CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR.

(MELIORA'S POV)

With barely concealed eagerness, I rushed from the sickward the moment a young servant girl came to announce that the evening meal was being served in the pack hall. 

My sole focus was finding Martha and assuring her in person that Brian's condition, while serious, wasn't fatally dire.

The poor woman's mind must be awash with dreadful scenarios after witnessing the chaos surrounding her husband's arrival. 

She deserved to have the truth reinforced by a friendly face - as well as some reassuring words of comfort during this tremendously stressful time.

The warmly-lit pack hall was abuzz with the typical dinner-hour chatter and clamor as I entered and began scanning the long rows of tables and benches. 

Finally, I spotted Martha sitting hunched at the far end of one table, her petite frame seeming to hunch inward as if to make herself impossibly smaller.

Wasting no time, I hurried over and drew up the bench beside her, settling in with a look of tender concern.

"Martha?" I murmured, placing one hand atop her arm and giving it a gentle squeeze.

She started violently at my touch, head whipping around as her reddened, swollen eyes landed on me. I felt my heart clench at the naked anguish etched in the tear-tracks scoring her cheeks.

"Liora!" she gasped, clutching my hand like a lifeline as fresh moisture welled in her gaze. "Thank the gods you've come. Please...tell me how gravely Brian is hurt? I need to know..."

Her voice trailed off in a choked whisper, the desperate plea for more unspoken words filling the weighted silence between us. Gripping her hand tightly, I met her frightened stare levelly.

"He's alive, Martha," I stated in a tone of quiet conviction. "He's gravely injured, certainly, but his wounds are already healing - not with the treatment Elder Emma is providing."

I watched the fragile bubble of hope slowly inflate behind her eyes as my words sank in. 

"He's resting for now, and you'll be allowed in to see him come first light in the morning once he's had a decent respite. But please, don't spend every moment borrowing unbearable worry."

With a muffled sob, Martha released my hand to fling her arms around me in a fierce embrace. I could feel the rigid lines of tension slowly easing from her body as she clung to me for a long moment.

"Thank you," she finally murmured in a whisper thick with palpable relief. "I truly don't know what I would have done if I didn't have you here to..." 

She trailed off, giving a helpless little shake of her head before pulling back to swipe at her damp cheeks.

"I'm simply thankful you allowed me to reassure you," I replied softly, squeezing her shoulder.

I opened my mouth to suggest we try eating something to keep up her strength when a hush suddenly descended over the hall.

There, at the head table where the Alpha's great chair loomed, the broad-shouldered figure of the pack leader himself was rising to his feet, one hand raised in a silent demand for quiet. 

I shrank back instinctively, chastising myself even as my palms began to moisten with a faint sheen of nerves.

"My friends, if I could have your attention for a brief word," the Alpha began in that deep, resonant rumble that never failed to raise the fine hairs along my nape. 

"There's been an alarming incident within our territory that requires me to address you this evening and contain any further uncertainty or wild rumors from spreading."

The words hung heavily in the stillness for a suspended beat before he continued in a solemn tone.

"It is true that earlier today, our band of hunters were ambushed and set upon by unknown adversaries while tracking their prey."

A ripple of shocked murmurs and dismayed gasps filtered through the crowd at this grim announcement. Martha's hand found mine beneath the table, gripping tightly.

"We have tragically lost one of our bravest from the violent onslaught," the Alpha stated, his words carrying a ceremonial weight.

"And I wish to extend my deepest condolences to Margaret, whose beloved mate Patrick was so cruelly taken from our ranks."

One woman's muffled sob rented the air at the mention of her name. I could only sit immobilized, allowing the Alpha's words to wash over me in a sickening wave.

So not only had violence been perpetrated against our people - a senseless death had resulted as well from this brutal attack. My fingers unconsciously tightened around Martha's in impotent rage and sorrow.

"Though we do not yet know the identity of our foes or what provoked such malice," the Alpha called out in stentorian tones. 

"We shall not be cowed by this unprovoked assault! I ask you all to stand steadfast and find strength in the midst of this devastation."

His piercing stare seemed to sweep over the gathered crowd in an expectant challenge. "Do not surrender to wails of sorrow or lamentations of fear. For when we allow such weakness to take root, our foes have already won."

There was a profound pause as his words sank in, filling me with tentative inspiration and a renewed sense of purpose amidst the tragic circumstances. At last he dipped his proud head in a regal nod.

"Now let us eat, find solace in our fellowship this evening, and greet the new day with fresh hope and determination burning in our hearts. That is all."

As the Alpha resumed his seat, I noticed an elderly man had risen near the front - one of the elder council members, if I recall correctly. 

"Well said, Alpha. Well said," he rasped in a reedy but carrying tenor. "The pack needs words of encouragement and resolve in such dark hours, and you have always provided them masterfully. Let us take your words of wisdom to heart."

A rumble of murmurs and nods rippled through the surrounding crowd, effectively shattering the uneasy stillness. 

Within moments, the dull roar of hushed conversation began filling the space once more as people turned to those seated nearest, clearly dissecting and debating what had just been disclosed.

"Can you even imagine who might wish such brutality against our own people?" Martha whispered, her tone awash with poorly-concealed anguish and disbelief. 

"And why would they murder an innocent man like Patrick in the process? He never harmed a soul!"

Recalling the Alpha's earlier remarks about keeping fear and weakness at bay, I squeezed her shoulder firmly, shaking my head.

"I wish I had answers for you, my friend. But as the Alpha said, we must not surrender to dread - not when our fallen brother would have wanted us to persevere with courage and fortitude."

I held her troubled gaze for a beat before continuing in a tone of forced lightness and confidence. 

"For now, the wisest course is to take each reassurance to heart. Your Brian lives and is healing, thanks to Emma's expertise. And once he and the others have regained their strength, I'm certain the whole of this senseless violence will at last be accounted for."

Martha's mouth tightened into a grim line, but she gave a reluctant nod. "You're right, as usual," she sighed. "I'll simply have to find solace in prayer that justice and answers will come to light sooner than later."

We spent the remainder of the evening making stilted conversation, her mind clearly elsewhere even as I did my utmost to keep her spirits buoyed with reassurances and anecdotes. 

At last, when the final morsels had been cleared away and the hall began emptying, I rose and gave her hand one final squeeze.

"I suppose I should return you to your chambers and stand watch with Brian in the morning," I said gently. "May I escort you back before reporting for the night?"

She blinked, as if jolting herself from some dark reverie before mustering up a tremulous smile. "Of course, Liora. You've been such a balm through this harrowing night. I truly appreciate your steadfast presence by my side."

My heart clenched at the profound gratitude infusing her words. To be able to provide some semblance of comfort and encouragement while her whole world shifted so violently...it was simultaneously humbling and profoundly inspiring. 

With a silent vow to remain her pillar of support through whatever darkness loomed ahead, I linked my arm through Martha's and led her into the shadowy village paths, already mentally preparing myself to keep vigil for whatever the new dawn might bring.