Witch in wolf's clothing - Namaari

Chapter 52: Duneshadow Pack

I stand at the edge of the desert, the scorching wind whipping around me, tugging at the edges of my beige tank top and cargo pants. My combat boots are planted firmly in the sand, but I can still feel the soft grains shifting beneath my feet. My hair is tied up in a messy bun on top of my head, keeping it out of my face as I stare out at the endless dunes ahead. Beside me, the triplets are tense and focused, their eyes scanning the horizon. We are surrounded by warriors, each of them ready for what’s to come.

To my left, Alpha Reed stands with his Beta Tyler, a formidable group of Stormfront pack warriors at their backs. Their presence is reassuring; they’re a powerful force. To my right is Alpha Flint, alongside his Beta Larc and a smaller, less imposing group of pack warriors. It strikes me as odd that Alpha Flint, who has been so adamant about wanting to conquer Duneshadow due to their constant attacks and supply theft, hasn’t brought more of his warriors. He claims that he needs most of them to stay back and defend the Wavecrest pack, in case of a counterattack, but I think that's bullshit. He likes to let others do the dirty work.

Pulling a light scarf around my neck, I cover my mouth and nose, preparing for the sandstorm ahead. It's like a veil, obscuring the border of the Duneshadow pack. Some of the warriors around us have already shifted into their wolf forms, ready to move through the desert quickly and quietly. I glance over as Zyméo and Kaynim shift into their wolves, their fur bristling in the wind. They nod to each other, then give the signal to advance, leading the way into the storm.

As everyone starts to move out, I feel a hand on my back. I turn to see Tazzym looking at me with concern. “Namaari, please, stay close to us and don’t do anything reckless. I know you’re capable of a lot... but please.”

I nod, understanding the worry in his voice. He shifts into Talon and I climb onto his back. With a quick glance around, I see everyone moving silently through the storm, the winds swirling around us, making it almost impossible to see. The sand stings my eyes, and I squint against the harsh wind as we push forward. The first small settlement and tents of the Duneshadow pack lie just beyond this wall of sand, and we need to move carefully to avoid detection until we’re ready.

As we press on, my thoughts drift to the message I sent to Nikolaj. I told him about the triplets, about us being mates. You never know what's going to happen... I thought it was time for him to know, even though texting might be a bit cowardly.

The moment I sent it, I tossed my phone aside and haven’t checked it since. I’m not ready to see his reaction, not yet. The triplets are my mates, and I’ll likely be living in the Silvermist pack. That doesn’t mean I won’t visit my family, but still, it will be a lot to take in for them.

And then there’s the other secret. I need to tell my mates that I’m a witch. The thought of it sends a wave of anxiety through me, but I know it’s something that has to be done. Great, Namaari, more fun conversations to look forward to.

Noali, my wolf, speaks up in my mind, her voice calm and reassuring. “I’m glad you’re finally getting all these secrets out in the open, Namaari. You’ll see; everything will turn out alright.”

I let out a slow breath, trying to steady myself. “I hope you’re right, Noali. I really do.”

“Focus on what’s in front of us first,” she says, her tone resolute.

I straighten up, my resolve hardening. “Yeah, and I need to keep an eye on Alpha Flint and his packmembers. No attacking innocents in this fight, that was the deal. I’ll make sure they stick to it.”

As dusk falls, the sun dips below the horizon, casting long shadows over the desert. We finally break through the sandstorm, leaving the swirling winds behind us. The settlement is eerily quiet at first, just a few small tents scattered across the landscape, but as we advance, I spot movement in the distance. Warriors from our side shoot tiny darts filled with a sleeping agent towards the Duneshadow pack members they see in the distance. The darts find their marks, ensuring the pack members will be unconscious within the hour. It's part of our plan—to incapacitate, not kill—unless absolutely necessary.

We move quickly and quietly, slipping past the smaller outlying tents. As we approach a more densely populated area, the alarm is finally raised. Watchmen spot us, and the warning goes out. Instantly, the camp erupts into chaos. Women, children, and the elderly flee toward a gate, seeking shelter behind the high adobe wall that encircles the heart of Duneshadow. The market, school, packhouse, and other structures are all protected within those thick, mud-brick walls.

Suddenly, warriors pour in from every direction, both in wolf form and human form, forming a defensive barrier in front of the wall and the gate that is now closed. The air is filled with snarls and shouts as our forces clash with theirs, the din of battle echoing across the sands. I keep my focus, weaving through the melee, striking down any Duneshadow warriors that try to block my path. My eyes are set on that adobe wall. If we can breach it and capture the Luna, we can force the Alpha to surrender without unnecessary bloodshed. That's the plan—minimize casualties and bring this fight to a swift end.

Beside me, Kaino, Talon, and Zalton fight fiercely, protecting my flanks as we push forward. They’re determined to keep me safe, fending off anyone who gets too close. Alpha Reed, meanwhile, has taken his warriors to lead the ground assault.

As we approach the wall, Alpha Flint and his Beta, Larc, fall in beside us. Flint’s face is set in a grim line, his eyes scanning the battlefield with a predatory gleam. I don’t entirely trust him, but for now, we have a common goal. The triplets form a protective semicircle around us, their lips pulled back in snarls, daring anyone to come near.

I glance up at the imposing wall looming above us. It stretches high, casting a dark shadow across the sands below. The moonlight reflects off its rough, mud-brick surface, making it appear almost like a fortress.

The triplets shift back into their human forms, putting on a pair of shorts that I brought in my bag. Their breathing is heavy and their eyes are sharp, ready for the next move. Beta Larc turns to us and says, "We’ll go up first and make sure it’s clear. Then you follow." His voice is calm but commanding, a stark contrast to the chaos erupting around us.

Beta Larc deftly toss a rope with a hooked end over the top of the wall. It catches on something solid with a soft thud, and after a quick tug to test its security, they begin to climb. Beta Larc goes up first, his movements swift and sure, followed closely by Alpha Flint. A moment later, we hear a low whistle—a signal that it’s safe to proceed.

“I’m going next,” Kaynim announces, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I don’t want the Princess up there to be alone with these fools.”

Without waiting for a response, he grabs hold of the rope and ascends, his powerful muscles working effortlessly to pull himself up. Reaching the top, he leans over the edge and gives a nod signaling me to climb. When I'm almost at the top, he extends his hand to me. I take it, feeling his firm grip as he helps me over the ledge and onto the narrow walkway atop the wall.

Once I'm up, Kaynim makes another signal down to Tazzym. I turn away from him, peering over the edge of the wall at the other side, and for the first time, I get a glimpse of what lies beyond.

It’s breathtaking.

The inside of the wall is a stark contrast to the barren landscape outside. Below, there’s a lush oasis, with clusters of tall palm trees and vibrant, exotic fruit trees that look like something out of a dream. The branches are heavy with ripe, colorful fruits, and beneath them, small pools of clear, shimmering water reflect the moonlight. The houses, made from the same earthen materials as the wall, are intricately decorated with gold accents that gleam under the pale light, giving the entire place a magical, almost ethereal glow. Fireflies float lazily in the air, their tiny lights blinking on and off like a thousand tiny stars.

“I don’t understand,” I murmur, my eyes wide with amazement. “Why would they need to steal food and supplies from the Wavecrest pack when they have all of this?”

I glance over at Alpha Flint, looking for answers, but he’s already moved on. With Beta Larc close behind, he’s creeping further into the compound, his movements swift and purposeful. Panic bubbles up inside me—this isn’t part of the plan. We’re supposed to stick together.

“s**t,” I mutter under my breath.

I immediately start running after him, but Kaynim grabs my arm, holding me back firmly. “Wait,” he hisses urgently. “Tazzym and Zyméo are almost here.”

I pull my arm free, whispering sharply, “I don’t want to lose sight of Alpha Flint and Beta Larc.”

Kaynim frowns, clearly frustrated with my impulsiveness. He wants to follow me, but suddenly, a group of warriors appears on the other side of the wall. With a growl, he turns around, his muscles tensing as he prepares to fight. He has to hold them off to give Tazzym and Zyméo a chance to climb up.

I see that he can handle it, and I decide to take my chance. Without looking back, I dart forward, chasing after Alpha Flint and Beta Larc.

I follow along the edge of the wall, keeping my eyes fixed on their silhouettes in the distance. I leap down at some lower ledges, landing on the roof of a nearby house. My feet make barely a sound on the clay rooftops as I leap from one to the next, like a shadow in the night.

For a moment, I lose sight of them, and my heart skips a beat. But then I spot them again, slipping down into a narrow alley between two houses. I quicken my pace, keeping low to avoid being seen, and rush toward the edge of the roof.

As I look over the edge, I see Alpha Flint suddenly turn towards a woman. Before I can react, he grabs her and, with a quick, brutal motion, snaps her neck. My eyes widen in shock. What the hell is he doing?