Chapter 26
The road ahead seemed clearer, yet filled with shadows. With the Silverfangs at our side, we had a fighting chance against Viktor. But the cost of that alliance was still weighing on me. We’d completed the trials, proven ourselves, but in the back of my mind, I kept hearing my father’s voice, telling me I was destined for destruction.
I pushed those thoughts away. I couldn’t afford doubt now—not when everything was on the line.
Ian was quiet as we walked back through the dense woods, the sounds of the Silverfangs’ territory growing fainter behind us. His hand brushed mine, a silent gesture of comfort, but I knew he was feeling the same tension that gripped my chest.
The Silverfangs had promised their support, but the truth was, we were no closer to stopping Viktor. He was still out there, scheming, growing stronger. Every moment we delayed, every day we wasted, Viktor moved one step closer to achieving his ultimate goal.
“We need a plan,” I said, breaking the silence. My voice sounded more certain than I felt, but it had to be that way. “We can’t just wait for him to make the next move. We need to hit him first.”
Ian nodded, but I could see the doubt in his eyes. “I agree. But Viktor is dangerous. He has more power than any of us.”
“I know,” I said, my voice hard. “But I’m not going to sit back and watch him tear everything apart. We need to strike before he has a chance to get any stronger.”
Ian met my gaze, his expression serious. “We’ll need all the help we can get. Even with the Silverfangs, we can’t face him alone.”
I looked up at the sky, the fading light casting long shadows across the forest. The battle was coming. And I wasn’t going to back down.
When we returned to campus, it felt like everything had shifted. The usual hustle of students rushing between classes, the quiet hum of conversation in the hallways—it all seemed so distant. Viktor’s shadow loomed over everything now.
Abigail was waiting for us in the café, her arms crossed as she sipped on her coffee. She didn’t say anything at first, just looked at us with a mix of concern and curiosity.
“Well?” she asked, setting her cup down on the table. “What happened?”
I sat down across from her, my thoughts swirling. “We made a deal with the Silverfangs. They’re on our side now.”
Abigail raised an eyebrow. “The Silverfangs? Really?”
I nodded. “They’re the only ones with the resources and the will to help us stop Viktor. But it’s not going to be easy.”
“You’re telling me,” Abigail said, shaking her head. “You’re going up against Viktor, one of the most powerful Alphas to ever exist. And now you’re relying on the Silverfangs? They’re known for playing both sides.”
“I know,” I said, my voice tight. “But we don’t have a choice. The Silverfangs are our best shot at stopping him.”
She leaned forward, her expression serious. “I trust you, Ava. But be careful. You’re dealing with dangerous forces now. And when you’re up against someone like Viktor, there are no guarantees.”
I met her gaze, trying to hold back the fear gnawing at me. “I’ll be careful. But I have to do this. For everyone.”
The days passed in a blur of strategy meetings, quiet discussions with the Silverfangs, and training. We worked together, piecing together a plan to take down Viktor. It wasn’t perfect, but it was the only plan we had.
Every night, I lay awake, my thoughts racing. Was I really ready for this? Was I strong enough to stand against Viktor? The fear of failing—of losing everything—haunted me.
But Ian was always there, a constant presence by my side. His strength gave me the courage to keep going, even when doubt threatened to consume me.
The final confrontation was approaching. The Silverfangs had gathered their forces, ready to join us in the fight, but we knew we needed more. We needed the support of the other packs, the ones who’d been sitting on the sidelines for far too long.
But convincing them wasn’t going to be easy. Many of them still saw Viktor as their leader, or were too afraid to go against him. It would take something more than words to get them to stand with us.
The meeting with the pack leaders was set. We met in a neutral location, a clearing deep in the woods, where the tension was thick enough to suffocate. The Silverfangs, Ian, and I stood together, waiting for the others to arrive.
The first to arrive was the Thunderclaw pack, their Alpha, Rowan, towering above the others. His eyes were cold, calculating, and as he approached, I could feel the weight of his gaze on me.
“Are you really asking us to join you against Viktor?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous.
“We’re not asking,” Ian said, stepping forward. “We’re telling you. Viktor is a threat to all of us. If we don’t act now, it’s too late.”
Rowan studied Ian for a moment before glancing at the others. His gaze lingered on me for a moment longer, his eyes narrowing. “You think you can take him down? You’re an omega. You have no place in this fight.”
I bristled at his words, but Ian stepped in before I could respond.
“Ava’s no ordinary omega,” he said, his voice filled with conviction. “And if you don’t stand with us, you’ll regret it. Viktor’s power is growing, and it won’t stop until it consumes everything.”
The tension in the clearing was palpable. Every Alpha was sizing each other up, testing the waters, seeing who would make the first move. It was a dangerous game of power and politics.
Finally, Rowan spoke again. “We’ll join you. But only because we know Viktor’s a threat. Don’t think for a second that we’re doing this for you.”
It wasn’t the warmest endorsement, but it was a start. And with the Thunderclaw pack on our side, we had the support we needed to move forward.