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The Silent Walkers Pack was at its peak during the early years of Gordon Clearwater’s reign. It plummeted toward the end, and when Deacon Clearwater took over, it went from bad to worse.

After the war with the Night Prowler Pack concluded, the pack suffered from not only physical wounds but also humiliation by a stronger pack. It was thus no wonder that they did not take the news about a second upcoming war well.

The one pack member who was strongly against participating in the war was Catherine Clearwater, who did not have any qualms in voicing her opinion out loud in the vast yard so that every pack member could hear what she had to say.

“I don’t think that the Silent Walkers Pack need to participate in this war at all,” she stated after Lucien informed them of how the hearing and the subsequent trial went.

“To my understanding, this war only takes place because you lost control of your wolf, Lucien, and tried to kill Kinnon Youngshaper. That being said, this is a personal dispute between you and the Night Prowler Pack. The Silent Walkers Pack must not be dragged into this war!”

Lucien wanted to tell Aunt Catherine that he already said that during the trial only to be turned down by Dane Silverback, but Alice Clearwater was not willing to let the vile woman provoke the whole pack against her son.

“You shut up, Kat!” Alice’s eyes blazed with resentment. “You were too willing to push Lucien forward when he turned out to be the solution for all the mess that YOUR son left after the war ended. After Lucien failed to deliver, you want him to deal with it on his own! How cruel can you be???”

Catherine Clearwater tilted her head backward and laughed.

.....

“I am speaking for the good of the whole pack while you just want to protect your darling son. Feel free to judge me.”

Alice growled in displeasure. She pinned Catherine with a glare while the latter did not seem affected at all. She even had a slight smile lacing her lips, seemingly amused by what was to come.

“Mom.”

Lucien grabbed his mother’s shoulder and gave her a slight nod. Alice gave one last huff before she backed off.

Lucien stood before the entire Silent Walkers Pack members and spoke up.

“First of all, I want to apologize for failing to live up to your expectations. It was beyond my control and it led us to this outcome. I am terribly sorry.

Second of all, I want to sincerely ask for your help to win this war. Although, as Aunt Catherine said, this war happens because of me, the entire pack will have to suffer from the consequences if we happen to lose again. I hope that we can work together to overcome this obstacle.”

A slight murmur went through the crowd as families and friends started to discuss with each other. And then, a hand went up. It was a young man in his twenties.

“Yes?”

“Is it true that we only have the support of fourteen packs while the Night Prowler Pack has sixteen packs behind it?”

“Correct.”

Another hand went up, this time it was an elder woman.

“Supporting packs can only send ten representatives for the war, correct?”

“Yes, correct.”

“The warring packs themselves can send as many as they want. And we are fighting against the Night Prowler Pack. One of the two strongest packs in the continent.”

“Correct.”

With every confirmation that Lucien gave, the pack members grew more and more restless.

“Then, how do you plan to win?”

It was a difficult question. Honestly, the chance to win was less than 40%. Even without the aid of supporting packs, the Silent Walkers Pack was weaker and also lesser in number than the Night Prowler Pack. Not to mention that the Silent Walkers Pack just lost in a war against the same pack a few months ago. Only fools would maintain a high level of confidence in light of the upcoming war.

There was no use sugarcoating the situation, so Lucien decided to give his pack members what they did not want to hear : the truth.

“The odds are not in our favor due to the huge disparity between the two warring parties. If we do not come up with a very good strategy, we will lose.”

Upon hearing Lucien’s words, some she-wolves started to whimper.

“My son almost died in the last war!”

“My husband went into a coma right after the war and he has not woken up to this second!”

A teenager pointed at his father who sat in a wheelchair and tearfully claimed, “My father can never walk again after the war!”

Lucien closed his eyes and rubbed between his brows. Of course. Of course, he knew that it would not be easy to gather the people to fight again. It’s just that they did not have much time.

Two days.

Two days were all he had to gather willing fighters, train them, and prepare them for the war. It was basically impossible to achieve within such a short time. Most packs thus regularly trained for war situations just in case. And Lucien had not even come to that part yet. He did not know if the willing fighters were adequately prepared. Or whether or not there would be any willing fighters at all.

“Everyone, I understand your reluctance. I am not forcing anyone to participate. If you are willing to fight, please report yourself. We only have two days to prepare for the war. Those who are willing to fight, please step forward.”

Instead of stepping forward, the pack members retreated one by one. Those who were supporting themselves with crutches had to hobble away in a hurry in order to not get drafted for the war.

Lucien heaved a sigh in his heart. Maybe Ronan was right. He might need some help in managing his pack. He just did not know what.