DANE


    I stared at the old map across the wooden desk of my study, frustration bubbling inside my chest.


    Aurora’s doubts still echoed in my head, and the things she said in thatst argument cut far deeper than I was willing to admit.


    But this was not about them; this was about the pack and its future.


    A knock at the door broke my moment of thinking. Trajan entered, his expression unreadable, yet expectant. “You’ve been quiet,” he said, crossing his arms.


    I jerked my head toward the map. “It’s time,” I said with finality. “We have held back long enough.”


    Trajan came closer, peering at the discolored ink marks that detailed our pack’s history. “You’re sure?


    I nodded. “I am tired of watching our borders shrink while clinging to the hope of peace. If we do nothing to act, somebody will take our rightful possessions by force. The sooner, the better.”


    Trajan’s smile was faint but approving. “Then let’s make it happen.


    By noon, I had the pack gathered in the council hall.


    The room was alive with mutterings of wolves as it filled with everything from curious to anxious faces. I stood at the head of the table, my hands firmly nted on its surface.


    When the room had quieted, I began,


    “For too long we’ve lived in the shadow of what we once were. Our ancestors fought for thisnd, yet we’ve allowed pieces of it to slip away. That ends now.”


    The silence hung thick and heavy in the air. Piper was the first to break it, her voice a cut.


    “And at what cost, Dane? The pack has just begun to heal. Are we ready for another battle?”


    “This isn’t chaos,” I said. “This is taking back what’s rightfully ours. Securing our future.”


    Warrick added, his voice soft, yet questioning. “But is this the right time? The unity in the pack is still fragile. Shouldn’t we just cement what we have first?”


    Trajan moved from beside me, forward. “Unityes from purpose. From something to gather behind. Dane’s n gives


    that to us.


    Aurora’s voice cut through the growing debate. “And what


    happens if this n backfires? If we lose wolves in the process?


    Have you thought about the consequences, Danc?”


    I turned to her, frustration boiling over. “Of course I have, Aurora. But we can’t lead out of fear. We have to take risks to


    grow.”


    Her eyes narrowed. “There’s a difference between calcted risks and reckless ambition.


    The tension between us was showing now. The room watched in uneasy silence as we locked eyes, the air thick with unresolved conflict.


    Piper spoke first. “If we’re doing this, we need a solid n. Not surprises, no unnecessary risks.”


    I nodded, seizing the opportunity. “That’s why I’m calling for an expedition. Volunteers only. Those who believe in this vision will join me.”


    As the meeting drew to a close, the air in the room still hung heavy with unresolved nerves.


    I stayed behind, studying the map once more, tracing the borders of our territory with my finger. This wasn’t about thend; it was about the strength of our pack’s survival for generations toe.


    The soft sound of approaching footsteps drew me out of my thoughts.


    A young wolf, hardly older than to join patrol duty, stood at the


    door, his chest heaving with the effort of having run to reach me.


    “Messenger from the border,” he managed, holding out a sealed


    nole.


    I rose and took it from him, breaking the seal with deliberate


    movements.


    The room had grown quiet, those who hadn’t yet left pausing to watch. As my eyes skimmed the hastily written words, my chest tightened.


    “What does it say?” Trajan asked, stepping closer, his voice tinged with urgency.


    I cleared my throat and began to read loud,


    “A neighboring pack has been spotted near the disputed territory. Their numbers are not clear, but they have set up a temporary camp just beyond the ridge.”


    Gasp’s ran around the room. Piper’s voice cut through the sudden silence. “Another pack? You don’t think they know about your ns, Dane?


    “It’s not about if they know,” I said, folding the note and tucking it into my pocket. “What is, is that they’re there. This changes everything.”


    Aurora broke the long silence that had stretched out since she’dst spoken with me.


    “And what now, Dane? Charging in again headfirst, without a thought, and jeopardizing everyone? Or will this be the one you. think through?


    She was saying it like a challenge, but I didn’t rise to that. “It’s not about recklessness. It’s about timing. If we wait, they’ll fortify their position, and the advantage will be lost.”


    Aurora shook her head. Frustration was writtenrgely on her features. “What if this is what they want? What if it is a bait, to get us moving before we’re ready?


    Trajan cut in, his voice even, but firm. “We can’t afford to second guess. The longer we wait, the more powerful they be.”


    Aurora’s eyes darted between us, her jaw clenched. “You’re ying with fire, Dane. I just hope you don’t burn the whole. pack down with you.”


    The young wolf that had delivered the note hovered near the door. “Should I tell the border patrol to be on higher alert?


    I nodded once, a decision was made. “No. Stand down. We move at first light.”


    As I turned to leave, it was the sound of Aurora’s voice that stopped me. “Dane, if this goes wrong, the pack won’t forgive


    you.”


    I turned back to her, and my face didn’t change. “Then I’ll make sure it doesn’t.”


    Aurora said nothing more, her concern etched on her face as I strode out into the cool night air.