The Division in the Pack

 "This connection is going to pull us apart! "The words burst from a young wolf with raw anger, standing at the edge of the packed pack meeting hall." His words rippled over the assembled wolves, their whispers becoming louder.

 Alpha Blackwood demanded, his voice strong and forceful, "enough." The room was silent right away, but the tension dense and oppressive stayed in the air.

 Standing close to the middle of the hall, Luca and I attracted all attention. Their mistrust and weight of inspection could be felt. A tiny reminder of the link that had thrown us into this turmoil, my mark burned slowly.

 "This pack has survived many wars and challenges," the Alpha went on. "We will not let a bond or a prophecy split us."

 "With respect, Alpha," another wolf said, "this isn't just about the bond." The elders have been hiding knowledge, and the competing pack knows more than they ought. Given secrets are being held, how can we be meant to believe our leaders? {

 Once again, the whispers emerged, louder now. I looked at Luca, whose grey eyes swept the room with stiff jaw.

 "This is spiraling out of control," I said to him.

 His voice low, he said, "It was never in control."

The conference descended into anarchy as wolves started speaking freely, their voices colliding in a symphony of wrath and anxiety. Some said the relationship was a gift meant to strengthen the pack and stood with the Alpha. Others saw it as a curse, a warning of ruin.

 "Maybe we wouldn't be in this mess if the bond didn't exist at all!" one voice shrill and accusing pierced through the cacophony."'

 My heart dropped when I heard the voice—Damon, one of Luca's best buddies. His eyes, filled with anger, fixed me squarely.

 Luca remarked, coming closer and with a threat in his voice, "Damon."

 "No," Damon said, his fury now aimed at him. "This goes beyond just her, Luca. It centers on you. You have been weaker and preoccupied ever since the link first showed. You run danger with the pack.

 "That's enough," Luca said in a low, menacing tone.

 Damon, however, was not back off. "Is that?" From where I stand, the pack seems to be already disintegrating—and you are responsible.

 Closing the space between them instantaneously, Luca moved quicker than I could have imagined. His hand sprang out to grab Damon by the collar and drag him close.

 You want to challenge my leadership? Luca said with a frigid tone. Say that to my face then.

 Damon spit, his words rebellious, "I just did."

 Stop! I yelled, coming in between them. "This isn't working."

 Luca grabbed tightly for a second before throwing Damon back. Damon stammered but fast got back on his feet; his look sliced across the air like a razor.

 "This isn't over," he remarked in a quiet but venomous voice.

 "It is if you wish to remain in this pack," Luca said back-off.

 The group exited the hall more split than ever, and the conference came out in disorder. Following Luca outdoors, the frigid night air stinging at my skin, I attempted to match his big strides.

 I called, "Luca," but he continued.

 At last I reached for his arm, making him face me. "What are you doing?"

 "Handling it," he replied, his voice sharp.

 Handling it? I said again, my irritation boiling out. You just threatened one of your own pack members.

 "Damon needed to be put in his place," he stated with harsh grey eyes. The pack will come apart if I lack strength.

 "Strength isn't about bullying people into compliance," I continued, my voice becoming louder. "It's about building their confidence."

 And how knowledgeable about running a pack are you? He struck back with words that cut.

 Though I anticipated less, the hurt of his comment impacted more strongly than I could have imagined. I did not back down. "Maybe I don't know everything, but I do know this: you will lose people if you keep pushing them away. Every one of them.

 His look softened for a minute, and I thought he may be apologizing. He looked aside, nevertheless, with tight shoulders. "You don't know what Aria is depending on."

 Then help me comprehend, my voice softer now.

 He refrained from responding.

 Damon was at the training yard following morning, his resentment seething just under the surface.

 "You have a lot of nerve visiting here," he replied, his voice icy.

 Keeping a quiet voice, I responded, "I'm not here to fight." "I'm here because I need your help."

 He laughed heartily. You really have to be kidding me.

 "Damon, please," I whispered, approaching closely. "I understand your wrath, but this has nothing to do with Luca or me. It relates to the pack here. Should we fail to cooperate, the competing pack will pull us apart.

 And why ought I to believe you? His gaze narrows as he asked.

 "Because I'm willing to do whatever it takes to protect this pack," I stated decisively. Even if it means confronting the prophecy alone.

 His face faltered for a second then he sighed. "Fine. But never let yourself believe for a moment that I am doing this for him or for you.

 The strain inside the group just mounted as the day progressed. Wolves murmured softly, their confusion and terror clear. Even the elderly appeared restless; their typical stoicism substituted whispered conversations behind closed doors.

 Luca and I met in the woodland that evening; the necklace in my palm was just barely glimmering.

 Breaking the quiet, I whispered, "The pack is falling apart."

 He responded, his voice weighted, "I know." But I have no idea how to correct it.

 "Maybe we don't need to fix it," I replied, startled myself.

 He wrinkled his eyebrows. "What specifically are you referring to?—

 "Maybe the pack has to realize we are ready to fight for them," I added. "For them, not just with them. Maybe we might get them together if we could show them the relationship as a strength rather than a problem.

 And in what way do you suggest we do that? With his obvious doubt, he inquired.

 I displayed the pendant. We implement this. The mark guided us towards something for a purpose. Perhaps if we can harness its strength, we can demonstrate that the link is worthy of fighting for.

 The mark on my wrist blazed with fire as we stood under the old oak, and the pendant pulsed in reply. Soft yet insistent, a voice kept repeating in my head.

 "Unity or destruction." You have to make the decision.

 My heart thumping, I looked at Luca. " Luca, this is our opportunity. We have to pick this up.

 He nodded with a firm look. "then let's make it count."