Risking everything

As tension thickened in the hall and doubt hung heavy in the air, an unexpected shift occurred. When Cole's eyes met mine as they dragged him away, a surge of something primal awakened within me. It was as if a dormant power had been unleashed, my wolf aura pulsating with a commanding presence.

Feeling the weight of Cole's gaze and the gravity of the situation, I felt a surge of conviction. With a primal roar that reverberated through the hall, I tapped into my inner wolf, channeling my authority and strength.

"Let him go!!" My voice echoed in the room. The intensity of my aura demanded attention, compelling even Alpha Ashur to pause in his tracks.

The guards hesitated, their grip on Cole loosening slightly as they exchanged uncertain glances. My command resonated with a primal authority, stirring something deep within their expression.

Slowly, the tension in the room began to ease as the alphas turned their attention toward me, their expressions a mixture of surprise and curiosity. It was as if my primal roar had momentarily shifted the balance of power.

Alpha Ashur's gaze narrowed, his expression unreadable as he studied me with newfound interest. The weight of my command lingered in the air, and as the hall fell silent, all eyes were on me, waiting for my next move. 

As the heavy silence pressed down on me, tension hung thick in the air, crackling with words left unsaid and stares that refused to yield. It was like the calm before a storm, and then Mother Luna’s voice sliced through it all, sharp and icy.

"Are you seriously challenging the authority of the pack leaders, child?" Her tone had this chilling edge like she'd carried it since the dawn of time. "Do you honestly think you can take on all these alphas just to save your lover? Is Cole really worth risking everything?"

Her gaze drilled into mine, daring me to back down. But instead of backing off, I couldn’t help but smirk, meeting her stare dead-on.

"Alright, Mother Luna," I shot back, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me. "Let’s bring some clarity to this chaos. Let each contender lay out their kills, let actions speak louder than words."

The room buzzed with energy as everyone exchanged nervous glances. The pile of carcasses, each one a trophy of strength and skill, loomed like silent spectators.

Mother Luna's eyes narrowed just a bit, a hint of curiosity dancing in them.

When I looked at Cole, he gave me a what-do-you-think-you-are-doing look, but I looked away from him and glared at the alphas and the gathered crowd, my voice ringing clear and strong.

"Let the truth be revealed through our actions, not just words. Let each contender present their kills, and let the evidence speak for itself."

The alphas exchanged uneasy glances, but Alpha Ashur, though hesitant, nodded his approval.

"Very well," he conceded, his voice carrying authority even in uncertainty. "Let the contenders announce the number of kills they think they have."

One after the other, the contenders stood, each with a steely resolve in their eyes as they prepared to present their cases.

Oxe stepped forward first, his posture rigid with determination. "I have hunted and claimed nine kills," 

Next was Mich, his voice unwavering as he stated, "I have ten kills to my name."

Alpha Ashur nodded, acknowledging their claims one after the other, his expression expectant, and with each confession, the gatherer counted their kills, everyone being correct about their kill number.

Finally, with all eyes on him, Cole stood tall, his expression a mask of no emotion. "I have twenty kills," he stated, his voice firm and unwavering.

Gasps of disbelief echoed through the hall at Cole's claim, and murmurs of skepticism swept through the crowd.

Alpha Ashur's brow furrowed as he studied Cole, a hint of doubt flickering in his eyes. "Twenty kills... Are you certain of your count?"

Cole nodded, his gaze steady as he met Alpha Ashur's scrutiny. "I am," he affirmed, his voice carrying a quiet confidence.

The hall fell silent as Alpha Ashur deliberated, his expression thoughtful as he weighed the evidence before him.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Alpha Ashur spoke, his voice carrying the weight of hesitation. "Very well. Let the evidence be examined, and let the truth be revealed."

With a nod from Alpha Ashur, the gatherer leader stepped forward, his expression determined as he prepared to scrutinize the evidence.

As the tension in the hall reached a fever pitch, all eyes were on the pile of carcasses, and with bated breath, the gatherer leader began his examination, meticulously tallying each kill.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of counting, the gatherer leader stepped back, his expression solemn as he addressed the gathered alphas.

"After careful examination, it has been determined that Cole has indeed claimed twenty kills," he announced, his voice ringing out with authority.

Gasps of astonishment echoed through the hall as the truth sank in, and murmurs of disbelief swept through the crowd.

"Impossible!!" Mother Luna suddenly shouted, her face pale as she pointed accusingly at Cole. "The paper said 24!"

With satisfaction, I taunted her, my smile curling into a smirk as I met her gaze, unflinching. "Looks like someone was quick to jump to conclusions without verifying the facts."

Mother Luna's eyes blazed with fury, but she remained silent, her jaw clenched in frustration.

Alpha Ashur's gaze shifted between Mother Luna and me, his expression unreadable as he processed the revelation. 

"It appears there has been a misunderstanding," he declared, his tone firm. "Cole's claim of twenty kills has been verified, and as such, he is free to go."

"But we are not done counting yet," I said as the gammas let go of Cole. "We still have Jack and Alexander's kills to count."