Chapter 3

And what did I get in return?

When my father was killed by the Nightshade Clan, the Silvermoon Pack didn't send a single wolf to help.

"Why should our pack care if a human Hunter lives or dies?" That was what the Alpha said back then.

The way Sophia spoke tonight was exactly the same as the Alpha back then.

I stared at the glowing shard, my fists clenched.

I muttered to the empty cabin, "Fine. Since you all think Hunters are worthless, I'll show you just what happens to a pack without one."

Early the next morning, Marcus knocked on my door.

"Allen, Luna wants you in the main hall," he said.

I opened the door, and Marcus glanced at me, looking like he wanted to say something but held back.

"What's up?" I asked.

Marcus scratched his head. "About last night. Don't take it too hard. Luna's just like that. She'll forget all about it in a couple of days."

I didn't say anything and followed him to the main hall.

The main hall of the Silvermoon Pack was a stone chamber, usually used for council meetings and handling pack affairs.

When I walked in, Sophia was sitting in Luna's seat, with Ryan standing beside her.

Elder Gregor sat to the left, his face unreadable.

Some familiar warriors stood on either side.

As soon as Sophia saw me, she addressed me directly, "Allen, you disrespected me in front of everyone last night. I can let that slide."

She paused, sounding like she was doing me a favor. "But you need to hand over how you maintain the border defenses."

I stared at her. "What?"

Sophia crossed her legs, sounding totally casual. "I thought it over last night. Something as important as the border defenses shouldn't be left in the hands of an outsider. What if you up and leave one day? We'd be screwed."

Ryan added, "Yeah, teach our warriors how you do it. It'll take a load off your shoulders."

I nearly burst out laughing.

Three years, and not a single soul cared how the defenses worked.

Now that the sword's gone, suddenly they're interested in the method.

"I can't give you that," I said.

Sophia arched an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

I locked eyes with her and said, "The whole defense relies on Silver Edge. Now that the sword's broken, the method's useless."

Sophia's face tightened for a split second, but she quickly masked it.

"Then come up with something else. You're the border guard. That's your responsibility," she said.

I repeated the word. "My responsibility?"

I continued, "Sophia, I'm a Wolfless stray you took in. You gave me a drafty shack, two cold meals a day, and even letting me attend the Harvest Festival was supposed to be some kind of 'gift.' And now you want to call guarding the border my duty?"

Sophia stood up, her tone icy. "Allen, what are you getting at? Are you trying to negotiate with me?"

"I'm not making demands." I took a step back. "I'm quitting."

The main hall fell silent for a couple of seconds.

Gregor opened his eyes, actually looking at me for the first time.

Sophia looked at me like I'd just told the world's funniest joke. "Quit? You're a Wolfless stray. Where could you possibly go if you left Silvermoon Territory? You wouldn't survive three days in the wild."

"That's for me to deal with," I shot back.

Sophia's patience was wearing thin. She descended from her chair, standing over me.

She warned, "Allen, I'm only going to say this once more. Give up the method for maintaining the border defenses, then go back to guarding the border. I'll let last night slide, but don't push your luck."

I stared into her eyes.

Three years ago, those same eyes looked down at me when I was on the brink of death and said, "Let him live."

Back then, I was grateful.

But looking back, I realized it was never out of kindness. She just needed a free border guard.

I repeated, "I can't give it to you. The method's in the sword, and the sword's with the guy you used to love. Go ask him for it."

Sophia's expression turned stormy. "Are you trying to defy me?"

Ryan stepped forward, resting his hand on Sophia's shoulder. "Sophia, don't waste your breath. He's a Wolfless stray, acting like he's somebody. Let the warriors lock him up. Starve him for a couple of days, and he'll learn his place."

Sophia hesitated for a moment.

Gregor suddenly spoke up. "Luna, the border defenses aren't a joke."

Sophia turned to him. "Go ahead, Gregor."

Gregor shot me a look, then eyed the empty scabbard hanging at Sophia's hip.

"Is Silver Edge really broken?" he asked.

Sophia shifted her gaze, clearly uneasy. "It's just an old blade. If it's broken, whatever. The border defenses don't depend on a single sword."

Gregor was silent for a few seconds. "I still remember, twenty years ago, the Nightshade Clan's last big assault was pushed back by that sword," he said.

Sophia frowned. "That was twenty years ago. The Nightshade Clan's nothing now. It makes no difference if we have defenses or not."

Gregor didn't say another word. He looked at me deeply.

There was something in his gaze I couldn't figure out.