Chapter 88

“I’ll keep an eye on things from a distance. If anyone tries to contact Silas or act against the pack, I’ll know.”

With a plan in place, we dispersed, each of us carrying the weight of our task. I could feel the tension simmering just below the surface as I moved through the compound over the next few days, watching for any signs of disloyalty, any hint of betrayal.

I spoke to wolves like Celia and Osric, those with sway in the pack, encouraging them to reassure others and put the rumors to rest. I kept my tone calm, confident, projecting the strength I needed them to see. But each night, as I lay awake, the fear gnawed at me. I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone, somewhere, was watching and waiting, their loyalty sliding further from my grasp.

One evening, just as I was finishing a late patrol of the compound, Dante approached me, his expression tense.

“Elara,” he said quietly, his gaze sharp.

“I’ve been watching one of the younger wolves, a scout named Finn. He’s been sneaking out late at night, slipping away from the compound without any reason. And he’s careful not to be seen.”

My heart clenched. Finn was young, newly inducted as a scout, still learning the ways of the pack. I had never considered him as a potential threat, but Dante’s words sent a chill down my spine.