The Hard Decision

Three Years Later…

"We are not making a deal with them," Luna Reana spoke calmly as she fought back a yawn. She looked exhausted and sleepy.

"But Luna, winter is upon us. We've not made considerable effort for provisions that would last us through the season. The people will start grumbling after the coming mating ceremony." Elder Jaxson explained.

Karl sneered, "Are you against trading with the Crimson Caravan because it was my idea? That's a new low, even for you, Reana. How childish."

"Luna, I think Karl is right. We don't have other options. We've tried to contact other traders but they won't trade with us. The Crimson Caravan are unmatched merchants in this region. If we lose them now, they've lost our only chance," Beta Ryan uttered.

Most people nodded, agreeing with the beta's idea. The few of them casted a look filled with approval his way. In their hearts, Beta Ryan had proven himself worthy in both intellect, strategy, and strength that he was worthy of becoming the Alpha, but unfortunately it's been three years and Luna Reana was still 'mourning' the late Alpha Hale and had refused to look at Beta Ryan, even right now.

Reana yawned, unfazed by their comments.

"I believe Luna has a reason. Let's hear what she has to say," Gamma Kira spoke up, silencing everyone as all eyes fell on Reana.

"That group, what are they called again?" Reana asked in a languid voice. She'd used too much mental power earlier and now, she was exhausted and needed to sleep. But this meeting couldn't wait any longer.

Karl gasped and exclaimed in disbelief, "She can't recall their name?!" they'd referred to the merchant group by their name since the beginning of this meeting, so why was Reana suddenly playing dumb?

Unless Reana probably did it on purpose to undermine him and his brother's effort. She was treating them as unimportant fellows! This conclusion greatly annoyed Karl, who believed that his brother's effort in this important matter was being treated with such nonchalance and dismissal.

But the truth was, Reana didn't even care about him at the moment. Her head was heavy and she wanted to leave, but she couldn't. This matter had long been overdue. It was high time they treated it before it became a problem that couldn't be handled.

"Perhaps we should adjourn until tomorrow, Luna?" Kira spoke up again, noticing Reana's exhaustion.

However, Reana waved her hand, "It's okay. Go on."

"The Crimson Caravan," Beta Ryan supplied.

"Ah, right, Crimson Caravan. I remember now…and I also remember the rumors about their business practices. They are bad news." Reana couldn't tell them the real reason behind her rejecting the merchant. Her father told her to keep her secret to herself. He made sure to tell her the dangers of letting even her most trusted aides find out she had powers.

Beta Ryan and Karl were flabbergasted. "Rumors? You're making such an important decision based on mere rumors?!" Karl barked.

Reana's demeanor suddenly shifted, and she growled. "I'm making decisions based on instinct and experience. And my instinct tells me that caravans - whatever their name - are not to be trusted."

The room fell silent again, as everyone knew that Luna Reana's instincts were impeccable. In her three years as leader, she had never made a decision that harmed the pack. Under her leadership, the pack thrived. Their Luna was perfect in every way, except that she'd been running from picking a mate, even ignoring the council's opinion on the matter.

"Luna, so what alternative do you have in mind?" Elder Jaxson questioned.

This matter was extremely important to the pack. In winters, the pack lacked food and medicine, as the seas would freeze over, land would be covered in snow, and monsters and rogues would pour out in huge numbers, searching for shelter and food, making it extremely difficult for their hunters to venture out and gather supplies. Which was why securing a reliable source of food and medicine was crucial before the winter season settled in.

The pack's trade dealings had never been a major concern, as they had established relationships with reliable merchants. But this year, those merchants unexpectedly broke the agreement, forcing the pack to seek out new partners.

They had finally sought a good partner after weeks of failed attempts but Luna Reana turned them down without providing a reason. However, her people trusted her judgement, yet time was not on their side anymore. A couple of months from now, winter will hit.

"I suggest trading with those from the southern islands. They have abundance of food and medicine, and their lands are not as harshly affected by the winter seasons. If we can establish a trade agreement with them, it could be a reliable source of supplies for us. Even after winter," Reana finally replied.

Everyone gasped as they exchanged shocked glances. The southern islands were known to be inhabited by the strongest, most dangerous, and most feared pack in the kingdom, the Dark Snow Pack. Their reputation for ruthlessness and brutality was legendary, and the mere mention of their name sent shivers down the spines of even the bravest warriors.

They were like monsters - unhinged and unreasonable, except that they were coordinated and uniformed under the dubious and merciless Alpha Snow.

The idea of trading with them was not only unthinkable, but also potentially suicidal. First off, the terrain to the islands was riddled with unimaginable danger. Secondly, the people were unfriendly, and thirdly, their goods were extremely expensive!!

Karl rolled his eyes and mumbled, "This is where a man is best suited to lead the pack. A man wouldn't think of a stupid idea like my sister here did!"

"Luna, this is too risky and undoable. Let's just –" Beta Ryan didn't get to finish before he was cut off.

"When winter sets in, every region in the kingdom, except the southern islands would be scrapping for resources. Many packs will be destroyed…the winter this time is none that any of us…" Reana didn't continue, directly veering from almost revealing the vision she saw earlier.

"The Dark Snow Pack might have everything but lacks good and solid materials for making clothing and shoes, especially ones that would aid them from the onslaught of the coming winter. However, our pack is known for making excellent winter clothing and shoes. We have the best materials in the entire kingdom…" She paused, watching their expressions go from confusion to enlightenment.

The hall erupted into a flurry of excited whispers and nods, as the pack members grasped Reana's clever plan.

Elder Collins' face lit up with a warm smile. "You're proposing that we offer to trade our clothing and shoes for the Dark Snow Pack's resources," he said, his voice filled with admiration. "It's a brilliant idea, Luna, but their reputation. Will they–"

"In the face of desperation, even an unreasonable person can become reasonable. And I believe that if I can see this much, their Alpa should too… Besides, we won't be going in blind. We'll send a small delegation to negotiate the terms of the trade, and if things go sour, we can always retreat."

While everyone was thinking or nodding at Reana's suggestion, Beta Ryan was shaking his head with a scowl etched on his face. "I don't like it," he muttered, his voice low but clear. "We can't just trust the Dark Snow Pack. They're notorious for their brutality and deception. What's to stop them from betraying us once we've handed over our goods? Also, there's no guarantee that our delegation will reach an agreement. If that happens, what becomes of our pack?"

That was also what Kira thought, but she didn't bring it up and hoped to speak in private with Reana.

Karl smiled smugly and crossed his arms on his chest. "I agree with Beta Ryan. I think this is a reckless decision, Reana. Don't be clouded by your hatred towards my family and accept the merchants we brought!"

"Let's trade with the Crimson Caravan, Luna. We can't rely on the Dark Snow Pack," Elder Collins seconded with a sigh.

However, Reana shook her head.

From the vision she saw earlier, the Crimson Caravans were criminals. They plundered from other merchants, but this time, the goods they brought to the Black Moon Pack were stolen from a small town after killing the people, and raping their women.

And that small town happened to be affiliated with the Dark Snow Pack.

Because of their pack's trade with Crimson Caravan, the Black Moon Pack was targeted by the Dark Snow Pack members, who raided them shortly after capturing Crimson Caravan. They took back the stolen goods and also took away all the clothes, shoes, and materials that her pack prepared for the coming winter, leaving her pack with only their lives to survive the winter.

But how could they survive without food and winter clothes? Even their firewood was burnt to the ground by those heartless Dark Snow Pack members.

The Black Moon Pack couldn't protect itself from the repeated avalanche strikes, monster attacks, and rogue attacks. It didn't end there. The children and elderly froze to death, and starvation killed the rest of the pack members.

So, how could she trade with such people after what she'd seen?

As for the issue Ryan brought up, she thought about that too, but she had no solution yet. "I'm not oblivious to your concerns, which is why we can't just sit around doing nothing. Once our delegation departs tomorrow, I'll think of plan B."

Kira smiled, she trusted that the Luna would always find a way. "I'll take some warriors and lead the delegation tomorrow. In case the negotiation succeeds, we can't afford to have the goods stolen on the way."

The Black Moon Pack's caravan has some warriors assigned to them, but this time, those warriors weren't sufficient.

With the coming winter, there were cases of more robbers waiting to plunder caravans on the way - which meant death for unlucky merchants.

Reana shook her head. "I need you, Kira, to be in the pack. Karl will follow the delegation to the southern islands. It's a hard decision I had to make," Reana said with a heavy sigh as if she didn't just lie through her teeth.

"Wh– what?"