Chapter 10
1482 Words
Zoran did not turn immediately when he heard Rowan’s voice. Instead his body froze.
For a heartbeat, Zoran felt something dangerously close to panic, an emotion he has been feeling a lot since Naelis arrived in Frostpine. His palm was still hovering inches away from the final painting, the image of Naelis bloodied and her defiant eyes staring back at him.
He moved with an inhumane speed as his hand slid across the wall, his fingers pressed swiftly on the button on the wall. The green light flickered once, then vanished as the compartment sealed itself, stone melting seamlessly into stone, leaving no trace of the compartment.
Zoran turned just as Rowan stepped fully inside.
“Brother,” Rowan said casually, unaware of how close he had come to uncovering a secret that could have changed his view of a lot of things. “I forgot to inform you about tomorrow’s elder meeting.”
Zoran inclined his head, face composed and posture flawless. “You are forgiven.”
Rowan chuckled lightly and closed the door behind him. “You left the hall rather abruptly earlier. I hope you weren’t injured during the rogue skirmish?.”
“I was not,” Zoran replied evenly. “The disturbance was… internal.”
Rowan studied him briefly, brow furrowing. “You look pale.”
“A temporary imbalance,” Zoran said. “It has passed.”
It seems Rowan sensed the lingering storm beneath his brother’s calm exterior but he did not press. Instead, he exhaled and rubbed his temples.
“Tomorrow morning, I will address the pack publicly as our people are uneasy after the rogue attack. Rumors breed faster than fear if left unchecked.”
Zoran nodded. “Wisdom dictates transparency.”
“I will inform them that the matter stemmed from a misunderstanding,” Rowan continued. “And that safeguards are already being reinforced.”
“A necessary assurance.”
Rowan’s gaze softened. “I would like you and the elders standing behind me.”
Zoran paused for a fraction of a second before answering. “As you command.”
Rowan smiled faintly. “Not a command, it's a request.”
He turned toward the door, then hesitated. “Zoran… Thank you for always steadying Frostpine when emotions threaten to rule it.”
Zoran placed a hand over his chest in a restrained bow. “It is my duty and my oath.”
Rowan nodded and left.
The moment the door shut, Zoran’s shoulders sagged, he was nothing like the composed brother that Rowan had just spoken with.
He closed his eyes “ That was too close” he murmured and ran his fingers through his hair.
—--
The next morning was heavy with tension. The pack arena was quickly filled by wolves from every corner of Frostpine. They were all gathered beneath the open sky,their whispers filled the entire arena but the fear in their eyes couldn't be concealed.
Naelis stood beside Silas near the front, arms crossed and jaw tight as she observed and listened to what the people where whispering and murmuring.
“Sheesh,” she muttered. “You’d think the rogues burned the whole damn forest.”
Silas sighed. “Fear spreads faster than facts.”
Her eyes drifted upward to the raised platform.
Rowan stood at the center, regal and composed as usual. Behind him stood the seven elders, also known as the pillars of Frostpine.
And there he was… Zoran.
His tall frame was imposing despite just standing extremely still like he couldn't hear or see what was happening around him.
But when Naelis looked at him, he immediately glanced in her direction and their eyes met just for a second.
Something electric snapped between them, there was restraint and a promise neither of them dared speak aloud.
Naelis blew him a kiss and smirked causing his face to stiffen as he clearly wasn't expecting her to act like that at such a place.
Zoran quickly looked away, the slight clench of his fist showed how he wasn't as calm as he was earlier.
Rowan raised his hand, and silence fell.
“People of Frostpine,” he began, his voice boomed in the arena through the speakers. “I stand before you today to address the unrest caused by the recent rogue intrusion.”
Murmurs rippled but quickly died down.
“The attack was born of a misunderstanding,” he continued calmly. “One that has now been resolved. Additional defenses are being established to ensure such a breach never occurs again.”
Some people nodded while others remained tense as they didn't find his words comforting enough.
Then a voice suddenly cut through the air.
“A misunderstanding?” a man shouted from the crowd. “My cousin was injured! And for what? Because you refused a simple marriage alliance!”
“So many of our loved ones died because of their selfishness?! ”
“Aren't they supposed to do whatever it takes to keep us safe?! ”
“Are our lives worthless?!”
The arena erupted into loud whispers.
The man stepped forward, emboldened by the people's whispers and questions. “Isn’t it true that this happened because you rejected the rogue Alpha’s daughter as a bride for your son? Why allow innocent blood to spill when this could’ve been avoided?”
Silas stiffened and Naelis’s nails dug into her palms.
Rowan’s expression hardened but before he could respond, a calm voice came through the speakers.
“Speak with care.”
Zoran stepped ahead of the elders, his presence alone forcing silence. The air shifted, charged with instinctive reverence and fear.
He glanced at the man with cool, unreadable eyes before adjusting the microphone.
“Tell me,” Zoran said evenly, “would you be content offering your daughter as Luna to a rogue pack?”
The man hesitated, clearly not expecting someone to question him.
“Would you welcome those who threaten violence when denied into the heart of your home?” Zoran continued. “Because this is what they did when refused.”
He turned to the crowd. “See how swiftly they turned hostile. Imagine, then, granting them free passage into Frostpine under the guise of alliance.”
“Elder is right”
“We definitely won't be at peace with such an alliance”
“We would have to live in fear as they might turn against us at anytime”
The murmurs changed tone and agreement spread like wildfire in the arena.
Zoran’s voice remained calm and measured. “Strength is not measured by appeasing those who wield coercion. It is measured by protecting choice.”
Applause erupted.
“Elder is always wise”
“You truly look beyond the present and plan for the future”
Praises came from different corners of the arena.
Rowan looked at his brother with unmistakable pride but not everyone shared that sentiment.
Elder Somad stepped forward, face twisted with displeasure. “Enough,” he snapped. “You should not have spoken. You are primordial. The people fear you and your words carry undue influence.”
Naelis frowned her teeth clenched as she glared at the elder . “Oh, I’ll influence his face if he keeps talking… ”
Rowan raised a hand sharply. “Enough, Somad.”
The elder stiffened and bow his head in submission.
“Zoran has every right to speak,” Rowan said coldly. “As an elder and as my brother.”
Somad’s lips thinned, fury simmering beneath his wrinkled skin.
The man who had spoken earlier began moving backward, panic flashing across his face but Silas noticed.
“Hey,” he barked, grabbing the man by the arm. “Going somewhere?”
He dragged him forward, shoving him to his knees before Rowan.
Rowan’s eyes narrowed. “You were bold enough to incite unrest. Now speak! Who put you up to this?”
The man trembled, sweat dripping down his face. “I… I don’t know what you mean.”
Naelis crouched in front of him, her smile as sharp as a blade. “Sweetheart, I’m about five seconds away from rearranging your teeth, so you better start talking.”
Silas cracked his knuckles beside her.
The man swallowed hard. “I.. I was told to stir the crowd. That if I did, Frostpine would.. ”
There was a sudden flash of steel, it was too fast and too sudden. So no one could stop it.
Elder Somad stepped forward and slit the man’s throat in one smooth motion.
Blood sprayed and the man's body collapsed.
Screams erupted in the arena as everyone stared at the bloody scene in horror.
Naelis stood to her feet, rage blazing in her eyes. “You bastard!”
Zoran moved instantly, stepping between Somad and the crowd, his aura in full display.
Rowan’s roar echoed across the arena. “GUARDS!”
- Writer
