Tensions

**Angel**

The uneasy calm that had settled over the mansion was like the stillness before a storm. Despite the fragile alliance, everyone was on edge, waiting for something—or someone—to break the silence. I could feel the weight of the unspoken tensions every time I walked through the halls, each glance and murmur a reminder of how precarious our situation was.

Kael’s wolves were visible but kept mostly to themselves, a constant, looming presence that reminded us of the dangers of our uneasy partnership. They moved like shadows, blending into the background but never truly unseen. Every time I passed one of them, I couldn’t help but feel the prickling sensation of being watched, assessed, and silently judged.

Dimitri had been meeting with Kael regularly, trying to establish boundaries and keep the wolves in line, but I could see the toll it was taking on him. His normally sharp focus was clouded with doubt, and each decision seemed to weigh heavier on his shoulders. We were both struggling to keep things together, but the strain of constantly looking over our shoulders was starting to show.

That morning, I found Dimitri in the training yard, running drills with our warriors. His movements were precise and powerful, but there was an edge to them—every strike and block carried the frustration and tension that he hadn’t been able to voice. I watched him silently from a distance, letting him work through whatever storm was brewing inside him.

He finally paused, catching his breath, and looked up to see me standing there. For a moment, there was a flicker of something in his eyes—relief, maybe, or just the simple comfort of having me nearby. “Angel,” he said, wiping sweat from his brow. “I didn’t see you there.”

“I didn’t want to interrupt,” I replied, stepping closer. “I know things have been... difficult.”

Dimitri nodded, his expression softening slightly. “More than I’d like to admit.” He glanced around, making sure the others were out of earshot. “I don’t trust Kael. Not completely. He’s playing a game, and I can’t figure out his next move.”

“You’re not alone in that,” I said, crossing my arms. “But we have to keep our eyes open. Kael’s not going to reveal his hand easily, and the moment we show weakness, he’ll exploit it.”

Dimitri looked at me, his eyes searching mine for reassurance. “I know we agreed to this alliance, but every day feels like a balancing act. One wrong step and...” He trailed off, frustration evident in his voice.

“We’re in this together,” I reminded him, placing a hand on his arm. “We watch Kael, we keep our pack safe, and we don’t let him think for a second that he’s in control.”

Dimitri nodded, the tension in his posture easing just a fraction. “Thank you, Angel. I needed to hear that.”

Before we could say more, one of our scouts approached, his expression urgent. “Dimitri, Angel—Kael’s requesting a meeting. He says it’s important.”

Dimitri and I exchanged a glance, both of us wary but knowing we couldn’t ignore this. “Lead the way,” Dimitri said, his voice firm. As we followed the scout through the mansion, I felt a knot of anxiety tighten in my chest. Kael rarely asked for anything directly, and if he was calling a meeting, it couldn’t be good.

We entered the room where Kael waited, his demeanor calm but his eyes sharp as ever. He stood near the window, looking out at the forest that surrounded the mansion, but turned to face us as we walked in.

“Thank you for coming,” Kael said, his tone measured. “I’ve been hearing rumors—whispers among my wolves and even some of yours. There’s talk of dissent, of... doubts about this alliance.”

Dimitri folded his arms, his expression guarded. “And you’re bringing this to us because?”

“Because it affects us all,” Kael replied smoothly. “An alliance built on mistrust is doomed to fail. If there’s any chance of this working, we need to be honest with each other. Otherwise, we’re just waiting for the inevitable betrayal.”

I felt Dimitri tense beside me. Kael was clever—too clever. He was playing both sides, positioning himself as the voice of reason while sowing seeds of doubt. It was a dangerous game, and I knew we had to be careful with how we responded.

“What are you suggesting?” I asked, stepping forward. “That we put all our cards on the table and hope no one takes advantage?”

Kael’s lips curled into a faint smile. “I’m suggesting that we find common ground. That we reinforce the lines of communication between our packs. If we’re to stand any chance against the threats coming our way, we need to stand as one.”

His words were carefully chosen, meant to appeal to our sense of duty and survival. But I could see the underlying challenge—Kael wanted more than just cooperation. He wanted leverage, a way to solidify his position within our ranks.

Dimitri exchanged a glance with me, and I could see the conflict in his eyes. Kael’s proposition made sense on the surface, but there was a trap hidden in his diplomacy. I nodded subtly, letting Dimitri know I trusted his judgment, whatever he chose.

“Fine,” Dimitri said after a long pause. “We’ll work on better communication. But make no mistake, Kael—any sign of betrayal, and this alliance ends. No second chances.”

Kael inclined his head, his smile never wavering. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

As we left the room, the unease lingered between us. Kael was right about one thing—without trust, our alliance was fragile. But trusting him was a gamble, and one we couldn’t afford to lose.

Back in the hallway, Dimitri turned to me, his expression weary. “I don’t know how long we can keep this up, Angel. We’re playing a game where the rules change every day.”

I reached out, taking his hand. “Then we change the game, Dimitri. We make the rules.”