Lucian listened carefully as Scarlett recounted her conversation with Mara. His face was tense, his eyes narrowed in thought. "If Mara's telling the truth, we have less time than I thought," he said, pacing the length of the cabin. "Victor's more desperate than I realized."
Scarlett nodded, her own mind still reeling. "We need to prepare the pack. We can't afford to be caught off guard."
Lucian stopped pacing, his gaze sharp. "We'll need to strengthen our alliances. There are still wolves on the fence, and if Victor makes his move, we'll need as much support as we can get."
Scarlett agreed, though the weight of the situation pressed heavily on her. "Do you think Mara's really on our side?" she asked, doubt creeping into her voice.
Lucian sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's hard to say. Mara's smart. She could be playing both sides, but if what she's saying is true, then we can't afford to ignore it."
Scarlett nodded, feeling the urgency of the situation building. "We need to act fast. Whatever Victor is planning, we have to be ready."
Lucian's expression softened as he looked at her. "We'll face this together, Scarlett. No matter what happens, we'll protect the pack."
Scarlett smiled, grateful for his unwavering support. "Together," she agreed.
As they began to strategize, Scarlett couldn't shake the feeling that the storm was approaching. The calm before the chaos wouldn't last much longer. But she was ready—ready to face whatever Victor had in store, and ready to fight for the family she had found within the pack.
The next few days were filled with intense preparation. Lucian and Scarlett worked tirelessly to bolster the pack's defenses, training the wolves, ensuring that those who were loyal understood what was at stake. They needed to be united, now more than ever, but the tension in the air was palpable.
Victor's presence loomed like a shadow over everything. Even though he had yet to make his move, Scarlett could sense the shift in the energy of the pack. Whispers filled the halls, alliances were tested, and trust was fragile. Every time Scarlett entered a room, she felt the eyes of those who still questioned her, the weight of their skepticism heavy on her shoulders.
But Lucian stood strong beside her, and with each passing day, their bond only deepened. They were a force, one that couldn't be easily broken.
One evening, as the sky darkened with the approaching storm clouds, Lucian called a meeting with the pack's inner circle. The room was filled with tension as they gathered around the large wooden table in the main cabin. The fire crackled in the hearth, but the warmth did little to ease the chill that had settled over the group.
"We have intelligence that Victor is planning to make his move soon," Lucian began, his voice calm but firm. "He's been gathering support from some of the more aggressive wolves, and we believe he's trying to sway others who are still undecided."
There was a murmur of concern among the gathered wolves. Scarlett could see the worry etched into their faces. They had all seen what Victor was capable of—his ruthless ambition, his ability to manipulate. And now, they were facing the possibility of a civil war within their own pack.
"What's our plan?" one of the wolves, Marcus, asked. He was a large, muscular wolf with a reputation for being fiercely loyal to Lucian. His expression was grim, his brows furrowed with concern.
Lucian glanced at Scarlett before continuing. "We need to solidify our alliances. We know there are wolves who are still on the fence, but we also know that there are those who will never side with Victor, no matter what. We need to focus on rallying those who are loyal to the pack, not just to me."
