Scent of Proof, Claim of Power

A wave of guilt washed over me. I was about to send a message to the Tracker Den's private pack-link when I noticed my pack members flooding the channel with words of comfort.

"Den Mother, let them disband us! We'll follow you anywhere!"

"Our leader's tracking skills are unmatched in three territories—why should we slave away for that Aurora Frostveil?"

"Why even seek another pack? I say our Den Mother should establish her own territory!"

Warmth spread through my chest, and I addressed them all: "This territory doesn't belong solely to Aurora. Half of it is mine by right. She claims to banish all of you, but I refuse to accept it. Consider yourselves on paid leave from pack duties—next moon's rations will still be distributed!"

The pack-link erupted with excitement at my words.

Everyone wanted to know how I planned to turn the tides, when the power within our pack would finally shift.

But at such a critical moment, I couldn't reveal anything.

"Soon. When Aurora grows restless enough to summon us back, that's when everything will fall into place."

While the pack-link buzzed with celebration, a new recruit suddenly sent me a private message.

"Alpha Aurora, Lyra Nightshade is claiming in the group that half the territory belongs to her, and she's promising paid leave to the entire Tracker Den! She must have lost her mind from desperation—spouting such nonsense!"

She recalled the message almost immediately, but I had already seen it.

I'd long suspected Aurora had planted a spy within my team. Now I'd flushed them out.

I removed the new recruit from the pack-link without hesitation. She became the only member of the Tracker Den who wasn't officially banished.

Rowan Ashclaw had been with me the longest and knew my situation better than anyone.

Her voice came through the communication rune, heavy with worry.

"Den Mother, is it really wise to openly challenge the Alpha like this? I remember your family is struggling with resources too, and your mother's condition..." She sighed. "That night, you acted on impulse. You shouldn't have transferred those tribute marks to the pack treasury out of spite. You've essentially lost double what you gave!"

I understood better than anyone how crucial those marks were.

But if I wanted Aurora gone, I had to spend them.

Just as I was speaking, a call came through from my intended mate.

"Lyra Nightshade, have you lost your senses? Did you use my tribute seal to transfer five thousand marks to your pack?"

"Yes. My transfer limit was reached that day, so I used yours for five thousand. But I repaid you afterward using another seal."

Kael Stormhowl fell silent for a moment, then spoke coldly: "I find this disrespectful. And I've heard you've been banished from the pack. I think... perhaps we should sever our courtship."

Before I could respond, he ended the connection.

When I tried to reach him again, his communication rune had blocked my scent-signature entirely.

Back in my den, I lit a calming herb stick and inhaled slowly.

Banished and abandoned on the same day—I was probably the most wretched wolf in the territory.

Just then, my parents arrived unexpectedly.

They stepped through the threshold with worry etched across their faces. "Lyra, did you have a falling out with Aurora? Listen to us—gather some tribute gifts and go apologize to her immediately!"

I frowned. "How did you find out?"

My parents exchanged uneasy glances before my father finally spoke.

"Aurora contacted us through the pack-link. She said you... that you've become arrogant beyond reason, that you caused chaos at the Central Den over some seasonal rewards, and she had no choice but to banish you."

Fury blazed through me, threatening to break free.

But my father pressed the apology gifts into my hands.

"Aurora said you two have been pack-sisters for years. If you return and submit to her properly, she'll take you back. You won't be a Den Captain anymore—you'll have to start from the lowest rank again."

He had already prepared the offerings.

My parents lived frugally, wearing the same furs for a decade, yet what they placed in my hands was a precious box of rare healing salves from the mountain territories.

My mother quickly added, "Starting from the bottom isn't so bad. Didn't you work your way up from there before?"