Chapter 101
Chloe's POV
Ivan and I practically fled Thunder Canyon.
The forest behind us, corrupted by Devil's Vines, and that mysterious giant wolf wreathed in lightning—they gripped my heart like a nightmare I couldn't shake. We ran without stopping until we burst through the storm clouds at the canyon's perimeter, finally slowing our pace.
"We have to tell Alpha Tyler immediately," I gasped, my voice trembling with fear and urgency. "The witch clan is plotting something in that canyon, and that lightning wolf... what the hell is it? Could it be the bloodthirsty beast from the legends?"
Ivan nodded, his expression equally grave. "Let's go. Back to the pack house, now."
The entire way back, images replayed in my mind—those eerie purple vines, the corrupted beasts, and that wolf-shaped creature flickering in and out of the lightning. Its very existence was a mystery, and it seemed to be fighting alone against the spreading evil in the canyon. The whole thing felt impossibly complicated.
When the high walls of the pack house came into view, my heart pounded even harder. I had to convince my father—no, Alpha Tyler—to believe me, though I knew it wouldn't be easy.
As we approached the gates, Ivan slowed down.
"I won't go in," he said, his gaze lingering on my face for a moment. "Your status and mine are different. A rogue like me barging into the pack house would only cause unnecessary trouble."
I opened my mouth to say something, but found I had no words. He was right. Under the Lightning Wolf Pack's strict hierarchy, being a rogue was like wearing invisible shackles.
"If you need help," Ivan added, "you know where to find me. The gym."
I nodded, took a deep breath, and pushed open the gates alone.
The hall inside blazed with light, and noise echoed from the front chamber. I hurried through the corridor, following the sound, then stopped dead in the doorway.
The scene before me left me stunned.
The front hall was packed with nearly every young adult male from the Lightning Wolf Pack, dressed in formal leather battle gear with the pack's lightning emblem on their chests. Alpha Tyler stood on a raised platform, delivering an impassioned speech.
"...In three days, you will enter Thunder Canyon, the proving ground left by our ancestors!" My father's voice boomed through the hall. "Only the strongest, the bravest warriors will return with the fiercest prey! This is not just a test of your individual strength—it's proof of the glory in Lightning Wolf blood!"
The young warriors roared in response, fists pounding their chests like thunder.
My heart sank. This was the ceremonial send-off for the hunting trial.
On the platform, my father continued. "Now, let us bestow the honor sashes upon our departing warriors!"
Several elders stepped forward, carrying deep blue silk sashes. It was a Lightning Wolf tradition—each sash was woven with lightning patterns, symbolizing the pack's strength and protection. Warriors participating in the trial would tie the sash around their arms, and if they returned alive, it would be preserved forever as a testament to family honor.
I looked at those young faces, their eyes bright with excitement and anticipation, completely unaware of what was happening in Thunder Canyon. Those Devil's Vines, those corrupted beasts... what would they face if they entered the canyon like this?
"Connor." My father's voice cut through my thoughts.
My brother emerged from the crowd, chest puffed out as he mounted the platform. Father personally tied the sash around his arm, then patted his shoulder.
"You are my son," Father said, his voice unusually soft. "I have high expectations for you. You must prove through your actions that the future of the Lightning Wolf Pack rests in the hands of truly powerful warriors."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the crowd before landing in a particular direction—I knew he was looking at me.
"As for that sister of yours," Father continued, his tone heavy with obvious frustration and disapproval, "I hope your performance will show her what the right path looks like. Show her that some things can't be obtained through stubbornness and rebellion."
Connor's lips curved into a cold smile. "Don't worry, Father. I will."
I clenched my jaw, my nails digging into my palms. But now wasn't the time to dwell on this.
I took a deep breath and walked into the hall.
Every eye immediately turned to me. Whispers rippled through the crowd—I could feel the contempt, curiosity, and mockery in those stares.
"Chloe?" Father frowned. "What are you doing here?"
I ignored the surrounding gazes and walked straight to the platform. "Alpha, I have urgent news to report."
"What news?" Father's tone was impatient. "Can't you see what's happening here?"
"The witch clan has invaded Thunder Canyon," I said loudly.
The hall fell silent.
Everyone stared at me as if I'd said something utterly absurd.
"What did you say?" Father's voice dropped, taking on a dangerous edge.
"I just came back from Thunder Canyon," I said quickly. "The canyon is overrun with Devil's Vines—that's the witch clan's dark magic plant. Many beasts have been corrupted, driven mad and bloodthirsty. If we don't deal with this soon, the trial in three days will be extremely dangerous—"
"Enough!" Connor suddenly interrupted. "Chloe, are you so afraid of losing the competition that you're making up lies to cause panic?"
His words triggered a wave of laughter.
"I'm not lying!" I shot back. "I saw it with my own eyes—"
"The witch clan has already been subjugated by the Blood River Pack," Father said coldly. "How could they possibly invade Thunder Canyon without permission? Unless..."
He paused, his eyes sharpening.
"Unless the Blood River Pack's next move is to invade the Lightning Wolf Pack!" I picked up his thread. "Alpha, it's not impossible. The witch clan planting all those Devil's Vines in the canyon—they're clearly preparing for some kind of large-scale operation—"
"Ridiculous." Father cut me off. "The Blood River Pack and we have always had good relations, and they're even among our marriage alliance options. They wouldn't rashly start a war."
"But—"
"Chloe!" Father's voice rose sharply. "You are my daughter, yet you show such poor judgment! Spouting nonsense at such an important occasion—what exactly are you trying to do?"
I felt a chill run down my spine. Father's eyes told me he didn't believe a word I said. Or rather, he didn't want to believe.
"This trial is my final indulgence of you," Father continued, his voice full of disappointment and anger. "If you fail, you will obediently go through with the marriage alliance. Understand?"
I opened my mouth but found I couldn't speak.
"Alpha, I'm telling the truth," I tried to keep my voice steady. "Please, just send someone to check the canyon, even if it's just to confirm—"
"I said enough!" Father barked. "Guards, take her away. Lock her in confinement. She's not to leave until the trial begins!"
Two guards immediately stepped forward and grabbed my arms.
"No!" I struggled. "You have to believe me! There's real danger in the canyon—"
But no one was listening. The guards dragged me from the hall as murmurs and laughter followed behind me.
"What a crazy girl."
"She'll make up any lie to escape the marriage."
"How could the Alpha have such a daughter? What a disgrace."
I was dragged into a small stone chamber. The door slammed shut behind me, and darkness swallowed me whole.
I slid down the cold wall and hugged my knees.
They didn't believe me. No one believed me.
But I knew what I saw. Those Devil's Vines, those corrupted beasts, that mysterious lightning wolf... none of it was a hallucination.
In three days, when those young warriors entered Thunder Canyon, what would they face?