The first light of dawn crept over Valewood as Eva approached the Alaric estate, her heart still pounding from the fight in the alley. Every instinct told her to hurry—there was no telling how soon the vampires would make their move Uncertainty creeped into her mind like an annoying mother-in-law. She pushed open the heavy iron gates and slipped into the family's estate, a sprawling manor that loomed with both grandeur and the unmistakable aura of power. With a touch of both Greek and Roman architecture, the estate was a sight to behold.
Inside, the grand hall was already alive with tension. Luca was pacing near the arched windows, and the moment Eva entered, he turned, his eyes sharp with concern. She could see he hadn't slept; the shadows under his eyes told her he'd spent the night preparing for the worst.
"You're back," Luca said, his voice strained as he crossed the hall to meet her. "What did you find?"
Eva took a deep breath, steadying herself. "They're planning an attack. Three days from now, maybe sooner. They're gathering forces from outside the city." She hesitated, then added, "They're not here to negotiate, Luca. They're here to wipe us out."
Luca's face darkened, his jaw clenched tight. He turned to their father, Donovan Alaric, who was seated at the end of the hall, deep in thought. Eva could tell he'd overheard; his expression was somber, a stark contrast to the usual calm that he maintained even in tense situations.
"We need to act now," Luca urged, his voice hard. "Waiting isn't an option anymore."
Donovan nodded slowly, his gaze shifting between his children. "Then we call for a council meeting. If the vampires are truly coming in force, we can't face them alone. The other families must be prepared."
He motioned to a servant, who quickly disappeared to summon messengers. Within the hour, the leaders of the five werewolf families would gather under the Alarics' roof—a rare occurrence that only happened in times of great peril. And a great time of peril was upon them.
An hour later, the heads of the Voss, Ravan, Durand, and Ashford families gathered in the Alarics' hall, each of them accompanied by their strongest warriors. The air was thick with eerie tension, and each leader wore a wary expression as they greeted each other, exchanging guarded glances. The leaders were formidable, each with their own legacy, their own pride.
Isaac Voss, tall and broad with a mane of graying hair, was the first to speak. "I assume this is not a meeting to discuss formalities, Donovan," he said, his voice deep and laced with skepticism.
"No, Isaac," Donovan replied. "The vampires have broken the balance. They're gathering strength, and they intend to challenge our claim to Valewood. Our scouts report that they'll strike within the next three days."
A murmur ran through the room as the news sank in.
Sophia Ravan, a fierce and composed woman, folded her arms, her piercing gaze fixed on Donovan. "And you're certain of this?" she asked, her tone sharp.
"Beyond any doubt," Donovan replied. "They've been amassing forces along our borders, and my daughter encountered one of their scouts last night. They made their intentions clear: they're here to take the city."
A tense silence followed, broken only by the sound of a chair scraping against the floor as Elias Durand stood up. He was wiry and serious, with a calculating look in his eyes. "So what's the plan? You didn't call us here to just talk about the threat. I assume you have a proposal."
Donovan nodded. "We must be united. If we face them divided, they'll overrun us. But together, we can stand our ground and remind them why this city has always belonged to us."
A ripple of agreement spread through the room, though there was an undercurrent of doubt. The families had coexisted in uneasy peace, but old rivalries ran deep. Would unity hold in the face of the vampire threat, or would the ghosts of old grudges weaken them from within?
Luca, who had been listening in silence, finally spoke up. "We can't just defend. We need to push back. Make it clear that if they step into Valewood, they're entering a war they can't win."
The room was quiet as the leaders considered his words. Then Sophia nodded, her expression resolute. "He's right. Defensive strategies won't be enough. We need to show them that we're ready to fight back."
Donovan looked around the room, gauging the resolve in each leader's face. "Then it's decided. Each family will prepare its warriors. We'll patrol the borders, watch for any movement, and the moment they make their move, we strike."
---
As dusk fell over Valewood, preparations were already underway. Each family's warriors began gathering in strategic locations across the city, weapons at the ready. The air was thick with tension, a sense of imminent conflict settling over the city like a dark cloud.
Luca watched as his family's warriors gathered in the manor's courtyard, each one armed and prepared for what lay ahead. He moved among them, giving instructions, ensuring everyone was ready for the fight.
Eva joined him, her expression serious. "They're ready, but there's something you need to know."
He looked at her, concern flickering across his face. "What is it?"
"I overheard something…one of the vampires mentioned that they have someone inside Valewood. A contact who's been helping them get information."
Luca's eyes narrowed. "A traitor?"
Eva nodded. "I don't know who it is, but if they've infiltrated us…we could be walking into a trap."
Luca felt a surge of anger. Someone was feeding information to the enemy, betraying the very city they'd sworn to protect. His mind raced with possibilities, trying to figure out who among their allies could have turned against them.
"Keep this quiet for now," he said, his voice tense. "If we can find out who it is, we'll deal with them ourselves."
Eva nodded, understanding the gravity of his words. "I'll keep an eye out."
They fell into silence, each of them aware of the risks that lay ahead. The vampires weren't just a threat from outside; they had sown discord within Valewood, undermining the unity the families so desperately needed.
---
As night fell, a cold wind swept through the city, and the first signs of movement appeared along Valewood's southern border. Shadows flickered in the dim light as a group of vampires emerged from the trees, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.
At their head was Viktor Drakov, his gaze cold and calculating. Behind him, his followers moved with deadly purpose, each one eager to taste victory. They paused just outside the werewolves' territory, a smirk tugging at Viktor's lips as he surveyed the city before him.
"This is only the beginning," he murmured. "Tonight, we show them their time is over."
The vampires began to fan out, slipping into the city's outskirts with the silent precision of hunters. They moved like shadows, blending into the darkness as they crept closer to their target.
Meanwhile, the Alarics and their allies watched from the rooftops, their senses sharp, every nerve attuned to the danger closing in. Luca felt a surge of adrenaline as he spotted the first vampire crossing into their territory, his instincts screaming at him to strike.
He turned to his father, who stood beside him, his face calm but his eyes burning with fierce determination. Donovan raised his hand, signaling for patience, and Luca forced himself to wait, knowing that their strength lay in the element of surprise.
But just as the vampires moved closer, a figure appeared in the distance, racing toward the werewolves' position. It was one of the family's scouts, his expression frantic as he reached them.
"They're not alone," he gasped. "They have reinforcements—a second group moving in from the north. They're surrounding us."
Luca's heart pounded as he realized the full scope of the vampires' plan. They weren't just attacking—they were closing in, cutting off every escape route. It was an ambush.
"Prepare for a fight," Donovan ordered, his voice steady but filled with urgency. "We defend our city, no matter the cost."
The werewolves braced themselves, their eyes fixed on the advancing vampires. The air was thick with the promise of violence, and as the first vampire lunged forward, the silence shattered, plunging Valewood into a battle that would decide its fate.