The village was still in a quiet shimmering with the moonlight and the stars, but sleep was shattered by a terror howl that reached them from the depths of the night. Zayne awoke, blinked slowly as he got out of bed. It was a sound unlike any he'd heard before, urgent, desperate. He saw a moment of a shadow pass by his window and soon thereafter he heard the soft murmurings of voices on the street corner, and his heart pounded, in fear.
"Stay here, Zayne," Orion stated in a firm tone as he entered the room, his usual gentleness was replaced by tension, his face saying one thing but his voice another, he was already dressed and moved into the cool night air with the efficiency of a bolt of lightning. Before Zayne could protest, Orion was gone, his towering figure vanishing into the night.
Zayne tiptoed to the window and looked out and found something strange. A wolf stood in the middle of the village square, Its silver coat was grimy with grime, and its sides quivered as it took ragged breaths. The wolf transformed to human appearance and appeared to be a thin old man with irritated eyes. Seen at a distance, Zayne could perceive the tension fixed in its gaze as it impatiently twitched on all fours.
Orion approached the messenger, surrounded by his trusted warriors. Zayne couldn't hear their words, but the tense set of their shoulders and the low growls that punctuated the conversation made it clear something was wrong.
"Alpha Orion," the messenger gasped, clutching their side. "There's trouble near the northern borders. Strange figures. They walk like ghosts, and their smell is something totally unique. ".
Orion's expression darkened. He leaned forward and gave a strong back to the messenger. "Calm yourself. Tell me exactly what you saw."
The messenger took a shaky breath, their voice trembling but steady. I saw them while walking near the old pine grove, I caught their smell. It was sharp, acrid—like burnt wood. I followed it, and that's when I saw them. They're not human, Alpha. They're something... more. They came and went, shimmers within the darkness, as if they were integrated within it.
Zayne, fully awake, looked out from behind the doorway. His pulse quickened and quickened more and more as he listened, his thoughts fueling his imagination to conjure monsters thanks to what the courier declared.
"What is their intent?" Orion asked, his tone measured despite the growing tension.
"I can't say for certain," the messenger admitted, shame flickering in their eyes. "But they're close, too close. I feared they might already be watching."
Orion nodded, his mind racing through possibilities. "You've done well to bring this to me. Rest now. We'll handle the rest."
The messenger paused, looking over their shoulder towards the woods' edge. "Be careful, Alpha. The shadows... they felt alive. I've never felt fear like that before." the messenger added
Moments later Orion stood before the assembled warriors and his voice called out the banter of villages. "We leave immediately. Gear up."
Zayne watched as the warriors left, some to their homes, others to the armory. His chest reverberated with the pride of his father's hulking physique, however, an umbilical tie of terror wriggled in his belly. Whatever had brought the messenger here in the dead of night wasn't good.
A soft knock at the door reeled him out of his daydream. Liora entered, her face pale but composed. She crossed the room and sat down on the edge of Zayne's bed with her hands together in her lap.
Do you know what's going on?, Zayne said, barely louder than a breath.
Liora hesitated before answering. "The messenger came from the northern border. There have been… sightings. Unfamiliar wolves, maybe more."
Her words hung heavy in the air. Zayne had heard rumors of rival packs and the threats they represented, but all of that had always seemed remote, like legends meant to frighten puppies into being good. Now, the threat was real, and it was close.
"Why can't I go with him? Zayne blurted out, his frustration bubbling over. "I can help!"
Liora smiled wryly and brushed a hair strand aside from his brow. "Your time will come, Zayne. But for now, you must trust your father. He knows what he's doing."
She leaned back, her gaze distant as she began to speak. "Do you remember the story of the great fire?"
Zayne nodded eagerly. It was one of his favorite tales, though he'd never grown tired of hearing it.
It was a long time ago, when you weren't here, Liora explained, her voice gentle but firm. Wildfire ravaged the forest and threatened to destroy the whole village. The flames were relentless, and the pack was terrified. Many wanted to flee, but Orion refused. He led the pack, coordinated a firebreak and pushed himself and the others to put out the fire. He saved not only the village but also the forest we call home.
Zayne listened intently, his fear momentarily replaced by awe.
"Orion has faced many threats, Zayne," Liora continued. "Droughts, rival packs, sickness… He's always found a way to protect us. She paused, her voice softening. "But that doesn't mean he's invincible. There is great honor also great burden and, at times, great risk to lead the pack.
Her words settled heavily on Zayne's heart. He could see the worry etched in her features, despite her attempt to remain composed. "What if something happens to him?" he asked quietly.
Liora's gaze softened as she took his hand. Now we have to look at the power of the group and the wisdom he's imparted upon us. Your father has prepared us for whatever comes."
Zayne bolted to the window and just in time got to witness Orion leading the pack into the woods under moonlight.
All he could wish is to be with his father, to share in the burden and to prove his utility. But as the time disappeared and the veil of the forest became thicker and thicker, a fearsome creeping something unpacked in the back of my mind.
Liora's voice broke through his thoughts. "Come, Zayne. You should rest."
"I can't, " he admitted, his eyes fixed on the forest.
Tell me another story, she said, leading him back to his bed.
Liora told him more stories about the early days of the village, and how they had overcome many challenges. Now, Zayne was trapped in waiting, hoping and wishing that the night would pass without incident.