Always And Forever | ENG

Chapter Nine: The Pack's Resolve

The air inside the pack house was thick with tension. Word had spread quickly about the creature and the hooded figure we had encountered, and now, as I stood in front of the gathered pack, I could feel the weight of their eyes on me. It was no longer about whether I could handle being Alpha-it was about proving I was worthy of their trust. They were looking to me for leadership, for strength, and I had to deliver, no matter how uncertain I felt inside.

The room was quiet except for the sound of shifting footsteps and soft murmurs. My father, standing by my side, was a constant reminder of the legacy I had to uphold. His steady presence grounded me, but even he couldn't take away the biting uncertainty that gnawed at my insides. I was about to lead us into something far bigger than I had ever imagined.

"Everyone, listen up!" I said, my voice carrying across the room. I'd never realized how much strength it took to speak with conviction until now. I couldn't afford to show weakness. Not here. Not in front of them.

The room fell silent. They were all waiting for me to speak-waiting for me to tell them what came next.

"We've just faced a threat that none of us were prepared for," I began, keeping my tone firm. "And I won't pretend that I know everything. But I do know this: we cannot afford to stand by and let this pass. Someone, or something, is hunting us. And they will keep coming until they get what they want."

I paused, my eyes sweeping over the room. The pack members, ranging from older, experienced wolves to younger, eager fighters, were watching me with varying expressions of concern and uncertainty. Some had doubt in their eyes. Some were already leaning in, eager for direction.

"We need to prepare. Now." My voice was steady, but my heart was hammering in my chest. "Ace, you're in charge of organizing the scouts. I want every territory patrolled, every perimeter watched. We won't let them get close again."

Ace nodded, his gaze fixed on me. There was no question in his eyes now. He was ready to follow, just as he always had. But I could see the doubt in some of the others. The younger wolves, especially, seemed unsure. Some had grown up under Dean's shadow, watching him train and take command. And now, with Dean gone, their focus had shifted to me-and they didn't know what to expect.

I had to prove to them that I wasn't just the heir to my father's throne. I was their Alpha.

"Some of you may not believe in me. Some of you may think that Dean should be in charge," I said, my voice rising slightly. "And I'm not going to pretend that I don't understand that. But I will do whatever it takes to protect this pack. I will not let fear dictate our future."

The silence that followed was thick, like they were waiting for me to stumble, to show them that I was unfit for the role. But I couldn't afford to show weakness. I wasn't going to back down.

"I know you're afraid," I continued, my gaze softening slightly as I looked at the younger wolves. "And that's okay. But we will face this fear together. We will fight together. And we will survive."

I let my words sink in, the weight of them settling over the room. It felt like the beginning of something. Something bigger than any of us.

After a moment, Ace spoke up, his voice firm and resolute. "She's right. We've been through worse, and we'll make it through this. We're a pack. And we fight like one."

His words seemed to break through the tension, and one by one, the pack members nodded, their faces hardening with resolve. It wasn't just about me anymore. It was about all of us.

I could feel the shift in the air, the subtle way the room had gone from doubt to determination. They were starting to believe. They were starting to follow.

"We need to find out who-or what-is behind this," I said, my voice steady once again. "We'll start with the borders, and then move in closer. We can't afford to make mistakes."

"What do you want us to do if we encounter them?" one of the older wolves asked, his voice low but clear. His name was Elias-one of the few members of the pack who had been with my father since the beginning. He was tough, experienced, and loyal. If there was anyone in the room who still had doubts about me, it was Elias.

"Fight if you must," I said, locking eyes with him. "But we need information. We need to know who's behind this, what they want, and how to stop them. We're not going in blind."

Elias gave a curt nod, his face unreadable. "Understood."

I could see it in his eyes-a flicker of respect. It wasn't much, but it was something. That was all I needed for now.

"I'll join the scouting party," I said, my voice calm. "I'll lead the first patrol myself."

The room fell silent again, but this time, there was no objection. I didn't wait for anyone to speak; I simply turned toward the door. Ace was already moving, his eyes hard with resolve, his posture exuding the authority he had earned over the years. I was following his lead now, but I wasn't just his Beta's replacement. I was the Alpha. And that was something they had to understand.

"Everyone be ready. We leave in an hour," I called over my shoulder as I stepped out into the cool evening air.

Ace was beside me, his quiet presence both a reassurance and a reminder that we still had a long way to go.

"I'll lead the first patrol with you," Ace said as we reached the edge of the pack's grounds. "But you know this is only the beginning. Whatever is out there, it's coming for us. And it won't stop until it gets what it wants."

"I know," I replied, my voice low. "And we'll be ready. We have to be."