Chapter Twenty
The tension in the air was palpable as Calla paced back and forth in the small clearing where Rowan and Kael waited. Both men watched her, their expressions a mixture of frustration and concern. The faint glow of the moon overhead seemed to mock her indecision.
She stopped suddenly, spinning to face Rowan. “If I do this–if I help you–it’s not for you. It’s for the pack, for the truth. Do you understand me?”
Rowan’s jaw tightened, but he nodded. “I don’t expect anything else from you.“}
Kael stepped forward, his presence steady as always. “Calla, are you sure? Once you’re involved, there’s no going back.”
“I know,” she replied, her voice steadier than she felt. “But this isn’t just about me. It’s about everyone who’s been lied to, manipulated. I can’t stand by while the pack tears itself apart.“@
Rowan took a step closer, his voice low. “I’ll protect you. No matter what happens.“}
Kael snorted, crossing his arms. “She doesn’t need your protection, Rowan. She’s stronger than you think.”
Rowan’s eyes flashed, but Calla raised a hand to stop the brewing argument. “Enough. If we’re going to do this, we need to work together. Can you both manage that?“}
The silence that followed was heavy, but both men finally nodded.
The next day, Rowan gathered the pack elders and key members in the central meeting hall. The room buzzed with murmurs of suspicion and curiosity. Calla stood at the back, Kael by her side, his presence a silent reassurance.}]
When Rowan stepped forward, the room fell silent. His presence commanded attention, his Alpha aura undeniable.
“I’ve called you all here,” Rowan began, his voice firm, “to address the lies and deceit that have plagued this pack for too long.” Murmurs broke out again, but Rowan’s sharp gaze silenced them.
“For months, I’ve been accused of betrayal, of abandoning my responsibilities as Alpha,” he continued. “But tonight, I bring you the truth.”
He gestured to Calla, who stepped forward with trembling hands holding a stack of documents. She handed them to one of the elders, her voice steady despite the weight of the moment.
“These documents,” she said, “prove that Rowan was set up. The accusations were orchestrated by Mina and her Rogue Uncle who sought to weaken him and divide the pack.”}]
The elders exchanged shocked glances as they read the documents, their faces growing grim.
Rowan’s voice rang out again. “The conspiracy doesn’t just affect me. It’s a threat to the stability and future of this pack. Those responsible have no place among us.”
A tall man in the corner, one of the accused conspirators, stepped forward, his face flushed with anger. “This is absurd! You expect us to believe this evidence isn’t fabricated? How convenient for you, Alpha.”
Rowan’s gaze was cold and unyielding. “If you have nothing to hide, then submit to a full investigation.“@
The man hesitated, his defiance faltering under the weight of Rowan’s authority. The murmurs in the room grew louder, members of the pack demanding answers.
Calla watched the exchange, her heart pounding. She had never seen Rowan like this–so resolute, so determined to right the wrongs done to him. It stirred something deep within her, something she wasn’t ready to face.
As the confrontation escalated, Kael leaned closer to her. “He’s handling this well. But be careful, Calla. This doesn’t erase the past.“> She nodded, but her focus remained on Rowan.
When the accused conspirators were finally removed from the hall, the atmosphere shifted. Rowan turned to address the pack once more, his voice steady.
“I’ve made mistakes,” he admitted, his tone softer now. “But my loyalty to this pack or my Luna has never wavered. I will do everything in my power to ensure our safety and unity. I ask for your trust, not because I deserve it, but because this pack deserves a leader who will fight for it.”
A wave of murmured agreement rippled through the crowd. Calla felt a pang of something–pride, maybe–but quickly pushed it aside.
As the pack dispersed, Rowan approached her, his expression guarded. “Thank you,” he said quietly.
She nodded, unsure how to respond. “This doesn’t change anything between us, Rowan.“@
“I know,” he said, his voice tinged with regret. “But it’s a start.”
-0
Later that night, Calla sat by the river, the sound of rushing water soothing her frayed nerves. Kael found her there, his steps soft on the forest floor.”
“You did well today,” he said, sitting beside her.
She sighed, her gaze fixed on the water. “I don’t know what I’m doing anymore, Kael. I feel like I’m being pulled in every direction.”
He reached out, his hand brushing hers. “You’re not alone, Calla. Whatever you decide, I’ll be here.”
Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them away. “Why are you so good to me, Kael?”
“Because I love you,” he said simply.
Moose Me Once And Mauba A.
“Because I love you,” he said simply.
Her breath caught, the weight of his words hanging between them. “I don’t deserve that,” she whispered.
“You deserve more than you know,” he replied.
As Kael’s words settled in her heart, a distant howl echoed through the night, carrying with it a haunting familiarity. Calla’s blood ran cold as recognition hit her. It wasn’t a random call–it was a signal.
“Rowan,” she whispered, standing abruptly.
Kael was on his feet in an instant. “What is it?”
“He’s in trouble,” she said, her voice trembling. “I have to go.””
Without another word, she took off into the forest, her heart pounding as she raced toward the unknown.
