“Isla, you need to rest,” Jamie said gently. “The pack needs you strong.”
“I can’t,” Isla replied, her voice hollow. She reached out, brushing a hand over Draven’s as if the motion alone could bring him back to her. “Not until they’re dead and my children are free.”
Jamie placed a hand on her shoulder, his grip firm but comforting. “We’ll find them, Isla,” he said, her voice resolute. “I’ll make sure of it.”
Isla nodded faintly, her silver eyes fixed on Draven’s face. “I know, Jamie. I trust you.”
As Jamie left, Isla leaned closer to Draven, her lips brushing against his temple. “I’ll hold on,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “For you. For them. For all of us.”
