It all begins when a silver dagger goes missing.
For her entire life, a human named Cora Gabris has known that lycans were searching for her, as she was born as a Ruby -- a human that, when turned into a lycan, will become much stronger than any of...
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No...they're seriously considering it.
"Give her to Steigen?" Ludovic asked, slowly articulating his words.
Sharla nodded, "That's what I said."
"They can eat rancid meat," Ludovic spat.
Many looked at him harshly, which concerned him even more. They have grown obedient and afraid. Ludovic scanned the room, intentionally looking every one of them in the eye. "I know we exist in the body of a man most days, but we are also wolves," he said, facing the Alpha. "Theran. Don't lose your instincts."
Ludovic eyed his cousin, mentally pleading with the last bit of respect that Ludovic had for him. A part of Ludovic didn't want this to go how he feared it must, because if his cousin failed...it would force Ludovic to do what he knew he could never take back.
Lycans would die for this fated decision. Perhaps even his own kin. But if he didn't do what must be done, then what would happen to his pack? To the younglings? They'd be raised with a weakness in their hearts, one that would prevent them from defending their own kin.
Ludovic added, "We're men bred of bone, claw and pain. We do not give into Steigen. Give Steigen this, and our younglings will pay dearly for it."
Theran stood tall as the sun shone through the Lavorna, the rays catching the wispy smoke of candles. It was an elegant, peaceful setting, but the tension in the room told a different story.
"They will come for us," Oren said, taking a step towards the table as he eyed Ludovic.
Oren dropped his gaze to the table and pointed towards the lands that separated Steigen Pack and the Ingram Alliance. "All Steigen has to do is traverse those lands. No one watches them or defends them, so nothing stops them from charging through our forests. Usually the threat of war looms over such a betrayal, but Grimshaw has collected many packs and Clans, and now we have Grimshaw's Omni. It is best we give her to them.
"It will be easier to just give her away. Otherwise, all they have to do is cross the Burned Lands and they are in our soil. The mountains keep the humans out, but Steigen Pack is bred like the Old Ways. They will tear through our forests with ease. Grimshaw taking an Omni and breeding Omni children will not be the end of us, Ludovic. In our alliance, we have nearly a hundred Rubies, and five Omnis. Four if we let Cora go," Oren paused, the room silent as not even the birds fluttered up this high to sing their songs.
Only the fire and in the hearth rumbled.
Ludovic's heart raced before the Ashmore added, "Keeping her will ensure that Grimshaw decides war is in his favor, and so many will die. So many innocents, Ludovic. Don't let that happen."
Oren's dark brown eyes glinted with victory underneath his visage of concern and Ludovic glared at him.
Ludovic said, "Says the lycan that had to allow his nephew to maul a thirteen-year-old human boy. I can see why even the wind would make you nervous."
