A MATE'S BETRAYAL

A merger?

In another pack, the taste of conflict could be felt in the air across the sprawling landscapes that stretched between the Luna Crest Pack and the domain ruled by a mad, if not spiteful Alpha. Years upon years of unwavering hostility had left a permanent scar upon the once lush territories, making it hard for Luna Crest to do business or any sort of development without fear of raids or violence.

Today, member’s of the Luna Crest Pack were on edge as they had been for the past few months patrolling their Pack borders in an attempt to keep their property- and lives. Any minute now their guards and leaders , their families , would be back from protecting their borders and given the events of the last patrol, they each sent prayers to the Great Mother, to return their loved ones, dead or alive.

Hilda, was one of the wolves who waited in the Clan hall, pacing in circles. Her friends were part of the patrol team taking turns and she was particularly worried for one wolf in particular, one that made her cheeks burn innocently whenever she saw him. There was something between them and she hoped to the sky above that on the 18th crimson moon, they would be bonded. But that would be only possible if they could make the journey to the gathering.

“They are here! Oh thank the Great Mother!” one of the other restless wolves cried out in relief as they all walked out to greet the tired young men and women. By luck or not, she was exempted from joining the patrol, all unmated female wolves were- they couldn't risk their dwindling numbers any further.

Hilda looked at everyone that came through, their mates or parents rushing towards them. She looked for the tall and very , very handsome wolf that always made her insides dance. She couldn't see him anywhere. She ran back to the hall in case maybe he took a different route and with a relieved sigh, she saw him, her future mate - as far as she was concerned was back , in one handsome piece.

“River, need any help?” Hilda timidly asked as she approached her crush who was untying his boots.

“No. Thanks.” River’s cold reply did nothing to dampen her flaming crush, despite the circumstances.

“Oh. right. Any news on the borders? Do you think we will be able to make it to the gathering before- ”

“Hilda, please. Not now. Have you seen my mother?” Hilda had always overlooked River’s sour grumpy mood, his amazing facial structures and his charisma made up for the charm he did not have, plus, he was going to be the future Beta, - or her Alpha mate of course.

“No, uhm let me call her for you. ” Hilda pushed her crushing heart aside and put on a serious face, perhaps now wasn't the time. She grabbed her phone from the back pocket and dialed her mother, they were always together, after all, Hilda was the Heiress to the Pack, just like her mother she would lead Luna Crest Pack. The phone rang once and twice before it was disconnected, her mother hated phone calls. So she opted for a text message instead.

“I just texted her. '' Hilda replied and as she turned to leave the brooding wolf, she heard his voice, once again igniting the fire in her crushing heart.

“Thanks.” River said.

That night, all the patrol teams had returned with somewhat good news, much to Hilda’s disappointment.

“So, what you are trying to say is, have they left the southern borders? We can resume our businesses and what not but now they are towards the west, and we can't attend the gathering?” Someone had asked the question after the short briefing they had been given early that morning.

“Yes, James, that is exactly what Luna just said. I know it’s tradition for our unmated wolves but we can't risk it, we barely have enough guards and we know the intruders will take that chance and attack. We can't. ”Hilda's father said, his voice booming in the wee hours of the morning through the meeting room full of family representatives.

“We don't have to send the whole pack, surely, we would have to wait another gathering year - ” James was desperately trying to make a point, his own daughter was also unmated and he had hoped to leave the Pack as soon as she found her mate. He couldn't stand the conflict any longer.

“James, with the way things are going, we may never live to see the next crimson moon. Our resources are depleting by the minute, we need this conflict to end if you want your dear child mated.” Luna Iris, Hilda’a mother said, desperation evident in her calm response.

Hilda hated the fact that they were at war with the neighboring Clan whose Alpha held a decades old grudge. The tyrant Alpha had wanted Iris to be his mate and when she couldn't accept him as a second mate, who according to him was promised to him , he waged war with Luna Crest. Iris and her mate Alden had done their best to maintain some sort of peace for their Pack and by the time Hilda was a teen, their resources were all but diminished, everyone was tired of the anxiousness that had become a constant for Luna Crest Pack. Those who were lucky, slipped away during gatherings, others willingly went to the other side, choosing to side with the enemy instead of meeting an untimely death.

“What do we do? The gathering will be taking place in a few days. I have waited for this moment my entire life… I-” Hilda spoke up, there was nothing she wanted more than to meet her wolf and bond with her future mate- River.It was also then that she realized her parents had requested her to join the meeting, perhaps to teach her the ropes as early as possible. She also expected to see the others, River in particular as he would be a future leader anyway. Her random thoughts were disrupted by her mother’s reply.

“There's only one way, to ensure that we no longer have to worry about the future, give Moon Shadow Pack what they want, what is rightfully theirs. ” Iris said and hushed voices were heard all over the meeting room. These were indeed desperate times if her parents were willing to give in.

“Is that the only way?” Another voice asked and this time It was Alden who answered.

“Unless you are willing to fight, shed blood and perhaps kill some wolves, I don't see another way. We can't do this over and over, that alpha is madder than we thought, did you see what happened to our trucks?” Luna asked, trying to drive the point home by all means possible.

“Plus, if we do it early enough, then we may be able to go for the gathering and your beloved children can fulfill their destinies.” Iris added, tossing a glance towards Hilda before she looked away.

“Then let’s do it, the council will back you up, of course, we can't always send our guards on patrol. It's risky. Word also has it the new Alpha is nothing like his tyrant father. It won't be that bad.” Another member spoke and this time, the hushed tones were replaced with gazes in Hilda’s direction.

“Then it is done,Luna Crest and Moon Shadow Clans will be merged in a mating bond. Great mother as witness. I will contact Alpha as soon as possible. Let us hope they accept.”

It took Hilda a minute to digest and understand the words she was hearing, as well as the looks she was getting and when realization hit home…

“Wait… what? A merger? ” Hilda asked, needing to clarify what she just heard.