The Seeds of Doubt

The tension in the Silverclaw Pack had never been this high. Every day, murmurs filled the air like a thick fog, weighing on the shoulders of the wolves who once stood strong under Kael Wynther's rule.

The Alpha was still in his deep sleep—mute, deaf, and unresponsive. His silence created a void, one that some feared could never be filled again.

At first, everyone believed Selene would hold them together. She was their Luna, Kael's wife, and the one who had been standing strong for the pack. But doubts began to fester.

"A Luna can never be an Alpha."

"This is what happens when a weak female takes the throne."

"Kael is lost. What if she's next?"

Some blamed Selene. Others looked for a new leader. And that's when Darius arrived.

Darius, the uncle of Kael, was no stranger to the pack. He had always been in the background, a man who once seemed loyal to the Wynther bloodline. But now, with Kael out of the way, he stepped forward with a smile that hid a blade.

At first, he didn't push. He merely offered help.

One by one, he approached the pack members, speaking in soft, reassuring tones.

"I know things are hard. Kael was a strong Alpha, but his time is over. We cannot let the pack crumble while he sleeps."

"Selene is trying, yes, but she is young and inexperienced. A Luna cannot bear the weight of a whole pack alone."

He never said anything bad outright. He simply planted seeds of doubt, letting them take root in the minds of those who already felt lost.

At gatherings, he would bring food, offering it to those struggling with resources.

"Eat, rest. Let me handle the hard part. You don't have to suffer."

A group of pack members gathered near the training grounds, their voices were low but tense. The cold evening breeze carried their whispers, mixing with the distant howls of night patrols.

"How long will we live like this?" a woman muttered, pulling her child closer. "The Alpha is lost, and we are leaderless."

"We have a Luna," a younger man countered. "Selene has been handling things—"

"Handling things?" a voice cut in, filled with frustration. "She is not an Alpha. Our enemies will come for us the moment they sense weakness."

A hush fell over them as Darius stepped forward. His expression was calm and understanding. He did not force his way into their conversation, he simply walked in like he belonged.

"You are right to be afraid," Darius said, his voice smooth and measured. "Change is never easy. But you are not alone."

The mother, with eyes wary, clutched her child tighter. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," he sighed, "I have seen packs fall because they refused to face the truth. Kael was a great Alpha but look at us now. We are vulnerable."

There was silence in the air, the words settled over them like a weight.

"You think Selene can't handle it?" the younger man asked, breaking the silence.

Darius smiled, slow and patient. "Selene is trying. But even the strongest warriors need help, besides, she's just a woman."

He stepped closer, offering the mother a small pouch. She hesitated before opening it. Inside were dried herbs and food rations.

"You shouldn't have to suffer while waiting for miracles," Darius said. "Let me help."

The mother exhaled shakily, nodding.

The next day, the pack gathered in the courtyard, waiting for Selene to address them. The tension was thick, whispers filled the air, eyes shifting between Selene, Aldric, Liora, and Darius.

Selene stepped forward, her chin high. "We are stronger together," she began, her voice firm. "Kael is still your Alpha, and until he recovers, I will not let this pack fall apart."

"We do not doubt your will, Luna," a voice spoke up. It was Marcellus, the eldest elder—"but we must also be realistic. If Kael never wakes…" He let the words hang.

Selene's hands clenched, but before she could respond, Darius stepped in.

"It is not about doubting Selene," he said smoothly. "It is about ensuring we have the strength to move forward." He turned, addressing the crowd. "Tell me, who here has gone hungry in the past week?"

Several hands rose hesitantly.

"And who feels unsafe, as though our borders are weakening?"

More hands went up accompanied by murmurs.

Darius nodded, stepping closer to Selene. "You are strong, Luna. But strength alone does not feed the hungry or protect the weak."

Selene met his gaze, refusing to back down. "And what would you suggest?"

Darius smiled. "We work together. Let me take some of this burden from you."

The pack watched; some nodded in agreement, while others remained sceptical. But the division was clear now.

And Darius had just taken his first step.

Night had barely settled when the first alarm howls rang through the air. It was a rogue attack.

Darius was the first to arrive with warriors, protecting those in danger.

"See? I'm here for you. Where is Selene?"

Slowly, wolves began to listen.

Selene and Aldric ran toward the border with some warriors following.

By the time they arrived, Darius was already there. His sword was slick with blood, and his warriors standing tall. The bodies of three rogues lay at his feet.

"You're late," Darius said, offering Selene a tight smile.

Selene's gaze swept the area, her wolves were injured. Some bled from claw marks, while others limped.

She turned to the injured. "Get them back to the healer's hut."

Darius clapped a hand on one warrior's shoulder. "We handled it."

Selene's jaw tightened. "You took my warriors without consulting me?"

"I protected the pack," Darius corrected, voice even. "Isn't that what matters?"

From the shadows, pack members watched.

Some murmured:

"Darius saved us."

"Why wasn't Selene here first?"

The doubt had begun to grow.

The next day, Selene, Aldric, Liora, and Elder Marcellus met in the council hall.

"He's turning them against me," Selene said, pacing.

Liora's eyes were sharp. "He moves like a viper. Slow, careful."

Aldric leaned forward. "Then we move faster."

"How?" Selene asked.

Marcellus tapped his cane against the ground. "Remind them who truly leads. They need to see your power, not just your words."

Aldric nodded. "I agree with Elder Marcellus; we need to set up public patrols, strengthen the border, you know, a hunt—something that puts you at the centre."

Selene exhaled. This was not what she had imagined when she married Kael.

But she had no choice.

Aldric, Liora, and Selene watched carefully. They saw how some wolves now greeted Darius with more respect than their own Luna.

At a small gathering, Aeliana, the wise elder, voiced her concern.

"Darius moves like a snake," she murmured to Liora. "He does not strike at once, he waits, watches and then he bites."

Liora clenched her fists. "I won't let him take my son's place."

But it wasn't that simple.

One night, a group of pack members gathered in secret.

"I don't know about you, but I can't live like this forever."

"Kael is not coming back. And even if he does, will he even be the same?"

"Selene is strong, but she isn't an Alpha."

A voice whispered from the shadows. "Maybe Darius should lead."

As the whispers grew, Aldric and Selene knew they had to act.

Selene called for a meeting, standing before the pack.

"I know you are afraid," she said. "I know you think Kael is gone forever. But I made a vow to him, to all of you. I will not let this pack fall apart."

Darius watched from the crowd, he smirked.

Selene turned to Aldric. "Our warriors will remain strong. We will protect our borders, we will not be divided."

But would words be enough?