Chapter 342 The speech

Chapter 342: Chapter 342 The speech

Talia’s POV

The great hall was filled with wolves from every allied pack.

I stood at the front, and I looked at the faces before me. They were strong, proud, and determined, but I could still see the fear still lurking beneath the surface. The news of Malachai’s army had shaken them, and they needed to hear something that would give them hope.

I saw Alpha Stone sitting with his warriors, with his old eyes sharp and watchful. I saw Alpha Thornwood, with his face that looked like it was carved from stone. I saw the other Alphas, with their warriors standing behind them, and their hands resting on their weapons.

They had come to fight, but they were still afraid.

I felt Kaelen’s hand on my back, and I felt my mother’s hand on my arm. They were both with me, and I felt their strength flowing through me, and I was not alone. I would never be alone.

I stepped forward, and I raised my voice.

"Everyone," I said, and the hall fell silent.

I looked at the wolves, and I felt the weight of their expectations pressing down on me. They were waiting for me to speak, and they were waiting for me to give them something to hold onto.

"I am the last Silvertongue," I said, and my voice carried across the hall. "I am the last of a bloodline that has been hunted for thirty years. I am the last of a people who have been scattered and destroyed."

I paused, and I let the words sink in. I watched their faces, and I saw the fear and the grief flickering in their eyes. They had heard the stories, but they had not heard the truth from someone who had lived it.

"I have walked through the Ashen Lands," I continued. "I have faced Malachai’s guards, I have broken silver with my own blood, and I am still standing."

I looked at the faces before me, and I saw the fear and the hope flickering in their eyes. They were still afraid, but I could see the curiosity too.

I raised my voice, and I felt the power surging through my veins.

"I am the last Silvertongue," I said, "and I am not afraid."

I saw the surprise flickering in their eyes. They had expected me to be afraid, and they had expected me to be unsure. But I was not.

I looked at Alpha Thornwood, and I saw him lean forward. He was listening, and he was waiting.

"I am not afraid because I know the truth," I said. "Malachai is powerful, but he is not invincible. He is afraid of us, he is afraid of our magic, and he is afraid of our strength. And that is why he has been trying to destroy us."

I looked at the Alphas, and I saw the determination flickering in their eyes. I knew that they were beginning to understand, and they were beginning to believe.

I looked at the wolves, and I felt the fire burning in my chest.

"You should not be afraid either," I said. "You have the strength of the pack, you have the courage of your ancestors, and you have each other."

I paused, and I let my words sink in. I watched their faces, and I saw the fear beginning to fade. It was slow, but it was happening.

"Malachai’s army is powerful," I continued, "but they are hollow. They have no loyalty, no love, and no hope. But we have all of those things. We have each other, we have our wolves, and we have our magic."

I raised my voice, and I felt the power surging through me. "We will not give up, we will not surrender, and we will not let him win."

The hall was silent for a moment. I could hear my own heartbeat, and I could feel the weight of their gazes on me.

Then the hall erupted in cheers.

I heard the voices rising, and I saw the hope in their eyes. They were not afraid anymore, and they were ready to fight.

Alpha Stone stood, and I saw the respect in his old eyes. "You are brave, Luna Talia. Braver than most wolves I have ever known."

I shook my head. "I am just doing what is right."

He smiled, and I saw the warmth in his old eyes. "That is exactly what makes you brave."

Alpha Thornwood stood, and I saw the grudging respect on his face. "I did not believe at first," he said. "But I believe fully now, and I will fight beside you."

I felt the warmth spreading through my chest. One by one, the other Alphas stood and pledged their loyalty.

I looked at the room, and at the wolves who had come to stand with us. They were cheering, and I felt the hope rising in my chest.

I looked at Kaelen, and I felt his hand on my back. "You did it," he whispered.

I shook my head. "We did it."

My mother stepped forward, and I saw the tears on her face. She pulled me into her arms, and I felt her body shaking against mine.

"I am so proud of you," she whispered. "I have always been proud of you."

I held her tight. "We did this together, Mother. All of us."

She pulled back, and I saw the smile on her face. "Yes," she said. "Together."

I looked at the wolves, at the Alphas, and at the warriors who had pledged to fight beside us.

The alliance was strong, and the alliance was ready.

And the fight was coming.