Episode 43: Backlash
228 Words
As expected, the Void Council retaliated. A series of blasts rocked supply depots near Stonehaven; several buildings were ignited. Aelin rushed to help families evacuate. Flames licked at wooden beams, heat blistering her skin. Amid the chaos, she spotted Theo, the traitor, trying to cut free a trapped wolf pup. Without hesitation, she hauled debris aside so he could crawl through. Smoke stung her eyes. In the aftermath, more than a dozen pack members were injured, and two homes destroyed. Damian’s jaw was a hard line. “This is only the beginning,” he said. But the pack did not break. Volunteers worked through the night to rebuild, and Redwood Pack sent supplies. When Aelin addressed the pack at dawn, she did not sugarcoat the danger. “We are under threat because we challenge their power,” she said. “We will answer not with fear, but with unity.” Cheers rose, a sound that drowned out lingering smoke and ash. Later, as the sun climbed higher, Aelin helped distribute food and blankets, moving from house to house with a smile despite her exhaustion. She thanked each volunteer, feeling humbled by their determination. In her private moments, she allowed herself to cry for the losses and then wipe her tears, ready to lead again. She vowed that the Council’s retaliation would only strengthen the bonds among her people.
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