Chapter 355

[ 944 words ]

Talia’s POV

Solon stormed into his office, nearly tearing the door from its hinges. His entrance sent a stack of reports tumbling, scattering documents across the table. He stopped at the desk, still tense, his jaw tensed like a wolf barely holding back a snarl.

He didn’t hesitate. “Morgana made herself clear. The Rogue King is coming for us, and we need to prepare,” he said, his voice hard. “I expect they’ll be here before dawn.”

Nolan’s jaw tensed as he crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. Camilla stood by the wall, fists clenched. Derek seemed calm, but his eyes kept flicking between Solon and me before he said, “What would you have me do,my King?”

Solon fixed his gaze on Derek. “From now on, all Silverfang warriors will reinforce all entrances into Silverfang. No exceptions. You will organize our pack members through the tunnels and subchambers. No one comes above ground unless I give the order.”

Derek nodded quickly. “Already anticipated. I’ve rerouted patrols and started the fallback plan for those that can’t fight.” He didn’t look at any of us, just focused on Solon.

“Good.” Solon eased up a bit. “Fangvale is neutral ground. We were surprised last time with Jason, and we can’t let that happen again. Send scouts to check in every half hour. I want us ready if she tries to flank us via Fangvale.”

“What if she’s bluffing?” I asked.

“She’s not,” Camilla replied. “She meant every word.”

“Alphas are already on the way. They are en route, and we will have them focused on the walls,” Solon continued.

“Some of the Alphas won’t come.” Leslie spoke quietly from the edge of the table, arms wrapped around herself. The lamplight showed how much the past weeks had worn her down. “You know that, right?”

“The packs won’t betray us, Leslie,” I said. She looked scared, but as Luna, she needed to be strong.

“Kent spread rumors at the Harvest Gathering that Silverfang was getting weak,” she continued. “Some packs will just look out for themselves. Now that Kargon has said he’s coming for us first, some will lock their gates and wait to see who wins. We need to be ready for that.”

“Let them.”

She blinked. “What?”

“Let them,” Solon repeated.

“I’m being serious,” Leslie said.

“I am too. A pack wants to sit this out behind its own walls, that’s their call, and I won’t hold it against them after,” Solon continued. “As long as they don’t betray us or aid Kargon, I do not care. But if any Alpha turns on us, if any pack opens their doors to Morgana or sends word to the enemy, then they will answer for it. I won’t forget, and neither will the others. They can stay home, take care of their own. I would rather know now who the traitors are than later.”

I listened as my brother spoke, his voice calm and sure. In that moment, he didn’t seem like the uncertain son with a title pushed upon him before he was ready. Solon truly sounded like the Alpha King of Silverfang. Our father would be proud.

“Your wall and warriors will not be enough,” Camilla stated from her position near the window. “You insulted her tonight, Alpha King. She will not let that go.”

“Then, what do we do to prepare for her?” I asked.

“You are what we need and fire,” Camilla replied simply. “Ordinary fire will keep the mad rogues off your wall, but it will not touch Morgana. Moonfire will burn her and any spell she casts. You will need to be prepared to do what must be done tonight, child.”

Solon nodded and said, “Derek, we need torches, Molotovs, flame throwers, anything we can make quickly. We need them tonight.”

“Done.”

“When this begins, we keep it simple,” Nolan added. “Divide and conquer.”

“Agreed. Every Alpha answers to Nolan and me. We fight as one pack, not twenty separate ones,” Solon said. “Talia and Camilla, your main goal is Morgana. If we take out Morgana, the mad rogues will fall. If she shows up, you focus on her. Don’t worry about anything else. Just stop Morgana.”

Everyone agreed except Leslie, who asked, “Then what about me? What do you need me to do?”

Solon looked at Leslie, and I recognized that look. Nolan had given me the same one before. Before I could say anything, Leslie spoke up again.

“I can run an aid station,” Leslie said. “I can move with the warriors and treat bites as soon as they happen.”

“What happens if you’re bitten?” Solon asked.

“That won’t happen. The warriors…”

“The warriors will be focused on fighting, not protecting you,” Solon replied. “You’ll go down into the tunnels with other members.”

“No, Solon. I need to be out there helping,” Leslie argued.

“No.” His voice softened, which somehow felt worse. He hesitated, jaw tight as he searched for words. “I can’t put you in danger, Leslie. I couldn’t forgive myself if something happened to you.”

“I am the Luna of this pack,” Leslie countered.

“You’re going down into the tunnels with the others. Keep everyone calm and help them rest. You haven’t slept in weeks, and you’re exhausted,” Solon said.

“I should be out there with you, defending our pack as your Luna,” Leslie insisted.

“I know you can,” Solon said. “But you don’t have to this time.”

“Why? I am not fragile, Solon,” Leslie snapped. “I can do more than hide down there. Just let me…”

“Leslie,” Solon said firmly.

“No! I can’t sit in the dark waiting to find out what will happen. I’ve watched so many turns, and I couldn’t do anything. I can help now. I won’t hide…”

She stopped suddenly.

Her face turned pale. She reached for the table’s edge and missed. Her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed before any of us could catch her.

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