Chapter one hundred forty three

The Silence Before the Storm

For an entire week, no one had heard a word from Alina. Or from Knife.

And no one dared to make a move to find out.

Dana and Hector had been stretched thin, trying to hold the pack together. Organizing a mass burial for the fallen. Lifting the spirits of those who remained. Attending endless council meetings about the upcoming trial of Walter, Evan, and the corrupt Elders who had betrayed them.

It had been a relentless, soul-draining week.

And in the midst of it all—Marcus had done nothing.

He had locked himself in his room and refused to come out. He wouldn't eat. He wouldn't speak. He wouldn't even try to move forward.

Dana and Hector had tried everything to reach him. Soft words. Tough love. Even outright threats. Nothing worked.

Eventually, they gave up, letting him grieve in his self-imposed prison.

But today was different.