The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a claw as I stood before my assembled pack. Their faces, once united in loyalty, now showed a mix of confusion, fear, and in some cases, open hostility. I took a deep breath, steadying myself for what I knew would be the most challenging speech of my life as Alpha.
"I know you're all scared," I began, my voice carrying across the clearing. "The changes we're facing – the curse, the stolen moonstone, my... unique situation – it's a lot to take in."
A murmur rippled through the crowd. I caught sight of Jake, my faithful beta, giving me an encouraging nod. But even his unwavering support couldn't quell the knot of anxiety in my stomach.
"But we're stronger together," I continued. "We've faced challenges before, and we've always-"
"Always what, Skye?" a voice cut through the air. Mara, one of our older pack members, stepped forward. Her eyes, usually warm and kind, now held a steely glint. "Always survived? At what cost?"
I opened my mouth to respond, but Mara pressed on. "Look around! Half our pack can barely shift anymore. We're vulnerable, and for what? Because our Alpha can't control her new... abilities?"
The words stung, but I forced myself to remain calm. "Mara, I understand your frustration. But my new form, it could be the key to saving us all. If I can learn to control it-"
"And how long will that take?" another voice chimed in. This time it was Derek, one of our younger wolves. "The hunters are closing in, other packs are eyeing our territory, and we're supposed to just wait while you figure things out?"
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd. I felt my heart sink as I watched the doubt spread across their faces.
"No one's asking you to wait," Liam's voice rang out as he stepped to my side. "We're working on solutions. The witch-"
"The witch?" Mara scoffed. "The same one who cursed us in the first place? How can we trust anything she says?"
I raised my hands, trying to regain control of the situation. "I know it's not ideal, but-"
"Not ideal?" Derek interrupted. "Skye, we respect you. You've been a good Alpha. But this... this is too much. We need stability, not more chaos."
The crowd's agitation was growing. I could feel the pack bonds, usually so strong and reassuring, beginning to fray at the edges. Panic clawed at my throat. I was losing them.
"Please," I said, my voice cracking slightly. "Just give me a chance to explain everything. There's so much you don't know yet."
"Like what?" Mara challenged. "Like the fact that you're pregnant with a potentially supernatural child? Or that Liam here has lived for centuries? Oh yes, we've heard the whispers."
I froze, shock coursing through me. How had they found out? I turned to Liam, seeing the same surprise mirrored in his eyes.
Taking advantage of my momentary silence, Derek stepped forward. "Skye, we've talked it over. Many of us... we think it might be best if we left. Formed our own pack, or joined one that can offer us protection."
The words hit me like a physical blow. I staggered slightly, feeling Liam's steadying hand on my back.
"You can't be serious," Jake growled, moving to stand protectively in front of me. "After everything Skye's done for this pack?"
"We are serious," Mara said firmly. "And we're not the only ones who feel this way. Are we?"
To my horror, nearly half the pack stepped forward, aligning themselves with Mara and Derek. Faces I'd known for years, wolves I'd run with under countless moons – all looking at me with a mixture of fear and resolve.
"Please," I whispered, feeling tears prick at my eyes. "We're family. We can work through this together."
For a moment, I saw hesitation flicker across some faces. But then Derek spoke again, his voice gentle but firm. "We'll always care for you, Skye. But sometimes... sometimes family has to separate to survive."
A howl pierced the night air, startling us all. It wasn't one of ours – the tone was unfamiliar, aggressive.
"Rivals," Liam growled, his eyes flashing. "They must have sensed our weakness."
Panic rippled through the group. I straightened, pushing down my own turmoil. Whatever was happening within the pack, we couldn't afford to be divided in the face of an external threat.
"Everyone, prepare to defend the territory," I ordered, my Alpha voice ringing with authority. "We'll deal with pack politics after we've handled this threat."
To my relief, the pack responded instinctively to the command. Even those who had aligned with Mara and Derek fell into defensive positions. For a moment, it felt like old times – my pack, united against a common enemy.
But as I turned to lead them into battle, I caught sight of Mara's face. The look she gave me was clear: This changes nothing. The pack was still fractured, and no amount of shared danger could fully repair the breach.
As we moved through the forest, the rival pack's howls growing closer, I felt a sharp pain in my abdomen. I gasped, doubling over.
"Skye?" Liam was at my side in an instant, concern etched on his face. "What's wrong?"
I shook my head, trying to straighten up. "I'm fine, it's just-" Another wave of pain hit, more intense this time. I bit back a cry.
Liam's eyes widened in understanding. "The baby," he whispered. "Skye, is it-"
Before he could finish, a massive black wolf burst through the underbrush, teeth bared in a snarl. The rival pack was upon us.
As my pack leapt into action around me, I struggled to remain upright. The pain was intensifying, spreading through my body. I could feel something changing, shifting inside me.
"Liam," I gasped, clutching his arm. "Something's wrong. The baby... I think it's coming. Now."
His face paled. "That's not possible. It's too soon."
Another contraction ripped through me, and I fell to my knees. As the sounds of battle erupted around us, I looked up at Liam in terror.
"Possible or not," I managed through gritted teeth, "it's happening. And I don't think this is going to be a normal birth."
As if to emphasize my point, I felt my bones begin to shift, my body starting to change against my will. The last thing I saw before the pain overwhelmed me was Liam's panicked face, and the chaos of my divided pack fighting for survival around us.
Then everything went dark, and I spiraled into the unknown.