Chapter 25: The Sunfire Pendant

The witch's cackle still echoed in the psychic scars of the clearing long after her physical form had vanished into mist. The immediate chaos was quelled, but not without cost. Snarls had replaced laughter; fear and suspicion clouded eyes that had once held trust. The fragile tapestry of Emilia's pack had been violently pulled at its seams. Standing amidst the wreckage of her celebration, Emilia felt a cold, steely resolve harden within her. 「Mercy built this pack, but mercy alone cannot defend it. The wolf that does not protect its den is no Alpha at all.」 The attack wasn't just on their lives, but on the very soul of their community—the sacred bonds between them. She turned, her gaze sweeping over the clearing, finding Wesley and Theron. They were no longer just former lovers or rival suitors; in that moment, they were the two most powerful allies within reach. Her voice, when it came, was low, carrying the unmistakable timbre of command. "This