A Warrior's Second Chance (Faye and Alexander) novel Chapter 39

Chapter 39

SILVER HOLLOW

Alpha Jason sat in his office, having meeting with the elders.

Elder Matthias, his silver hair pulled back in a neat tail, cleared his throat. “Alpha, the matter cannot be ignored any longer. Our trade routes have been slowing for months. We’ve lost three merchants to Moon Claw alone in the last quarter.”

Several others nodded grimly. Elder Janet leaned forward, her hands folded. “It is not only trade, Alpha. The goodwill we once enjoyed with allied packs is weakening. Supplies are harder to come by, and what does arrive costs twice as much.”

Jason leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening. He hated the tone they used…like they were speaking to a reckless boy instead of their leader.

“I’m aware of the numbers,” he said, “but I will not bend this pack’s neck to beg for scraps from others. Moon Claw…” he spat the name out like a bad taste “…are a bunch of arrogant wolves who never deserved our alliance in the first place. Their Alpha Draco…” Jason let out a sharp laugh, “…is far beneath me in every way. Until he learns humility, there will be no partnership, the alliance has to be dissolved.”

A heavy silence followed. The elders exchanged glances…wordless, weighted. No one dared call their alpha a fool outright, but the frustration in the room was palpable.

Elder Matthias spoke again as though treading on thin ice. “With all due respect, Alpha, your

father understood that alliances were the lifeblood of Silver Hollow. He nurtured those

relationships…even with those he didn’t care for personally. That diplomacy kept our coffers full and our borders secure. You should reconsider.”

Jason’s eyes narrowed. “My father,” he said sharply, “was a great leader. But I am not him. I will not lower myself for the sake of appearances. Besides, we’ve been the ones losing more in that stupid alliance anyway…the Moon Claw has more to benefit from us,and nothing

reasonable to offer.”

Janet’s brow furrowed. “This is not about appearances, Alpha. It is about survival and loyalty. The cost of your pride is already being felt by our people. Markets are shrinking. Families are struggling. If this continues, we risk isolation. Also, breaking this alliance for no good reason would make our other partners question our sense of loyalty towards allies…that is not good.

”

Jason’s fingers drummed against the polished wood of the table, a subtle sign of his growing irritation. “We are Silver Hollow,” he said, his voice low. “We have survived worse than this

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without bowing to anyone 11 the other packs wish to turn their backs, tet them. We will not chase after them like desperate pups”

The elders did not know how best to respond. It was clear that further argument would only harden Jason’s stance Still, their eyes told the truth they saw the cracks forming in the walls of Silver Hollow, and they knew the cost would be far greater than their alpha seemned

willing to admit

Elder Matthias glanced at the others before speaking once more, his voice firm. “Alpha, we tell you this because we serve the good of the pack, not our own egos. The economy is faltering. The isolation is growing. This course you have chosen.” He hesitated, searching for words that would not ignite Jason’s temper. “…may soon lead us somewhere none of us wish to go.”

Jason rose to his feet, signaling the meeting’s end. “I will get back to you all. You may leave.”

It was a dismissal, not a promise.

The elders stood reluctantly, gathering their scrolls and notes, the tension in the room so thick. One by one, they filed out, each carrying the heavy knowledge that their alpha’s pride was steering Silver Hollow toward dangerous waters, and that there was little they could do to stop it without challenging his authority outright.

Jason was still in his office when the door opened. His mate–Luna Sage–slipped inside, her eyes sweeping over him as she saw him pacing.

“You’re wearing a hole in the floor,” she teased lightly, closing the door behind her. “What happened in here?”

Jason scoffed and threw himself into the nearest chair, rubbing the back of his neck. “What happened? The same thing that always happens when I try to talk sense to them. They sat there like a pack of stone statues, pretending they know what’s best, when they’re the very reason we’re bleeding resources.”

Sage tilted her head, pretending to search his face for clues. “Bleeding resources?”

Jason’s lips curled in irritation. “Of course. We’ve kept certain unnecessary alliances alive for years, and what’s it brought us lately? Empty promises and a drain on our economy. Our trade routes are slower, half our supplies arrive late…if they arrive at all…and yet the elders still act like breaking ties would be some kind of disaster.”

Sage crossed the room and perched on the arm of his chair, her hand resting on his shoulder. “And what did you tell them?”

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told them exactly what needed in he said fecum reed be tone the keep sacrheing on own statility for the sake of a fasting relature the Best But they shud me down and said i was being racheter

He let out a dry laugh History doesn’t put food on the absage t broken wagons or pay for new patrol gear”

Her fingers traced idle circles against his arm “They’re shy in

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They don’t see what you see They don’t have the pressure of ruby the path day you do

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