Chapter 94

“I’ll send word to Torrin, requesting a meeting on neutral ground. If he’s willing to listen, perhaps we can form an alliance. But if he tries to undermine us-”

Dante’s hand rested on my shoulder, his voice calm.

“Then we’ll handle it. Together.”

The message went out the next morning, and within a day, a reply arrived. Torrin had agreed to meet, but his response was brief, his tone cold and cautious. He wanted to see for himself what Talon Pack was worth before he even considered an alliance. The meeting would be held in the Hollow, a stretch of neutral territory known for its dense, secluded forest—a place where both sides could speak openly without fear of ambush.

Two days later, Dante and I set out for the Hollow, a small contingent of trusted scouts trailing us from a distance. The journey was quiet, filled with a tension that made each step feel heavier. Dante’s presence beside me was steadying, a silent reminder that I was not facing this alone, but the weight of the coming meeting settled over us like a storm.

As we approached the Hollow, I spotted Torrin and his wolves waiting, their forms shadowed among the trees. Torrin himself stood at the front, his tall, imposing figure unmistakable. His gaze was sharp, calculating, a look that told me he would not be swayed easily.

“Elara,” he greeted, his tone formal, bordering on dismissive.