The tension in the clearing thickened like a heavy fog, pressing down on Ivy's chest. Liam's cold, unreadable gaze settled on her with a weight that made her stomach twist. This wasn't just old family rivalry — it was something more dangerous, a silent war simmering beneath the surface of the pack.
Killian stepped forward, his voice calm but authoritative. "Liam, this isn't the time to dredge up the past. Our enemies are gathering at the borders. We can't afford division now."
Liam's jaw clenched tightly, the years of resentment clear in the way his muscles twitched. "So, you brought her here. The mate who abandoned us, the one who was never supposed to return."
Ivy's heart clenched, but she held her gaze steady. "I didn't come back to please anyone. I'm here because I belong — here, with you all. That hasn't changed."
Murmurs rose from the pack around them, some filled with doubt, others with unspoken questions. Ivy could feel the weight of their judgment, but more than that, she felt something new stirring inside her: the fierce determination to prove herself.
Killian's voice cut through the whispers. "Enough. We have to prepare — not just for ourselves but for the entire pack. The enemies beyond our borders won't wait. Ivy, you'll train with me. You need to learn to control your bond with the pack, to use it — not just as a shield, but as a weapon."
Ivy nodded slowly, the gravity of the situation settling over her. She wasn't just a girl caught in old family drama anymore; she was a key piece in the survival of her people.
"When do we start?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady despite the flutter of nerves.
Killian's eyes darkened, a hint of something fierce and protective flashing in them. "Tonight, under the full moon. That's when your bond will be strongest. We'll begin your training then."
A chill ran down Ivy's spine. The full moon meant transformation, power, and danger. It was a rite as old as the pack itself — one that promised strength but demanded vulnerability.
Before she could respond, a sudden, sharp howl ripped through the air, breaking the fragile silence. From the shadowed treeline, a pack of unfamiliar wolves emerged, their eyes glowing with malice, bodies taut and ready to attack.
The pack snapped into formation instantly, snarling low and baring teeth. Ivy's heart hammered in her chest as adrenaline surged through her veins. This was no longer about past grievances — this was about survival.
Killian's hand shot up, signaling his pack to hold their ground, ready for the battle that was coming. His gaze met Ivy's, fierce and determined, but also tinged with an unspoken hope — hope that she could stand with them, fight alongside them, and become the mate the pack needed.
Ivy took a deep breath, feeling the ancient power stirring within her, the pulse of the full moon rising behind the clouds. The storm was coming — not just outside in the forest, but inside the hearts of those she loved and feared.
And she was ready to face it.