CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Elena's POV

It felt as though the woodland had been silent for hours. However, there was still a lot of tension in the air. Leila, Stephen, and I headed back to the pack through the woods. The weight of all we had just experienced was bearing down on us with every stride.

"You think they'll accept what took place?" I questioned, breaking the ice.

Leila breathed deeply. They don't really have an option. Whether they want to or not, they will see what is about to happen.

With a somber expression, Stephen cast a quick glance in her direction. "They will need to. We cannot afford any more discord while my father and Darius are still out there.

Leila gave a nod. "We won't have a chance if the packs don't band together."

I took a deep breath as the situation's reality sunk in. "Are you truly of the opinion that your father will return?"

Stephen's eyes darkened and his jaw tensed. He's not the kind to give up easily. especially with Darius by his side now.

"And Darius?" Silently, I enquired, unsure if I truly desired the response.

Stephen's gaze shifted to the floor. "Power has always been his obsession. He will go to any lengths to obtain control if my father gives it to him.

I was shaking at the notion of what lay ahead, not the cold. "How can we prevent them?"

While remaining steady, Leila's voice was resolute. "We get ready. We also quarrel. All we can do is that.

Stephen drew me in closer as his arm tightened around me. "We'll face whatever comes our way together."

I nodded, but the terror was still there. "I only hope we're prepared."

We all stopped when we heard a rustling sound coming from the trees ahead of us. Fear shot through me, and my heart leaped into my throat.

"Who is present?" Stephen shouted;his tone acute.

A figure moved out of the darkness. My whole body stiffened, but then I saw him.

"Jackson?" With a tone of surprise, Leila spoke.

One of the most devoted wolves in the pack, Jackson, gave a somber nod. "You have returned. We've been trying to find you.

Stephen moved forward, his face solemn. "What's happening?"

Jackson looked around, his expression pallid. "It's been problematic. While you were away, the pack was ambushed by rogues.

My stomach fell out. How come? Is everyone doing alright?

Jackson said in a tense voice, "For now." However, mayhem reigns at the pack house. Individuals are afraid. They are unaware of the current situation.

Stephen muttered obscenities. "How severe is it?"

Jackson gave a headshake. We quite about defeated them. We were surprised by their strength. There has been a change.

Leila and Stephen exchanged a dismal gaze. "It is beginning."

Stephen nodded, rage visible in his eyes. "This is the work of my father. He is putting us to the test.

Jackson's gaze expanded. "Your dad?"

Leila interrupted; her tone harsh. "We'll elaborate later. We have to return right now to make sure the pack is secure.

We stopped wasting time after that. I could feel my panic building as we sped through the trees. In the event that the pack had already been assaulted, our time was rapidly running out. and quickly.

It was nervous when we eventually arrived at the pack house. There were wolves everywhere; some were hurt, and others were pacing tensely. Fear and blood odors filled the air.

A voice yelled out, "Stephen!" and we turned to see Sarah, one of the healers, sprinting in our direction.

"What took place?" With a frantic tone, Stephen inquired.

Sarah appeared desperate. The outlaws appeared out of nowhere. In an attempt to enter, they attacked the borders. Even though we were able to keep them off, it was close. Too near.

Leila scowled. "What was the number of people present?"

Sarah gave a headshake. "Too many. They weren't behaving like your typical outlaws. It appeared as though they had a plan.

Stephen got serious. They carried it out. That's my father's doing.

Sarah's shocked eyes grew wider. "Your dad? However, he's "Alive," Stephen replied sourly. "And he is assembling an army."

Sarah looked from one of us to the other, a look of astonishment on her face. "How are we going to proceed?"

"We must strengthen the borders," Leila remarked in a forceful tone. "We simply cannot afford another ambush."

Stephen gave a nod. "And we must assemble the group. They must be aware of impending events.

Concerned, Stephen turned to face me as Leila and Sarah started to arrange the pack. "How are things going for you?"

I inhaled deeply while my heart continued to race. Stephen, I'm afraid. What if our strength is insufficient?

His voice was quiet but resolute, and his fingers touched my cheek. "We're going to be. We must be.

I leaned into his touch and nodded. "I simply don't want to part from you."

"You won't," he uttered in a low, hopeful voice. "We share this responsibility."

A howl pierced the tension like a dagger and resonated across the air before I could reply. My heart leaped, and panic overwhelmed me.

With shaking palms, I said, "Not again."

Stephen stiffened, peering out across the horizon. "It originates at the border."

Jackson came running up to us, pale. "More rogues are on their way."

Leila emerged next to us; her face serious. "They're not giving up."

Stephen balled his fists. "This concludes it. They are attempting to wear us down by testing our resistance.

I gulped deeply, panic clenching in my chest. "How do we proceed?"

Despite the calm exterior, I could sense the stress in Leila's voice. "The line is held by us."

With a determined look in his eyes, Stephen gave a nod. "We have fights."

The pack moved swiftly, with all the wolves on edge, as we readied ourselves for yet another assault. I stood next to Stephen, staring at the woods, waiting for the inevitable, and my heart hammered in my chest.

The stress was too much to take.

Then they showed up.

Out of the trees sprung a bunch of outlaws, their eyes gleaming with fury and hunger. Their snarls filled the air as they moved at an alarming speed.

"They are here now!" With a shout, Jackson transformed into a wolf and lunged at the outlaws.

Stephen moved next to me, his enormous wolf shape emanating strength and power. Our relationship allowed me to sense his determination, which gave me the strength I needed.

"Remain near!" Leila snarled and changed into a wolf as well. "We must prevent them from succeeding!"

The fight erupted all around us as the rogues and the pack collided, teeth and claws ripping into flesh. Growls and snarls filled the air, and the smell of blood was strong.

I battled beside Stephen, hurling a branch at any outlaw who approached too closely. Fear and adrenaline were rushing through my veins as my heart raced.

"Ahead of you!" Leila bellowed, and I quickly whirled to avoid a rogue that had lunged towards me, its fangs snapping only a few inches from my face.

Stephen moved like a blur, eliminating renegades one by one with brutal accuracy. But they were very many. Despite our best efforts, they persisted.

"We're getting overloaded!" Panic gripping his voice, Jackson yelled.

Leila snarled and unleashed a vicious attack on a rogue. "Keep the line in!"

But the terror was visible in her eyes. We were falling short.

All the rogues froze as a piercing howl broke through the commotion.

Tension was in the air as the conflict came to an end.

Something moved out of the darkness. The moment I recognized him, my heart stopped.

Darius.

Standing at the brink of the battleground, he had calculating and icy eyes.

He spoke into the hush, saying, "This isn't over."

The rogues followed him like shadows as he turned and vanished into the trees without saying anything else.

I was struck with a chilly awareness as the outlaws disappeared into the night. Darius was doing more than gauging our fortitude.

He was getting ready for an even worse situation.