War

< NIGHTSHADE PACK >

Alpha Kieran Blackthorn sat in his study, staring for a while at the pile of documents laid out on his desk. Reports, patrol schedules, strategies lay before him, but his mind was elsewhere. A nagging sense tugged at his awareness a sense, a wail in the distance for help that would not be soothed.

No matter how much he tried to apply his mind to the work, that nagging feeling of urgency dug into him and kept drawing his thoughts away from the work that was so desperately called for.

He let out a frustrated sigh as he ran a hand through thick, dark hair and pushed the papers aside. Abruptly, he stood and began to pace the length of his study. Large windows gave onto the view of the dense forest that surrounded Ravenridge, but tonight it did little to lock the restlessness out from his spirit. Something was out there, he could feel in his bones each breath a silent call to him through cool night air. It was just then that he reached for the door to take a clear your head walk when it creaked open, revealing his mother, the former Luna of the Nightshade Pack, Elara Blackthorn-, and his loyal Beta, Lucas Thorne. First to enter was his mother, her presence as regal as ever, though concern etched on her face.

Her hair cascaded down her back like a silver river, and into her eyes softened with age but still sharp as this leader, it became possible to know.

Lucas was right behind him, his tall, muscular frame filling the doorway. Short cropped hair framed a face that held a steady brown gaze. He was the picture of a steadfast Beta: loyal, disciplined, and fiercely willing to defend his Alpha. He had been beside Kieran in countless battles and his support was one of the few constants in Kieran's chaotic life.

"Kieran," Elara began softly but firmly, "you've been in here for hours, is something bothering you?"

Kieran shrugged back at the scattered papers, "Just trying to get through all this." But even as he spoke, he knew that was only partly true. The feeling of unease was growing decidedly stronger, and he could no longer ignore it.

Elara cast a look over at Lucas before facing her son again. "You're overworking yourself. Not even Alphas go without sleeping," she reprimanded him, as all good mothers should. "That's not the only reason we're here."

Kieran tensed slightly, his mind heading toward where this conversation was going. His mother had been one of the few allies when it came to the council asking him to find a mate, but she was also among those most believing in the Packs traditions and rules.

"Mother, if this is about the council-" Kieran started, but a raised hand was all it took from Elara to silence him.

"I don't agree with the elders pushing you to find a mate right now," said Elara calmly, "but you've been breaking too many rules, Kieran. It's risky, ignoring the traditions that have kept this pack so strong for generations. The course you're on is going to get you into a lot more than just trouble with the elders. Lyle has his eyes on you, just waiting for you to slip up. You can't give him the opportunity.

With his younger brother being brought up, a tint of darkness clouded Kieran's face. For a long time, Lyle had been an obstacle in his path, trying to have all power in his hands at every instance, was quick to grab any opportunity against him. In the eye of his mind, he could imagine the aftermath if Lyle became the Alpha; this piqued his anger to a point where he knew he couldn't let that happen. But inside, all these responsibilities and relentless works coming at him from every direction to get him were slowly beginning to take their toll on his heart.

"I know the rules, Mother," Kieran returned, his tone taut. "But I will not be forced into something that isn't right for me or this pack. I need time to figure this out on my own terms."

Elara sighed, her expression softening as she stepped closer to her son. "I understand, Kieran. I really do. But you're walking a fine line. You have to be careful.

The door to the study burst open once again, and with purpose, Garrick walked into the room , Gamma and the third in command within the Nightshade Pack. His grizzled beard, riddled scars that battle had left upon his body, and piercing green eyes made him a formidable presence. He was known for his strategic mind and steadfast loyalty to the pack. Usually a collected man, calm and composed, tonight a grimace had set upon his face.

Alpha," Garrick said, all preamble, his voice urgent enough that it raised Kieran's attention immediately. "We got us a situation: Blood Moon Pack rogues have breached our borders.

Anger flared in Kieran's eyes as, all along, an explanation of sorts was what his premonition was waiting for. The last thing he needed right now was the Blood Moon Pack testing their defenses for weeks. This call wasn't his instincts acting up but rather a direct threat aimed at his territory.

"How many?" Kieran asked very firmly, his tone low and dangerous.

"A few, but they are moving fast. They have already contacted our scouts near the eastern border," Garrick replied as his voice remained steadfast even with the situation at hand.

Kieran's fists were clenched, his anger near the surface. "They're getting bolder," he growled. "We need to end this now.

He turned to face his mother then, and his face slightly softened. "Mother, I need you to go back to your chambers. It's not safe out here tonight.

Elara nodded, her eyes alight with worry and pride. "Be careful, Kieran. And remember, your strength is not just in your power but in your decisions. Make the right one.".

Kieran nodded curtly, motioning to the guards waiting outside the study to see her off. When Elara was safely dispatched on her way he turned to Lucas and Garrick, all determination in his eyes.

" Lucas, Garrick," Kieran said, his voice cold, commanding. "We're heading to the eastern border. I want those rogues dealt with immediately. No mercy"

The two men nodded, their faces hardening as they prepared to follow their Alpha in battle.

Together, they pushed out of the study and padded quickly through the twisting corridors of the pack house and out into the night. The air outside was cool and perpetually full of the smells from the woods: pine, damp soil, and mixed into that, the reek of rogue wolves who didn't belong there.

As they approached the eastern border of the pack lands, Kieran's senses flared to life, wolf surging to the fore and ready for battle. The snarls and growls filtered through the distance, reaching their sensitive ears. Kieran's ire rose; the Blood Moon Pack was testing his patience on a thin strand, and he was bound to send them a message that Nightshade wasn't a pack one trifled with.

As they closed in on the skirmish, Kieran could see his wolves engaged with the rogues, their forms blurring in the silent moonlight, tussling with tooth and claw. Kieran looked right from Lucas to Garrick, flashing his gaze.

"Let's show them what happens when they trespass on Nightshade territory." With a feral growl, Kieran launched himself forward, his body shifting midair into his powerful black wolf.

Lucas and Garrick followed suit, their wolves joining the fray with lethal precision. As one, they tore into the rogues, their combined fury a testament to the unbreakable bond of the Nightshade Pack.

The battle continued to rage, but for Kieran, his heart was held in a perpetual state of focus. He had a pack to protect, a brother waiting to usurp him, and a future that was his for the taking. Tonight, he would prove once more that he was Alpha, and no one- his brother, the Blood Moon Pack, and most definitely not them- would ever have a say over his life.