Chapter Ten
The victory over Lucian and his wolves left a charged silence in the forest. Evie stood in the clearing, the weight of what she'd done settling over her. Gabriel was by her side, his gaze unreadable, yet there was a flicker of pride in his eyes that sent warmth rushing through her. She'd confronted Lucian, survived his wrath, and now… the question lingered. What came next?
As they walked back to their camp, Evie couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. Lucian's defeat would shift the balance in the pack, but it wouldn't be enough to change the ways carved deeply into their world. She felt a tug in her chest, a stirring she hadn't felt before—the quiet urge to lead, to do more than just survive.
Gabriel broke the silence, his voice low but certain. "You know they'll come back. Lucian's pride won't let him accept this defeat."
Evie nodded, the thought both daunting and electrifying. "Then we make sure we're ready." She met his gaze, determination hardening in her eyes. "This fight is more than just Lucian. It's about giving the pack a choice—freedom from fear."
Gabriel's expression softened, a hint of admiration breaking through. "You're ready to do this?"
"More than ready," she replied, her voice carrying a certainty that surprised even her. And as they moved through the shadowed trees, Evie knew that the fight she'd once feared had become her purpose.
The next morning, the camp was quiet, but the air buzzed with tension. Gabriel and Evie discussed their next move as they sat by the fire, the warmth crackling around them. She was aware of the eyes on them, wolves that had once served Lucian now watching her with a mix of caution and curiosity.
They would have to earn the pack's loyalty, but Evie was willing to face the challenge. She caught Gabriel's eye and took a steadying breath. "We need to rally them, show them there's another way."
Gabriel nodded his face thoughtful. "Lucian's reign is crumbling, but some still fear him. They're used to power ruling with threats and intimidation."
Evie clenched her fists, the memory of Lucian's arrogance flashing in her mind. "Then we'll give them a reason to follow us—a reason beyond fear."
Gabriel's gaze softened, pride shining through. "You've come a long way, Evie. They'll see that strength."
She didn't respond, but a fierce resolve settled over her. They would gather those willing to fight for a different future. And if Lucian thought he could hold onto power with fear, he would soon realize that unity was stronger than any threat.
As dusk settled, wolves began arriving at the clearing, drawn by whispers of Evie's stand against Lucian. She and Gabriel stood before them, side by side, feeling the weight of their expectations. Some looked wary, others curious, but all listened intently as Gabriel stepped forward to address them.
"We've lived under Lucian's rule for too long," he began, his voice carrying through the clearing. "We've been told strength is fear, that loyalty is submission." He glanced at Evie, a silent encouragement. "But we stand here because we believe in something else. We believe in strength without cruelty, loyalty without chains."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, and Evie took a deep breath, stepping forward to meet their gazes. Her heart pounded, but she kept her voice steady. "I was cast out, rejected. I know what it's like to be told you're not enough. But together, we're more than Lucian's power. We're stronger when we're united."
The crowd shifted, eyes softening as her words resonated. She sensed their skepticism easing, replaced by something else—a tentative hope.
"We can make this pack our own," she continued, her voice rising with conviction. "But only if we stand together, if we fight for each other instead of against each other."
Her words hung in the air, and for the first time, she saw the flicker of possibility in their eyes.
Just as the crowd's murmurs began to turn to agreement, a cold voice cut through the clearing, dripping with contempt. "You think a few words will change their minds, Evie?"
Lucian stepped forward from the shadows, his eyes burning with fury and a twisted resolve. He was flanked by several loyalists, each one radiating the same hardened pride, wolves who believed in Lucian's vision of power through domination. His gaze fixed on her, his lips curling into a smirk. "These wolves belong to me."
Gabriel tensed, but Evie raised her hand, signaling him to wait. She met Lucian's stare, unafraid. "They don't belong to anyone, Lucian. That's you've been wrong from the beginning."where
He laughed, cold and dismissive, but she could see the strain in his eyes. "You think you can undo everything I've built? You're just a naive girl clinging to dreams."
Evie's jaw tightened her voice steady and defiant. "This isn't about you anymore, Lucian. It's about the pack and what they deserve—a choice."
Lucian's face twisted with rage, his composure cracking. "Then prove it," he challenged, his voice a low growl. "Let's see if they're willing to follow a failure like you."
She held his gaze, her stance unwavering, and knew that the time for words had ended.
The challenge hung thick in the air, and the pack waited, eyes darting between Evie and Lucian. She felt the weight of their expectation, the silent plea for something different. She took a deep breath, feeling her power hum to life within her. This wasn't just a fight—it was the moment she'd been pushed toward, shaped by every rejection, every lesson, every spark of courage.
"Fine, Lucian," she said, her voice strong and clear. "I'll show them what true strength looks like."
With a roar, Lucian lunged, his movements sharp and feral, but Evie was ready. She met his strike with a fluid grace, each blow carrying her determination, her need to prove that she was more than what he had tried to make her believe. They clashed, power surging between them, raw and intense, each blow resonating with the crowd's silence.
Gabriel watched, his eyes locked on her, his fists clenched as he willed her strength from the sidelines. This was her fight, her stand, and he knew she had everything it took to see it through.
Evie ducked, deflecting Lucian's wild strike, her movements sure and precise. With a final, forceful push, she knocked him back, her energy blazing as she held her ground. Lucian staggered, his eyes wide with disbelief, and the crowd's silence broke, a murmur of awe and admiration rippling through them.
But Evie didn't relent. She stepped forward, her voice steady, calm. "It's over, Lucian. The pack has a choice now. And they choose freedom."