The Princess's Revenge Chapter 143

Valencia’s POV

"The situation is bad. I won't lie to you. We're facing enemies from multiple directions. We're isolated. We're outnumbered."

People were looking at each other now, scared.

"But," I said loudly, cutting through their fear. "We are Cliffwatch Pack."

My voice grew stronger.

"We live in the coldest, harshest part of this kingdom. We guard the northern border against Aldermere. We've survived raids, winters, wars, and betrayals for generations. We are not weak. We do not break easily."

I could feel the energy in the room changing slightly.

"Yes, we face traitors and invaders. But we are still standing. Logan is injured, but he's alive. He's healing. And until he wakes up, I will lead this pack in his place."

I straightened my shoulders. "Not because I have dragon power. Not because I'm special or chosen. But because I am your Luna. Because I love this pack and I love your Alpha. Because I refuse to let Elton destroy everything Logan has built here."

"Today, we begin preparing for war. We will strengthen our defenses. We will train every person who can fight. We will reach out to our allies and gather information about our enemies. We will protect this land and these people with everything we have." I looked around the room one more time.

"I know some of you are afraid of what I am. I know the dragon terrifies you. It terrifies me too. But I swear to you that I will use that power only to protect this pack. I will defend you with my life if necessary."

The hall was completely silent now. Everyone staring at me.

"So I'm asking you now," I said. "Will you stand with me? Will you fight for Cliffwatch Pack? Will you wait for Alpha Logan to return and help me keep his home safe until he does?"

For a long moment, nothing happened.

Then Elias stepped forward. He dropped to one knee and placed his fist over his heart.

"I stand with Luna Valencia," he said clearly. "For Cliffwatch Pack. For Alpha Logan."

Dr. Vance came forward next. He knelt beside Elias. "I stand with our Luna."

Then Delphine knelt. Then Nestor and Kael together. Then Ryan and Bastian.

More and more people began dropping to their knees. Warriors. Servants. Families. One by one, then in groups, until the entire great hall was filled with kneeling pack members.

"For Cliffwatch!" someone shouted.

"For Luna Valencia!" another voice called.

"For Alpha Logan!"

The voices grew louder, blending together. "For Cliffwatch! For Luna! For Alpha!"

I stood there, looking at all of them. My vision blurred with tears but I blinked them back.

These people were choosing to trust me. To follow me. Even after everything they'd seen, everything they'd learned.

"Thank you," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "Thank you all. I promise I won't let you down."

The crowd began to rise. People were talking now, but the fear had lessened.

Elias approached me. "That was well done, Luna."

"I just told them the truth."

"Sometimes that's the bravest thing you can do," he said. "But now we need to turn words into action. We should hold a war council immediately. Discuss strategy and make decisions."

"Who should attend?"

"The senior warriors. Dr. Vance as your advisor. Anyone with military experience or strategic knowledge."

I nodded. "Set it up. We'll meet in the council room in one hour."

"Yes, Luna."

As people began filing out of the great hall, Delphine came over and hugged me. "You were amazing."

"I was terrified."

"But you did it anyway," she said. "That's what courage is."

Kai appeared beside us. He didn't say anything, just gave a single nod. Coming from him, that felt like high praise.

One hour later, I entered the council room. It was a smaller chamber off the great hall, with a large wooden table and chairs.

Elias was already there, along with Ryan, Bastian, and Dr. Vance. Several other senior warriors I recognized filled the remaining seats.

I took the seat at the head of the table. Logan's seat. It felt wrong sitting there without him, but someone had to lead.

"Thank you all for coming," I said. "We need to discuss how to prepare Cliffwatch Pack for what's coming."

Elias spread a map across the table. It showed Valdoria, with Cliffwatch Pack marked in the north and King's Fang in the center.

"Let's start with our immediate concerns," he said. "Ryan, what's the situation at Ironwatch Border?"

Ryan leaned forward. "We have two hundred men stationed along the Grey River. It's enough to watch the border and respond to small incursions, but if Aldermere decides to invade in force, we won't hold them for long."

"How many more warriors would you need?" I asked.

"At least fifty more to properly defend the border. Ideally a hundred."

I looked at Elias. "Can we spare that many?"

"If we pull warriors from other duties, yes," Elias said. "But it will leave the pack house less defended."

"The border is more important right now," I decided. "Aldermere is a bigger threat than anything else. Ryan, I want you to take fifty warriors to Ironwatch Border immediately. Reinforce our position there."

Ryan nodded. "Yes, Luna."

"Bastian, you'll go with him," I continued. "You'll command the border forces while Ryan returns here to help train new recruits."

Bastian straightened. "Understood, Luna."

I turned to another warrior. "Thomas, I need you to organize training for everyone in the pack who can fight. Not just the warriors. Anyone over fifteen who's physically able. We need to prepare for the worst."

"I'll begin this afternoon," Thomas said.

Dr. Vance spoke up. "Luna, we should also consider our supplies. Food, medicine, weapons. If we're besieged, we need to ensure we can survive a long conflict."

"How long can we last with what we have?" I asked.

"About two months, if we're careful with rationing."

"Make an inventory of everything we have," I said. "Food, water, medicine, arrows, swords, armor. Everything. I want to know exactly what our resources are."

"I'll handle it," Dr. Vance said.

Elias tapped the map. "Luna, we also need intelligence. We need to know what's happening in the rest of Valdoria. Are other packs supporting Elton? Is Soren gathering forces? Is Aldermere really preparing to invade?"

"You're right," I said. "We need information."

"I can send out scouts," Elias suggested. "Small groups, fast riders. They can visit nearby territories and gather news."

"Do it," I said. "Send three groups in different directions. I want reports back within a week."

"Yes, Luna."

I looked at the map again, at King's Fang in the center. "We also need to contact Soren. He's our ally, and right now he's probably dealing with the same accusations we are. We need to coordinate with him."

"I'll send a raven immediately," Elias said. "What should the message say?"

I thought for a moment. "Tell him what happened at King's Fang. The truth. Tell him about Winston's death, about Elton's control of the capital, about the ambush. Ask him what his plans are and how we can support each other."

"I'll write it personally," Elias said.

We spent the next hour discussing details. Guard rotations. Supply distribution. Training schedules. Defensive preparations.

By the time we finished, I felt exhausted but also focused. We had a plan. It wasn't perfect, but it was something.

"One more thing," I said before dismissing everyone. "I know the situation looks bad. I know we're facing overwhelming odds. But I need all of you to stay strong. The pack looks to its leaders for guidance. If we show fear, they'll be afraid. If we show confidence, they'll have hope."

The warriors nodded.

"We can survive this," I said firmly. "We will survive this. For Cliffwatch Pack."

"For Cliffwatch Pack," they echoed.

The meeting ended and people filed out. Finally, I stood and left the room. My feet carried me back to the stone house without thinking about it.

Logan was still there, still unconscious. I sat beside his bed and took his hand.

"The meeting went well," I told him softly. "We have a plan. Bastian is going to Ironwatch Border with reinforcements. We're training everyone who can fight. We're gathering intelligence and reaching out to Soren."

I stroked his hand gently.

"I know I'm not as good at this as you are. But I'm trying, Logan. I'm trying so hard to keep everything together until you come back."

His chest rose and fell steadily. "I'll keep our pack safe," I whispered. "I promise. So you just focus on getting better. Take all the time you need. I'll be here waiting."