Star Fire Tranquility
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Amber sat quietly in the sunlight streaming through the high windows of Starfire's main hall, the warmth settling over her like a soft mantle. Her thoughts wandered, as they often did, to the pack and to the children growing within her. For the first time in a long while, a deep calm had settled over her. She could feel the pulse of the pack around her, their loyalty and strength grounding her, giving her confidence she had never expected to feel.
She had always been a hard woman, untouchable, misunderstood, and she lIkeda it that way in all honesty. But it was the life growing inside of her, or the bond that she shared with Stefan but she was changing, had changed, in many ways.
Yet, even in this calm, her mind returned to Silver Moon Pack. The thought of Marco—the Alpha so driven by revenge and loss—still alive and active gnawed at her. She didn't know the full extent of Silver Moon's activities, nor how much of it Marco controlled, but she knew enough to sense the potential danger. Star Fire pack's stability, her family, and even the lives of those yet to be born could be affected if Silver Moon's Alpha were to move.
If Marco Silversmith was still against them they may be fighting war on two fronts.
She looked over to Adonis and Elbon, both seated across from her. "Have either of you heard anything recently?" she asked, her voice measured. "About Silver Moon? Anything that might be happening near the borders?"
Adonis, ever cognizant of his Alpha's needs and concerns, thought before speaking. "Nothing concrete, Alpha. But that pack has always been quiet about movements when they don't want outsiders to know. If Silver Moon is active, it would make sense that we wouldn't see signs immediately. Especially if young Silversmith is at the head."
Elbon leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "I've been keeping tabs on rumors from the outlying villages. Nothing verified, but it's enough to raise concern. If the Alpha of Silver Moon is still alive… well, that could complicate things. Should we send for Alpha Stefan?"
Amber's gaze softened slightly. Just mentioning his name these days made her heart stutter. When had she become so sensitive.
Elbon continued as if he saw no change. "It may be best if the whole of Star Fire Pack was here, at the keep." He looked to Adonis and back to Amber again.
Amber sat in thought for a long moment. After some time she shook her head and then spoke. "I will write Stefan, if he feels he should return than he will, but we are capable of holding the line here while he is gone. The Shadelings and Triss are assets that we need to nourish, we can not miss any opportunity at this point.
Adonis sat forward. "You just wrote him about Marco possibly being active, he has not had time to fully digest that information, maybe we should wait, at least for his reply."
Amber shook her head. "He is Alpha of Star Fire Pack just like me and deserves to know all as I know. Marco is a factor that we need to pay close attention to.
Both Adonis and Elbon nodded and set back in their seats.
Amber turned her attention to her own correspondence. Pulling a small, polished tablet from her satchel, she began composing a message to Stefan.
Adonis was right, Stefan already knew the basics, it was time for her to outline her concerns. She did not want that man to slip through a crack because they held information from each other.
She paused, the quill in her hand hovering over the thick paper. Her mind flicked to Marco's face, the tension and the fractures she had glimpsed long ago. Even if he survived, even if he endured, Amber knew he was navigating dangers that might not yet be visible to her. And yet, she allowed herself a small measure of hope. If Silver Moon was indeed active, if Marco remained alive, it meant there was a chance—however slim—that he could be guided back safely, or at least survive the coming storms.
She had hope that he had learned how to forgive and that Silver Moon and Star Fire could be allies once again.
With a steady hand, she sent the message, then exhaled slowly, letting the moment of control settle in her chest. Her eyes lifted to the horizon visible through the window. "We'll handle whatever comes," she whispered to herself, to Ala, and to the quiet strength that always resided in the pack around her.
The first steps of precaution were taken. Messages were sent, intelligence shared, and the lines of communication between the Alphas of Star Fire Pack were kept wide open. She would lean on Stefan, and allow him to lean on her. This was nothing that Star Fire could handle, and maybe, hopefully, it would make their bond, Amber and Stefan's, all the better.
She had found her resolve and settled well into it. At this point Ala stirred.
"Our mate is our hope and our peace. This life is not meant to be walked through alone. I am glad you have finally changed your mind and truly began to embrace this union.
"Now, you and I are one. We will walk with our mate like the ancients did because we are united. Nothing will stop us, nothing will be able to break our bond or our bond with our mate."
A sense of deep, old, unexplainable power rolled through Amber's being. She closed her eyes and drank it in.
Amber White Claw moved into a seat of power uninhabited by modern werewolves. From that day forward she would understand their abilities on a level on par with Stefan.
She smiled, a feral smile, she was ready to spar with Stefan again. Spar and win.