It was no longer a political summit by the next day — it had become a war council.
The center lodge was converted. Maps adorned the walls. Scout reports streamed in. Allied fighters began forming combined patrols with Silverpine's best. Once-independent realms and old hostilities were forgotten, at least for the time being.
Not all were ready to unite.
Tension hung heavy in the inner sanctum of the elders.
"This is madness," Elder Garran spat, pacing back and forth like an animal trapped. "Sending our wolves to war on neutral territory? There's no evidence that Viktor is going to make an attack."
"We saw him," said Lucas. He stood tall in the middle of the room, Cade standing beside him. "And when he crosses the border, we are no longer the ones who get to act first."
She hovered at the edge of the room, standing stock-still, watching.
Elder Vance turned to them, his voice cold. "You would believe the word of a woman who ran from her own pack? From one who was rejected by Luna?"
She stepped closer, eyes intense. "I did not flee. I survived. I came back. I'm standing here between you and the mistake of overlooking the obvious fact that Viktor is not planning an assault. He's planning a coup. He wishes to destroy the current system—the system you are a part of."
Silence pervaded the room.
Lucas's tone dropped to one of warning. "If he prevails, Silverpine falls. And you with it."
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Later, on the training grounds, Mia was among the growing number of warriors training to be dispatched. She was no longer an outsider anymore, no longer suspiciously eyed. The wolves who had gossiped behind her back now moved to the side to let her through. Some of them bowed. Some nodded.
Ember devised cloth-wrapped blades. "These I found among the archives. Ancient pack-forged, magically enchanted steel. Light, but strong."
Mia unwrapped them, the hilts fitting perfectly into her palms.
They're gorgeous.
They are yours.
She glanced up. "You're not fighting?"
Ember snorted. "Oh, I'm fighting. But I'm staying here first. With the healers. Someone needs to protect the civilians if things get bad."
She hugged her tight. "Just don't get yourself killed."
"Only when you make the same promise."
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Lucas found her later, leaning against the fencing that surrounded the training ring, the twin blades strapped to her back.
"You've changed," he said.
She gazed at him. "You always repeat that."
He smiled faintly. "I'm still amazed at how much."
She looked again over the field, where wolves trained, shifting shape, learning to fight as one.
"I was never meant to be silenced," she said. "I just thought I had to be."
Lucas fell silent for a moment. Then: "When this is done, when Viktor's done, what do you want?"
She turned, brows raised.
"What do I desire?" she echoed.
Lucas nodded. "Not as a representative. Not as a warrior. As you. Mia."
She studied his features. The one who had hurt her. Who had grown up since? Who had protected her not out of obligation, but because he simply couldn't help it.
"I'd prefer to decide my own fate," she said. "Not have it decided for me."
Lucas nodded. "So that's what we're fighting for then."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
At sundown, the pack gathered within the center clearing. Alphas, betas, and warriors from five territories gathered. Lucas climbed up onto the stone dais in the center and addressed loudly above the murmuring crowds.
"Tomorrow, we face more than rogues or mercenaries. We face a belief—that only power matters. That those without rank don't belong. That unity is weakness."
He looked at Mia.
We've lived long enough under that deception.
No more.
He stepped back.
And then, much to everyone's surprise, Mia came forward to address them.
No one expects an omega to be in charge. No one expects us to defend. I've had it up to here with living by other people's expectations. So should you.
She hesitated, "taking a glance around at the wolves."
We are not battling tradition. We are battling on behalf of one another.
For each pup, each elder, each wolf who must be allowed to decide. That is what Silverpine must become.
A moment of silence.
They then emitted howls—the young wolves, then the warriors, then the elders.
It rolled through the clearing as thunder.
And Mia acknowledged, then, that she was no longer the same.
Not just Lucas's once-mate.
Not just an omega.
A leader.