Chapter 315: Chapter 315

point fingers. We must have a plan.”

Trajan merely nodded, his voice level. “We reinforce the borders at once. More patrols, more traps, to catch those scouts slipping through.

“Agreed,” I said, looking sideways at Piper. “Piper, you, Warrick head a team, reinforce the perimeter. Tonight. We can’t afford any gaps.”

Piper hesitated, her gaze darting to Warrick. But she nodded, “Understood.”

“And what of Dane?” one of the council members ventured. “He’s still too weak to lead the warriors if this escalates.”

My heart twisted at the mention of Dane, but I kept my face impassive. “We’ll handle this as a pack. I’ll take responsibility for our strategy until Dane recovers.”

“Assuming he does recover,” another elder muttered under his breath.

I shot him a glare. “He will.”

Piper spoke again, softer this time. “What if this is just the beginning? If Orion’s making moves, who’s to say he doesn’t have more allies waiting in this pack?”

“That’s a risk we’ll have to prepare for,” Trajan said, his face hard.

As the council members began to discuss defense, I stepped back, my mind filling with thoughts of Dane. The image of his pale, sweaty face flashed through my mind.

Dane, I thought desperately, I need you to fight. I need you to survive. Because this pack… I can’t do this without you.

I closed my eyes briefly, swallowing the lump in my throat. When I opened them, my resolve was set. “We’ll protect this pack,” I said firmly, my voice cutting through the chatter. “No matter what it takes.”

As the meeting ended and the council members dispersed, I lingered near the table, staring at the plans we’d hastily drawn.

Piper set a reassuring hand on my arm, the grounding sensation calming. “We’ll figure this out, Aurora.”

I nodded, but my chest tightened as I whispered,

“We have to. Failure isn’t an option.”