ght of a single candle casting shadows that danced like ghosts across the walls. His thoughts were a storm, chaotic and relentless, each one

en a gift from his father, the symbol of leadership, and yet, to Ronan, it felt more like a curse. A mark of

every wolf, every ally, every warrior who had sworn loyalty to the Blackfang name. But the price of their loyalty was steep. T

that war was coming, and that it wouldn't be fought just on the borders of their lands. It would be fought in e

nterrupted by a sof

is voice steady but t

friend was always the first to seek him out when things were tense, and tonight was no different. Lucien's

s voice low. "But the council... the

gathering in secret since Aldric's death, pushing for answers, questioning his every move. H

ttered under his breath, his jaw c

s not about control, Ronan. It's about proving that you're worthy. The council doesn

g whatever was necessary, whether the council agreed or not. But Lucien was right. If he couldn't gain their support, if he couldn't convince the

t was a reminder of his father's legacy-the great King Aldric, the Alpha who had ruled with an iron fist. But Ronan couldn't be that. He h

a puppet for their games. If they want me to prove myse

ack toward the door. "I'l

the upcoming meeting. He didn't know if the council would be satisfied with his answers, but he

upon them. The Bloodfangs were on the horizon, and his brothers-Garrick and Draven-were already plotting their

ere already seated, their eyes cold and calculating. Marrek, the head of th

is meeting to discuss the future of the Shadowfang Pack and your leadership. The loss of Ald

neutral. "I am prepared. But I need the council to trust me, an

lances. Ronan knew they were testing him-probing to see if he had the courag

ful. "But there are other threats we must consider as well. Your brothers, Garrick and D

hers. "Their loyalty is a matter of convenience.

d uncertain glances, but Ronan stood firm. He had no time for hesitation. The pack ne

re right, of course. But you must remember that leadership isn't just about strength. It's about

ing in. "Then I will earn their trust. I will s

will support you, for now. But remember, Ronan-this is just the beginn

is eyes unwavering. "

nan's shoulders felt even more pronounced in the presence of the pack's most trusted leaders. He could sense the subtle tes

epticism and reluctant hope. It wasn't just the Bloodfangs or his brothers that they feared; it was the unknown. R

of strength, Ronan, but strength alone will not ensure victory. We are dealing with more than just a rival pack. There a

mean? What alliances?" He had been so focused on his immediate threats-his brot

hispers of other wolves, wolves not bound by pack law, who are gathering. Mercenaries. Rogues. Even some who claim to have ancient b

heard rumors, of course, but he had dismissed them as mere chatter. Now, it s

ked, his voice steady despite the g

oring packs. Strengthen our borders. But that is not enough. We need to be proactive, not just reactive. We

more fragile than any alliance could protect. They needed something more than diplomacy-they n

decisively, and with full knowledge of what the cost might be. "Then we need to show them t

learly weighing Ronan's words.

pare them. We will show our strength in the coming weeks, and we will send out a message-

his eyes betrayed his own concerns. The Bloodfangs had always been a threat, but now there was something larger looming in the shadows. Ronan couldn't help but

is necessary. But we must not forget the pack itself. The wolves who follow you-they must believe in

ther's son, after all. The pack had followed Aldric because of his strength, his leadership, and his unwavering devotion to

hough inside, the uncertainty gnawed at him. "I

shifting slightly. "I believe you will, Ronan. But time is short, a

uum that could easily be filled by those who were eager to take what was his. He couldn't allow that to

ions that loomed ahead of him. In the span of a few weeks, everything could change. He could either rise to meet the challenge, or fall beneath the weight of the pack's e

idors of the stronghold. The silence between them was heavy, both of them

you, right?" he asked,

response. "I'm

ever been in this position before. And you won't be able to do it alone. You need support. You n

is gaze steady as he met Lucie

s in his eyes. "Of course. But it's not just me you need. You need th

o feel like Ronan was one of them, not just a king who ruled from above. But

on his chest. The pack was looking to him, yes, but he was still uncertain whet

his shoulder. "You're no

n his mind. The coming days would test him in ways he could