Chapter 88: Bound Together

Derek POV

Walking the calm route towards the council chamber, the moon was high and shining, throwing silver light over Redwater's borders. I found my thoughts to be weighty—more so than I would like to acknowledge. The fight was finished, the remains of Midnight Moon lay behind us, and refugees now resided inside our walls. But tranquilly? It was only just starting.

More than anybody else, Claire had kept us together. She had forgiven Jared—a feat I was unsure I could have accomplished. She was already mending the gap between Redwater and the shattered pack members who had fled here for safety. Still, I understood the risk remained. Once more, there were murmurs—this time about someone naming herself the Second Flame. A shadow from the past with a recognisable face.

That was therefore my justification.

We required assistance. Not only fighters. Not just supplies.  We required organisation. Direction. A genuine bond with those who could assist us in warding off what lay ahead.

Time to officially ally with the Lunar Council.

I walked into the stone chamber where three other senior wolves, Elder Myra and Rowan, waited. Claire was also there, sitting close to the fireplace, her face weary but attentive. When I entered, she looked up and gave a little grin. I turned to the others after nodding to her.

I started, "I called this meeting since we have to do something." "Something that will shape the future of Redwater and safeguard what we have created."

Rowan crossed his arms. You have our focus.

We can no longer stand alone. "Not with new foes possibly coming up. Not with Lila's name being whispered again like a ghost. We require allies if even half of what the scouts claimed is accurate. Strong ones.

Are you recommending we seek protection from the Lunar Council? Myra asked carefully. 

"Not protection. Partnership, I said. A coalition. One that is official. Official.  Bound by conditions both parties consent to. We remain free but cooperate. Share information. Offer help as required. We create something stronger than a single pack.” 

Claire bent forward. "You want us to stand beside them, not under them."

I agreed. "Precisely."

The room was silent. Rowan then coughed. You are not incorrect. We have lived, indeed. Rebuilding, however, requires more than just good intentions. It requires connections, support, and strength. And you believe they will agree?

I looked at him. "If we arrive with open hands and a united front, I think they will certainly..." Should Claire and I travel together?

That caught some attention. Claire also appeared surprised.

"Both of us?" she enquired.

Seeing Redwater and the restored Midnight Moon side by side will demonstrate that change is genuine. That we are no longer broken. It will show we mean what we say.

Myra smiled weakly. You have considered this.

I have had to, I said. We have witnessed the effects of our too-protracted wait.

Claire rose after a few seconds of silence. Then let us get ready. We will depart at first light.

We journeyed for two days to arrive at the mountain site of the Lunar Council. As we ascended the path became colder, the wind sharp and snowy. But the view from the cliffs was breathtaking.  Nestled between the jagged peaks, the silver moonlight illuminated the ancient, proud stone columns of the council temple.

Guards led us through narrow stone corridors until we entered the main chamber.  Rings of seats surrounded a raised platform where five council leaders—wise, weathered wolves from the old bloodlines, waited.

A tall man with silver hair and frost-like eyes among them stood up as we drew closer.

Derek from Redwater. Claire from the Unified. We greet you.

Claire moved up. "We appreciate your welcome of us. We arrive with a suggestion. One intended to create a better future for everyone.

I went with her. We seek a partnership. Not only in name but also in goal. We want to combine knowledge and power to help each other during both peaceful and turbulent times.

The council sat quietly listening. Then a woman called Soraya spoke, her voice like wind through pine. Why now? What shifted?

Claire gazed them in the eye. Darkness has come back. Worse still, we have observed the price of pride and seclusion. We wish to avoid repeating those errors.

Tomas, another elder, tilted his head. "You talk of shadows—this Second Flame?"

I agreed. Indeed. She might be Lila resurrected or something worse. But she is not by herself. She will not cease.

They whispered among themselves. Soraya then remarked, "We have heard rumours. We have also observed activity in the ancient ruins past the eastern ridge. Ghosts are hunting you not alone.

Claire's hand touched mine momentarily. "Then we stand together. Otherwise, we fall alone.

A moment of quiet. The silver-haired chief then lifted his hand.

Our vote will be

Claire and I waited outside the temple looking at the stars as the council debated.

"Will they agree?" she enquired.

I said softly, "I do." "But should they not, we shall still stand. We usually do.

She grinned. "You always have faith in us. Though I don't, you still have faith in us.

I looked at her. "I have faith in you."

Her eyes softened and for a moment the cold was unimportant. The quiet was unimportant.

Then a shout rang out from behind us.

Down the stairs ran a warrior. Claire! Derrick! Hurry!

We dashed to the council chamber. Though the silver-haired guy was now standing with a scroll in one hand, the elders were still seated. He looked sad.

"We got this just before we completed the vote," he remarked.

He laid the scroll on the table after unrolling it.

Reading the note, I moved forward. Claire came next to me and gasped.

It was a warning.

Written in blood. 

"The Flame will rise once more. This partnership will burn before it is born.

My heart raced. Claire reached for the bottom seal and froze.

The sigil was not from any pack. It was a fresh sign. A snake wrapped around a dancing fire.

She murmured, "I have seen that before." From my dream. Before Lila vanished.

The council members exchanged glances between us, concern written all over their faces.

Soraya remarked, "We have more foes than we knew."

Tomas said, "We have less time than we believed."

The silver-haired old man gazed at me and Claire. The vote remains valid. We welcome your partnership. But remember—whoever sent that message knows more than we do. And they are observing.

I felt a tightening in my chest. We will look for them then.

Claire looked at me, her voice quiet and strong. We have no option. Once more, we are at war. Whether we are prepared or not.

Then the chamber doors burst open.

A scout staggered in, bleeding, hurt, and almost upright.

Rowan has been taken, he gasped. They have left a note.

He extended a piece of cloth. Burned. Marked with the serpent sigil all across it.

Claire's eyes widened in rage.

“They made it personal,” she whispered. 

And I knew—we wouldn’t just be defending a pact.

We’d be fighting for someone we loved.