Shadows Of The Pack (Aria and Knox) novel Chapter 85

One of them stepped forward. His presence demanded attention, a subtle authority that resonated even among the restless hunters. Liam stepped backwards bowing his head in respect, "Caleb."
Antonio's gaze narrowed as he regarded the wolf, his anger still simmering beneath the surface.
"We're not here to fight," Caleb stated firmly, his voice carrying a note of authority that was hard to ignore.
Antonio's expression remained guarded, his gaze sweeping over the gathered werewolves. "I think the situation suggests otherwise," he retorted.
 Caleb sighed, a hint of weariness in his eyes as he turned to Liam before glancing back at Antonio. "You couldn't possibly have thought that we would send him alone to a place filled with hunters." His gaze met Antonio's hard eyes, "We have the same interests here."
Nicholas's voice dripped with sarcasm, his disdain evident. "Oh, do enlighten us. I'm sure we're all ears."
 Caleb's smile was patient, a calm facade that seemed to weather the tension. "A common enemy, gentlemen," he stated, his voice even. "I want Knox out of the way."
Antonio's brows furrowed, a flicker of confusion crossing his features. "Who is Knox?"
Caleb's gaze held Antonio's, his expression serious. "Knox is the Alpha of the Nightshade pack, and he's also the mate of the marked wolf, Aria. Too much respect and power are centered around them, and the other Alphas do not appreciate this."
Antonio's understanding deepened, the pieces of the puzzle slowly coming together. "So you wish to use the child's power to earn respect, to shift the balance of power among the packs?"
Caleb shook his head, a mixture of frustration and complexity in his eyes. "It's more complicated than that, Antonio. The dynamics between the packs are intricate, and there are many who would like to see a change in leadership, to assert dominance over others."
Nicholas's voice was laced with skepticism. "So, you're telling us that you're hoping to manipulate the child's power to further your own agenda?"
 Caleb met Nicholas's gaze squarely. "We're hoping to achieve a balance, to ensure that no single pack becomes too powerful. But we're not the only ones who see the potential threat that the child's power poses."
Antonio's gaze remained fixed on Caleb, his mind racing with thoughts and calculations. "Where are the other Alphas?"
Caleb's expression softened, his voice carrying a note of sincerity. "We're not here to bring trouble, Antonio. We're here to discuss an alliance, to align our goals for a greater purpose. The child's power is a force that can reshape our world, and we believe that together, we stand a better chance."
Nicholas's skepticism remained, his gaze wary. "And why should we trust you? Why should we believe that you won't use the child's power against us?"
Caleb's smile was rueful, a touch of irony in his eyes. "Because, gentlemen, we all share a common enemy."
Antonio's gaze softened slightly, his anger giving way to a contemplative expression. The situation was far more complex than he had initially assumed.
"We're not promising friendship, trust, or even camaraderie," Caleb continued, his tone earnest. "We're simply proposing an alliance, a partnership born out of necessity. If we can set aside our differences and focus on our common goal, perhaps we can change the course of history."
Nicholas exchanged a glance with Antonio, the unspoken communication passing between them. This was a gamble, one that could either lead to their downfall.
A flash of fire flowed through Antonio's mind as he closed his eyes, "No."
Caleb blinked in surprise, "What?"
With his hands now gripping his blade harder, Antonio's eyes hardened, "Take your wolves and leave this instant or there will be a lot of blood spilled here together."
"You are making a mistake."
Antonio turned his back, hundreds of hunters already lined up, "Kill them all." And then the chaos erupted.
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"So you're saying my pup will hold immense power in his hands?" Aria's voice quivered, her eyes wide with disbelief and concern. "And he could destroy the world realm as we know it? And there are people that want to kill him because of it?"
Winter's expression remained solemn, her gaze steady as she met Aria's eyes. She nodded in affirmation, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. "Yes, Aria. The prophecy speaks of a child who possesses great power and potential. There are those who would seek to use that power for their own gain or eliminate the threat it poses to their own ambitions."
Aria's grip on her stomach tightened, as if she could shield her pup from the dangers that surrounded them. "But I don't understand," she began, "Why is there suddenly a prophecy about my pup? Why now?"
Amidst the turmoil of the room, Shana's voice cut through with a note of concern, her hands outstretched as if reaching out to comfort Aria. "Aria, calm down. We'll figure this out together."
Aria's eyes snapped to Shana, her frustration boiling over as she shrugged off her friend's touch. "I can't calm down, Shana," Aria's voice was tinged with desperation. "It was one thing when they were coming after me, but now they're coming after my pup. Not my pup."
The atmosphere in the room seemed to shift, the energy charged with Aria's distress. The sky outside darkened as if mirroring her emotions. Her wolf side emerged, her eyes flashing with a fierce protectiveness that resonated with her instincts.
Sophia looked outside as the clouds darkened the sky before stepping forward,"Aria, stop. We understand your fear, but panicking won't help. We're here for you, and we will do whatever it takes to keep you and the pup safe. He is the future Alpha of the pack. Nothing will happen to him." The sky rumbled again, louder this time, "You need to stop. Your anger is feeding into your mark."
Aria's breaths came in quick, shallow bursts, her wolf's instincts warring with her human emotions. "I need to know," Aria's voice quivered, her eyes pleading for answers. "What do we do? How do we protect my pup?"
Winter stepped closer, her presence a calming force amidst the storm of emotions. "We gather information, Aria. Knowledge is our best defense. We need to understand the prophecy fully and the forces at play. And we need to be prepared to fight, if it comes to that."
Aria's gaze shifted between Winter and the others. She nodded slowly, her wolf's instincts aligning with her human resolve. "Okay," she finally said, her voice stronger. "Okay, we gather information, we prepare, and we protect my pup at all costs."
She closed her eyes, reaching for her bond. Knox had still blocked her out. Her wolf let out a loud growl as she focused her energy, "I've had enough of this Knox, we need to talk."
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Amidst the aftermath of the battle, the forest echoed with the pained sounds of wounded wolves and the solemn voices of those who had gathered. Caleb, flanked by two other Alphas, stood at the center of a makeshift circle formed by the werewolves.
Caleb's growl cut through the air, a low and menacing sound that reverberated with his discontent. His eyes were fixed on Liam, "I knew we were making a mistake," Caleb muttered under his breath, his voice dripping with frustration. "Those humans are fools."
Liam's shoulders slumped, his gaze cast downwards as he let out a weary sigh. "I really thought their leader would see reason," he admitted, his voice laced with a touch of bitterness. "I thought we could find common ground."
One of the Alphas, a tall and imposing figure with silver hair, stepped forward, Erik titled his head in thought,"So what are we going to do now? The situation has only escalated."
The other Alpha, a woman named Selene whose aura exuded strength and resilience, nodded in agreement. "Erik is right. We can't afford to let this opportunity slip away."
Caleb's gaze shifted between his fellow Alphas, his expression thoughtful. "We need a new plan. One that will allow us to achieve our goal without putting us in direct conflict with the hunters."
Liam, still nursing his wounds from the battle, spoke up, his voice tinged with a sense of urgency. "We need a way to get to the pup. To harness its power for our own purposes."
Selene's lips curled into a calculating smile, her eyes gleaming with a fierce determination. "If we can't convince the hunters to align with us, then we'll have to find another way to gain access to the child."
Alaric's voice was a deep rumble, his tone resolute. "We need information. We need to find out more about the child's whereabouts, its guardians, and its weaknesses."
"That would be a problem." A new voice said, joining the conversation. All eyes turned to the she wolf as she made her way to the middle of the circle.
Rebecca smiled, "I can get you all the information you need."