Chapter 21: Gathering Allies

 Lila's POV

The quiet after last night’s ambush was almost eerie. Silverwood was on edge, the forest thick with a sense of foreboding, like a storm waiting to break. Ethan had called for a meeting at dawn, gathering the remaining pack members to strategize, and everyone was running on the fumes of little to no sleep. My head pounded, but there was no time to rest; the ritual had shown us exactly how real the threat was. If we didn’t find more support, there was no way we’d be able to hold Dominic off.

I stood next to Ethan in the clearing, feeling small amidst the powerful energy humming through the crowd. He was rallying them with that unmistakable intensity that made him a natural leader, his voice calm but firm, pressing on the urgency and the dangers of Dominic’s forces. He made eye contact with me now and again, grounding me with a subtle nod, but I could tell he was as stretched thin as the rest of us.

After the meeting wrapped, Ethan and I slipped away to the edge of the pack’s territory, leaving Marcus to organize things for our trip to meet the neighboring packs. I kept a few steps behind, my nerves flaring as I tried to imagine what this would even look like. According to ethan they never tried to gather allies on this scale, not with the friction between territories. 

As we walked, I tried to distract myself, noticing how the sun was just starting to break through the trees. It cast long shadows on the path, dappling the ground with slivers of gold and green. Ethan seemed lost in thought, his usually sharp gaze distant.

“Do you really think they’ll help us?” I asked finally, breaking the silence. The idea of relying on strangers—other supernatural beings who likely had their own agendas—left me uneasy.

He glanced back, offering a faint smile. “We don’t have many other options, Lila. Dominic’s power is growing too fast for us to handle alone.”

I nodded, feeling a flicker of doubt. I didn’t want to voice my fears—that the other packs might see this as an opportunity to swoop in and take advantage of our vulnerable state. But Ethan seemed to sense my unease.

“I won’t let anything happen to us,” he said quietly, reaching out to squeeze my shoulder. “The other packs might be wary, but they’ll see reason. Dominic’s chaos will reach their borders too, sooner or later.”

I mustered a smile, grateful for his confidence even if I couldn’t fully share it.

---

The first pack we visited, led by the stoic alpha Gabriel Pierce, resided just beyond the river that marked the edge of Silverwood. As we approached, a few wary wolves stationed along the perimeter of the territory eyed us suspiciously, but they didn’t stop us as we continued up the worn path to Gabriel’s main lodge.

The lodge was impressive, far more elaborate than anything in Silverwood, with tall windows and a polished, imposing front door that looked more like it belonged to an estate than a werewolf pack’s headquarters. I tightened my grip on my bag, feeling a bit out of place as we were led inside.

Gabriel Pierce greeted us with a guarded expression, his eyes cold and assessing as he offered us a curt nod. He was taller than Ethan, his dark hair slicked back and his suit crisp, like he was used to giving orders in an office instead of on a battlefield. I could tell instantly he was a calculated man, someone who measured his words as carefully as his actions.

“Ethan,” he said, his tone neither warm nor hostile. “I expected you’d show up sooner or later. What do you need?”

Ethan didn’t flinch, keeping his tone level. “We need allies, Gabriel. Dominic’s threats are growing every day, and if we don’t join forces, he’ll overrun us all.”

Gabriel studied him, his gaze flicking to me briefly, and I could almost feel him sizing us up, deciding if we were worth his time. Finally, he nodded, motioning for us to sit.

“I’ve heard whispers about Dominic’s ambition,” he admitted, folding his hands on the table. “But joining forces with your pack isn’t exactly in my best interest. If I’m going to commit resources, I need something in return. Something… worthwhile.”

A chill ran down my spine as he looked at me, and I suddenly felt like a pawn in a negotiation I barely understood.

“What do you want, Gabriel?” Ethan’s voice was low, guarded.

Gabriel’s smile was thin. “My terms are simple. In exchange for my pack’s support, I want access to your territory’s northern forests.”

Ethan stiffened beside me, his expression hardening. The northern forests held significant resources—old hunting grounds and herb patches that were integral to Ethan territory’s survival. I could see the weight of the decision pressing down on him, and the tension in his jaw as he weighed the risks.

“No deal, Gabriel,” he said firmly. “Those forests are vital to our people.”

Gabriel’s gaze turned icy, and I could feel the tension spike as he leaned back in his chair. “Then perhaps we don’t have a deal, Ethan. If you’re not willing to give, why should I?”

My heart pounded as I watched the standoff. Ethan’s shoulders were tense, but he didn’t back down, meeting Gabriel’s gaze with unwavering determination.

“We’ll find other allies,” Ethan said coolly. “I was hoping to avoid conflict between our packs, but if you’re not willing to negotiate, then we’ll manage without you.”

Gabriel’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of anger crossing his face. “You’ll regret this, Ethan. Remember, it’s not just Dominic you have to watch out for.”

We left Gabriel’s territory without another word, our mission a failure before it had even truly begun. The frustration was written all over Ethan’s face, his jaw tight as we made our way back to the path leading home.

I matched his stride, feeling a heavy weight in my chest. “We’ll find someone else,” I said, trying to sound optimistic. “There has to be another pack that’ll listen.”

He nodded, but I could see the worry lingering in his eyes. “I hope you’re right. We don’t have time to waste.”

---

The next pack we visited was led by Zara Moon, a fierce and proud alpha who was known for her powerful ties with other supernatural beings. I’d heard rumors about Zara since I was young—she was said to be ruthless but fair, someone who’d fight tooth and nail for those she cared about but had no mercy for those who wronged her.

Her territory was deep within the thick woods, and as we approached, I could feel the energy change. There was something wild about her land, as though it were alive, watching us as we moved through it.

When we reached her main camp, she greeted us with a cool but friendly smile. Her auburn hair was braided down her back, and she carried herself with an effortless confidence that immediately put me at ease.

“Ethan, Lila,” she greeted us, motioning for us to sit around the campfire at the center of her camp. “What brings you to my doorstep?”

Ethan wasted no time, explaining the threat Dominic posed and the allies we needed to face him. Zara listened intently, her sharp eyes studying him as he spoke.

When he finished, she was quiet for a moment, her gaze thoughtful. “Dominic has been a thorn in my side as well,” she said finally. “If he gains more power, he’ll come for us all eventually.”

A glimmer of hope flared in my chest as she spoke, but her next words dimmed it slightly.

“But I’ll need something in return,” she continued, her eyes landing on me. “The loyalty of my people is earned through more than words.”

Ethan tensed beside me, his gaze flicking to mine. “What do you need?”

Zara tilted her head, considering us. “There’s an old enemy of mine—someone who’s been a threat to my pack for years. If you can eliminate him, I’ll offer my aid in your fight against Dominic.”

I swallowed hard, feeling a rush of anxiety. This was more than I’d anticipated—a mission within a mission, risking more lives in exchange for help. But I knew we had no other options; we needed her pack’s strength to stand a chance.

Ethan nodded slowly, his expression solemn. “We’ll do it.”

“Good,” Zara said with a faint smile. “Bring me proof of his defeat, and my pack will stand with yours.”

---

We left Zara’s territory as the sun was setting, the weight of her request heavy on my shoulders. I glanced at Ethan, seeing the same tension mirrored in his face.

“We’re really doing this, aren’t we?” I murmured, a hint of fear creeping into my voice.

He looked down at me, his gaze filled with determination and a softness that took me by surprise. “We’ll get through this, Lila,” he said, reaching out to take my hand. “Together.”

And in that moment, I believed him.