Chapter 153
Kane's POV
The next day, I gathered everyone in the central square of the ruins.
I stood on the makeshift wooden platform, my gaze sweeping over the faces of those who had survived the catastrophe—elders, women, children, and warriors who had made it through the mine battle.
Sunlight fell upon them, but I knew this warmth could be torn apart by a bloody storm at any moment.
"Everyone," I began, my voice echoing across the square. "I've gathered you here today to share a decision."
The crowd fell silent, all eyes focusing on me.
I took a deep breath and continued: "The Stone Ridge Pack at the Wall of Sighs has shown us a path—to travel to Echo Valley and seek their protection."
As soon as the words left my mouth, whispers erupted through the crowd. I raised my hand for silence, though my heart was anything but calm.
Blaze murmured in my mind: "They'll refuse, you know that. Who would abandon a home they just rebuilt?"
"I know this is hard to accept," I continued, "but the Blood River Pack won't let us go. Draven's death will only bring more brutal retaliation. Staying here is a death sentence."
A middle-aged wolf stepped forward from the crowd, his face filled with anger: "We just rebuilt our homes—why should we abandon them on your word? Do you know how much we've sacrificed?"
"Exactly!" another voice chimed in. "You're just an outsider. What right do you have to command us?"
More challenges rose one after another.
A mother clutching her infant cried out: "The journey is so far—my children won't survive it!"
I felt the situation slipping out of control. A young warrior stepped forward, issuing a direct challenge: "What makes you our leader? Bloodline? Strength? You don't even have a pack!"
The words stabbed into my heart like a blade.
Since leaving Silver Moon Pack, I had been nothing more than an insignificant rogue, and I'd only recently learned the truth of my own origins.
I clenched my fists, struggling to maintain composure, refusing to use force to suppress them.
"I understand your concerns," I tried to keep my voice steady, "but please consider—"
"Consider what?" the middle-aged wolf interrupted. "Following some stranger of unknown origin to our deaths?"
The crowd's emotions grew more heated, and I felt the migration plan on the verge of collapse. Just then, a clear voice rang out from the back.
"I will follow Kane!"
Everyone turned. Dorothy emerged from the crowd, her right hand raised high. Though her voice trembled, it carried unwavering conviction: "He saved my grandmother. He saved all of us!"
Her words quieted the crowd momentarily. Then Faye stepped forward, leaning on her cane: "The child speaks truth. I owe him my life."
Steven came forward carrying his son Toby: "I will follow, for my son's future!"
Scattered voices of agreement began to emerge, but they remained a minority. Most still watched and waited, undecided. My heart sank—this support wasn't enough, nowhere near enough.
Just then, heavy footsteps sounded from the back of the crowd.
Frank walked forward slowly, holding aloft a tattered banner. It was the Lightning Wolf Pack's totem flag, covered in patches, yet still gleaming in the morning light. The entire square fell instantly silent, everyone holding their breath.
Frank climbed onto the platform and stood beside me. His eyes blazed as he surveyed each person below.
After a long moment, he spoke, his voice hoarse yet powerful:
"The Lightning Wolf Pack—is it this land, or is it each living person?"
No one answered. Frank continued: "Land can be conquered, houses can be destroyed, but as long as people live, the Lightning spirit will never die!"
His words struck every heart like thunder. I saw tears glistening in many eyes, and those faces clinging to "homeland" began to soften.
Frank turned to look at me, his eyes full of love and pride.
Then he turned back, his voice growing more solemn:
"This child is the son of Lightning Wolf Pack Alpha Chloe Flores and lightning element bearer Ivan Price!"
The crowd instantly erupted—shock, joy, and doubt mixing together.
"He carries the purest lightning bloodline," Frank's voice cut through all other sounds. "He is the rightful heir of the Lightning Pack!"
I stood frozen. This secret—Frank had kept it until now. I watched as the questioning voices in the crowd were rapidly overtaken by voices of support.
Frank gazed at me, then slowly knelt on one knee: "My child, my Alpha!"
Dorothy immediately followed, kneeling as well: "My Alpha!"
Faye, Steven—one by one they knelt. Finally, all the survivors cried out in unison: "My Alpha!"
My eyes grew moist. This trust, this expectation—it weighed heavily on my shoulders.
I took a deep breath and declared loudly:
"I swear I will lead you to find a true home. We will wander no more. We will be enslaved no more. The Lightning Pack will rise again!"
The cheers from the crowd were deafening!