AURORA


    The elders and seniors of the pack stayed behind with me and Dane. “We can’t let her manipte us like this,” one of the senior wolves loudly said.


    “She’s just trying to divide us,” another chipped in. I raised my hand, and the murmurs died away.


    “Ca thrives on fear and division. But we’ve faced worse before, and we’ve alwayse out stronger,” I said.


    Dane stood beside me, crossing his arms. “We alwayse out stronger because we never let threats like these fester. We should just go head on with her.”


    I turned to him, my tone even but firm, “And give her exactly what she wants? Public attention and a stage for fueling her lies? That’s reckless.”


    “It’s decisive,” Dane returned, his voice rising slightly. “We can’t afford to appear weak, Aurora. Not now.”


    Silence filled the room and we both looked at each other for a while, I sighed. “Recklessness isn’t strength, Dane,” I said, softly. “It’s a risk we can’t afford when the pack is already so divided.”


    “And caution isn’t always the answer,” he returned, his voice


    having lost a little of the edge. “We need to show them we’re int control, not hiding behind words.”


    “I heard Ca mention his name,” a senior said cautiously, looking toward Rowan.


    Rowan, who was walking by, stopped and turned to the senior.


    “I don’t know what Ca’s nning, but I have nothing to do with it. I have stood in this valley, proving myself in loyal service to this pack every single day.”


    “Have you?” one more doubt voiced from the rear, but its speaker did not press forward.


    “Enough!” I said, my voice cutting through the space, silencing the growing murmurs. “We are not here to loss around baseless usations. If Ca mentioned Rowan, it’s because she wants to sow more distrust among us. Don’t let her win.”


    Dane looked at Rowan, his face unreadable and said nothing.


    Muchter that night, I and Dane retreated to our quarters, I stayed quiet. The meeting had taken a toil on me.


    “You didn’t have to defend him like that,” Dane said, pulling off his shirt, as he sat on the bed.


    I blew out a breath, sitting on the edge of the bed. “I had to say something. Rowan’s been through enough already.”


    “He’s also brought some of this on himself,” Dane said tightly. I turned to face him, frustrated.


    “Not everything has to be a confrontation, Dane. Sometimes people just need support.”


    Dane ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. “And sometimes they need a push to take responsibility.”


    I rolled my eyes. “You always think you’re right, don’t you?” I snapped, and immediately regretted it.


    Dane looked at me, his eyes softening. Without a word, he leaned forward, capturing my lips in a kiss. I pulled back slightly, my breath hitching.