CHAPTER 176

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY SIX

TYLA Point of View

Days turned into weeks, and I remained holed up in my room, struggling to come to terms with what had happened. I had gotten my revenge on Jonathan, but it didn't feel as satisfying as I thought it would. Instead, I felt lost and uncertain. I had been so focused on my quest for revenge that I hadn't thought about what would come next. Now that Jonathan was out of the picture, I was left to pick up the pieces and figure out how to move forward. As the Alpha of the Cornrow Pack, I had a responsibility to my pack members. But I couldn't shake the feeling that I wasn't ready to lead. I was still reeling from the aftermath of my encounter with Jonathan, and I didn't know if I had the strength or the courage to take on the challenges that lay ahead. But as I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, I knew that I couldn't stay hidden away forever. I had to face my fears and my doubts head-on. I had to find a way to move forward, to heal and to lead. I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of determination rise up within me. I was the Alpha now, and it was permanent. I had to own it, to embrace it, and to make it work. The elders, concerned about the pack's well-being, tried to schedule meetings with me to discuss the pack's future and my role as Alpha. But I canceled every single one of them, unable to face the reality of my new position. One of the elders, a wise and aged wolf named Elara, even approached me with a sensitive question. "Jess, are you sure you're ready to lead the pack?" she asked, her eyes filled with concern. "Perhaps it would be better if Jay took over as Alpha. He's strong, capable, and well-respected by the pack." I felt a surge of anger and defensiveness at her suggestion. How could she even think that I wasn't capable of leading the pack? I had fought hard to become Alpha, and I wasn't about to give it up now. "I'm not stepping down," I said firmly, my voice cold. "I'm the rightful Alpha of this pack, and I'll do whatever it takes to protect and lead it." Elara looked at me with a mixture of disappointment and understanding. "Very well, Jess," she said. "But please, for the sake of the pack, don't shut us out. We want to support you, to help you lead. But you have to be willing to listen, to work with us." I nodded, feeling a twinge of guilt. I knew Elara was right. I couldn't lead the pack alone, not forever. But for now, I just needed some time to figure things out, to come to terms with my new role. I finally felt ready to face the elders and the pack's business. I called for a messenger and instructed him to deliver a message to the elders. "Tell them I've scheduled a meeting with them for tomorrow morning," I said, my voice firm and decisive. "I'll be expecting them at the meeting hall at dawn." The messenger nodded and took off, leaving me to prepare for the meeting. I spent the rest of the day gathering my thoughts, reviewing the pack's affairs, and thinking about the decisions I needed to make. As the sun began to set, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. I was ready to face the elders and take on the challenges of being Alpha. Tomorrow would be a new beginning, a chance for me to prove myself and lead the pack to greatness. I stood before the elders, my heart heavy with emotion. "I know I haven't been myself lately," I said, my voice trembling. "I know I've been distant and withdrawn. But I'm asking you, please, give me time to heal." I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself. "I'm still in shock after everything that's happened. My father, Damisus... his death was a blow I never saw coming. And then Jonathan... my husband, the man I thought I knew... his betrayal cut deeper than any wound." I felt tears pricking at the corners of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. "I need time to grieve, to process everything that's happened. I need time to find myself again, to figure out who I am without Jonathan by my side." The elders looked at me with compassion and understanding. Elara, the eldest of the group, nodded slowly. "We understand, Jess. We'll give you the time you need. You have a month to rest, to grieve, and to heal. After that, we expect you to take on your duties as Alpha once again." I felt a wave of relief wash over me. A month was a generous amount of time, and I was grateful for the elders' understanding. I nodded, feeling a sense of determination rise up within me. I would use this time to heal, to find myself again, and to emerge stronger than ever. As I walked through the pack's territory, I couldn't help but overhear the whispers and murmurs of the pack members. They were talking about me, about the fact that a woman was leading the Cornrow Pack again. Some of them were saying that women made better leaders, that they were more compassionate and wise. Others were saying that I was too soft, that I wouldn't be able to protect the pack from threats. But one comment caught my ear, made my heart skip a beat. "She's not even a true Cornrow," someone said. "I don't know why we're following her." I felt a surge of anger and frustration. If only they knew. If only they knew that I was Annie, the daughter of Damisus, the true heir to the Cornrow Pack. But I kept my cool, didn't let my emotions get the better of me. I knew that I had to prove myself, to show the pack that I was capable of leading them. And so, I continued on my way, my head held high, my heart determined. I would show them, I would prove myself. I was Annie, the true Alpha of the Cornrow Pack.