Elena's POV
The crowd's roars faded as Elena stood, breathing heavily, her heart still pounding in her chest. Ivan lay on the ground, groaning, his pride more wounded than his body. She glanced around the circle of wolves who watched her intently. The tension in the air was thick, almost as if they were all waiting for something.
Elena wiped a stray lock of hair from her face and stood tall, trying to steady her breath. It wasn't lost on her that she had just fought a wolf, and though she'd only used her wits and speed, she had proven something—something she hadn't even realized she was capable of.
Viktor, who had been watching the match with an inscrutable expression, finally broke the silence. His voice was low but carried in the stillness of the clearing.
"You've impressed me, Elena. It's not often that anyone can stand toe-to-toe with Ivan and come out on top, even if it was a lucky move."
Elena's chest tightened at his words, but she refused to let the subtle insult knock her down. Instead, she nodded respectfully. "Luck doesn't last forever. But I'm here to prove that I'm more than just luck."
Viktor studied her with a sharp gaze, and for a long moment, the air seemed to crackle with anticipation. The other wolves in the circle exchanged glances, some of them nodding in agreement, others simply watching.
"You've got spirit, human. And that's something worth acknowledging," Viktor said, his tone unexpectedly approving. "But spirit alone won't unite the packs. We need more than that."
"I understand," Elena replied, her voice steady, despite the weight of the moment. "But that's why I'm here. To do whatever it takes, to bring everyone together. The Oracle told me we can't wait. If we don't unite, it's the end of everything."
The words hung in the air, heavy and foreboding. Viktor's face hardened, and Elena noticed a flicker of something darker in his eyes—something that sent a shiver down her spine. She knew the stakes had just become much higher than a simple fight for respect.
"There's more at play here than just our packs, Elena," Viktor said quietly. "There's a darkness that's been growing for centuries. If the Oracle spoke of unity, then you should know that's not all she saw."
Elena blinked, confusion sweeping over her. "What do you mean?"
Viktor gestured for her to sit. The other wolves backed away to give her space. Elena reluctantly lowered herself onto a nearby log, her muscles aching but still charged with adrenaline.
"You've heard of the Rogue Pack?" Viktor asked, his voice low but cutting through the evening air.
Elena nodded. "I've heard rumors. They're the ones that no one talks about."
Viktor's lips tightened into a grim line. "The Rogues are the pack that never answers to anyone. They're driven by a power that we can't control—one that's tied to blood and darkness."
Elena's breath caught in her throat. "What do they want?"
"They want everything. The Rogues aren't just a pack of outcasts. They're a force unto themselves, bent on overthrowing everything the alphas have built. They want control over the entire werewolf world. And if they succeed, nothing will stop them from destroying it."
Elena swallowed, her heart racing. "Then why haven't the other packs done anything?"
Viktor's gaze hardened, and his posture straightened as though he was preparing for something worse. "Because the Rogues are not just wolves, Elena. They have a leader—someone far more dangerous than any of us. Someone who has the power to break us."
"Who?" Elena asked, her voice trembling slightly despite her best efforts to remain composed.
Viktor paused, looking at her with a mixture of wariness and reluctant respect. "Ivanna Volkov. She's the one leading them. And she's not just any rogue wolf. She's been at the center of the downfall of many of the packs. They say she's not fully human anymore—something else entirely, something dark."
Elena's mind raced, the name ringing in her ears like a warning. Ivanna Volkov. The name meant nothing to her, but now, it felt like an omen—like the name of a shadow that loomed over everything she had come to understand about the werewolf world.
"Ivanna…" Elena murmured. "How do you know all of this?"
Viktor's expression darkened. "I've seen it firsthand. She's been targeting certain packs—weakening them, picking them apart. She has allies among the packless, but she's also been recruiting anyone with power. The Silverclaws may be the strongest pack right now, but even we can't stand alone."
The weight of his words hung heavily between them. Elena's mind scrambled to piece together the fragments of information Viktor had given her. A leader who had the power to destroy everything. A darkness that had been spreading for years.
"Then we have to act. We can't wait any longer," Elena said, her voice filled with determination.
Viktor chuckled darkly. "It's not so simple, Elena. It's not just a matter of bringing the packs together. Some of them are already in Ivanna's pocket. If you want to stop her, you're going to need more than guts. You'll need allies who trust you—and that's harder to come by than you think."
Elena stood, her resolve strengthening. "I don't care how hard it is. I'll do whatever it takes to stop her. I have to."
Caleb, who had been watching from the side, stepped forward. "We'll help you, Elena," he said softly, his voice unwavering.
Viktor looked at Caleb with a mixture of skepticism and something else—perhaps respect, but it was hard to tell. "You'd do well to remember what you're up against. Ivanna is not someone to take lightly. But I'll give you this—if you want to fight back, you've got a better chance with the Silverclaws at your side than you do without us."
Elena's heart lifted slightly. "So you'll help us?"
Viktor nodded, but his eyes were calculating. "I'll help you, but you'll have to earn the trust of the rest of my pack. And you'll need to convince the other alphas. If they don't see reason, then we're all in for a fight we may not survive."
Elena swallowed hard. She hadn't expected it to be easy, but the road ahead felt even more daunting now that she had a clearer picture of the stakes. It wasn't just about uniting the packs. It was about stopping a war—one that had already started, whether they were ready for it or not.
"I understand," she said, her voice resolute. "I'll do whatever it takes. Together, we can stop Ivanna."
Viktor studied her for a long time, his gaze intense. Finally, he spoke. "I'll take you to the elders tomorrow. You'll need their approval before we do anything more. But be warned—if you fail to convince them, there will be no turning back."
Elena nodded, her heart pounding with anticipation. This was just the beginning. But she was ready.
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