footstep

Before he could finish, Alpha Thomas stepped forward, his voice cutting through the silence with authority. “Alpha Ashur, I must object. The rules of the games have been egregiously broken by those within your pack. Given the severity of the infractions, it is only fair that both Alexander and Cole be disqualified from the competition. It’s clear that the integrity of the event has been compromised.”


A murmur of agreement rippled through the gathered alphas and pack members. Alpha Gabriel nodded, stepping beside Alpha Thomas. “He’s right. The spirit of the competition must be upheld. If we allow this behavior to go unpunished, it sets a dangerous precedent.”


Mother Luna’s face turned a shade paler, her eyes narrowing as she processed the unfolding situation. “You can’t seriously consider this!” she snapped, her voice rising. “Alexander’s achievements should not be overshadowed by a single mistake!”


Alpha Thomas’s eyes were cold as he addressed Mother Luna. “This isn’t about undermining Alexander’s skills. This is about maintaining the integrity of our traditions. If we bend the rules for one, we must bend them for all.”


Alpha Ashur’s face was a mask of contemplation. He looked around the hall, the eyes of every alpha, beta, and pack member fixed on him. Finally, he nodded, his voice solemn. “You’re right, Alpha Thomas. The integrity of the games and the trust of our packs are paramount. Both Alexander and Cole will be disqualified.”


A collective gasp echoed through the hall, followed by a flurry of whispers and murmurs. Alexander’s face flushed with a mix of anger and shame, while Cole’s expression remained stoic, a glimmer of relief in his eyes.


“But who, then, is the winner?” a young alpha asked, his voice breaking the uneasy silence.


Alpha Ashur turned his gaze to the remaining contenders, his expression thoughtful. “The remaining packs’ contenders will be evaluated based on their skills and adherence to the rules. The new gatherer will verify their counts to ensure fairness.”


The new gatherer stepped forward, his meticulous recounting bringing a sense of renewed tension to the hall. As the minutes ticked by, the crowd watched in silent anticipation, the weight of the moment pressing down on them.


The new gatherer stepped forward, his meticulous recounting bringing a sense of renewed tension to the hall. As the minutes ticked by, the crowd watched in silent anticipation, the weight of the moment pressing down on them.


Mother Luna stood rigid, her fury barely contained, while Alexander's gaze was fixed on the floor, his earlier confidence now shattered. Cole stood a bit apart, a stoic expression masking any hint of relief or disappointment. The other alphas and pack members shifted uneasily, the implications of the day’s events hanging heavily in the air.


The new gatherer, a seasoned elder named Thorne known for his impartiality, moved with deliberate care. He examined each carcass, cross-referenced the markings, and tallied the counts with an unwavering focus. The hall remained eerily silent, every breath held in anticipation of his final verdict.


After what felt like an eternity, Thorne straightened up, his face betraying no emotion. He cleared his throat, the sound echoing through the hall like a gunshot. “Upon recounting and verifying the kills, it is clear that Jack from the Silver Moon Pack has the highest legitimate count, with twelve kills to his name.”


A stunned silence followed his announcement. The weight of the revelation settled over the hall, and for a moment, no one moved. Then, a slow ripple of applause began, growing steadily as the pack members acknowledged the rightful victor. Jack, a young but skilled hunter known for his quiet determination, stepped forward, his face a mixture of pride and disbelief.


Alpha Ashur nodded approvingly, his voice carrying the authority of finality. “Congratulations, Jack. You have proven yourself with honor and skill. The Silver Moon Pack should be proud.”


Jack bowed his head respectfully, his voice steady despite the weight of the moment. “Thank you, Alpha Ashur. I am honored to accept this victory on behalf of my pack.”


Mother Luna’s expression was a mask of cold fury, but she held her tongue, her authority momentarily undermined. Alexander’s shoulders sagged further, the burden of his actions evident. Cole remained composed, his eyes reflecting a sense of justice served.


Alpha Thomas and Alpha Gabriel exchanged satisfied nods, their stance on maintaining the integrity of the competition vindicated. The other alphas murmured amongst themselves, the tension in the hall gradually dissipating as the pack members began to accept the outcome.


Alpha Ashur raised his hand, signaling for silence once more. “Let this day be a lesson to all of us. Our strength lies not only in our physical prowess but in our adherence to fairness and honor. We must always uphold these values in everything we do.”


The crowd nodded in agreement, a collective sense of resolution settling over them. I felt a sense of relief wash over me, knowing that justice had been served, even if it was not in the way I had initially hoped. Cole’s eyes met mine once more, and this time, I saw a glimmer of gratitude and respect.


As the pack members began to disperse, I made my way towards the exit, the weight of the day's events pressing heavily on my mind. The hall buzzed with hushed conversations, the recent verdict the only topic on everyone's lips. I slipped through the crowd, my thoughts a whirlwind of emotions. The sense of relief at seeing justice served was tempered by the lingering tension that hung in the air.


Once outside the pack house, the cool evening air hit my face, offering a small respite from the heated atmosphere inside. I walked swiftly, my footsteps echoing on the cobblestones as I sought the solitude of the surrounding forest. The sounds of the pack house gradually faded behind me, replaced by the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of night creatures.


It wasn't until I was deep within the shadows of the trees, far from prying eyes and ears, that I allowed myself to slow down. I took a deep breath, letting the tranquility of the forest seep into my bones. But just as I began to relax, I heard footsteps behind me, quickening to match my pace. My heart skipped a beat, and I continued walking, my senses on high alert.


The footsteps grew closer, until a hand suddenly grabbed my arm, pulling me to a stop. I spun around, my eyes meeting a familiar gaze filled with urgency and confusion.


"Why did you do it?"