WINTER FROST

CHAPTER 6: STAY?

RAVEN POV

The pack’s council chamber smelled like pine and old coffee. I’d only been here once when I was twelve and Dad brought me to watch a meeting, telling me it was part of learning how to lead. And once when I was nineteen, standing in front of these same elders while I rejected my mate's bond.

Now I am back, seven years later, about to ask these same people to trust me with the future of our home.

Funny how life worked.

“Thank you all for coming on short notice." Skye said beside me. She’d insisted on standing with me, both support and backup. “I know the funeral was only two days ago, but this can’t wait.”

The council table was full. Eight elders, each representing different families. Old Thomas, who had led Dad’s funeral. Margaret Chen, Mara’s grandmother and the pack’s top healer. Robert Morrison from security. A few others whose names I couldn’t place.

And at the head of the table, sitting in the Alpha’s chair that used to belong to my father, was Colton.

He still hadn’t looked at me. He kept his eyes on the papers in front of him, jaw tight, shoulders tense. He’d changed out of his funeral clothes into jeans and a dark henley. It made him look less like an Alpha and more like the boy I used to climb trees with.

Except that boy would’ve smiled when I walked in.

This man didn’t even blink.

“We all know Power East Energy is trying to take our land.” Skye said. “The lawsuits, the permits, the deadline. Six months until drilling starts if we don’t stop them.”

“We’ve tried every legal path.” Margaret said gently. She looked exhausted, like grief had added years to her face. “There’s nothing left.”

“Not quite." Skye said. “We haven’t tried going public.”

The room shifted. A few elders leaned in. Even Colton looked up for a heartbeat.

“What are you suggesting?” Thomas asked.

Skye turned to me. My cue.

I stood up, portfolio in hand, trying to ignore the way my legs felt shaky. Public speaking has never been my thing. I preferred letting my photos do the talking.

“I’m suggesting we show people what we’re fighting for." I said. “Three months of full documentation photos of our land, our wildlife, our way of life. Everything that proves this place matters.”

I opened my portfolio and handed out some of my published work, pieces from National Geographic, Wildlife Photography Magazine, The Atlantic.

“I have connections.” I said. “Editors who trust me. If I can show what Power East Energy wants to destroy, we can get the story out of big platforms, huge reach. Millions of people see it.”

“Public pressure." Robert said, nodding. “Make it too messy for the company to continue.”

“Exactly. No politician wants their name attached to destroying untouched wilderness for an oil company. Not when the whole country is watching.”

Margaret flipped through my work, her eyebrows lifting. “These are impressive, Raven. Really. But why do you think you can do something this big in just three months? Most of these pieces took years.”

“Most of those were in places where I didn’t know anyone." I said. “I had to earn trust, learn the land, and learn from the people. Here? I already know everything. I grew up on this territory. I know where the caribou travel, where the wolves stay, where the salmon return. I can move fast because this place is familiar to me.”

It was true. Even after seven years away, the land still felt like it lived under my skin.

“And you’d stay the whole three months?” Thomas asked, watching me like he expected me to bolt any second. “No leaving halfway through for another job?”

It hit like a slap. I understood the doubt, but it still hurt.

“I’ll stay as long as this takes." I said quietly. “This is my home too. Even if I haven't acted like it."

Soft whispers moved around the table some doubtful, some hopeful.

I pulled up my email. “I already contacted my editor at Nat Geo. She’s interested. She told me if I can deliver the full story in three months, she’ll fast track it. She’s even willing to push for a cover feature.”

A few elders actually gasped. A National Geographic cover was basically the top of the mountain for someone like me.

“Reach alone would be huge." I said. “But it’s not just pretty pictures. I’ll cover the legal fight too. A small community standing up to a giant company? People pay attention to that. They share it. They fight for it. We make this personal, we make people care, and we have a real chance to stop the drilling.”

“It sounds solid." Robert said slowly. “But it all depends on you. Can you really do this? That fast?”

“Yes.” I didn’t even need to think. “This is my job. I’ve handled worse conditions on tighter deadlines. I can do it.”

“What would you need from us?” Margaret asked.

“Full access to the land,” I said. “No blocked areas. Transportation help. And cooperation from pack members for interviews and portraits.” I hesitated. “And I’ll need the Alpha’s approval.”

Every head turned toward Colton.

He hadn’t said a word the entire time. Just sat there, stiff and distant, hands tight on the table. He still hadn’t looked at me.

“Alpha Ironfang?” Thomas said. “Your thoughts?”

Colton stayed silent for a long beat. Then he stood, and the room felt colder.

“No.”

The word hit hard.