Two days pass. The camp moves with purpose I'm starting to understand.
I make my way to the cave where Mara tends the injured. Wolves recovering from Varek's violence lie on furs. Riven sits propped against the wall. His shoulder is freshly bandaged.
"You look better," I say, settling beside him.
"I feel like I was trampled by a herd of elk." He manages a smile. "How are you holding up?"
"Good. Great, actually." I lean forward. "Hardik and I are preparing a full rebellion against Varek."
Riven's expression shifts. "A rebellion."
"Yes." I grip his hand. "We're going to make Varek pay for what he did."
"That's ambitious."
"Varek murdered his way to power." My voice hardens. "Someone has to stop him."
"And that someone is you?"
"Yes." I sit straighter. "Hardik called me his Alpha. He recognizes my claim."
Riven studies me for a long moment.
"What?" I ask.
"Are you sure about this?"
The question catches me off guard. "What do you mean?"
"Leading a rebellion. That's different from being a hunter."
"I know that."
"Do you?" His voice is gentle but firm.
"I'm not just talking. Hardik and I are planning everything."
"Hardik has experience. He was Alpha for decades." Riven leans forward. "But you've never led anyone."
The words sting.
"I can learn," I say.
"I know you can." He takes my hand. "But are you ready to carry the weight of every wolf who follows you into battle?"
"I have to be ready. Sorin believed in me. I can't let him down."
"That's not what I asked."
I pull my hand away. "What do you want me to say? That I'm terrified?"
"Yes. Because that would be honest."
"Honesty doesn't win wars."
"But it keeps you alive long enough to fight them." Riven meets my gaze. "Leading out of guilt, out of wanting to prove yourself worthy of a dead mate's blessing? That gets wolves killed."
"I need to go," I say, standing abruptly. "Hardik is waiting."
"Arida—"
I leave before he can say anything else.
The morning sun feels too bright as I cross camp. Wolves nod as I pass. Some with respect. Others with questions.
I push through Hardik's cave entrance without announcing myself.
Hardik looks up from his maps. "Arida. Good. We need to discuss—"
"I'm ready," I interrupt. "To lead. Whatever you need, I'm ready."
Hardik's expression shifts. Something careful enters his eyes.
"Sit down."
"I don't want to sit." I stay near the entrance. "You called me your Alpha. Now it's time to prove it."
"Arida—"
"I can do this. I know you have doubts but I can lead these wolves. I can take down Varek."
Hardik sets down his map. "That's what we need to talk about."
Something in his tone makes my stomach drop.
"What?"
"Sit down," he repeats. Firmer this time.
I lower myself onto the furs. Tension coils through me.
"I've been thinking about the resistance," Hardik begins. "About what these wolves need."
"And?"
"I should lead the rebellion." He meets my eyes. "Not you."
The words land hard.
"What?"
"You're too young. The loyalists barely trust you yet."
Anger flares hot. "You called me your Alpha!"
"I did."
"So you lied?"
"No." Hardik's voice stays calm. "I meant it. But those words mean nothing if the loyalists don't trust you."
I surge to my feet. Start pacing like a caged animal. "So you're taking it back. Taking away what Sorin gave me."
"Sorin is dead." The bluntness cuts deep. "And with him, that appointment ended. I'm being practical about what these wolves need."
"They need leadership. I can give them that."
"Can you?" Hardik stands. "Leadership isn't just about being strong or skilled. It's about trust. And right now, these wolves trust me. Not you."
The words hurt because they're true. I've seen it. The way wolves defer to Hardik. The way they barely acknowledge me.
"Sorin believed in me. He made me Alpha because he saw something in me worth leading. Are you saying he was wrong?"
"I'm saying belief isn't enough. You need to earn their trust."
"I'm the best hunter this pack has ever known."
"None of that makes you a leader."
The bluntness cuts deeper than any blade.
"Then what does?" I demand. "Tell me."
Hardik crosses his arms. "Show them you can put their needs above your pride. Show them you can make hard decisions. Show them you're more than just a skilled fighter."
"That's not fair."
"Leadership isn't fair." His voice hardens. "It's brutal. It's thankless. It means making choices that will make people hate you." He pauses. "Sorin knew that. Are you ready for it?"
I open my mouth. Close it. The honest answer sticks.
"I don't know," I finally admit.
"Then that's your answer." Hardik's expression doesn't soften. "Until you know, until you're certain you can carry that weight, you follow. You learn. You watch."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then you leave." His voice stays level. "I won't force you to stay. But if you stay, you follow my lead. No exceptions."
The ultimatum hangs between us.
I think about walking away. About taking Riven and disappearing. Living as outcasts. Free from pack politics.
But Sorin's face flashes in my mind. His trust in me. His belief that I could be more.
"Fine." The word tastes like ash. "I'll follow. For now."
"Good." Hardik nods. "I'll give you opportunities to prove yourself. Small missions. Tests of leadership."
"Like what?"
"Supply runs. Scouting missions. Things that matter but won't risk the entire resistance if you fail."
The word 'if' stings.
"So I'm supposed to prove I'm worthy?" My voice drips with bitterness. "Earn my place?"
"Yes." Hardik's voice is firm. "That's exactly what you're supposed to do. Every wolf here has earned their place. You'll earn yours too."
I want to argue but exhaustion crashes over me. The weight of everything. Sorin's death. The coup. The doubt.
"So what am I supposed to do?" I ask quietly. "Just follow orders like everyone else?"
"For now, yes." Hardik's expression softens slightly. "But as others will have their chance to prove their loyalty, you'll have yours to prove yourself."