198

198
Valencia’s POV
"Soren was caught completely off guard," Elias continued. "He had his army camped outside King's Fang, positioned to fight Elton who controlled the capital. They were in a standoff. But Soren never expected Ashwood to strike from behind."
"What happened to Soren?" Logan's voice was carefully controlled.
"Ashwood's forces hit Soren's army from the rear. Soren was trapped between Elton's forces inside King's Fang and Ashwood's army attacking from behind. He fought for three days, trying to break through one side or the other. But he was surrounded. Outnumbered."
Elias paused. Took a breath.
"On the third day, Soren died in battle. His entire army was destroyed."
The words hung in the air like a death sentence.
I felt something cold settle into my chest. Soren was dead.
The man who had twisted Kai into a weapon. Who had sent Kai to kill me.
He was dead.
And I would never get to confront him. Never get to make him answer for what he'd done.
My hands clenched into fists under the table. My fingernails dug into my palms hard enough to draw blood.
He's gone, Logan sent through the mind link. I know you wanted to face him yourself.
He should have paid for what he did to Kai, I responded. He should have suffered.
He died in battle. That's something. And now we focus on the living threats.
I forced myself to unclench my fists. To breathe. Logan was right. Soren was gone. There was nothing I could do about that now.
"What about Elton?" Logan asked. "Where is he?"
Elias's expression darkened even further.
"That's the worst part. After Soren fell, Elton didn't press his advantage. Didn't try to reclaim King's Fang from Ashwood. Instead, he withdrew his forces back to Emerald Grove Pack territory."
"He pulled back?" Ryan sounded confused. "Why would he retreat when the capital was right there?"
"Because he sent emissaries to Ashwood," Elias said bitterly. "Messengers offering to negotiate peace."
Shock rippled through the room.
"He's making a deal with Ashwood," Logan said. His voice was flat. Deadly calm.
"Yes. Our scouts intercepted some communications. Elton is proposing an alliance. He'll help Ashwood eliminate Cliffwatch Pack. In exchange, Ashwood will let Elton keep Emerald Grove Pack and possibly expand his territory south."
Dr. Vance's face went white. "He's selling out the entire kingdom."
"He's selling out all of us," Ryan corrected angrily. "He's going to give Valdoria to Ashwood on a silver platter."
I stared at the map. At the markers showing troop positions. The reality of our situation was becoming horribly clear.
"Show me exactly where everyone is positioned," I said.
Elias began placing markers on the map.
"Ashwood's main force is still at Ironwatch Border. Approximately five hundred warriors. They've built siege equipment and are clearly preparing for an assault."
He placed a red marker there.
"Ashwood's secondary force, the one that destroyed Kestrel and Soren, is now occupying King's Fang. That's another three hundred warriors minimum."
Another red marker in the center of the map.
"Elton's army is here, in his main pack territory." A black marker on Emerald Grove Pack lands. "Approximately four hundred warriors. And based on the communications we've intercepted, he's moving them north."
"Toward us," Logan said.
"Yes. Within a week, maybe less, Elton's forces will join with Ashwood's forces at Ironwatch Border. That's twelve hundred warriors against our..." Elias paused. Swallowed hard. "Against our two hundred and fifty."
The numbers were devastating. Even with the fifteen Ravencrest guards on their way, we'd be outnumbered nearly five to one.
"What about other packs?" I asked. "Any potential allies?"
Dr. Vance shook his head. "Alpha Kestrel is broken. His survivors are scattered. The smaller packs in the east are too far away and too weak to help. And every other significant pack leader is either dead or has sworn allegiance to Elton."
"We're alone," Ryan said quietly.
I stood up. Walked to the map. Stared at it.
We were trapped. I felt heat building in my chest. Alduin stirred, responding to my emotions.
My eyes shifted to gold. Just for a moment. Dragon fire blazed behind them.
"Then we make them regret coming here," I said. My voice came out steady. Strong. "We show them what happens when you threaten Cliffwatch Pack."
I turned to face everyone at the table.
"They think we're weak. They think we'll surrender or run. They think because we're outnumbered, we have no chance."
The gold in my eyes intensified.
"But they don't know what I am. They don't know what I can do. And they're about to find out."
Logan stood and moved to my side. He took my hand. Our fingers intertwined.
"We fight together," he said. His gray eyes locked onto mine. "Like we always do."
I nodded. "Together."
I looked back at the map. At the red and black markers surrounding our territory.
Let them come. Let Ashwood and Elton bring their armies.
They wanted war? They'd get one.
But they'd be fighting a dragon. And dragons don't lose.
"Elias," Logan said. "Send scouts to monitor both armies' movements. I want hourly reports on their positions."
"Yes, Alpha."
"Ryan, start intensive combat training for every able-bodied pack member. Even the civilians need basic defensive skills."
"Understood."
"Dr. Vance, inventory all our medical supplies. Set up multiple treatment stations throughout the territory. If we're going to fight, we'll have casualties."
Dr. Vance nodded gravely.
Logan turned to the other senior warriors. "Reinforce every defensive position. Double the guards on all borders. Set traps along likely approach routes. Make them bleed for every inch of our land."
Orders continued flowing. Each person received their assignments and hurried off to complete them.
Soon only Logan, Elias, and I remained in the hall.
I stared at the black marker on the map indicating Emerald Grove Pack's territory. My finger traced the distance between our lands.
"We can't just wait here," I said. My voice was calm. "If we do nothing, in one week we'll be surrounded on three sides. We'll be trapped."
Elias shifted uncomfortably. "What are you suggesting, Luna?"
"I'm suggesting we don't wait to be surrounded." I looked up at him. "I'm suggesting we eliminate one of those threats before they can join forces."
Logan moved closer to the map. His eyes narrowed as he studied the positions.
"Emerald Grove Pack," he said. Not a question. A statement.
"Yes. Right now they're still in their home territory. Vulnerable."
Elias's eyes went wide. "But Emerald Grove Pack is three days' journey from here. By the time our forces arrive, Elton will be long gone. Or worse, he'll see us coming and ambush us on the road."
"Ground forces need three days," I agreed. "But a dragon only needs a few hours."
The room went completely silent.
Logan turned to face me fully. I could see his mind working. "A night raid," he said slowly. "Before Elton's army moves north. Before he expects any kind of counterattack."
I nodded. "Elton thinks we're pinned down here. Desperate. Waiting for the inevitable siege. He won't expect us to strike first. Won't expect us to fly straight into his territory and burn his military infrastructure to ash."
Elias looked between us. His face was pale. "This is incredibly risky. If something goes wrong, if you're captured or killed, Cliffwatch Pack loses both its Alpha and Luna. The pack would collapse."
"And if we do nothing," Logan said, his voice hard, "in one week we face twelve hundred enemy warriors. We'll be slaughtered. At least this plan gives us a chance to reduce those numbers by a third."
I placed both hands on the table. Leaned forward.
"Dragon fire is devastating. I can destroy their weapons stores. Their food supplies. Their barracks. I can create enough chaos that their army will be scattered and disorganized for weeks."
"And while Valencia causes destruction from above," Logan continued, "I'll be on the ground. Hunting Elton specifically. If we can kill him, Emerald Grove Pack becomes leaderless. They'll fragment. Fight among themselves over who takes control. They won't be able to coordinate with Ashwood."
Elias was quiet for a long moment. Then he asked, "When would you leave?"
"Tonight," I said. "As soon as the sun sets completely. We fly under cover of darkness. Strike before dawn when most of their warriors are sleeping."