78: CONSOLIDATED

In the evening, there was a knock at the door. My father opened it, and a few of the Alphas stepped in, their faces solemn but determined.

“Ava,” one of them began, “we wanted to come and see you personally. Your words today resonated with us. We want you to know that we stand with you. No matter what happens, we’ll work with you to defeat the bandits and bring peace to our lands.”

I felt a surge of gratitude. “Thank you,” I said, my voice strong. “Your support means everything. Together, we can achieve what seems impossible.”

They nodded, offering words of encouragement and loyalty before leaving. The moment they were gone, another figure stepped into the doorway. It was Alpha Jo, his expression a mix of determination and something softer, maybe hope, perhaps.

“Ava,” he said quietly, stepping inside. “Can we talk?”

I nodded, leading him to a quieter corner of the room. “What is it, Jo?”

He took a deep breath, looking into my eyes. “Today, watching you, I was reminded of the strength