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Fuck. This couldn't be good …
"You know, before my pack split off, this great temple was filled to the brim with shifters." Japhire said, gesturing to the room. "Every adult here is old enough to remember those days — and all the grandiose ideas we had — Expansion. Growth. A new beginning."
His voice rose. "We celebrated the idea of expanding the pack's domain. I was even among the fools who convinced our families, our friends — anyone we could — to join in." He sucked his teeth, then shook his head. "And we did what we set out to do. We made new homes among other ancient ruins, taking back what we'd lost so long ago." He stepped forward on the table. "There was finally room for our children to spread out and grow! And across the Isle, shifters celebrated. We were finally overcoming the challenges of our forefathers — bringing light back into these dark lands." He paused, turning to the alpha. "At least that's what my father told me when he visited my young family at our new home near the mountains."
A woman sobbed quietly nearby, and I looked around to see many others putting their faces in their hands, shoulders shaking.
What had happened in the mountains?
"Then it was gone," Japhire continued, his voice rough. "Stolen in a single night." He clenched his fists. "A strange red glow from the mountains, our only warning. We didn't understand what was coming. Not that it would have helped if we had." He shook his head. "For the first time in over a hundred years, mountain wraiths poured from the heights, leaving nothing but death and destruction in their wake. The Mad Giants took everything."
Japhire's voice shook as he stared out over the people. "Everyone outside of this temple was robbed. They took our homes, our families," he paused. "They even took my Morra! And they'd have taken my boy if not for her quick thinking. Hers. Not mine." He looked around. "I was arrogant — having forgotten the fear and suffering of our predecessors. We were the mighty Shifter Pack, after all — and we carried our parent's hope for a bright future. That arrogance cost me everything."
My gaze flew to Alpha Blackwood. He stared straight at his son, his face etched in sorrow.
"I hate challenging my father every year," Japhire said, gesturing toward his father. "I really do. Most of you think I'm weak — a fool, maybe. But I do it because I know the truth. I heard its howl that night, and I've continued to hear the truth every night since."
He held his hand out to the crowd. "You think you're strong. Safe. Protected here in the stronghold. You think that's where we went wrong — expanding too close to the mountains." He laughed bitterly.
"I'm telling you now — the Reaper is just biding her time as you sit here, sheltered by your alpha. The mountain wraiths were only the beginning. I've glimpsed what hides in the night, and it's far, far worse." He gestured towards Alpha Blackwood. "My father will admit he's seen the same!"
Gasps ran across the room, and several of the mages near Alpha Blackwood stood to their feet. He held out his hand, and they sat back down.
"Oh, he doesn't like to speak of it," Japhire continued. "But he's met the Reaper — seen into her stony eyes, and witnessed her cruelty. Yet he REFUSES to heed her warnings and do what must be done to keep the pack safe. Instead, he throws festivals and welcomes newcomers." Japhire stared at his father with genuine disappointment, and I could feel the rift between the father and son in my chest.
People shifted in their seats, and a low murmur filled the room as everyone spoke softly to those next to them.
Alpha Blackwood stood to his feet and stepped up to his son. "I choose to celebrate those we've lost by living fully and not forgetting who we are, Son. Not by hardening into a stone that is safe, but knows neither loss nor love."
"And what about those who will die because of that choice?" Japhire hissed. "Their blood will be on your hands. How can you live knowing you didn't do everything you could to save them?"
"You know my response. Some prices are too high to pay," Alpha Blackwood growled, his expression cold. "No one should walk that path."
"Fool!" Japhire screamed, leaping from the table and pushing his father back. "ANY price is worth it to keep the ones you love safe!"
Alpha Blackwood and a dozen others looked ready to fight, but Japhire just shook his head and held up a hand.
"No. I'm the fool," Japhire hissed, turning back to the crowd. "This pack will never change. And I'm done trying. Done holding back the tide for you." His face was etched with sorrow and exhaustion as he took in all the surrounding faces before finally turning to Alpha. "I must protect mine just as you protect yours."
Dipping his head, he nodded to someone behind me.
I craned to see a familiar man leaving the food tables. Mage Korym. Our gazes met, and he winked and mouthed something. It almost seemed like "thank you".
What in the seven hells?
As Japhire led his pack out of the front door, he turned around and said, "Goodbye, Father." Then stepped out.
The large stone door slammed shut behind him.
I glanced from the closed door to the conspicuous place Mage Korym had just vacated, mind spinning.
Something was very wrong.
Had Japhire come just to lecture everyone and leave? That made no sense.
The room was abuzz with people speaking similar thoughts, and a few ran up to Alpha Blackwood, while others left to chase after Japhire.
"They've cut the pulleys!" shouted a woman at the stone door.
