Chapter 236 RAMONS POV I stood at the edge of the training grounds , the rhythmic thuad of lists hitting punching bags echoing in the crisp morning air .
Warriors moved around me .
their bodies taut with purpose as they honed their skills Normally , watching them train was calming , something about the structure and discipline steadied my thoughts .
But not today .
Today , my mind was elsewhere .
Loren The name had become a curse , a shadow looming over everything wed built .
It didnt matter that we thought wed dealt with her , that we believed her to be gone .
She was back , and she wasnt just angry , she was organized , calculated , dangerous .
I clenched my fists , my nails buning into my palms .
How had we let this happen ! How had I let this happen ? Ramon .
The sound of Sonias voice behind me pulled me from my thoughts .
I turned to find har standing a few feet away , her arms crossed over her chest .
Her eyes , always sharp , were even more intense today , blazing with a mix of frustration and determination Where have you been ? she asked , her tone laced with impatience ure our warriors are ready .
Here , I replied , gesturing to the training grounds .
Making sure Thats not enough she snapped , stepping closer .
Lorenas not going to wait for us to be ready , Ramon .
Shes already moving , already planning her next attack I took a deep breath , trying to keep my own frustration in check .
And what do you want me to do , Sonia ! Rush in blind ? Because thats exactly what she wants Shes not waiting for us to figure things out ! Sonias voice rose , drawing the attention of a few nearby warriors .
I motioned for them to keep training , then turned back to her .
I know that , I said , my voice low but firm .
But we cant just act without a plan .
If we do , well be walking right into her trap And if we wait too long , shell have an army so big we wont stand a chance , she countered , Do you want to be responsible for that ? For every life we Jour because we liesitated ? Her words hut me like a blow , and for a moment , I couldnt respond .
My mind flashed to the faces of our pack , the warriors , the elders , the pups .
The thought of losing any of them was unbearable .
Sonia you : u need to to rest , youre pregnant I began , my voice softer now .
Im not saying we dont act .
Im saying we need to be smart about it .
If we rusda in without knowing what were up against , well lose more than we can afford The pups are fine .
And if we do nothing , well lose just as much , she said , her voice trembling slightly .
Her vulnerability was like a knife to my chest .
I stepped closer , reaching for her hand , but she pulled away .
if you dont trust me , she said , larr voice barely above a whisper .
ats not fair 1 replied , my own frustration bubbling to the surface .
You know I trust you .
But this isnt just about you or me .
Its about the entire Then why do it feel like youre fighting me on this ? she asked her eyes searching mine youre not thinki king dearly ! The words slipped out before I could stop them , and I immediately regretted it Cfare hardened , the volia ratality replaced by something caller .
Not thinking clearly ? she repeated , her voice sharp .
Do you have any idea like tocarry this weight , Hamour To know that every decision I make could mean life or death for this pack , for our children ? I swallowed hard , the wright of her words sinking in Of course I knew I felt that same weight every day .
But heating her say it , hearing the raw emotion in her voice , madr I know what youre feeling I said , my lone gentler now .
I feel it too .
Every day .
But we have to be strong for them , for everyone .
We cant let our 11:02 AM Chapter 236 fear drive us , Its not fear , she said , her voice breaking , Its responsibility .
And if we dont act soon , were going to lose everything She turned and walked away , leaving me standing there with the words I couldnt bring myself to o say .
Later that evening , I found myself in the study , the map of the territories spread out before me .
I traced the borders with my finger , my mind racing with possibilities .
t , too calculated .
If we smart , She was right .
Lorena wasnt waiting for us to catch up .
But Sonia wasnt seeing the full picture either .
Lorena was too str played her game , wed lose , The door creaked open , and 1 looked up to see Cade limping into the room .
His face was pale .
You look like bell .
I said , trying to lighten the mood .
He gave me a weak smile as he sank into a chair .
Feel like it 100 .
We sat in silence for a moment , the only sound the crackling of the fire .
Shes right , you know Cade said finally , his voice rough About what ? About Lorena , he replied .
Shes not waiting .
Shes already two steps ahead of us .
I sighed , leaning back in my chair .
I know .
But rushing in without a plan isnt the answer either No , Cade agreed But sitting here isnt going to stop her .
an a hand through my hair , the weight of the day pressing down on me .
What would you have me do , Cade ! If we act too soon , we lose .
If we too long , we lose .
Either way , were screwed .
He didnt answer right away , his gaze fixed on the fire .
Youre not going to find the right answer sitting here , he said finally .
You and Sonia need to figure this out together .
If you dont well .
Lorenas the least of your problems .
I nodded , the truth of his words settling heavily in my chest .
When I returned to our room later dat night , Sonia was already there , standing by the window .
The moonlight illuminated her face , highlighting the weariness in her eyei .
Im sorry , I said quietly , closing the door behind me .
She didnt turn around , but I could see her shoulders tense .
For what ? carlier , I said , stepping closer .
For making you feel like I dont trust you .
Tha Thats not true , Sonia .
Youre the strongest person person I know She turned to face me , her eyes shining with unshed tears .
Im scared , Ramon , she admitted , her voice barely above a whisper .
Im scared of making that wrong chrace , of losing everything weve buili .
Im scared for the twins , for the pack , for you .
used the mom in two strides , pulling her into my arms .
Well figure this out , I said , my voice firm .
Together .

Follow new episodes on the CrushnovelS.Com

Star rested her head against my chest , her tears soaking into my shirt .
Promise me , she whispered .
Promise me we wont lose .
I promise .
I said , dough the weight of that promise felt like a mountain on my shoulders .
er stood there , holding e each other in the silence of the night , I knew one thing for certain , we couldnt afford to Not to Lotena.
Not tre anyone my mind quivered .
Lorens was dangerous , but there was something else , a sluadow of doubt I couldnt shake .
Something was missing , and if 1 didnt figure it out soon , it right cost us everything