Chapter 137: The Call to Arms
The shattered glass of the library windows lay scattered like diamonds on the floor, reflecting the grim determination in the Alpha's eyes. He didn't waste a second. The "Shadow at the Threshold" had delivered its message, and the time for internal bickering was over. If the Old Blood was stirring in the Forbidden Woods, the pack would need more than just power to survive—they would need unity.
He stepped out onto the balcony overlooking the training grounds. "Sound the horn," he commanded the guard stationed at the door. "Assemble everyone. Warriors, elders, even the scouts. No one stays behind."
As the deep, mournful sound of the pack horn echoed through the valley, the murmurs of rebellion from earlier that day were replaced by a sharp, cold focus. The warriors gathered in the courtyard, their breath hitching in the cold night air. Silas stood at the front, his arms crossed, still looking skeptical, but even he could sense the change in the atmosphere. The scent of the Forbidden Woods was clinging to the Alpha, a scent of rot and ancient danger that no wolf could ignore.
"You wanted to know why I chose a different path," the Alpha's voice boomed, carrying across the silent crowd. "You thought my mercy was weakness. But while we were fighting amongst ourselves, an old enemy was watching. The Old Blood has returned to our borders. They don't care about our ranks or our past mistakes. They only care about reclaiming this land and extinguishing our flame."
He looked down at the Omega, who had joined him on the balcony. She stood tall, her presence no longer that of a victim, but of a queen preparing for battle. The pack looked up at them, and for the first time in weeks, the whispers stopped.
"We are a fractured bond," the Alpha continued, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. "But a fractured blade can still cut deep if the hand that holds it is steady. Tonight, we stop fighting each other. Tonight, we prepare for the war that is already at our gates. If any of you still think I am weak, step forward now. Otherwise, sharpen your steel and ready your spirits."
Not a single soul moved. The silence was absolute, broken only by the distant, haunting howl coming from the woods—a sound that confirmed the Alpha's warning. The rebellion hadn't ended; it had simply been eclipsed by a much greater nightmare.