Bab 36: Chapter 36: The Hidden Threat
The tension in the air was thick as Elara faced Jareth and his band of strangers, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. The Silverfang warriors around her stood ready, their eyes never leaving the intruders, their senses on high alert. Jareth's smile had faded, but there was a cold glint in his eyes now, a challenge that Elara couldn't ignore.
"You believe you can dictate terms to us?" Jareth asked, his voice calm but his posture now more rigid, like a predator circling its prey. "You, a mere newcomer, think you can deny us what we offer?"
Elara felt the anger flare inside her, but she forced it down. Her pack was watching, their trust in her on the line. Her role as Alpha required her to remain calm, to think through every decision, every move.
"I'm not a newcomer," she said, her voice steady, eyes locked on Jareth's. "I've earned my place here, through trials, through blood. And my pack will not bow to threats or promises of power from strangers. If you wish to speak, speak plainly, but do not think for a moment that you can intimidate me or my pack."
Jareth's eyes narrowed. He was used to command, to bending people to his will, and Elara had just defied him in front of his own people. But there was something else in his gaze now—something calculating, as if testing her resolve.
"We're not here to threaten," Jareth said after a long, tense pause. "We offer something far more valuable than threats. We offer you a chance to understand what's truly happening in this world. Azathar's death, while important, was only the beginning. There are darker forces at play. Forces that would challenge not just the Silverfangs, but the very balance of life and death. These forces are ancient—older than the Silverfangs themselves."
The words hung in the air, thick with implication. Elara felt a cold shiver creep up her spine. It was no secret that Azathar had been only one of many dark figures that had plagued the world, but this... this felt different.
Rowen moved to stand beside Elara, his gaze fixed on Jareth. "So you say," Rowen said, his tone sharp. "But the Silverfangs have no interest in joining forces with someone who speaks in riddles and half-truths. If you know something, speak it."
Jareth's smile returned, but it was tighter now, almost forced. He stepped forward, his presence imposing. "The forces that are awakening are tied to the ancient magic of the moon. You, Elara, are connected to it in ways you have yet to understand. The Silverfangs may have lived by the moon's power for centuries, but there is a greater purpose to that connection, a power that is far beyond your pack's understanding. You need this knowledge."
Elara's heart pounded in her chest. Her connection to the moon had always been strong, but now, Jareth's words made her wonder just how deep that connection went. "And why should we trust you?" she asked, her voice low. "You claim to know something, but how do we know you aren't just after the power for yourself?"
Jareth paused, studying her. "Because," he said slowly, "we are not the only ones aware of what is happening. There are others—others who will come after you, after your pack. And when they do, you will need allies who understand the true power of the moon. If you want to survive what's coming, you'll need us."
The air between them thickened, heavy with the weight of Jareth's words. Elara's mind raced. Allies. Her pack had always relied on strength and unity, but now she was being forced to consider the unknown. Were these strangers truly offering something of value? Or were they simply looking to manipulate the Silverfangs for their own gain?
The thought of further conflict, of the world being torn apart by even darker forces, made her uneasy. She could feel the looming darkness, even if she couldn't yet see it clearly. But she wasn't willing to make decisions based on fear alone.
"You'll have to prove your worth," Elara said finally, her voice firm. "If you want to speak to the Silverfangs, you'll prove your loyalty. If you want us to trust you, you'll show us why we should. We don't give our allegiance lightly."
Jareth's lips curled into a thin smile. "Very well," he said, his tone losing its edge of hostility. "But know this: Time is not on your side, Elara. What's coming will not wait. The moon's power is shifting, and you have only so much time before the darkness consumes everything."
With that, he turned and motioned for his group to follow. They didn't speak again as they walked away, but Elara felt the weight of their words settle deep in her chest. The Silverfangs were facing more than they had anticipated. And while the challenge had passed, the real fight was only beginning.
Back at the heart of Silverfang territory, Elara gathered her pack's leaders around the council fire. The warriors stood to one side, and the elders, those who held the pack's wisdom, stood at the other. Rowen, Marek, and Erynn were with her, their expressions grim. The air was thick with the discussion of the recent visitors, the strangers who had come to challenge the Silverfangs' way of life and offer dark promises of power and knowledge.
"Elara," Jaxon said, his voice heavy with concern, "we have lived by the moon for generations. We know its power. But this? This is new. What they say about the forces stirring in the darkness... it feels too close to what we saw with Azathar."
Erynn crossed her arms, her gaze sharp. "I don't trust them. If they know something, they should have told us outright. Why the games? Why the cryptic warnings? We've fought enough battles to know when we're being played."
Marek spoke up, his voice calm but thoughtful. "What they said... it resonates with some of the things I've uncovered in my studies. The moon's connection to ancient power is undeniable, but this sense of impending darkness, it's something else. It feels as though something is waking."
Elara's mind raced. She had lived her life as a warrior, fought to protect her family and her pack. But now, she felt the weight of something much greater, something beyond her control, something tied to her very bloodline. The moon had always been her guide, but now it felt as though she was walking blind into a storm.
"I agree with Jaxon," Elara said, her voice steady. "The Silverfangs are no strangers to danger. But we can't ignore this. We must be prepared. I'm not asking for an alliance with these strangers just yet, but I'm not dismissing them either. We need to learn more. We need to be ready for whatever comes next."
Rowen stepped forward, his eyes hard. "I trust you, Elara. But you're not alone in this. Whatever's coming, we face it together. If we need to bring the Silverfangs together, rally them, then that's what we'll do."
Elara nodded. "I know. And we will. But we must be careful. This is bigger than us. We'll prepare, and we'll gather allies where we can. But first, we need to understand what we're dealing with. We can't afford to let our guard down."
As the night deepened, the pack gathered around the fire, their faces illuminated by the flickering flames. The Silverfangs had always been a warrior society, built on strength and honor, but now they faced a challenge unlike any they had ever known. Their bond with the moon would be their guide, but Elara knew that the trials ahead would test not just their strength, but their very souls.
And Elara, the new Alpha, would lead them through the storm.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone