The final unity challenge begins with a ceremonial acknowledgment of pack bonds, a tradition steeped in symbolism
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The gathered packs watch from the grand arena, their eyes sharp, their judgment palpable. As Siena and I stand together before the council of judges, the weight of their stares presses down on me, yet it’s not their scrutiny that unsettles me most.
It’s her.
Siena stands beside me, her posture straight, her chin held high, her amber eyes steady as they sweep across the crowd. Even after everything, she commands respect effortlessly. She doesn’t need to demand it–it’s given freely, drawn to her like moths to a flame.
Once, I might have attributed that to her beauty, truly is.
v, or dismissed it as mere luck. But now, as I watch her, I see it for what it
It’s her strength. Her resilience. It’s the way she’s carried herself through years of rejection, of whispers, of being overlooked and dismissed–not just by others but by me.
The realization twists something deep in my chest.
I glance down at the speech in my hand, the one I carefully crafted to highlight Silverfang’s dominance, to frame us as the strongest, most capable pack in the region. The words suddenly feel hollow, meaningless compared to the genuine passion Siena exudes even in silence.
When it’s my turn to speak, I force myself to deliver the lines, my voice steady, my tone commanding.
“For generations, the northern territories have stood as pillars of strength in our world,” I announce, scanning the faces before me. “Today, we strengthen those pillars through unity and common purpose.”
The crowd listens, nodding in approval, but the words feel empty in my mouth.
