<h4>Chapter 631: A Gamble</h4>


    <strong>Evaline:</strong>


    The silence became almost suffocating as all eyes stayed fixed on River.


    Even the fire had quieted, its mes swaying softly as if the air itself had grown heavier.


    I could feel the tension pressing down on all of us.


    Morwen sat perfectly still across the fire, her hands sped tightly in herp. The desperation she had shown earlier hadn’t disappeared, but now it had been reced by something quieter - anticipation, fear, hope.


    The other witches looked between River and Morwen anxiously, clearly understanding that whatever came next would determine their fate.


    Beside River, Kieran leaned forward slightly, his attention sharpened.


    Jasper hadn’t moved at all, but the tension in his shoulders was unmistakable.


    And River...


    River remainedpletely calm.


    But I knew that calm.


    It was the same one he carried whenever he stood before the council.


    The sameposed authority he wore when delivering decisions that could change the course of entire packs.


    Finally, he moved.


    It wasn’t much. Just a small shift in his posture as he straightened slightly in his chair. But the moment he did, the atmosphere in the pavilion changed.


    The subtle shift in his aura spread across the space like a quiet wave - powerful, unmistakable, final.


    And everyone felt it.


    It was clear that what he’s about to say was his final decision, and there would be no room for negotiations.


    His eyes swept briefly across the circle of witches before settling back on Morwen. And when he spoke, his voice carried that steady,posed authority that alwaysmanded attention.


    "Elder Morwen."


    His tone was calm. Measured. But firm.


    "I understand your concern."


    Morwen didn’t interrupt. She simply watched him carefully.


    River continued, "But as a member of the Werewolf Council... I cannot lie to my people."


    A faint ripple of unease moved through the witches.


    River’s voice remained steady. "If I hide the truth from the council, then I betray the oath I swore when I took my seat there. And if I betray that oath... then I also betray the trust of every wolf who looks to me for leadership."


    The wordsnded heavily.


    Because they were true.


    Morwen’s shoulders tensed slightly. She had expected this answer. I could see it in the faint tightening of her jaw.


    River wasn’t finished though. "I will tell the council everything," he said calmly. "No lies. No secrets. No alterations."


    The younger witches stiffened. And I noticed how Tamsin’s hands curled into fists on her knees.


    The tension in the pavilion spiked. But before anyone could react... River added quietly,


    "Just not yet."


    That single sentence shifted the entire room. Confusion flickered across everyone’s faces, including mine.


    Morwen blinked slowly. Even Kieran frowned. And the witches exchanged uncertain looks.


    Because what did that even mean?


    If he was going to tell the council anyway... what difference did waiting make?


    River seemed to sense the question lingering in the air. His gaze remained fixed on Morwen as he continued speaking.


    "The council will hear the truth," he said again. "But they will hear it after this crisis is resolved."


    He leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on his knees. "You said you will help in capturing and sealing the Great Evil."


    Morwen nodded once.


    "Yes."


    "Then we stop the soul deaths first," River said simply. "We capture the Great Evil, and we seal it away orpletely remove its existence."


    His voice remained steady. "And when that is done... the council will be told what truly happened four centuries ago."


    The pavilion fell silent again.


    River didn’t look away from Morwen.


    "But when that momentes," he continued, "the story will not end with the mistake your ancestors made."


    His voice softened slightly.


    "It will end with the witches who helped correct it."


    Morwen’s breath caught faintly.


    River’s tone remained firm. "If you stand beside us now... if you help us stop the soul deaths... then I will make sure the council understands that."


    His gaze hardened again.


    "I will make sure they see your actions today as an effort to correct the sins of the past."


    The words hung in the air as River sat back slightly. "I cannot erase history," he said calmly. "But I can ensure the council does not punish an entire coven for the crimes of witches who have been dead for four centuries."


    A deep silence followed.


    The offer was clear now - he wasn’t abandoning the witches, but he also wasn’tpromising his duty.


    He was offering them a path forward.


    One built on trust.


    Morwen stared at him quietly as the weight of his words settled over her. Now this decision no longer rested with River... it rested with the witches.


    Did they trust him enough to take this gamble?


    Because that was exactly what it was.


    A gamble.


    River had the intelligence to navigate council politics better than almost anyone I knew.


    He also had the status and power.


    His voice carried weight among the council members.


    If anyone could influence how this situation would be judged...


    It was him.


    So the question now - Did the witches trust him enough to take that risk?


    Morwen didn’t answer immediately. Instead, her gaze drifted across the witches seated around her.


    I could practically see the thoughts running through her mind.


    Hundreds of witches lived in this coven. Not just the ones sitting here tonight. And their safety depended on the decision she made right now.


    I caught Morwen’s gaze before she could look away.


    "Elder Morwen."


    She looked at me and I held her eyes firmly.


    "You can trust him."


    The words came out steady. Certain. Confident. I didn’t hesitate for even a second... because I knew River.


    I knew the kind of man he was.


    And if he gave his word, he would move heaven and earth to keep it.


    The pavilion grew quiet again as everyone looked at me.


    Even River.


    I felt his attention shift toward me, warm and steady. And the next moment, his hand reached out. He wrapped his fingers gently around mine, and the simple touch sent a quiet reassurance through our bond.


    Then he released my hand and looked back at Morwen.


    The decision still rested with her.


    Morwen studied me for a long moment.


    Then she slowly turned her head toward the other witches. Only a small portion of the coven had gathered here tonight. But their opinions still mattered.


    The second elder met Morwen’s gaze first. Then slowly... she nodded. Not once. But twice.


    A silent approval.


    One by one, the others followed with subtle nods.


    No one spoke, but the message was clear - they trusted her judgment.


    Morwen drew in a deep breath. Her shoulders straightened slightly as she turned back toward River.


    The decision had been made.


    She held River’s gaze firmly. And then she spoke.


    "We will trust you, Alpha River."


    Her voice was steady.


    "And we ept the word you have given us today."


    The fire crackled softly between us as the agreement settled into ce.