Woods, the Pack Hall stood solemn and quiet, its stone walls absorbing the mist that lingered from the storm. Within those walls, mu

tense look with Elder Ingrid, who was watching the entrance intently, her lips pressed in

e pack members. Whispers of Morgana's cruelty and Killian's indifference. Of laws broken and traditions

e room with his presence alone, but the air of respect that used to accompany his entrance felt hollow now. Behind him, Morgana slipped thr

mmoned?" Killian's voice cut through

a," he replied, his tone cautious. "There have been...

ritation crossing his face. "Concerns?"

reports, Alpha. Travelers and traders speak of unrest within our borders. Of law

n his eyes. She met his look with a calm expression, b

continued, her voice gaining strength. "And we fear that the meas

with resistance," she said smoothly, her voice like silk wrapped around steel. "But the pac

ere is a difference between a fir

is gaze back to the Elders, his expression hardening. "The pack is strong,

of Aveline, Alpha? She was our Luna once. There are those who still question

yes flickered with something dark-a flash of jealousy, perhaps, or anger held tight

, his voice tight. "She abandoned her duty

something was amiss-that the strong, confident Alpha they once knew was wavering. Morgana's influence

ully, "the pack needs stability. They need to know that their leaders hav

ard, her voice smooth and calming. "The pack will adapt," she said softly, her tone almost soot

llian was not going to be swayed easily, and the tension in the room only seemed to deepen with each

o a mask of resolve. "The decisions made are final," he declared, his voi

widened, a serpent's grin as she nodded to the gathered council. "Of cou

e foundation of their leadership, the seeds of unrest taking root among their people. Doubt was spreading, and with i

wind and the stories of travelers who passed through the Northern Highlands. And with those whis

ilence. The rain had started again, its soft patter against the windows adding an almost mournful backdrop to the growing sen

whisper. The others looked at her, faces etched with the same worry. The once unified Elders now felt the strai

gruff but weighted with concern. "Any open dissent co

ed to guide our leaders, not be blind followers. If Killian wo

y against the table. "If we're not careful, t

"We need to be prepare

ods had always prided itself on its unity, its loyalty to its leaders. But now, those bo

them. Killian's expression was a mask of controlled anger, his jaw tight with frustration. Morgana walk

r voice low and almost coaxing. "They're wai

d. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "They've a

are supposed to support you, Killian. But if they're losing faith..." She let

ything would work itself out, that his leadership would eventually bring the pack into a n

. And he wasn't su

You can't let them undermine you," she said softly. "You are

assurance, perhaps, or clarity. He saw none. Only the cold, calcul

, his voice quieter now,

errupted, her tone hardening slightly. "Not now.

ed strong leadership. It needed certainty. But he couldn't shake the feeling that he had lost h

. Morgana's expression shifted to something softer, almost pi

he question. He turned to face her, his

st a whisper. "She was your Luna, Killian. And

an said, his voice hardenin

, or jealousy buried deep beneath her calm exterior. "Did she?"

na's words mirrored the doubt that had been gnawing at

e rain. Killian watched her go, a heavy weight settling in his chest. He was losing cont

emories came unbidden, like a rising tide he couldn't hold back. Her laughter, her determination, the way

is gone. And

er face. The air was cold, and the wind carried with it the scent of pine and distant rain. A group of trav

forward, his voice low and conspiratorial. "Strange rumors coming from Whispering Woods," he said, his eyes f

he kept her expression neutral. "Peop

y the Elders are whispering behind closed doors. And the people... they're s

e had left a void, that the pack she had once loved and protected was suffering without her. But

time to

flames, her thoughts spinning in a chaotic spiral. She had left to protect her children, to keep them safe from th

wonder... if her absence

decision, the weight of it heavy in her chest. She didn't know what

t keep runn