At the end of the day, the fight for the associate director position no longer felt like a test of skill or instinct. It felt like a quiet, ruthless contest of influence—who had the strongest alliances, the wealthiest pack behind them, the deepest bonds to call upon. Those who commanded both loyalty and resources were already ahead, long before any real numbers were counted.
I realized, too late, that I was losing ground. Five years away from my territory had dulled my connections. The pack I once moved among had grown distant, their scents fading from my memory, their loyalties no longer tied to mine. Even if I reached out now, I couldn't be sure they would answer… or that they could afford the kind of offerings this competition demanded.
The truth settled heavily in my chest, pressing down until it was hard to breathe. I was alone in this hunt.
