THE PACK'S REACTION
Returning to the pack with Elias's claim sparked immediate unrest. Some wolves believed him, citing his resemblance to Xanthe's father. Others dismissed him as a liar trying to exploit the pack's trust.
The elders convened once more, demanding proof of Elias's lineage. Xanthe, though furious, agreed to let the council handle the matter.
"Bring him here," she said, her voice sharp. "We'll see if he has the courage to back up his words."
Elias arrived under heavy guard, his cocky demeanor intact. He presented a weathered letter bearing her father's seal, detailing an affair that had resulted in Elias's birth. The elders examined it carefully, their expressions grim.
"It's genuine," one elder admitted reluctantly.
Murmurs erupted throughout the chamber. Xanthe stood, her voice cutting through the noise.
"I don't care if he shares my blood. That doesn't make him the rightful Alpha." She turned to Elias, her eyes blazing. "Leadership isn't inherited. It's earned. And you've done nothing but sow discord."
A CHALLENGE FOR LEADERSHIP
Elias grinned, as if he'd been waiting for this moment. "Then let's settle this the old way. A duel. Winner takes the throne."
The pack gasped, and Lynam immediately stepped forward. "Absolutely not. You think I'll let you fight him? He's a rogue, and this is beneath you."
Xanthe placed a hand on Lynam's chest, calming him. "It's my fight, Lynam. If I back down now, I'll lose more than just the pack's respect."
The council reluctantly agreed to the duel, setting the time for the following night under the full moon.