17. Pride.

JAMES.

[During the council meeting]

I slammed my fist on the table, making the elders flinch. "We can't just sit here and do nothing while the rogues attack our pack every god-damned day they feel like!" I shouted, my voice echoing in the council hall. "We have to fight back and show them who we are!"

The three elders exchanged nervous glances, avoiding my gaze. They knew I was right, but they were too afraid to admit it. They were cowards, all of them.

"Alpha James, we understand your frustration, but you have to be reasonable," Elder Thomas said, trying to sound calm. "The rogues have a much larger army than ours. They have been recruiting wolves from other packs, even some of our own traitors. If we go to war with them, we will be outnumbered and outmatched. It could be a suicide mission."

I snorted, feeling a surge of anger. "So you're saying we should just let them kill us one by one until there's no one left? Is that your brilliant plan?"

"No, of course not, but we have to find a