Hunter Forest was divided into four quadrants: the North, East, West, and South. At its center lay the domain of the White family, an imposing stronghold surrounded by other minor hunter clans. The four great wolf tribes occupied the outer quadrants, their influence and power an ever-present threat. A prophecy spoke of a fifth wolf tribe yet to emerge—one that would shift the balance of power entirely.
Selena knew the truth. The four tribes had to be eliminated before they grew stronger than they already were.
She sat in the Chamber of Strategies, surrounded by the most trusted leaders of the hunter clans. Representing the hunters of the West was Lady Erica, sharp-eyed and calculating. From the East came Lady Kings, whose pride was matched only by her cunning. The North's Lord Marcus, solid and methodical, and the South's unpredictable and volatile Lord Drake completed the council. Joining them were her father, Eric, her brother, Isaac, and Selena herself, the youngest and most tenacious in the room.
"I suggest we begin with the Red Wolves," Lady Erica proposed, her finger circling their territory on the map. "They're the weakest of the prophesied Great Five. If we cut off their supplies and sabotage their armory under the guise of minor accidents, we can weaken them to the point of annihilation."
Eric nodded. "They're vulnerable. If we act strategically, we can eliminate them without a direct confrontation."
Lord Marcus spoke next, his voice steady. "We've already subdued the Brown Wolves. I propose we focus on wiping out the six minor packs still scattered across the forest. With them gone, the Great Four will be isolated—no allies, no resources, no refuge."
Lord Drake let out a twisted laugh. "Corner them. Wipe out the smaller packs and plant our forces in their territories. Box the big four in. They'll have nowhere to run, and we can use them for target practice while we wait for the right moment to strike."
The room buzzed with grim agreement until Lady Kings spoke, her tone laced with suspicion. "We need to be cautious. I've detected an unusual stench of werewolves among our ranks. It's possible they've planted spies within our clan."
Her gaze lingered on Selena, who met her with a defiant smirk. It wasn't the first time Lady Kings had leveled baseless accusations against her. The woman's jealousy was transparent—she'd never forgiven Selena for surpassing her in combat and reclaiming glory for the White family, a lineage that had once been dismissed as a house of failures.
"Got something to say, Lady Kings?" Selena asked, her tone as sharp as a blade.
"I'm merely advocating vigilance," Kings replied, her voice thinly veiled with disdain. "The crowning ceremony is upon us, and one of us will be chosen. It would be disastrous to have a werewolf infiltrator among us during such a sacred event."
Selena's smirk deepened. "And you think someone of tainted virtue will be chosen?" she countered, watching as a blush crept up Lady Kings's cheeks.
It wasn't Selena's fault the memory lingered—Kings, in the arms of a knight, engaged in an act unbecoming of someone betrothed to another. The hypocrisy was laughable.
Eric cleared his throat, silencing the room. "Enough. Back to the matter at hand. We'll hunt the scattered wolves in the Scarce territory today. Clear them out and establish a stronghold there. No distractions. Understood?"
The council members exchanged tense nods, their shoulders squared with pride as they departed. Selena lingered, her eyes following Lady Kings's retreating figure.
No other could be chosen for the crowning but Selena herself. Of that, she was certain.