The child's safety.

Zane

As I sat upon my chair, surrounded by my loyal men, the atmosphere in the hall was charged with anticipation and readiness for action. We were discussing our plans for the week, strategizing our next moves in the ongoing power struggle that defined our existence. Suddenly, the heavy doors swung open, and one of my trusted lieutenants burst into the room, his breath ragged and urgency evident in his eyes.

"Zane!" he exclaimed, interrupting our conversation. "Amanda and her pack members are leaving the town as we speak!"

Instantly, my mind whirled into action. She was slipping away, and I knew we couldn't let her escape unscathed but before I could give the order to mobilize our forces, my advisor stepped forward, his expression grave.

"Zane, we mustn't act impulsively," he cautioned, his voice low but firm. "Attacking her now would be playing into her hands. She's expecting us to retaliate, to chase after her in a blind rage. But we must be smarter than that."

I regarded him with