Chapter 31 THE SILENCE AFTER THE STORM

Chapter 31 THE SILENCE AFTER THE STORM
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

The council hall remained silent long after Chris left. No one seemed willing to move or speak. The weight of what had just happened hung heavily in the room.

Anna stood frozen for several seconds before finally turning toward the gathered wolves.

Their faces told her everything. She could see the fear, concern and uncertainty written over their faces. They were beginning to worry about their Alpha.

Steve was the first to break the silence. "Meeting's over."

His voice was firm enough to snap everyone back to reality. Slowly, the wolves began filing out.

Tyler lingered near the doorway, guilt written plainly across his face.

Anna noticed it immediately. "Tyler."

He stopped. For a moment he looked like he wanted to run.

Instead, he turned back. "I didn't mean for that to happen."

Anna sighed quietly. "I know."

His expression twisted. "No, you don't." He rubbed a hand over his face. "Every time I challenge him, things get worse."

Anna remained silent because there was some truth in that.

Tyler looked toward the door Chris had disappeared through. "I respect him."

The confession surprised her, Anna's face lit up slightly.

Tyler laughed bitterly. "Funny, right?"

"Not really." She muttered.

His shoulders sagged. "When I was younger, I wanted to be like him."

Anna blinked.

Tyler shook his head. "He's the strongest Alpha I've ever seen." His voice lowered. "That's why seeing him like this is terrifying."

That hit harder than Anna expected, Tyler represented many of the younger wolves. If he felt this way… Others probably did too.

Anna touched his arm gently. "Then you need to help him."

Tyler frowned. "How? How do I do that?"

"Stop making him fight his own pack while he's trying to fight Draven."

For a long moment, Tyler stared at the floor. Then he finally nodded and left.

The moment the hall emptied, Steve released a long breath. "You should go after him."

Anna didn't need clarification. He meant Chris.

She nodded immediately. "Where do you think he'd go?"

Steve gave a tired smile. "The same place he always goes."

The cliffs. The walk felt longer, cold wind whipped through the mountains as Anna followed the narrow trail overlooking Blood Moon territory.

Below, scattered lanterns glowed warmly between cabins. From up here, everything looked peaceful and normal.

By the time she reached the overlook, Chris was exactly where she'd expected. He stood near the edge, motionless. His back faced her. The moonlight painted silver across his shoulders.

For a moment, Anna simply watched him. The man carrying an entire pack on his shoulders. The loneliest person she'd ever met.

"You know," she said softly, approaching, "most people take walks when they're stressed."

Chris didn't move. "Most people don't have hundreds of lives depending on them."

Anna stopped beside him. The valley stretched endlessly below them, winding beautifully and peaceful.

For several moments, neither spoke. Then Chris finally broke the silence. "I scared them."

Anna looked at him. His voice carried no anger, just regret.

"I scared my own pack."

"You were angry." Anna said calmly.

"That's not an excuse."

Anna couldn't argue with that. Chris stared into the darkness below.

"My father used to look exactly like that."

Her chest tightened. The memory clearly haunted him.

"When he lost control, people started walking on eggshells around him." His jaw clenched. "They stopped speaking honestly."

Anna listened quietly.

"He thought fear meant respect." Chris laughed humorlessly. "By the end, nobody could tell the difference."

The wind howled softly around them. "You aren't your father Chris."

"I know."

The answer surprised her.

Chris finally looked at her. "I know I'm not him."

Anna blinked. "Then why are you so afraid?"

His gaze shifted back toward the valley. "Because I understand him now."

The honesty of that statement hit like a punch. Chris folded his arms tightly across his chest.

"I understand what it feels like to be responsible for everyone."

His voice lowered. "I understand what it feels like to lie awake wondering who's going to die tomorrow."

Anna's heart broke instantly watching him break out slowly.

"And I understand how easy it would be to become someone worse."

A heavy, painful silence settled between them.

Then Anna stepped closer, without warning, she wrapped both arms around him.

Chris froze for a second. Then his arms tightened around her immediately.

Like he'd been holding himself together all day and finally couldn't anymore. His forehead rested against her hair. The bond between them hummed softly.

Chris whispered against her hair, "What if I'm not enough?"

Anna closed her eyes. That was the real fear, not Draven or the war, it was failure. He felt he would fail everyone.

"Chris." Her voice was gentle and steady.

"You know why wolves follow you?"

He didn't answer.

"Because you care, Chris." His arms tightened slightly.

Anna continued. "You think your strength is what makes you Alpha." She shook her head. "It isn't."

Chris remained silent.

"It's the fact that every decision hurts you."

That finally made him look down at her. Confusion flickered across his face.

Anna smiled sadly. "If losing one wolf breaks your heart this much..."

Her hand rested against his chest. "...then you're exactly the Alpha they need."

For a moment, Chris simply stared at her. Then slowly… The tension left his shoulders. Not completely but enough to breathe. For the first time in days… A genuine smile touched his lips.

Anna felt relief flood the bond instantly.

Then a sharp pain exploded through her skull.

She gasped. Chris's smile vanished immediately.

"Anna?"

The world spun violently. A scream echoed inside her mind. It wasn't her but someone else's. There was darkness, fire and blood everywhere. Anna staggered.

Chris caught her before she hit the ground.

"Anna!"

The vision crashed into her completely. She saw wolves running. The Blood Moon territory burning.

Bodies lay around in thick smoke and standing in the center of the destruction… Draven.

Beside him stood a figure hidden in shadows. Someone familiar. Someone from inside the pack.

The traitor.

Then the figure stepped forward and Anna saw their face clearly. Her eyes flew open. She sucked in a terrified breath.

Chris was kneeling beside her now. "Anna."

His voice sounded distant. "What did you see?"

Anna stared at him. Horror flooded every inch of her body. She recognized the face.

And if the vision was true… Blood Moon's greatest betrayal was still waiting to happen.