Chapter 249
Calls to Arms
RAMON’S POV
190
The council room was quiet, the air thick with the task ahead. The map of the territories lay before us, marked with the names of neighboring packs that could either strengthen us or leave us vulnerable if they chose not to stand with us.
Sonia sat at the head of the table, her expression calm but determined. I stood beside her, arms crossed, my gaze fixed on the names and borders that had been burned into my memory.
“This isn’t just our fight.” Sonia began, her voice steady and commanding. “Lorena’s ambition doesn’t stop with Bloodmoon. If we fall, the rest of the packs will follow. We need them to see that.”
Her words were true, but I couldn’t shake the knot in my y stomach. Some of the neighboring Alphas had been our allies for years; others had remained distant, wary of Bloodmoon’s strength and the influence it carried. Convincing them to stand with us wouldn’t be easy.
“We start with those closest to us,” Cade said, his voice still hoarse from his s injuries but strong enough to command attention.
“Silverpaw and Moonray, we are already standing with you” Cade said with a smile, as the Alpha of Silverpaws.
“They’ve already committed their warriors,” Sonia replied. “It’s the others I’m worried about. The ones who think they can stay out of this
Ramon nodded, his hand resting on the edge of the table. “Some of them see us as rivals, not allies. They’ll think our fight with Lorena is ours alone.
Sonia’s gaze hardened. “Then we make them understand. If they won’t fight for us, they’ll be fighting for their own
survival sonn
soon enough”
-First Visit Furdaw
Cade insisted on leading the delegation to Furclaw himself, despite his injuries. Sonia and I joined him, riding through the dense forest to the neighboring pack’s territory. Furclaw’s warriors met us at the border, their presence a show of strength rather than hostility.
When we reached the heart of their village, Alpha Nathan greeted us with a firm handshake and a somber expression.
Alpha Cade,” he said, his tone respectful “You look like hell”
Cade smirked. “You should see the other guy”
Nathan’s smile faded as his gaze shifted to Sonia and me. “I assume this isn’t a social visit.”
With a slight bow. “Alpha Ramon, Luna Sonia.”
“It’s not,” Sonia said, stepping forward. “Lorena’s rogues attacked our pack during the mid–month festival. This isn’t just about Bloodmoon anymore, Alpha Nathan. She’s building an army, and if we don’t stop her together, no one will be safe.”
Nathan listened carefully, his expression growing darker with each word. When Sonia finished, he nodded. “Furclaw stands with Bloodmoon,” he said firmly. “We’ll send warriors and supplies. Just tell us where you need them.”
Relief flickered in Sonia’s eyes, and I felt a lift from my chest. One pack down.
Second Visit Moonray
The meeting with Moonray was smoother, though no less somber. Alpha Jackie greeted us with her usual blumess, but her loyalty to Sonia was unshakable, Jackie and my brother Wolf are together so I know it’s not a no for them.
“You didn’t even have to ask,” Jackie said, clapping Sonia on the shoulder. “We’ve been waiting for this light.”
“Thank you,” Sonia said, her voice sincere. “Your support means everything”
Jackie grinned, though it didn’t reach hier eyes. “Let’s make sure it counts.”
11:05 AM ₫
Chapter 249
Third Visit Blackthorn Pack
The mood shifted when we reached Blackthorn’s territory. Unlike Furclaw and Moonray, the Blackthorn pack had always been guarded, their alliance with Bloodmoon tenuous at best. Alpha Roderick was a man known for his pragmatism and his reluctance to involve himself in matters that didn’t directly benefit his pack
The meeting was held in their grand hall, a cavernous space filled with warriors watching us with wary eyes. Roderick sat at the head of the table. his fingers steepled as he regarded us with a calculating gaze.
“Alpha Ramon, Luna Sonia,” he said, inclining his head. “I wasn’t expecting a visit from Bloodmoon. What brings you to my pack?”
Sonia stepped forward, her posture straight and commanding “We’re here to ask for your support,” she said. “Lorena’s rogues are growing number. She’s already attacked Bloodmoon, and her next targets will be the elders and pups of every pack she deems a threat. This isn’t just our war, Roderick. It’s everyone’s”
Roderick leaned back in his chair, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “And what exactly do y
you expect from
“Warriors,” I said, my voice firm, “Supplies, if you can spare them. We need every able–bodied fighter we can get.”
And what do we get in return” he asked, his tone sharp.
Sonia’s eyes narrowed. “The survival of your pack. Of you
your family. Isn’t that enough!”
has cost you. Why
Roderick’s smile faded, and he leaned forward, his gaze piercing. “I’ve heard about your battles with Lorena. About how this fight h should I risk my warriors for your war when it might bring Bloodmoon to its knees anyway?”
Bloodmoon falls, you’ll be next. Lorena
My hands clenched into fists, but before I could respond, Sonia spoke, her voice cold and sharp. “Because doesn’t leave survivors, Roderick. She’ll come for your pack, your warriors, your pups. And when she does, you’ll wish you had stood with us. The hall fell silent, her words cutting through the tension like a blade. Roderick studied her for a long moment before finally shaking his head
“I admire your resolve, Luna,” he said. “But Blackthorn won’t risk itself for a battle we might not win.”
The rejection was like a punch to the gut, but Sonia didn’t falter. She nodded stiftly, her face unreadable. “If that’s your choice, so be it. But when Lorena comes for you, don’t expect Bloodmoon to save you.”
Roderick’s expression tightened, but he said nothing as we turned and left the hall.
Fourth Visu: Greystone Pack
The ride to Greystone was tense, the silence between us heavy with frustration and disappointment. Sonia’s jaw was set, her hands gripping the reins tightly as we approached the pack’s territory.
Greystone was a smaller pack, but their warriors were known for their ferocity. If they joined us, it would be a significant advantage.
Alpha Daisy greeted us warmly, her silver hair gleaming in the sunlight. She listened intently as Sonia explained the situation, her expression growing grave
“You’re asking a lot, Dalay said when Sonia finished. “My warriors are few, and we’ve already had our own struggles with rogues
“And those struggles will only get worse if Lorena
stopped,” Sonia said “She’ll see your pack as an easy target, Daisy. But together, we can stand
Alpha studied Sonia for a long moment, then glanced at me. “You believe this is the right course, Alpha?”
I without besication. “This isn’t just about Bloodmoon. It’s about survival. For all of us.”
Daisy sighed, then nodded. “Very well. Garystone will stand with you. But I expect the same loyalty in return when the time comes.”
“You have our word,” So said, relief flickering in her eyes.
Back at Bloodmoon
2/3
11:05 AM c c
Chapter 219
By the time we returned to Bloodmoon, exhaustion weighed heavily on both of us. The journey had been grueling, and the mixed responses from the neighboring packs had left us both frustrates.
Sonia dismounted her horse, her movements stiff with fatigue. I followed her to the war room, where the map still lay on the table, marked with the names of the pucks we had visited.
“We have Silverpaw, Moonray, Fur Claw and Greystone,” she said, her voice weary. “But Blackthorn… I don’t understand how he can be so short- sighted”
sy,” I said, my frustration simmering just beneath the surface. “He’ll only act if he sees immediate benefit for
“Roderick’s always been that way,” himself
“Then we’ll prove him wrong” she said firmly. “When we win n this war, he’ll regret not standing with us.”
I placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. “You were incredible out there,” I said. “Every Alpha we spoke to could see your strength. You’re the reason we gained the allies we did.”
She looked up at me, her eyes softening. “We did it together,” she said.
I nodded, though my heart ached with the weight of everything still ahead. The haule was far from over, and every decision we made felt like another gamble with our lives and the lives of our pack
“Get some
rest” 1
“I said softly. “You’ve earned it.”
She hesitated, then nodded. “You too
As she left the room, I turned back to the map, my eyes lingering on the border of Blackthorn’s territory.
We would fight with the allies we had. And when the time came, I would make sure Roderick regretted turning his back on us.
