Chapter 96

Torrin himself stood with his warriors, his gaze sharp and appraising. He met my eye and gave me a slight nod, his way of signaling his approval, his trust that I would lead this exercise with respect for both sides.

Dante moved beside me, his steady presence a comfort as I stepped forward, my voice clear as I addressed both packs.

“Today’s training will be different,” I began, projecting my voice to carry across the gathered wolves.

“We are no longer two separate packs. Today, we are one force, one unit with a common goal—to protect our land and each other. Silas wants to see us divided, to see us weak. But together, we will show him the strength of our alliance.”

The wolves listened, their expressions guarded but attentive. I could feel the wariness between Talon and Ashfire, an unspoken tension that would need to be overcome. These wolves were skilled fighters, proud of their respective packs, and they weren’t used to sharing the battlefield with those outside their own ranks.

“To do that,” I continued, “we need to learn to fight together, to anticipate each other’s movements, and to build a bond that Silas cannot break. Each of you will be paired with a wolf from the other pack. You’ll spend the day training with your partner, learning to trust them as if they were your own kin.”

A murmur rippled through the group, and I saw a few wolves exchange uneasy glances. But I stood firm, my gaze unyielding as I looked over them.