The impending threat

In the dimly lit confines of an abandoned warehouse, where sporadic light bulbs cast a faint glow, Reid and his band of rogues underwent intense training.

The gritty atmosphere resonated with the sounds of their movements, harmonising with the occasional wind howl seeping through cracks in the walls.

Amid this, four groups were engaged in one-on-one combat, their grunts and groans saturating the air with the intensity of their battles.

Notably, Reid faced off against both Keeran and Tommy simultaneously, revealing his raw strength through a seamless fusion of strikes, dodges, and strategic manoeuvres that challenged the conventional norms of single combat.

"You're both moving too slowly," Reid remarked to Tommy and Keeran, "and attack as a team, not as individuals. Remember, you're facing an alpha! I'm the next thing to a god!" His words carried an air of confidence, underlining the aura of authority he sought to establish in the training session.

As he spoke, Reid effortlessly dodged Keeran's swing and countered with a swift strike. Simultaneously, he evaded Tommy's attempted grapple, showcasing his agility.

"Timing is crucial," he emphasised his movements a precision dance.

"Stay sharp, or you're done for!" Reid declared, and with a breathtaking display of strength, he seized both adversaries by their throats, swiftly bringing them to the floor in a single, forceful motion. The resounding thud echoed through the warehouse, their bodies leaving cracks on the wooden floor.

The other pack members, amid their sparring, halted in surprise.

Eyes widened with shock and horror as they witnessed Reid's unparalleled strength. Even Tommy and Keeran, known for their formidable werewolf prowess, were taken aback by the ease Reid had brought them down.

Addressing the stunned pack mates, Reid challenged, "All of you, come at me!"

A snicker cut through the air, someone dismissing the idea as a joke. In an instant, Reid sped towards the sceptic, lifting him into the air by his throat and choking any trace of amusement from him.

"Think I'm joking?" Reid's voice was deadly serious.

"Are you all just going to stand by and watch me kill him? Attack me, or I'll start taking every one of you down."

The agitated werewolves launched their attack on Reid, a collective growl reverberating through the warehouse.

Reid swiftly released the guy he had been choking, throwing him across the room.

The werewolf crashed against the wall, landing in a space where the words "Bluefur Pack" had been sprawled across, his impact causing a crack in the wall.

Unfazed, Reid faced the approaching onslaught with a calm demeanour.

The werewolves descended upon him, their movements fueled by fear and determination. Reid, however, moved with an uncanny agility, dodging their attacks with calculated precision.

Keeran lunged at Reid, aiming to catch him off guard. With a swift sidestep, Reid avoided the attack and countered with a powerful blow, sending him sprawling to the ground.

The intensity of the fight heightened as the remaining werewolves adjusted their strategy, attacking in coordinated waves.

Reid, though outnumbered, showcased a masterful blend of strength and skill, thwarting each assault with strategic manoeuvres.

The man Reid had thrown against the wall, recovering from the impact, watched the scene unfold with awe and trepidation.

Reid sighed, surveying the scene of his ten pack members lying defeated on the floor.

"You all disappoint me," he remarked sternly.

"Pick yourselves up and gather for a quick debrief."

The werewolves, nursing their wounds and a bruised collective ego, reluctantly rose from the floor.

They assembled before Reid, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and anticipation as they awaited his guidance.

"The Founder's Day Ball is in two days," Reid announced, leaning casually against a pillar. "We'll use the event to our advantage and ambush the Blackmoon pack."

"And how do you propose we achieve that, Reid?" Keeran inquired, expressing his concern. He sometimes felt that Reid was rushing them into battle with the other pack too quickly.

"Well, if you let me finish without interruptions, Keeran, you'd hear the plan," Reid retorted with a hint of frustration.

"I'm sorry, Alpha," Keeran responded, acknowledging his mistake and returning to a respectful stance.

Reid continued, "On Founder's Day, most Blackmoon pack members will be away for the ball, including Nira, that harbinger of death. Only the omegas, who are not as formidable, will be left to guard the territory. We take out the omegas easily, set up traps in the forest, and lie in wait for Denzel and his pack to return. That's when we strike, attacking them from nowhere so they won't know what hit them."

A scoff echoed through the room, drawing Reid's attention to Peter, a werewolf of medium height.

"What the hell was that for?" Reid demanded, his gaze menacing.

"Nira," Peter replied, his eyes fixed on the floor. "She's a banshee, and she'd immediately sense our intent and warn Denzel."

Reid nodded slowly. "So, that's why you scoffed at me?"

"No, I'm—" Peter began, but before he could finish, Reid lunged at him, ripping off his head with sharp claws. Peter's body crumpled to the floor, and Reid trapped the skull beneath his feet. The chilling silence that followed underscored the gravity of dissent within the pack.

Reid's voice cut through the heavy silence, demanding attention.

"Anyone else wants to interrupt me?" His posture stiffened, eyes locked onto the lifeless form of Peter.

The pack, including Keeran, stood frozen, disbelief etched across their faces, but Tommy couldn't contain his shock, "Oh, no, Peter!"

He tried to step forward, but Keeran held him back, cautioning, "Don't be reckless."

Reid, acknowledging Keeran's control, nodded appreciatively,

"Impressive handling, Keeran. You guys can relax about Nira. I've got a witch in my corner, strong enough to neutralise Nira's mojo. But that's not all – I've got an ace. Any reservations?"

Keeran cleared his throat, addressing Reid, "No concerns, Alpha Reid. I believe I echo the sentiments of the pack in trusting your judgment."

"Alright, guys, you're free to go – but Keeran and Tommy, I need you to stick around," Reid stated, watching the pack members briskly exit the warehouse. As the echoes of footsteps faded, Reid motioned for Keeran and Tommy to sit.

Seated, Reid broached the final part of his plan with them. He keenly observed Tommy's unease as he spoke, but he didn't care. Wrapping up, they exited in Keeran's sedan.

***

They had not spoken to each other since the duel, and the few times they made eye contact, one would awkwardly avert their eyes.

Ronald did not feel at ease, so he called Moss, asking him to meet in the forest.

"You called," Moss said as he emerged from the darkness.

"I did," Ronald affirmed.

Moss still felt terrible about not being beta.

He often thought that if he had not been tired out from his fight with Deere, he could have stood a better chance. But he was not unhappy about it. He trusted Denzel's instincts and was glad his life had been spared.

"Why did you ask to meet?" Moss questioned.

"Denzel wanted me to check the cave, and I thought I could use your company. Reid used to go there, but I doubt he'd dare after the banishment."

"Mmm, just the two of us?"

"Yeah. Moss, are we cool?"

"Yeah, why?" Moss paused slightly, purposely falling behind. Ronald continued moving at an even pace, allowing Moss to catch up.

"Feels like we've been avoiding each other since that night," Ronald said as they walked deeper into the woods.

"How has it been?"

"How has it been?" Moss repeated, pondering the question.

"You know what I mean, Moss," Ronald pressed.

"I recently beat you for the Beta position. How do you feel about that now?"

There was a brief silence as Moss contemplated his response.

"I'm glad it's you," Moss finally confessed.

"No grudges. I want what's best for the pack."

Ronald smiled. "Good. I hope we can work together for that."

"Of course," Moss agreed.

"Thanks for being cool."

They reached a rocky area, approaching a cave with the distant sound of running water.

"I dislike this place," Moss whispered, pointing at the lit cave.

"Really?" Ronald was surprised.

"I used to love coming here until Reid claimed it."

Peering inside, Moss remarked, "It looks empty. I doubt Reid's dumb enough to be here."

"True," Ronald nodded. "He isn't."

Inside the cave, beer cans and cigarette stubs littered the ground. Ronald's gaze swiftly pinpointed a recently extinguished cigarette.

He instinctively reached down, his heightened lupine senses signalling an impending threat.

"Someone was just here," Ronald said.

"Think it's him?" Moss inquired.

"No, Reid wouldn't. Someone else from the pack, maybe."

"Concerned?"

"I don't know," Ronald scruffed his nose.

"The cave wasn't exactly off-limits."

"Let's ask the scouts in this area what they know," Moss suggested, and they left the cave behind.