The Pack’s Whispering Voices

The training grounds were bustling with activity, but it was not the usual routine drills. Wolves gathered in small groups, voices hushed yet urgent.

"Darius has saved us more times than I can count," one warrior muttered, sharpening his blade.

"He was there again last night," another said, shaking his head. "How does he always know when the rogues are coming?"

A younger wolf, barely past his first shift, frowned. "But Kael is still our Alpha."

A scoff rang out. "Kael is barely breathing."

Silence stretched between them.

Across the courtyard, Aldric overheard the murmurs. He exhaled sharply, stepping toward a group of older warriors.

"I trust Kael will return," he said with a firm voice. "And so should you."

One of the warriors, a burly man named Gregor, shook his head. "We can't wait forever, Aldric. The pack needs leadership, not wishes."

Aldric's jaw tightened. "Exactly, and Selene leads."

 "Selene tries." a wolf snaps

The words cut, but Aldric kept his temper in check. He knew arguing wouldn't change their minds. They needed action.

Selene was already working on it.

Selene walked along the eastern border, her eyes scanning the distance. Warriors followed, adjusting new barricades, setting traps, and reinforcing the weak spots.

Liora walked beside her. "The patrols are working," she said. "But the attacks aren't stopping."

Selene clenched her fists. "Then we make it harder for them."

A scout ran up, panting. "Luna! The western border—another attack!"

Selene took off running, warriors right behind her.

By the time Selene reached the western border, it was already over.

Darius stood in the middle of the clearing, his sword dripping with blood. Around him, several rogue bodies lay motionless.

His warriors stood tall, victorious.

Selene skidded to a stop, her eyes scanning the scene. "You got here first. Again."

Darius turned, wiping his blade against his sleeve. "Would you rather I let them attack?"

She ignored the bite in his tone. "How did you know?"

He smiled, slow and knowing. "I listen."

A murmur ran through the crowd. Wolves whispered amongst themselves, exchanging glances.

"He saved us again."

"Maybe he should be leading."

Selene's blood burned, but she kept her face neutral.

Darius stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You should thank me, Luna. I only do what needs to be done."

Selene's grip on her dagger tightened. "I never asked for your help."

Darius smirked. "No. But your pack did."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Selene standing in the middle of her divided people.

Later that night, Selene sat in her chambers rubbing her temples.

Liora placed a cup of warm tea in front of her. "Drink."

Selene sighed but obeyed, the warmth settling in her chest.

"I can't do this forever," she admitted. "Kael needs to wake up."

Liora sat across from her, watching carefully. "What are you going to do?"

Selene exhaled slowly. "I don't know."

Liora hesitated, then said, "Aeliana told us that the answers would reveal themselves. Have you seen anything yet?"

Selene shook her head. "No. Nothing that makes sense."

Liora's eyes narrowed. "Are you sure?"

Selene frowned, then slowly admitted, "There have been nightmares. But they're blurry, just flashes."

Liora leaned forward. "Then maybe it's time we speak to Aeliana."

The wind was sharp as Selene and Liora approached Aeliana's cottage. The old woman was outside, already waiting.

"I knew you would come," Aeliana said, her voice soft but strong.

Selene didn't waste time. "I need answers."

Aeliana nodded and gestured for her to sit. "Close your eyes, Luna. Look within."

Selene obeyed, inhaling deeply.

At first, there was nothing. Then—flashes.

A shadow, chains rattling, and a deep voice whispering words she couldn't understand. Kael's eyes were open but empty.

She gasped, eyes flying open.

"I see something," she whispered. "But it's unclear."

Aeliana handed her a small anklet. "This will guide you. Wear it, and pay attention to the visions. They will lead you to the truth."

Selene clutched the anklet, determination settling in her bones. Then they went back.

The pack was quiet when Selene returned, she walked straight to Kael's chambers.

He lay still, his breathing was steady but shallow. The sight of him, strong yet unmoving, made her chest ache.

She sat beside him, exhaling shakily. "I need you Kael," she whispered.

Her fingers brushed against his hand and then—

She noticed a faint movement. Her breath caught, his fingers had curled slightly.

She froze; her heart was pounding heavily, and Kael was waking up.

Selene's breath caught in her throat, and her heart pounded wildly as she stared at Kael's fingers, still resting against hers. It was faint, so faint that she almost thought she imagined it, but she knew what she saw.

He moved.

"Kael?" she whispered, leaning closer.

Nothing.

She shook his hand gently. "Kael, can you hear me?"

Still there was nothing.

Panic surged through her, but it was mixed with something dangerous, hope.

"Mother!" she shouted, shoving back from the bed and running toward the door.

Within seconds, Liora was there, breathless. "What happened?"

Selene grabbed her wrist, pulling her forward. "He moved! I saw it!"

Liora rushed to Kael's side, scanning his still body. His chest rose and fell in steady, even breaths. His face remained impassive.

"Are you sure?" Liora asked, her voice cautious.

Selene nodded rapidly. "Yes! He—he twitched. I swear it!"

Liora hesitated, reaching out to press her fingers against Kael's wrist. His pulse was steady, no different than before.

Before she could speak, Lila entered the room.

"What's going on?" she asked, her sharp eyes darting between them.

Selene turned to her, desperate. "He moved. I felt it. I saw it."

Lila frowned, moving toward the bed. She studied Kael for a long moment, before sighing. "Selene…"

The tone in her voice made Selene stiffen.

"You've barely slept in days," Lila continued. "You're exhausted. You're seeing what you want to see."

"No!" Selene snapped, shaking her head. "I know what I saw, I felt it."

Lila exchanged a glance with Liora, but neither of them spoke.

Selene's hands clenched into fists. "You don't believe me?"

Liora exhaled slowly. "It's not that, Selene. We just need to be sure. His body hasn't changed. If he moved, wouldn't he have done it again by now?"

Selene's chest tightened. She looked down at Kael, willing him to move again.

But nothing came up.

Still, she refused to believe it was just a trick of her mind, she knew what she felt.

Dinner was quiet. Selene barely touched her food, and Liora kept sneaking glances at her, clearly concerned.

Finally, after pushing her plate aside, Selene spoke.

"I'm thinking of working with Darius."

Liora's spoon clattered against the table. "What?"

Selene met her gaze evenly. "He's been protecting the pack. He has proven himself."

Liora's brows furrowed. "Selene, you don't trust him."

"I don't," she admitted. "But he cares for the pack, I can see it."

Liora's lips pressed into a thin line. "Or he wants to control."

Selene exhaled, resting her chin on her hand. "Maybe. But right now, he's the strongest warrior we have. If I keep shutting him out, we weaken ourselves."

Liora hesitated, then sighed. "You're right. But…" She trailed off, rubbing her arms. "I just don't like this. Something about it feels… off."

Selene knew what she meant. She felt it too.

But she was tired. The pack was suffering and Kael was still unconscious. She had no choice.

The night air was cool as Selene found Darius on the training grounds. He was finishing up with the warriors, barking orders and demonstrating a manoeuvre with his sword.

At her arrival, he turned, a slow smile stretching across his face. "Luna."

She hesitated for a fraction of a second before stepping forward. "I want to talk."

Darius nodded to his warriors, dismissing them. When they were gone, he faced her fully. "About?"

Selene took a breath. "I want us to work together."

For a moment, Darius just looked at her. Then a smile spread across his face.

"Wise choice, Luna."

Selene stiffened. "This is not an invitation to overstep."

Darius held up his hands. "Of course not. You are still the Luna. I simply offer my strength to support you."

Selene studied him, searching for deceit. But Darius was a master at masking his true intentions.

Finally, she nodded. "Good. We start tomorrow."

She turned to leave, but his voice stopped her.

"Selene."

She turned back.

Darius tilted his head, his eyes glinting in the moonlight. "You won't regret this."

Selene wasn't sure if that was a promise or a threat.

Darius's chambers were dimly lit. Only a few torches shone against the stone walls. Seated before him were four of the pack's elders, wolves who had begun doubting Kael's rule long before he fell into a coma.

Gregor, the burly warrior from before, leaned forward. "Selene agreed to work with you?"

Darius smirked. "She had no choice."

An older woman, Mira, folded her arms. "That doesn't mean she will hand you the pack."

Darius's eyes gleamed. "No. But the pack will."

The wolves exchanged glances.

Darius leaned forward, voice soft but commanding. "You've seen it, haven't you? The way the pack looks at me. They're already questioning. They already wonder if I should lead."

Gregor exhaled. "But Kael—"

"Is a corpse," Darius cut in, his voice was sharp. "He's gone. And Selene?" He scoffed. "She's trying, but trying isn't enough."

The elders were silent.

Darius's gaze swept over them. "It won't be long now. We just need to push the pack a little further."

Mira narrowed her eyes. "And how do you plan to do that?"

Darius smiled slowly. "By showing them what true leadership looks like."

His fingers tapped against the wooden table.